Can you use aftershave daily?

Which aftershave should you use daily?

Choose a gentle moisturizing formula without alcohol or added fragrance, especially if your skin is dry or sensitive. An alcohol free aftershave is one option for restoring moisture after razor burn. A soothing aftershave formulated to reduce razor bumps and irritation is another option after shaving. Choose by what the product does, not just the word aftershave.24

Look for fragrance free rather than unscented: unscented products can contain chemicals that mask other smells. If you have a known fragrance allergy, check the ingredients too, because a fragrance free claim does not necessarily exclude every fragrance ingredient. Repeated fragrance exposure can cause irritation, and an allergic skin reaction can appear after many uses rather than the first application.3

How should you apply it after shaving?

1. 1Wet your skin and hair with warm water, then apply shaving cream or gel. For very dry or sensitive skin, choose a shaving cream labelled for sensitive skin.
2. 2Let the shaving cream or gel sit for two to three minutes to soften the hair.
3. 3Shave in the direction your hair grows, using as few passes as possible. Rinse the blade after each stroke.
4. 4Rinse away the shaving cream. Hold a cool, damp washcloth against the shaved area to reduce irritation.
5. 5Finish with a gentle moisturizer or suitable moisturizing aftershave. Apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp.

On days you do not shave, continue moisturizing rather than treating aftershave as a required separate step. Moisturizer keeps water in the skin; the aim is hydration, not an elaborate finishing ceremony.16

When should I shave?

Right after a shower is a good time: your skin and hair are warm and moist, and excess oil and dead skin cells have been washed away. Alternatively, soften the hair with a warm, damp washcloth before shaving. These preparations help the razor cut softened hair rather than drag through it. Replace disposable razors after five to seven shaves and store your razor somewhere dry, not in the shower.45

Should I shave daily?

There is no single schedule for preventing ingrown hairs. Shaving daily or every two to three days can give hair less time to grow and curve back into skin, but reducing shaving frequency can also help. If you keep getting ingrown hairs, try skipping daily shaving and leaving at least 1 mm of stubble rather than shaving very close. An electric razor is another option. If shaving has already caused irritation, stop until your skin clears.467

When should you stop or get help?

Stop an aftershave that causes burning, itching, redness or a rash. For razor burn, use a cool washcloth and a fragrance free moisturizer rather than continuing to shave over irritated skin. Razor burn can settle within hours or take a few days; seek medical help if it persists or worsens. Recurring razor bumps despite changes to your shaving habits also warrant a dermatologist visit.124

See a doctor if an ingrown hair or the surrounding area becomes very painful, hot or swollen, or if you develop a high temperature or feel shivery or very unwell. Do not pick, squeeze or scratch ingrown hairs, as this can damage skin and lead to infection.7