As far as skin care goes, women are often jealous of men. Men’s skin is built differently than women’s: it is about 25% thicker and has a higher collagen density, so you look younger longer…lucky! But let’s not forget that men typically do not have the benefit of covering imperfections with makeup. You have to solely rely on skin care to have the best complexion possible, and when this involves shaving, you risk some serious harm to the skin.
Since shaving is an extremely important part of male grooming, we’re here to help you get the best shave for healthy skin in five easy steps.
1: Prep
Always shave in the shower or directly after. The shower heat will soften your facial hair, making it easier to get your closest shave. Whether you are shaving in the shower or at your sink, the first step is to cleanse your skin. Use a cleanser that will remove all of the dirt and gunk from the surface of your skin, so you can get a smooth shave that will not clog your razor. Look for one with glycolic acid to gently loosen dead skin cells from your skin’s surface and balance your skin’s pH.
2: Lather
It’s time to say goodbye to a foamy lather, which can dry out your skin and cause irritation. Use a cream or serum for the best moisturization and protection during your shave. For a superclose shave, look for a product with zinc citrate and propylene glycol citrate to raise the facial hairs. The result will be your closest shave yet, with the least amount of skin irritation.
3: Technique
Shaving techniques change depending on the look you are going for. Popular ones in 2014 include clean shaven, a 5 o’clock shadow or scruffy look, and a beard. No matter which look you choose to do, the key is to make sure it is well maintained. Even a scruffy look needs regular maintenance.
- Technique: Using a disposable razor or cartridge that has been used no more than five times, shave in short strokes in the same direction of the hair growth. Be careful around the neck and lower chin as your growth pattern often changes direction. If necessary, re-lather and shave against the hair growth, but be careful because shaving against the grain can cause ingrown hairs and small cuts if you are not cautious. Most importantly: take your time! You don’t want to rush the process, especially because it is your face and you can’t really hide it if you don’t do a good job.
- Different Looks: Whether you are going for clean-shaven, stubble, beard, or even a hipster mustache, make sure you do your maintenance. For stubble or beards, use a trimmer all over every couple days and clean up with a razor around your neck, cheeks, Adam’s apple, and jawline.
- Different face shapes: If you have a beard, trim based on your face shape. If you have a long, oval face, trim closer under your chin and leave a little more length on your cheeks. Do the opposite for round faces: lengthen the appearance of your face with shorter hair on the cheeks and a little more left on your chin.
4: Tone
Nobody wants razor burn or irritation. Look for an aftershave conditioning toner with a blend of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and aloe to combat any redness, nicks, or cuts you may have gotten while shaving. Glycolic acid will help exfoliate dead, congested skin and promote new, clear skin in its place. Salicylic acid is good for killing bacteria and calming the skin with an anti-inflammatory effect. Aloe will add moisture without adding pore-clogging oil.
5: Protect
Men generally take fewer sun precautions than women. Whether it is because you don’t want too many steps in your regimen, don’t want to smell like sunscreen, or just don’t think about sun damage, that is about to change. A key step to finishing off your shaving regimen is to moisturize and protect. Look for a sunscreen and anti-aging moisturizer in one step so you can stay protected keep looking good as you age, but don’t need too many steps or a fancy anti-aging cream.
So there are the basic steps to a great shave and healthy skin. Share your shave secrets and tips. We’d love to hear from you.