Have you looked at your skin after shaving and wondered where all those tiny razer bumps came from? Skipping the proper skin prep before (and after) shaving can cause painful, irritated, and bumpy skin. It can be difficult to know exactly what your skin needs in order for a close, razor bump-free shave. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to incorporate exfoliation as an important step in your shaving routine.
So, should you exfoliate before or after shaving? The short answer is both.
Step One: Skin Prep
Exfoliating before shaving reduces the amount of keratin build-up around the hair follicle. Taking the time to remove the excess oil, dead skin, and dirt around hair follicles results in a closer (and cleaner) shave. Thankfully, Aqua Gel Exfoliator is gentle enough to be used on the entire body including commonly shaved areas such as the underarms, legs, and face.
Step Two: The Shave
Because Aqua Gel Exfoliator’s water-based formula only activates on dry skin, you’ll need to exfoliate before you turn the water on. Dispense a generous amount of the product directly onto the area to be shaved, and massage gently into the skin. After a minute, the formula will react with your skin and reveal white beads. Continue to massage the product onto your skin for another minute, allowing Aqua Gel Exfoliator’s gentle formula to buff away keratin build-up.
Once you’ve buffed the product onto your skin, it’s time to rinse well with water and continue on with your shower. Waiting to shave until the last step in your shower routine will allow the warm water ample time to soften the hair follicles, resulting in a less abrasive shave. Pro tip: Make sure you’re using a sharp blade, as dull blades can cause irritation.
Step Three: After-Shave Skincare
After shaving and exfoliation, your skin is better conditioned to absorb other skincare products. Embrace that post-shave glow by following up your shave immediately with hydrating products, such as moisturizers and serums.
Exfoliating a few days after you shave will buff away dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Doing this will make it easier for new hair to grow, which results in fewer ingrown hairs or razor bumps post-shave. We recommend avoiding exfoliating immediately after shaving, as this may irritate sensitive skin.