When you know how to exfoliate properly, magical things can happen. Blemishes may vanish, the skin starts to emit a bright glow, and shaving becomes a whole lot easier. Exfoliation can help you achieve the smoothest shave possible, regardless of whether you shave your face, legs, arms, or armpits. Now, should you exfoliate before or after shaving for best results?

According to many dermatologists, the best way to achieve smooth, razor bump-free skin is to exfoliate before shaving. It’s quite possible that exfoliating post-shave may cause a burning sensation on the skin. This, however, depends on the type of exfoliant you use, as many typical ones can irritate the skin. It’s best to avoid scrubs or exfoliants that have harmful chemicals, so as not to contaminate the skin while cleansing it.

What Is Exfoliation?

Exfoliation works to slough away dead skin cells, unclog pores, even skin tone, and remove general debris. Regular exfoliation may also increase circulation to the skin’s surface and even stimulate the production of collagen. The type of exfoliating you do will depend on where you exfoliate. The skin on the face, for example, is much more sensitive than the skin on the legs. A more mild technique (gentle circles) may be necessary for the face, as opposed to the legs, on which you can use a loofa or wash cloth.

Why Is Exfoliation Important For Shaving?

Shaving, in and of itself, if a form of exfoliation, but it can lead to unwanted razor burn. While this has to do with shaving technique, exfoliating prior to shaving may reduce the likelihood of razor bumps. Physical exfoliants tend to have a mildly abrasive texture that helps to remove bacteria, dirt, and dead skin cells. Gentle exfoliation is the key because that can help free the edges of hairs that may be trapped under the skin.

When you remove dead skin cells, you prep the skin for a close shave. The exfoliation process also helps the hairs stand up, ensuring that the razor shaves them cleanly without pulling. If the razor has to work hard to pull hairs, you may experience cuts or tears in the skin. Depending on the area that you want to shave, exfoliating may loosen ingrown hairs, contributing to a more effective shave. 

Exfoliating The Legs

Not only is the skin less sensitive on the legs than it is on the face, but there is also more surface area. Using a gentle exfoliant may not be necessary, and it may cause you to use all of it during one session. Before you shave your legs, it’s best to exfoliate them with a sugar scrub, which you can easily make or purchase in stores. Exfoliating the legs prior to shaving helps the razor glide smoothly across the skin’s surface. This yields a much smoother shave and may reduce the chances of ingrown hairs developing. 

Exfoliating After Shaving

This probably isn’t the best idea, primarily because freshly shaven skin can be very sensitive, sometimes cut in certain places. Exfoliating after shaving may cause a burning sensation and irritation, which will only increase redness. Instead of exfoliating after shaving, you simply rinse the area, pat dry, and feel your softer skin. After drying the skin, it can also help to apply a moisturizer. The reason you want to apply a moisturizer after rinsing the skin or showering is to help lock in that moisture the skin just absorbed. This reduces the chances of dryness later on in the day. 

What About Waxing?

Waxing and shaving are completely different, and the same exfoliation rules don’t apply to waxing. Experts say that the last thing you want to do is exfoliate right before waxing. The skin barrier needs to be intact in order to reduce the risk of irritation or burning from waxing. It is, however, beneficial to exfoliate the areas you plan to wax, just not right before you yank those hairs out. Exfoliating encourages hairs out of the follicles as they grow, making it easier for the wax to adhere to them.

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A switch is often necessary to improve your health. This can translate to a dietary shift that improves your health, an exercise shift that leads to bigger gains, or a skin care shift that enhances the appearance of your skin. In the case of the latter, the shift to natural skin care recipes can elevate your skin from dull and dry to hydrated and revived. 

When it comes to shaving, there are many techniques to achieve a perfectly close shave. Some people have no rhyme or reason to the way they slick the hair away, while others have a procedure dialed in. However you shave is entirely up to you, and so is your post-shave routine. Let us make one little suggestion, though: use the natural aftershave in this article if you want silky smooth skin. 

What Does Aftershave Do?

Aftershave is considered to be any type of oil, gel, liquid, or lotion that you put on the skin after shaving. Many people consider the application of aftershave to be a ritual, but how it affects the skin is different for everyone. Chemical aftershaves can cause irritation, while aftershaves with natural ingredients can reduce itching or swelling, establish smoother skin, or reduce the appearance of razor bumps. The right aftershave can even promote regrowth of skin tissue or prevent hair follicle inflammation. The aftershave in this article soothes the skin because of the following ingredients.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Can we be frank about this essential oil? Don’t be incensed about that question! Bad jokes aside, frankincense essential oil is beneficial for both skin care and aromatherapy. Spruce up your skin to liven it up and make it feel rejuvenated with frankincense essential oil. Post-shave skin can be dry, but frankincense oil can leave it feeling fresh and hydrated. 

Witch Hazel

Before you use witch hazel, consider reading the potential side effects and which skin types are more prone to reactions. Witch hazel is an excellent ingredient that may help reduce inflammation or ease irritation on the skin. When it comes to burns or sensitive skin, which is common after shaving, which hazel works to helps to soothe the skin and provide a cooling relief. 

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E oil contains a group of fat-soluble vitamins that have powerful antioxidant effects. You can mix this oil with other ingredients, but you can also apply it directly to the skin. This oil works to moisturize dry or flaky skin, and it also helps to reduce itching, which is common after shaving. If you are prone to razor burn or razor bumps, vitamin E oil can help calm the inflammation and help you avoid potential scarring. 

Sandalwood Essential Oil

Besides having an enchanting aroma, sandalwood essential oil has incredible hydrating properties. It actually replenishes the epidermis with moisture because it is an emollient, meaning it penetrates the skin deeply to help it retain moisture. Sandalwood essential oil also helps renew complexion, and can even help reduce irritation or inflammation.

DIY Aftershave

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce witch hazel
• 1/2 teaspoon almond oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vegetable glycerine
• 3 drops vitamin E oil
• 8 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 4 drops frankincense essential oil

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to an empty two-ounce bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water. 
• Screw on the lid and shake vigorously to combine the ingredients. It’s now ready to use.
• Make sure to shake it up before each use. Place a small amount in the center of your palm, rub your hands together, and apply to freshly shaven skin. 

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Most people who shave have experienced razor burn at least once in their lifetime. Shaving isn’t for everyone (no judgment here!), but the people who do shave want to avoid itchy, red bumps as much as possible. Whether you shave your face, legs, underarms, or bikini area, there are natural remedies to help relieve razor burn.

Prevention Is The Best Protection

Before we give you home remedies to relieve razor burn, it’s important to understand that you can prevent discomfort in the first place. It all starts with proper hair removal. Before you shave, dermatologists recommend exfoliating with a sugar scrub or wash cloth. When you apply the shaving gel or cream, leave it on for 10 minutes before using a sharp razor. Once you finish shaving, wash the shaved area with antiseptic or antibacterial soap and rinse with cold water. All of these steps elongate the shaving process, but they do reduce your risk of razor burn.

7 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Razor Burn

Apple Cider Vinegar

The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of apple cider vinegar make it an excellent remedy for razor burn. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which can alleviate the irritation of micro-cuts left behind after shaving. The citric acid in apple cider vinegar is also an alpha hydroxy acid, meaning it can increase cell turnover to unclog ingrown hairs. Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar, dab a cotton ball in the solution, and apply to the affected area. You can enhance this process by applying chilled black tea bags on the skin afterwards.

Tea Tree Oil

Many studies on tea tree oil found that it exhibited antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Tea tree oil has been incorporated into traditional healing practices to help soothe burns and accelerate the healing of minor wounds. It is very important to dilute tea tree oil in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or olive oil. Because tea tree oil has astringent properties, apply a diluted mixture to razor burn to soothe irritation and reduce the itchy, burning sensation.

Baking Soda

The use of baking soda to soothe razor burn is an old-fashioned remedy. All you need to do is mix one tablespoon of baking soda into one cup of filtered water. Stir the mixture to ensure it is thoroughly combined. Dab a cotton ball in mixture and then apply it to the affected razor burn area. Let it dry on the skin before you rinse it with cold water. Do this two to three times a day to reduce redness and stinging. 

An Oatmeal Bath

Traditionally used for soothing symptoms of dermatitis, eczema, or general itchiness, oatmeal baths are excellent if you have razor burn, especially on your legs. The beta-glucan in oatmeal works to create a protective and moisturized barrier on the skin. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of oatmeal also accelerate healing and reduce the red bumps. If you don’t want to add one to two cups of oats to a lukewarm bath, you can mix equal parts yogurt and ground oats in a bowl and apply that to the razor burn. Let it sit on the skin for 30 minutes before you wash it off with warm water. 

Black Tea Bags

You don’t have to go out and buy the most expensive black tea for this to work. Black tea contains tannic acid, which helps to reduce any inflammation or redness by soothing the skin. It also helps with the burning sensation of razor burn. Steep black tea back in warm water for about ten minutes before rubbing it on your razor burn. Rinse with warm water after three minutes and repeat twice daily. 

Witch Hazel

A lot of people use witch hazel to help clear up blemishes or bad acne because it has powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties make it an excellent home remedy for razor burn. The tannins in witch hazel actually repair broken skin caused by razor burn when you apply it to the affected area. There’s no need to mix witch hazel with anything. Simply apply it to the razor burn to accelerate healing.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of the best natural remedies for reducing inflammation or burning on the skin. You can squeeze the gel from a fresh aloe leaf onto the razor burn area and let it sit for 10 minutes to provide relief. Don’t buy aloe vera gel with artificial colors and alcohol from the store because that won’t help. The topical application of fresh aloe vera gel helps improve the skin’s barrier, and many studies found that it exhibits anti-inflammatory activity upon interacting with the skin.

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People have been removing hair with hot wax for centuries. A lot of people are attracted to waxing because shaving can cause ingrown hairs, razor bumps, or irritated skin; not to mention, shaving is costly and you have to shave frequently to be silky smooth.

Waxing pulls the hair from the roots and, in turn, produces smoother results. When you wax, your skin feels smoother for a lot longer without being itchy, primarily due to the slower regrowth of hair. Additionally, waxing doesn’t discriminate against different hair colors like other hair removal techniques. Waxing removes any shade or consistency from all types of skin.

While the regrowth period varies from person to person, hair usually begins to appear after about a week or more. If you continue to wax, the hair follicles can weaken, making it very difficult for hair to grow back. Sometimes that even causes permanent hair loss.

The only downside is that waxing can be painful. Everyone tolerates pain differently, but there is no denying that waxing hurts. If you want to have the best results, make sure the hair is at least one centimeter in length. Try the wax and let us know if it worked for you in the comments below.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white sugar
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup water

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a medium saucepan over high heat.
• Once the mixture becomes bubbly, reduce to medium heat and stir constantly. Make sure that you stir because the mixture will harden if you don’t.
• Keep stirring for about five minutes until the mixture is golden brown. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for five minutes.
• You should have a thick consistency that resembles wax. Allow it to cool for 30 more minutes before transferring it to a bowl.

How To Use:

• Using a wooden spoon or spatula, grab a small amount of the wax from the bowl and roll it between your hands to form a ball.
• Press the ball onto the area you want waxed, and flatten it with the spatula. Alternatively, you can use waxing strips to press the wax onto the skin.
• Take a deep breath, pick up one end of the strip of wax, and yank it in the direction your hair grows. You can actually use this piece of wax a few times before you need to grab another ball of wax.

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Unless you are the most precise person with a razor, you will most likely develop razor bumps at some point if you shave. They are unappealing red bumps that you want to get rid of as soon as you can. Most people are self-conscious about these, especially if they appear on the neck (most common for men), underarms, or bikini area.

What Are Razor Bumps?

Razor bumps are known as pseudofolliculitis barbae and they appear when the hair follicles don’t exit the skin during regrowth, or they turn back and reenter the skin in a different place. The irritated bumps occur because the body interprets the rogue hairs as intruders, which explains the inflammatory response.

Ideally, the best way to get rid of razor bumps is to prevent them from initially appearing. You can take a few measures to help decrease your risk of developing razor bumps.

• Make sure to shave in the direction of hair growth, especially in more sensitive areas. When you shave against the grain, you can cause more trauma to the skin and increase your chances of razor bump development.
• Never shave with a dull blade because this can cause uneven hair growth, and can pull on or irritate the skin. You may want to consider upgrading your razor if your blades persist to dull.
• Always apply something that works to moisten your skin and soften the hair. A moisturizing soap is typically recommending. You can also apply a pre-shaving oil like olive or coconut oil to help moisten the skin.

Home Remedies

Apple Cider Vinegar

You should always have apple cider vinegar in the pantry because it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to helping with inflammation reduction, it can also help to combat any infection in the area. Dab a cotton ball in raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar and gently apply it to the razor bumps, allowing it to dry on the spot before rinsing with water. Repeat twice a day.

Tea Tree Oil

The antibacterial, antibiotic, and astringent properties of tea tree oil help to cleanse the area around razor bumps. Because bacteria work to inhibit the healing process, it is recommended to cleanse the area in order to tighten pores. Don’t put tea tree oil directly on the skin! Mix tea tree oil with coconut oil or add about 10 drops to a lukewarm bath and soak in it for about 25 minutes.

Baking Soda

In case you didn’t know, baking soda can be used outside the kitchen. Baking soda works to fight itchiness because it has anti-inflammatory properties. That’s why some people put baking soda on rashes, sunburns, or bug bites. Mix three parts water with one part baking soda in a bowl until you get a pasty consistency. Spread this on your razor bumps and allow it to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing away with water.

Raw Honey

The antibacterial and antiseptic properties in raw honey work to cleanse your pores and moisturize the skin in the process. It also helps to decrease inflammation and hydrate your skin! Apply raw honey on razor bumps and let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse with cold water.

Aloe Vera

Remember that fresh is best when it comes to using aloe vera. Don’t buy the gel because that often contains alcohol. Applying fresh aloe vera to razor bumps can help to kill bacteria and soothe the skin. Aloe is commonly applied to eczema, sunburns, or psoriasis because of its potent antibacterial properties. Cut a fresh piece of aloe and apply directly on the razor bumps a couple times a day.

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Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles. The condition causes bumps to form on the skin that can resemble pimples. These bumps can be very painful. Anywhere that you have a hair follicle on the body, you can have folliculitis. However, it is most common on the face, scalp, thighs and groin.

Pseudo-folliculitis is a condition like folliculitis, but without the infection. The same bumps are present, but pseudo-folliculitis is nothing more than an ingrown hair. Still, this can be painful.

Causes

Folliculitis is usually caused by bacteria. When bacteria become trapped in the skin, infection can occur. Sweat, oils, and makeup can also cause the condition. You may be more likely to get folliculitis if you:

• Use a pool of hot tub not properly treated with chlorine.
• Wear tight fitting clothes
• Use antibiotics or steroid creams for long periods of time
• Work around substances that can block the skin

Pseudo-folliculitis commonly occurs after shaving. Men generally notice the razor bumps on their faces. Women tend to see it more of their legs, underarms, and bikini area. Pseudo- folliculitis occurs when hair attempts to grow back on a shaved area. If the hair is not able to get through the skin above it, the hair will sometimes curl back down and continue to grow. This causes an ingrown hair. The area can become red and inflamed, and sometimes even look like pimples on the skin.

Pseudo-folliculitis is most common in people who have coarse or curly hair. These types of hair have a more difficult time exiting the skin and can become ingrown easily.

Healing Folliculitis and Psuedo-folliculitis Naturally

Good grooming and hygiene habits are the first place to start in alleviating folliculitis and pseudo-folliculitis. Eliminating the use of chemical laden shave and post shave products and replacing them with all-natural soaps and shave creams will allow the skin to breathe. Keeping irritants and chemicals off the skin will lessen any reaction you could have. Look for soaps with a natural, botanical base of vegetable glycerin or coconut.

Avoid fragranced products, as they can be very irritating to the skin. Any synthetic colors or fragrances in soaps or other products can cause irritation and adverse reaction.

If you are suffering from pseudo-folliculitis, try buying a better razor. Make sure the razor is very sharp and replaced often. Keep the razor clean and free from bacteria that could be transferred onto your skin.

Many people like to apply an after shave. Just like shave creams, these products can be full of chemicals and unnatural additives. Instead, try using one of these natural oils:

• Shea butter
• Coca butter
• Coconut oil
• Jojoba oil
• Olive oil
• Grape Seed oil
• Sweet Almond oil
• Kukui Nut oil
• Rose Hip Seed oil
• Rosemary, Sage, Lavender, and Tea Tree essential oils

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