Aftershave for women: what to use after shaving

What should you look for in an aftershave?

Choose a moisturizing product rather than a fragranced splash, especially if the skin is dry or irritated. An emollient, meaning a product that softens and moisturizes skin, can be an ordinary lotion or an aftershave. Avoid products containing alcohol, fragrance or other ingredients that irritate your skin. Look for "fragrance free" rather than relying on "unscented": an unscented product can contain fragrance added to mask the smell of other ingredients. Fragrance is the most common cause of contact dermatitis from cosmetics, meaning a skin reaction triggered by contact with a product. If you already know an ingredient causes a reaction, check the ingredient list and avoid it.13

What does aftershave actually do?

A moisturizing aftershave helps with dryness and discomfort after shaving. A razor moving across skin can cause tiny cracks in the outer skin layer, loss of moisture and inflammation. Moisturizing afterward helps soothe the skin and support its protective barrier. Aftercare is only part of preventing irritation: dry shaving, rushing, using a dull blade and shaving against hair growth can all cause razor burn. A soothing product does not replace changing those habits.4

How to shave and apply aftercare

1. 1Wet and soften the hair. Shave at the end of a shower or just afterward, or hold a warm, damp washcloth against the area. Wash with a moisturizing cleanser; for the face, choose one that will not clog pores.
2. 2Apply shaving cream or gel. Choose a sensitive skin formula if your skin is very dry or sensitive. Leave the cream or gel on for 2 to 3 minutes to soften the hair further. Shaving cream adds a protective layer and is less irritating and more moisturizing than soap.
3. 3Shave in the direction the hair grows. Use light, short strokes and aim to cover each area once rather than repeatedly going over it. Rinse the razor after each swipe.
4. 4Rinse away the shaving cream. Finish with a cool water rinse or a cool, damp washcloth.
5. 5Apply your moisturizer or suitable aftershave to the shaved skin. The useful timing is after the shave, rather than a separate morning or evening appointment.
6. 6Let the razor dry completely and store it somewhere dry, not in the shower or on a wet sink. Replace disposable razors or blades after 5 to 7 shaves, or sooner if the blade becomes blunt or damaged.

What about legs, underarms, the bikini line and face?

Razor burn can affect any shaved area, including the face, legs, underarms and pubic area. After shaving, avoid tight clothing or underwear that rubs the skin. For facial shaving with acne, use a sharp blade, shave lightly and never try to shave off a spot. An electric razor or a disposable blade razor can be worth trying to find which causes less trouble. If follicles are repeatedly inflamed, reducing friction and avoiding shaving the affected area become more important than finding another aftershave.467

How often should you shave?

For recurring razor bumps, stopping shaving removes the trigger. If you continue shaving once the skin is comfortable, shaving daily or every 2 to 3 days can give hair less time to grow and curl back into the skin. That prevention advice is different from shaving over an active rash. When skin is already irritated, pause shaving and waxing until the inflammation settles and the skin clears. Do not use a more frequent shaving schedule to push through razor burn.15

Is it razor burn or razor bumps?

Razor burn usually looks like a blotchy or streaky rash and can burn, sting, itch or feel tender. It often appears within minutes of shaving. Razor bumps look more like small pimples and develop when hairs grow back into the skin. Curly hair is particularly prone to growing inward. Folliculitis means inflammation of the hair follicles; shaving can damage follicles, and damaged follicles can become infected. Pimples, pustules or crusting around individual hairs need more attention than dryness alone.47

What helps when skin is already sore?

• Pause hair removal until the skin clears.
• Use a cool washcloth for relief, then a fragrance free moisturizer.
• Aloe vera gel can cool discomfort while the skin heals; it is not a cure for razor burn.
• For itchy legs, a colloidal oatmeal bath can soothe itching. Pat dry afterward and moisturize rather than rubbing.
• Skip apple cider vinegar and witch hazel on irritated skin because they can sting. Tea tree oil products can contain other irritating ingredients.

How long should recovery take?

Razor burn usually settles within a few hours to a few days. Avoid shaving the affected area during recovery. Hair returning is a separate matter: shaving cuts hair at skin level rather than removing the root, so the smooth result comes with a shorter lease. Hair can reappear within hours or a few days. Shaving does not make hair grow back thicker; the cut hair has a blunt tip that can feel stiffer and look thicker as it emerges.24

When should you stop using an aftershave?

Stop using a product that causes burning, itching, swelling or a new rash. Cosmetic reactions can appear within minutes or hours, but an allergic rash can develop more than 12 hours after contact and peak around 48 hours later. A reaction can also develop after years of using the same product without problems. If reactions recur, a dermatologist can use patch testing to identify an allergy. Difficulty breathing or airway swelling after a product needs emergency medical care.3

When is aftershave not enough?

See a healthcare professional if irritation worsens or does not settle within a few days. For suspected folliculitis, get help if symptoms keep returning, worsen or last longer than 2 or 3 days. Severe pain or large lesions containing pus also need assessment. Persistent razor bumps deserve a dermatologist visit because untreated bumps can cause lasting grooves or raised scars. Do not start acne medicines for shaving bumps without a doctor's approval; inflamed or infected follicles can need a different treatment.157