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Shaving Acne-Prone Skin

Nothing aggravates adult acne like shaving. Acne-prone skin is sensitive and delicate, which makes it more likely to experience shaving irritation such as razor burn, redness and razor bumps. Razor bumps are caused by inflammation of the hair follicle, and look an awful lot like acne blemishes. When acne breakouts and shaving bumps combine, the result is an inflamed, red and uncomfortable complexion.

Thankfully, there are measures one can take to minimize shaving irritation and maximize comfort and clarity. One thing to always remember is you cannot shave off acne! Trying to do so will result in extremely painful damage that will almost certainly scar. When shaving acne-prone areas, shave gently over your blemishes and aim to reduce trauma to the skin.

1) Cleanse with warm water. Using a gentle, exfoliating acne cleanser will remove dead skin cells and soften the skin and hair, which creates a slick surface for minimum friction, and therefore minimum irritation. The warm water causes the skin to become pliable while bringing blood flow to the face. Try shaving in the shower, or just after taking a shower, for great results.

2) Lather up. Choose a non-foaming shaving cream that creates a slippery surface. Foaming, mousse-like saving creams often contain very drying ingredients that irritate the skin. Plus, these types of skin care products don’t actually protect very well against razor damage, making it twice as likely to leave your skin looking and feeling irritated. Try a cream from Whish or eShave, two companies that use nourishing, natural ingredients to provide the perfect surface for irritation-free shaving.

3) Use a new, single-blade razor. While it’s true that double- and triple-blade razors provide a closer, longer-lasting shave, single-blade razors cause less irritation to sensitive, acne-prone skin. Double- and triple-blade razors shave so deeply that the skin treats the follicle as a wound. The skin heals over the follicle, forcing the new hair growth to fight its way through, resulting in a red, inflamed bump, otherwise known as a razor bump. Single blade razors shave well, but don’t cause ingrown hairs. Electric razors are also great for acne-prone skin, plus they’re easier to use and don’t necessitate shaving cream.

4) Shave with hair growth. By shaving in the direction of hair growth, otherwise known as shaving with the grain, you’ll minimize nicks, cuts and razor bumps! If you’re not sure how to shave with the grain, run your hand along the area to be shaved. If it feels smooth and silky, you’re running your hand in the direction of hair growth. If the hair feels prickly or fuzzy, you’re going against the grain.

5) Tone, treat and moisturize. After shaving is complete, apply an alcohol-free toner to the skin. Choosing an antibacterial formulation is especially beneficial to acne-prone skin, as it will kill acne-causing bacteria before it can settle into your open pores. If you use gentle acne treatment products, it’s probably safe to use them after shaving. However, if you tend to experience product-related irritation after shaving, it’s probably best to wait until the next day to resume your acne treatment. Finally, apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer to seal in hydration and calm the skin.