When do you use (Acne) Face Wash? (if you do)

[pipskicks]

OK so I know I'm not the only one that gets some acne here and there if I get my face dirty. I used to use Neutrogena Face Wash or Cream, either daily or almost daily. It has 2% salicylic acid and it dries out your skin quite a bit.

I have used it after I started wet shaving, but very rarely as I am usually working at hydrating my skin, I want to hydrate and condition it before, and after I shave...some ASB seems to help me the most after shaving.


So when do you put on Acne Face Wash? (as opposed to just soaping your face since I think that dries it out, I've been doing that, but it doesn't dry it like a Acne Face Wash does, probably because of the acne medication). I guess maybe a lot of people don't use an Acne preventing wash, but in case anyone does I was curious when the best time would be to use it, so I can wash my face with it yet still not affect the hydration I need for shaving, and the hydration I need for my skin to heal from shaving.

(I've also been shaving every day, if I didn't I would use it on the off-days. I have thought of putting it on at night if I shaved early enough, but a lot of times I end up putting the ASB on the irritated areas instead, although that may not really be necessary and maybe washing it wouldn't be so bad. I just never read any threads about it, and I know that my Acne Wash is way more drying than most soaps)

 

[Bengal Tiger]

In the shower. And then I shave after the shower usually. For me, its mostly for my nose and forehead since shaving soap cleans the rest of my face pretty good.

If you need moisture before shaving, have you tried preshave oils? Shave secret at walmart is very cheap. Some guys here also swear by oil cleansing, which I haven't had the need to try yet.

 

[GianquiMan]

I use my face wash after shaving. I shave, rinse of the lather when I'm done and then I wash my face to ensure that all soap/cream residue is off my skin, otherwise I am prone to the occasional zit or two if any residue is left. Then I apply my aftershave product for the day.

 

[pipskicks]

Hmm...see I used to use the wash after the shave, but now I feel like the Witch Hazel cleans everything off, plus when I try to put ASB on the areas I shaved, that's seems like it would be fighting the acne wash since the ASB usually moisturizes (I thought).

Before the shower I have used it. Using it on the nose/forehead is an interesting idea. I used it on my face, and I have no need for pre-shave oil (although I do use it sometimes just because I have some) but I did feel like my face was way more dried out and tighter before my shave than usual. I guess I don't remember it "hurting" the shave, but it again seems sort of useless to dry out my skin with Acne medication only to follow it with oil and other chemicals that would probably add to clogging pores and is completely opposite of what you're trying to do with the wash.


I want to add it to my shave routine, but it seems like the quick and easy answer to that would be that it would probably be best used while not shaving, maybe after the ASB has sat on for a bit?
I am really just unsure if putting on Acne Wash then putting on ASB or shaving is useful.

 

[Tim_McD]

I use my tween daughter's Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash every day, as it is in the shower. I dont find it to be overly drying and I am using it daily. I use that on my face instead of Dial soap and then it is right out for my daily shave.

I shave, alum bloc, rinse, witch hazel and depending on the weather (cold/dry or warm/humid) I will use Nancy Boy Cooling After Shave Gel or Geo F Trumpers Coral Skin Food.

 

[pipskicks]

I use my tween daughter's Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash every day, as it is in the shower. I dont find it to be overly drying and I am using it daily. I use that on my face instead of Dial soap and then it is right out for my daily shave.

I shave, alum bloc, rinse, witch hazel and depending on the weather (cold/dry or warm/humid) I will use Nancy Boy Cooling After Shave Gel or Geo F Trumpers Coral Skin Food.

That's interesting that you use it in the shower before shaving, I wanted to do that but thought using conditioner on my beard and not drying out my face would be more advantageous. I have the exact same stuff, maybe I should try it out again and see if it's not that bad.
I guess to be honest the shave after using the wash wasn't so bad. My feeling my face and thinking I'm going into my shave with skin that's just been dried out by Acne Wash just feel like it is counter-intuitive to what the "experts" advise in regards to prep. Which is mostly water and conditioning.

May also have some to do with individual skin types because the Acne Wash is pretty drying to me, quite a bit more than a normal bar or soap.


Then again with the aspirin post talking about salicylic acid (which I believe is the active ingredient in that wash because that's what I've been using) helping razor burn, I wonder if using it after is at all useful. I think without any razor burn it would be great, but it's a rare and lucky day that my neck is free of all irritation after a shave unfortunately!

 

[Tim_McD]

Nah, the shower opens the pores and the acne wash clears the dead skin and sebum that surround the hair follicles - so I dont worry about being under hydrated.

Plus, I am using a soap or cream that provides another layer of slickness and hydration within 5 minutes of the shower.

The neck irritation will go away once you refine your technique, as it usually is a sign that you are going at it with the aggressiveness that you used when cartridge shaving. A little lighter touch and a more tolerance for less than a BBS shave will take care of that

 

[pipskicks]

Nah, the shower opens the pores and the acne wash clears the dead skin and sebum that surround the hair follicles - so I dont worry about being under hydrated.

Plus, I am using a soap or cream that provides another layer of slickness and hydration within 5 minutes of the shower.

The neck irritation will go away once you refine your technique, as it usually is a sign that you are going at it with the aggressiveness that you used when cartridge shaving. A little lighter touch and a more tolerance for less than a BBS shave will take care of that

I'm going to try this more, I feel like I've gotten a little more acne since I've started (due to dropping the Acne Wash use) and I've been afraid of using it. I guess you're right there are other things to hydrate it, I'm just a bit neurotic about doing it "perfectly" lol.


I should correct that neck irritation, lately I've been having a lot due to trying new blades, but usually I keep it fairly in check. What happens is though, I don't get all my neck stubble, my neck hairs grow in some kind of weird swirl type fashion, I can't really map it correctly, I just have learned the "better" directions to use. I guess I'll see if some time and practice can get the neck clean and free of irritation!


Even still though after shaving isn't it recommended to hydrate your skin as you've taken off layers of skin and need it to heal? Of course this is redundant since I was going to try the wash in the shower before shaving, but I thought razor burn or not the ASB was to help the skin heal after dragging a razor across it?

 

[dannymayo]

I use Cetaphil cleanser when I'm in the shower before my shave. Cetaphil is very mild and doesn't dry my skin out. I make sure to thoroughly rinse my face after my shave and use a moisturizing ASB or splash.

 

[pipskicks]

I use Cetaphil cleanser when I'm in the shower before my shave. Cetaphil is very mild and doesn't dry my skin out. I make sure to thoroughly rinse my face after my shave and use a moisturizing ASB or splash.

I haven't used that one, but Cetaphil being very good for sensitive skin I would think it's a lot less harsh than Neutrogena, may be a good option for my next face wash, thanks!

 

[Tim_McD]

The skin gets soothed and re-hydrated with the Thayer's Witch Hazel (alcohol free, has aloe) and with the Coral Skinfood or Nancy Boy Gel

Although, there are hundreds of good options available at most local drug stores

 

[Le Buzz]

I usually shave before a shower, and use my salicylic acid wash in the shower. Afterwards, I use an oil free moisturizer and since I have oily skin I usually have no issues with dryness.

Also, I try to stay away from any harsh creams or soaps, if it has SLS I usually stay away.

 

[eeney]

I have a two tier process, one for evenings, one for mornings.

Mornings - scrub, follow with a shave, and shave products (which hazel, aftershave balm, moisturiser (non oil based)).

Evening - wash, cleanse and moisturise with my wife's products, which I believe are Neutrogena, and the very girly Oil of Olay moisturiser (hey, it's handy and seems to work well).

I wouldn't change the routine that works for you, other than an aftershave soothing/healing product before moisturising post shave.

 

[Chango]

Traditional wet shaving has been an important factor in clearing up my acne. I've suffered for years with the condition. Here's what helped me:

Dr bronner's tea tree soap before I shave. I used to use salicyllic acid soaps forever. Then switched to the tea tree soap about a year ago. In fact, before I switched I used it to lather and shave with my Mach 3. Now I shower before DE shaving and wash my face with the tea tree soap. It doesn't smell good but it makes my skin feel super clean.

Diet. I scaled back on the starchy foods and sugar. I try to go as natural as I can with fresh ingredients--fruits and veggies, no processed meats.

Hydration. I drink a lot of water all day. This helps with my job too which is physically demanding and I'm working in the humid heat a lot. I don't drink sodas or juices with meals. Just water.

Finally, DE shaving. I'm not sure what about the process that is so effective. Maybe the mechanical exfoliation provided by the blade, maybe the aftershave, maybe just the attention to keeping my face clean and hydrated. Whatever it is. My face feels great and I've only had one small pimple on my chin since I've switched from carts.

Drying. Sometimes the combination of the bronner's soap and the shaving and the aftershave make my skin dry. When it does I don't use any lotion except Nivea sensitive after shave balm. It's very light and absorbs quickly. I guarantee you that anything heavier will give me pimples. This comes from years of experience. I really don't like lotions on my face.

Stick with the DE shaving to see how it clears up your skin.

 

[ciderguy]

I use African Black Soap or St. Ives Facial Scrub at least once a week. Sometimes more if I'm having issues. I used to use a salicyllic acid liquid soap, but I find that the African Black Soap or St. Ives Facial Scrub work as well or better and it irritates my skin less. YMMV, some black soap is quite irritating and very exfoliating. If my skin begins to feel dry (winter or otherwise low humidity) I apply raw shea butter daily after showering.

 

[AVNads]

Dove Men+Care Deep Clean Face Scrub in the morning before a shower (before any shower really) and again at night before bed. Stuff works great. Sensitive is a good mild formula, but I prefer Deep Clean with its exfoliating beads. Hydrate is far too moisturizing for anyone who already has relatively oily skin.

 

[dpittman70]

I use Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash (for sensitive skin). You can get it at any drug store or grocery store. I wash my face before shaving in the morning and at night before bed. Very good for my face.

 

[missmertle]

I've had issues with acne for a long time until I started using more natural things, in my 20s.

Might sound like an odd suggestion, but washing my face with honey (raw) has been the best thing I've found. It doesn't dry your skin out, it's a antibacterial (gentle), and compared to buying actual face washes, it's very affordable. For the actual breakouts, themselves, I use tea tree oil for spot treatments, with a q-tip, before I go to bed. In the morning, they're /greatly/ diminished.

For a moisturizer, I use aloe (as pure a gel as you can find, not the kind ya use after sunburn with cooling agents and heavy fragrance) with a drop or two of hemp oil. Other oils will work, as well, but it's important to use ones that won't clog your pores and create new breakouts. Jojoba, almond, avocado, grapeseed, sunflower, and even olive oils work well. For a more extensive list of oils that won't break ya out, look up "non-comedogenic oils".

You can find most of this stuff at the grocery or drugstore very easily and inexpensively.

 

[rearviewmirror]

Try changing your pillowcases every other day. I just rinse my face in the shower. No soap. A stridex pad once or twice a week on the nose to keep the closed condomes away.

 

[Firebird1993]

I tried to use an acne face wash every night and it actually caused problems rather than preventing them.