Shaving irritation: where it comes from and how to shave sensitive skin

Short answer: shaving irritation usually happens when the razor puts too much strain on the outer layer of your skin: a blunt blade, shaving dry, too much pressure or going over the same spot too often. Your skin then burns, feels tight or gets small red bumps. Shave after a warm shower, with a sharp blade, in the direction your hair grows and with something that helps the razor glide without drying out your skin. Then rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply a light, soothing lotion instead of a stinging aftershave.

"After shaving my skin is on fire." I hear that regularly, and not only from men with sensitive skin. Every shave puts a little strain on your skin. In this guide I explain where shaving irritation comes from, how to shave sensitive skin more calmly and which care feels good afterwards.

What is shaving irritation?

Shaving irritation is a collective name for what your skin tells you after a shave: a burning or stinging feeling, red patches, itching, tight skin or small red bumps. It often shows up on the neck, under the jawline and around the chin, because the hairs grow in all directions there and the skin is thin and moves a lot.

A razor does not only remove hair. It also scrapes away a thin layer of skin cells and sebum. As a result, your skin may hold on to moisture less well for a while and react more quickly to whatever you put on it next.

Where does shaving irritation come from?

• A blunt or dirty blade. A blunt blade pulls at the hairs and makes you press harder, so you go over the same spot more often.
• Shaving dry or in a hurry. Without preparation the hairs are stiff and the razor does not glide well.
• Shaving against the grain. It gives a closer result, but it puts more strain on the skin and makes ingrown hairs more likely.
• Too much pressure and too many strokes. Every extra stroke over the same spot takes another thin layer with it.
• Hot water and an aftershave with a lot of alcohol. They feel fresh, but they can make freshly shaved skin sting more and dry it out.
• Ingrown hairs. Especially with curly or coarse beard hair, a hair can grow back into the skin. That causes a red bump, sometimes with a white head.

Shaving sensitive skin: how to go about it

With sensitive skin it is less about the right razor and more about calm and preparation. These are the steps I recommend:

1. Shave after your shower. Warm, not hot, water softens the hairs. No time for a shower? Hold a warm, damp flannel against your face for a minute.
2. Cleanse mildly first. A mild cleanser removes sebum and dirt, so the razor glides better.
3. Use something that helps the razor glide without drying out your skin. A shaving foam or gel, or a mix of cleanser and oil.
4. Choose a sharp, clean blade. Replace it in time and rinse it after every stroke.
5. Shave in the direction your hair grows, with short, light strokes. Gently stretch your skin with your free hand, without pushing.
6. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat your face dry with a clean towel. Don't rub.
7. Care for your skin straight away with a light lotion and, if your skin feels dry, a few drops of oil.

Do you use an electric shaver? Then shave on dry skin and let the shaver do the work without pressing hard. If your skin protests every day, try shaving every other day, or keep a few millimetres of beard with a trimmer.

What do you do after shaving?

After shaving, your skin mainly wants moisture and calm. A classic aftershave with a lot of alcohol gives a fresh sting, but that sting is exactly what sensitive skin does not enjoy. Choose a light lotion instead, one that gives moisture and does not feel greasy, so you can also use it under a beard or stubble.

Does your skin still feel dry or tight afterwards, especially in winter? Then a few drops of face oil help. Oil helps hold in the moisture from the lotion and keeps the skin supple, also under your beard. Which oil suits your skin, you can read in Which face oil suits your skin?

Which Abloom products suit skin that is irritated by shaving?

The Gentle(man) Shaving Starter kit. Three 10 ml minis: Purifying Cleanser, Soothing Lotion and Miracle Oil. You use them to cleanse, you mix the cleanser and oil into a shaving cream, and afterwards you care for your skin with the lotion and the oil. The kit lasts about 10 to 14 days.

Organic Soothing Lotion. Our natural aftershave. It is made with aloe vera instead of water and also contains witch hazel, glycerin, panthenol, sandalwood oil and frankincense. It gives moisture, absorbs quickly without feeling greasy and calms skin that feels hot or irritated after shaving. Good to know: organic alcohol is the second ingredient and it contains lavender oil. If you know your skin reacts to alcohol, test the lotion on a small patch of skin first.

Organic Miracle Oil. A light face oil with jojoba oil as its first ingredient, St John's wort oil, sesame oil and vitamin E. A few drops are enough; the oil absorbs quickly and does not leave a shiny layer. You can use it all over your face, only on dry patches, or mixed with the cleanser as a shaving cream. It also contains essential oils, such as bergamot.

How to make a natural shaving cream

With the kit you make your own shaving cream. Mix the Purifying Cleanser and the Miracle Oil in equal parts in the palm of your hand, massage the mix onto your wet skin and shave as usual. The cleanser is made with aloe vera instead of water, with glycerin and coconut, olive and jojoba oil. Together with the oil, that gives a soft layer the razor glides over easily.

What your routine looks like

Morning, on a shaving day:

1. Cleanse your face with the Purifying Cleanser and lukewarm water.
2. Mix cleanser and Miracle Oil 1:1 and shave in the direction your hair grows.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
4. Apply the Soothing Lotion to your face and neck.
5. Does your skin feel dry? Press a few drops of Miracle Oil on top. During the day, finish with sun protection.

Evening: cleanse with the Purifying Cleanser, apply the Soothing Lotion and, if you like, a few drops of Miracle Oil. Want to know in which order to use your products? Read In what order do I use my skincare products?

Who is this approach for?

For anyone who shaves and then has skin that burns, turns red or feels tight, including women who shave their legs or underarms. If your skin is sensitive in general, also read our page about sensitive skin. More about men's skin and a complete routine can be found on our page about men's skin and in our Gentleman collection. Does your skin mainly feel tight and look dull after shaving? Then your skin barrier may be having a hard time.

When should you see your doctor?

Do you see bumps with pus, do they become thicker, warmer or painful, or does your skin stay red and irritated for weeks despite a calm routine? Then see your GP or a dermatologist. The same applies if you often have ingrown hairs that become inflamed. Skincare can support your skin, but it does not replace a diagnosis.

In short

• Shaving irritation comes from friction: a blunt blade, shaving dry, pressure and too many strokes.
• Shave after your shower, with a sharp blade and in the direction your hair grows.
• Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry and choose a light lotion instead of a stinging aftershave.
• A few drops of oil help when your skin feels dry.
• Inflamed or painful bumps: have them checked.

Read also

• Your skin barrier: what it is and how to support it
• Alcohol in skincare. Good or bad?
• Which face oil suits your skin?
• Men's skin
• Itchy beard and dry skin under your beard: where does it come from?

Not sure what your skin needs? Take our free skincare test, or ask our skin specialist your question via the chat on our website.

Love,
Barbara Baars
Skin Specialist