Shaving with Sensitive Skin

[joe201]

Recently I've made a change to my shaving routine that has improved my skin greatly. I want to share it with you guys because having sensitive skin makes shaving difficult. I usually get bad irritation around my neck and the sides of my chin so I hope this helps. In the morning I shower but I don't wash my cheeks and neck (anywhere I shave) with any products. I just use a lot of hot water. I find that this keeps my skin from drying and it properly preps my face to shave. Then I use a good pre-shave oil or product(I like AoS lavender or Trumpers skin food). This will coat your face with a barrier between the lather and the skin, reducing friction. Then I lather soap or cream in a bowl instead of my face (to reduce skin aggravation) Now I shave with a good hydrated lather (make sure that you properly mix the lather so that it holds as much water as possible without compromising its cushioning properties). When I apply the lather (preferably with a soft badger) I use an upward painting motion. I'm not aggressive with the brush because it will only aggravate the skin more (in my case). Then I do a three pass shave with no pressure using a DE or straight (depends on my mood). I follow with witch hazel, cold wather, then aftershave balm.

This is just my opinion and it has given me great result. I hope it could help someone out.

 

[sherlock]

Recently I've made a change to my shaving routine that has improved my skin greatly. I want to share it with you guys because having sensitive skin makes shaving difficult. I usually get bad irritation around my neck and the sides of my chin so I hope this helps. In the morning I shower but I don't wash my cheeks and neck (anywhere I shave) with any products. I just use a lot of hot water. I find that this keeps my skin from drying and it properly preps my face to shave. Then I use a good pre-shave oil or product(I like AoS lavender or Trumpers skin food). This will coat your face with a barrier between the lather and the skin, reducing friction. Then I lather soap or cream in a bowl instead of my face (to reduce skin aggravation) Now I shave with a good hydrated lather (make sure that you properly mix the lather so that it holds as much water as possible without compromising its cushioning properties). When I apply the lather (preferably with a soft badger) I use an upward painting motion. I'm not aggressive with the brush because it will only aggravate the skin more (in my case). Then I do a three pass shave with no pressure using a DE or straight (depends on my mood). I follow with witch hazel, cold wather, then aftershave balm.

This is just my opinion and it has given me great result. I hope it could help someone out.

Sounds like a good method

 

[luvmysuper]

Recently I've made a change to my shaving routine that has improved my skin greatly. I want to share it with you guys because having sensitive skin makes shaving difficult. I usually get bad irritation around my neck and the sides of my chin so I hope this helps. In the morning I shower but I don't wash my cheeks and neck (anywhere I shave) with any products. I just use a lot of hot water. I find that this keeps my skin from drying and it properly preps my face to shave. Then I use a good pre-shave oil or product(I like AoS lavender or Trumpers skin food). This will coat your face with a barrier between the lather and the skin, reducing friction. Then I lather soap or cream in a bowl instead of my face (to reduce skin aggravation) Now I shave with a good hydrated lather (make sure that you properly mix the lather so that it holds as much water as possible without compromising its cushioning properties). When I apply the lather (preferably with a soft badger) I use an upward painting motion. I'm not aggressive with the brush because it will only aggravate the skin more (in my case). Then I do a three pass shave with no pressure using a DE or straight (depends on my mood). I follow with witch hazel, cold wather, then aftershave balm.

This is just my opinion and it has given me great result. I hope it could help someone out.

Thanks for the pointers for those guys with sensitive skin.
Every time I read one of these I thank my lucky stars that I don't have any issues to deal with like that.
Good Luck and Good Shaves!

 

[granty]

I've had success with a similar routine. I used to use facewash to wash my face every day, but now I only use hot water. When I shave I put on some jojoba oil on the beard area as a preshave oil, then once I'm done shaving, I only use the alum block to finish, nothing else, as usually there is enough of the jojoba oil left on my face to keep it moisturised. And oddly enough, I've get less irritation by doing a careful, single against-the-grain pass than 2 or three passes (thats with a British Tech or Aristocrat and a red Personna blade). Very little dryness or tightness at all like I used to get after I shaved.

I also do the oil cleansing method once in a while, which involves hot towels and castor oil/virgin olive oil mix, and my skin has never been better.

 

[CCMphysician]

Recently I've made a change to my shaving routine that has improved my skin greatly. I want to share it with you guys because having sensitive skin makes shaving difficult. I usually get bad irritation around my neck and the sides of my chin so I hope this helps. In the morning I shower but I don't wash my cheeks and neck (anywhere I shave) with any products. I just use a lot of hot water. I find that this keeps my skin from drying and it properly preps my face to shave. Then I use a good pre-shave oil or product(I like AoS lavender or Trumpers skin food). This will coat your face with a barrier between the lather and the skin, reducing friction. Then I lather soap or cream in a bowl instead of my face (to reduce skin aggravation) Now I shave with a good hydrated lather (make sure that you properly mix the lather so that it holds as much water as possible without compromising its cushioning properties). When I apply the lather (preferably with a soft badger) I use an upward painting motion. I'm not aggressive with the brush because it will only aggravate the skin more (in my case). Then I do a three pass shave with no pressure using a DE or straight (depends on my mood). I follow with witch hazel, cold wather, then aftershave balm.

This is just my opinion and it has given me great result. I hope it could help someone out.

Thank you for the advice. I have been debating adding preshave oil to my routine, but after your post, I think I will give it a shot tonight.

Thanks again,
CCM

 

[Pierce]

+1 on not washing your face in the shower!

Just to add...

I have quite sensitive skin, particularly to friction. I do not use a face-cloth, just my hands. Ex-foliating creams are used once a month if even. Pre shave oils are a no-no for me (the reason is that it seems to take away from the good work of washing your face and strips moisture from the beard).

To give an example I used palmolive (its a european version), with trumpers skin food and my skin went on fire, swelled and went red. Particularly on the upper lip, below the nose.

I find a very nice, rich, hot lather does all the lubrication you need.

For me, the less, the simpler, the better!

Pierce

 

[auk1124]

+1 I have found through trial and error that bowl lathering works best for me also, and that a preshave is a must. I use Noxzema Plus.

 

[joe201]

Thanks for the replies. A single against the grain pass works well too (thats what I do if I'm pressed for time) but I find that my stubble needs some reduction before an atg pass. Also, oil cleansing makes my face feel great but it takes a lot of time so I only do it once or twice a month.

CCM, I feel that preshave oil gives the extra lubrication needed for close and comfortable shaves. It also restores some of the oil that will be lost during the shave, keeping your face moisturized. I hope your shave goes well. (If you get a chance try Art of Shaving pre-shave oil. Its a little expensive at $22 but it lasts forever and smells great.)

 

[bcalvary]

I'm also one of the unfortunate ones. Thank you for any advice you can give. It sucks having sensitive skin but we don't have another choice.

 

[andrew98]

Skin food does work great as a pre-shave. I avoid hot water. It can dry and irritate your skin, too. Maybe try using warm, not hot, water. I have dry, sensitive skin.

-Andy

 

[Bman437]

I have been using Shave secret from walmart as a presave oil. I love it and it is only a couple dollars. The smell strong clove but I enjoy the smell and so does my wife so it is a winner for me. +1 for using preshave oil.