After shave for men: what to use and how

What should after shave do?

The useful job is moisturizing. Moisturizers keep water in the skin, and ceramides help replenish its protective barrier. Hyaluronic acid draws water into the skin and helps keep it there. A plain facial moisturizer can do the after shave job, even if its packaging has never mentioned a razor. Alcohol based aftershaves have traditionally been used as antiseptics, but their drying and irritating effects make moisturizer the better choice for most people.1

Shaving cuts hair at skin level. It can also cause cuts, itching, razor burn, ingrown hairs and inflamed hair follicles. Moisturizing is the finishing step, not a substitute for careful shaving. Shaving cream has a different job: it softens hair, moisturizes skin and adds a protective layer while the blade passes over it.2

How do you use after shave balm?

1. 1Wet your skin and beard before shaving. Just after a shower is a useful time because the skin and hair are warm and moist.
2. 2Apply shaving cream or gel. For very dry or sensitive skin, choose a shaving cream labeled for sensitive skin. Let the cream sit for two to three minutes to soften the hair.
3. 3Shave in the direction your hair grows. Rinse the razor after each swipe, and try to cover each area once rather than repeatedly passing over it.
4. 4Rinse with cold water after shaving to help reduce inflammation.
5. 5Apply your moisturizing balm or facial moisturizer while the skin is still damp. Use moisturizer after shaving, and continue moisturizing morning and evening.

Change disposable razors or blades after five to seven shaves, or sooner if the blade becomes blunt or damaged. Between uses, let the razor dry completely and store it somewhere dry, not in the shower or on a wet sink. This helps prevent bacteria growing on the razor.23

What is the best after shave balm for men?

Choose a gentle moisturizing formula rather than an alcohol based splash. For dry skin, an oil based moisturizer is an option after shaving. Your skin type matters more than the word "men" on the bottle, which is a marketing category rather than a skin type. Fragrance free is the useful label for sensitive skin; an unscented product can still contain a masking fragrance.1

What is the best after shave lotion for men?

Use the same skin type criteria for a lotion. If acne is a concern, prioritize an oil free or noncomedogenic moisturizer; if sensitivity is the concern, prioritize a mild, fragrance free product. Apply the lotion immediately after shaving to trap water in the skin. Picking a suitable moisturizer matters more than choosing a product solely because it is sold as after shave.4

After shave moisturizing does not replace sun protection. Before going outdoors, apply a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to exposed skin, including your ears and neck. Reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating.4

After shave for men with sensitive skin

Avoid fragranced aftershaves if fragrance triggers a rash. Contact dermatitis means inflamed skin caused by contact with a substance; it can produce dryness, bumps, blisters or peeling. Fragrance in aftershave can cause allergic contact dermatitis on the neck. Stop using a product that triggers a reaction rather than continuing to apply it over the affected area.5

If razor bumps or ingrown hairs keep appearing, change the shave as well as the finishing product. Try a single or double blade razor instead of multiple blades, and do not pull the skin taut. A very close shave can contribute to these problems. Keep shaving with the direction of hair growth.4

If you have acne, shave lightly and never try to shave off spots. Shaving can irritate skin and make acne worse. You can try an electric razor or a disposable blade razor to find which works better for you, while keeping any blade sharp.3

What should you expect, and when should you stop?

The immediate purpose of moisturizing after shaving is to rehydrate the skin. It does not change the fact that hair grows back above the surface within hours or a few days. If shaving leaves irritation or itching, avoid further shaving until the irritation has resolved. Repeated blade passes and shaving against the grain increase the likelihood of irritation and ingrown hairs.2

Get a recurring or persistent rash assessed so its cause can be identified. Patch testing, a test used to investigate contact allergies, can be needed when dermatitis keeps returning. Treatment depends on the cause; repeatedly replacing one fragranced aftershave with another will not address a fragrance allergy.5