For most of us, summer is the season when we start shaving above the knees again! Wearing skirts, sundresses, shorts, and swimwear requires us to step up our shaving game. Men have the unfortunate task of shaving year-round. We get questions from men and women alike asking for shaving tips to avoid razor burns and bumps. Have you ever wondered why you get razor burn or razor rash after shaving? Let’s take a few minutes to discuss how to prevent common shaving issues and have smooth and healthy skin.
STEP ONE: EXFOLIATE
Good shaving hygiene requires some prep work! The most effective shave starts with a smooth surface. Exfoliating your skin can prevent dry, dead skin cells from building up and clogging your razor and, more importantly, your pores. Simple Body has several products to help you exfoliate before you shave. One of our favorites is the Bamboo Face Polish! Yes, I know, it says Face right in the name. However, you can use this all over your body to prepare your skin for shaving. Using eco-friendly, finely ground bamboo stem and white kaolin clay, plus the moisturizing power of cocoa butter and castor seed oil, the ingredients in this polish leave skin smooth, silky, and free of debris.
STEP TWO: PRETREAT WITH OIL
Next, pretreat dry skin with one of our massage oils. Yes, I know, it says Massage right in the name, but why limit their use to the occasional Massage! With oils like apricot kernel, sweet almond, and sunflower seed oil, Simple Body’s Massage oils provide the perfect base to feed your skin the rich moisture needed to prevent razor burn caused by dry, irritated skin. Choose from these six amazing varieties: Stress Relief, Tight Muscles, Immune Boosting, Rest+Relax, Hydrating Rose, and Purify+Renew.
STEP THREE: SHAVE
Now, you are ready for your favorite shaving butter or cream. But before you pick up your razor, you should know a few things about preventing razor burn. Did you know that using a dull razor, having dry skin, and shaving against the direction your hair naturally grows can all cause razor burn? Also, razor burn is more common in people with Keratosis pilaris. You may have had this your whole life and never knew what to call it. It is when keratin blocks hair follicles and causes tiny bumps to form, usually on the back of your arms or upper thighs, making it feel rough and bumpy. The cause is unknown, but regular exfoliation and moisturizing can smooth out skin and minimize your risk of getting razor burns when you shave.
Another skin condition that can throw off your summer shave game is Folliculitis or razor rash. This condition occurs when bacteria or a blockage causes redness and swelling in hair follicles. You may have experienced razor rash if you have ever combined shaving with heat, tight clothing, and sweat. It is more common for people with naturally curly hair or other skin issues like eczema or acne-prone skin. Use Simple Body’s Clean Sweep Toner as a preventative antimicrobial razor rash treatment. With ingredients like Aloe Vera to soothe inflammation and certified organic essential oils to keep fungus and bacteria at bay, the Clean Sweep Toner is a vital player in your summer shave game.
STEP FOUR: SOOTHE
After you shave, you will want to tighten your pores and soothe your skin. Using the power of plants, Simple Body’s Skin Rescue is the perfect balm for the job. Two of the skin-healing botanical ingredients in this balm are Marshmallow and Yarrow. Marshmallow Althaea officinalis root is an antibacterial, cooling plant that softens and soothes hot, dry tissues. And Yarrow Achillea millefolium has so many properties that attenuate skin healing. It is antimicrobial to protect miner cuts from infection, astringent, meaning it pulls tissues together, and vulnerary, meaning it promotes healing. Believe me when I say, Skin Rescue to the rescue!
STEP FIVE: MOISTURIZE
Last but not least, moisturizer! If you love your skin, especially in a dry climate, apply Simple Body’s Body Butter or Daily Face Cream (which is a fantastic cream for anti-aging). Three A+ oils that make our Body Butter special are Apricot, Almond, and Avocado. Apricot kernel oil is moisturizing and nourishing to the skin, Sweet Almond oil has a composition that closely resembles the lubricating oil (sebum) our skin naturally makes, and Avocado oil is full of nutrients that penetrate deep into the skin. Stay hydrated all day with one of Simple Body’s four Body Butter choices: Unscented, Citrus, Lavender, and Himalayan Magic.
By following these shaving tips and using the right all-natural ingredients, you can have smooth, razor-burn-free skin!
Product favs:
We love this single-blade safety razor. It’s better than multiple-blade razors and eco-friendly!
Another staff fav is the EOS Dry Skin Shave Cream! It’s super thick and leaves your skin soft as butter!
References:
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). (2022). Keratosis pilaris. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/keratosis-pilaris/symptoms-causes/syc-20351149
Gardner, S. (2022, April 26). Folliculitis. WebMD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-is-folliculitis