Nicks, bumps, full-blown cuts, oh my! There’s no shortage of ways that shaving can impact your skin. But when done well, shaving can actually be beneficial; it exfoliates your skin and helps products sink deep into your pores. We’ve got the shaving routine essentials and tips you need to maximize your results.

The Basics: Top 5 Shaving Routine Essentials

When it’s time to grab your razor, make sure you consider each of these five shaving routine essentials. Get the best shave ever without irritating your skin.

1. Exfoliants

Before you go in with your razor, you’ll first want to go in with some sort of exfoliant. That’s because exfoliating gets rid of dead skin cells and build-up that can clog pores and razors. Exfoliation can help your razor work more efficiently and protect you from razor burn.

There are two main types of exfoliants to be aware of – chemical exfoliants and physical exfoliants. A chemical exfoliant works by breaking dirt, oil, or dead skin that rests on your skin and in your pores. Meanwhile, a physical exfoliant will physically buff away build-up with a rough, gritty texture. 

OffCourt makes it easy to access the best of both worlds so you can prepare to shave any area of your body. For more sensitive areas or for a deep body cleaning, try our Deep Cleansing Body Wash. Or, for a deeper, physical scrub, try our Exfoliating Body Soap, which features moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and olive oil to soothe your skin in its wake. 

2. Shaving Cream

The last thing you need to deal with is nasty razor burn, which will leave your skin red, itchy, and irritated. Cut down on friction and ensure your razor cuts your hair, not your skin, with a moisturizing shaving cream. Choose products that aren’t made with harsh fragrances and are formulated with skin-soothing ingredients for the best results. 

3. Aftershave

Once you’re done shaving, you’ll be left with a new layer of fresh, healthy skin that’s been revealed thanks to your exfoliation. Shaving itself is a form of exfoliation; it physically removes dead skin and hair. But that means the skin you see now is super sensitive and – you guessed it – prone to clogs and irritation. 

Aftershave can help disinfect the area, purify pores, and soothe your skin. You may not need aftershave on all body parts, but on sensitive areas like the face, it can be a real lifesaver.

4. Moisturizer

After you’ve shaved, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Your skin will likely be a bit irritated and may be prone to dryness from all that exposure to water. Plus, it’s in a highly sensitive state. 

Give it the building blocks it needs to heal and stay soft with a quality moisturizer. If you’re shaving facial hair, liberally apply a face moisturizer like OffCourt’s Lightweight Facial Hydrator. Designed to absorb quickly without leaving a greasy residue, our lightweight hydrator has skin-friendly ingredients that help your skin look and feel its best.

5. Quality Razors

Ingrown hairs occur when a hair that’s been removed starts to grow back and curves into the skin. These often happen after shaving, when pulling on your skin can cause the hair to draw back into your pores. Perhaps the best way to avoid ingrown hairs is to regularly invest in new, quality razors. A sharper razor should slice right through your hairs without yanking or dragging on your skin.

Pre-Shaving Skincare Essentials

Prepare your skin to go through shaving and come out feeling glorious with these pre-shaving skincare essentials.

• Exfoliating Products: You’ll have a much harder time getting a quality shave if you can’t work on a clean surface. An exfoliant will help “clear the slate,” so to speak, by removing all the dead skin that might get in the way.
• Moisturizing Cleansers: If you’ll be shaving your face, use a gentle face wash to thoroughly cleanse your skin of all sweat, dirt, and bacteria. If you’re shaving your body, lather up with a moisturizing cleanser that’s free from harsh fragrances or chemicals.
• Gentle Physical Exfoliants: Try an exfoliating bar soap with a gentle grit for a deep scrub. If you’re shaving your face, a washcloth can provide a similar effect without being too harsh on delicate facial skin. 

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Post-Shaving Skincare Essentials

Your work’s not done even once the shaving part is over – you still need to take good care of the skin you’ve just revealed. 

• Hydrators: Moisturizers are your best source of hydration after a shave. You may also want to use hydrating serums or body oils, which will be able to soak in even more than usual since your pores will be open.
• Gentle Skincare Ingredients: Be kind to your skin for at least a day or two after shaving. Stay away from active ingredients or harsh fragrances to avoid irritation.

Light-Weight Facial Hydrator

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How to Shave the Right Way, Step by Step

Ready to put it all together? Here are the steps you need to follow to shave without damaging your skin – or disrupting the quality of your results.

1. Shower before you shave.

Make sure your skin is moist and soft before shaving. Showering first helps eliminate dead skin cells and excess oil that might otherwise clog up your blade. Dry shaving increases the risk of cuts and irritation; it can also prevent you from exfoliating, which is a huge benefit of shaving.

2. Prep your skin.

Exfoliate before you shave with a washcloth or exfoliating soap to loosen up dead skin and wash it away. Lather up with shaving cream gel to create a barrier between your skin and the razor blade. Doing this will also help the blade glide over your skin easier, creating less friction. Use warm, but not hot, water to open your pores without making your skin too soft.

3. Shave in short, light strokes with a clean razor.

When it’s time to get started, use light, short strokes to shave in the direction of your hair growth to avoid irritation. Shaving against the grain is also an option, but you probably don’t want to do this in especially sensitive or sweat-prone areas, where ingrown hairs are likely to develop. 

Don’t shave too quickly, and avoid shaving over the same area more than once. Clean your blade after every few strokes – rinse it off to remove the hair and soap that collects.

4. Rinse your skin thoroughly.

Make sure you rinse your skin off with cool water after shaving or apply a damp washcloth to your skin. Cool water helps close up your pores and prevent bacteria and dirt from joining the party. Wash away all remaining shaving cream or gel.

5. Pat dry and moisturize.

Resist the urge to rub your skin dry when you’re done. Remember, you’ve just exposed sensitive, new skin that’s prone to irritation. Pat the area dry and follow up with a hydrating lotion or gel to soothe and heal your skin’s moisture barrier. As always, avoid products with harsh fragrances or irritants. 

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Skin Safe as You Shave

Shaving can be a real headache, but with these shaving routine essentials, you can make it a breeze. No matter what your shaving routine looks like, OffCourt has the products you need to protect your skin. Check out our exfoliants, body washes, and other hygiene essentials to stay fresh and clean, no matter what the day throws your way.

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