Shaving

Shaving: Getting a Good Shave Without Destroying Your Skin

Shaving is one of those routines that most people learn badly and never revisit. You figure out how to drag a razor across your face (or legs, or wherever) sometime in your teens, develop a technique based on whatever's in the bathroom at the time, and then repeat that same mediocre process for decades. The result is a shave that's good enough — but irritation, razor burn, ingrown hairs, and nicks suggest there's significant room for improvement.

A genuinely good shave isn't difficult to achieve. It requires decent tools, proper preparation, and about two minutes more than most people currently spend. The payoff — smooth, comfortable skin without redness, bumps, or that tight stinging feeling — is well worth the minor time investment. And better technique also means your blades last longer, which saves money over time.

Pre-Shave Preparation: Where Most People Go Wrong

Shaving dry skin is the single biggest cause of irritation, razor burn, and cuts. The hair needs to be softened and the skin needs to be hydrated before a blade goes anywhere near it. The simplest approach: shave at the end of a warm shower. The steam and water have already done the softening work for you. If you're shaving outside the shower, hold a warm damp flannel against the area for thirty seconds — it opens pores, softens hair, and makes the razor's job dramatically easier.

Pre-shave oil adds another layer of protection. A few drops of oil (jojoba, almond, or a dedicated pre-shave formula) create a slick surface that the razor glides over rather than dragging against. It reduces friction, which reduces irritation. Pre-shave oil is optional but makes a noticeable difference, particularly for people with sensitive or coarse-haired skin.

The Shave Itself: Tools and Technique

Shaving cream or gel creates a cushion between the blade and your skin. It softens the hair further, provides lubrication, and lets you see where you've shaved and where you haven't. Foam from a can is the least effective option — it's mostly air and doesn't provide meaningful cushion. A proper shaving cream (from a tube or pot, lathered with a brush or fingers) coats the hair and skin far better and makes a tangible difference to the shave quality.

Blade quality matters more than blade count. The marketing race to add more blades (three! five! seven!) has diminishing returns — two sharp blades will outperform five dull ones every time. Change your blade or cartridge regularly (every five to seven shaves for most people), and don't keep using a blade that tugs or pulls. A sharp blade cuts cleanly; a dull one tears. That tearing is what causes most irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs.

Shave with the grain (the direction the hair grows) on the first pass. Against the grain gives a closer shave but significantly increases the risk of irritation and ingrown hairs. If you want extra closeness, shave across the grain on a second pass rather than directly against it. Let the blade do the work — pressing harder doesn't cut closer; it just scrapes more skin off and causes razor burn.

Post-Shave Care: The Step Everyone Skips

Rinse with cool water to close pores, then apply an after shave balm or a gentle moisturiser. Alcohol-based splashes disinfect but sting and dry the skin; balms soothe and hydrate without the burn. If you're prone to ingrown hairs, a post-shave product containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid gently exfoliates and prevents hairs from getting trapped under the skin as they regrow.

Don't apply heavily fragranced products to freshly shaved skin — the micro-abrasions from shaving make the skin more permeable and more reactive. What doesn't irritate intact skin can cause stinging, redness, and rashes on just-shaved skin. Keep post-shave products gentle and save the cologne or fragrance for areas you haven't just shaved.

Razor Types: Finding What Works for You

Multi-blade cartridge razors (Gillette, Wilkinson Sword, and similar) are what most people use. They're convenient, widely available, and give a close shave with minimal technique required. The downside is cost — replacement cartridges are expensive, and the temptation to use a dull cartridge longer than you should leads to more irritation than the razor itself.

Safety razors (single double-edged blade in a metal handle) have seen a resurgence. They give an excellent shave, the blades cost pennies each, and they produce far less plastic waste. The learning curve is steeper — you need to master the angle and pressure — but once you've got it, many people find they get a better shave with less irritation than from a multi-blade cartridge. They work just as well for body shaving as for facial shaving, and the long-term cost savings are substantial.

Browse shaving products from top brands — razors, creams, pre-shave oils, aftercare — and check our deals for grooming sets that bundle the essentials. Pair with facial skincare for a complete routine that protects and maintains your skin beyond just the shave itself.