This is How You Shave Gently and Thoroughly

Here are the best tips for wet shaving. So that your face is as smooth as possible and even sensitive skin does not react sensitively

Honestly, how many times have you stood in front of the mirror after shaving and thought to yourself, “Wow, that was the perfect shave”? Shaving can be a real torture: leftover stubble, razor burn, cuts, or pimples—there’s always something. This is exactly why, according to a study by the shaving brand Gillette, 36 percent of men with sensitive skin currently shave less often than they would like. Your beard is not a question of style but simply a means to an end: avoiding skin irritation after shaving.

That’s enough of that! Here is your guide to the perfect wet shave—gentle and thorough—for every man, even those of you with particularly sensitive skin.

1: Thoroughly cleanse the face to prepare the skin for shaving

Before you start shaving, you should clean your skin first. It’s best to use a skin-friendly cleanser for this. We recommend this facial cleanser from Sebamed, which removes dirt and oil from the skin. This removes dead skin cells that can clog pores and the razor. The essential eucalyptus and mint oils it contains also refresh and cool your face.

The razor can glide better over clean skin, which means you automatically apply less pressure and thus prevent injuries. Then you should moisten the area to be shaved with plenty of warm water. This causes the hair to swell, become softer, and can be cut off much more easily by the razor blade. With these tips, you will never have razor burn again.

2: Apply a pre-shave product

“Whether you prefer to use shaving cream or shaving gel is ultimately a question of personal taste,” says Kristina Vanoosthuyze, a scientific expert in Gillette’s “Global Shave Care” team.

You can apply shaving foam or shaving gel directly to your fingertips and spread it generously over your moistened face. Shaving soap or cream, on the other hand, means you first have to lather with a brush and plenty of water.

3: Let shaving foam, etc. take effect first

You’ve probably already guessed: this isn’t going to be a quick affair. But to protect your skin, you should leave any pre-shave product on for at least two minutes. “Dry beard hair is almost as hard as copper wire. The combination of warm water and soap makes the beard hair soft,” says the expert.

By the way, this also increases the lifespan of the blade. Because hard beard hair puts more strain on the blade than soft beard hair.

4: Choose a high-quality system razor

Especially if you have sensitive skin, the following applies: stay away from cheap disposable razors. They’re handy for a weekend trip when you forget to pack a real razor, but not for every day.

5: Maintain tension to avoid cuts

The skin should always be taut when shaving. “This is the secret to a shave without injuries. The blade can glide easily on the taut skin, reducing the risk of injury. The tension also makes the shave thorough. The beard hairs are straightened and lifted so that they can be cut deeply,” explains Vanoosthuyze.

6: Follow the correct order so that everything turns out smoothly

If you follow the previous tips, skin irritation after shaving will not be an issue. To ensure that the skin is not only optimally protected but also as smooth as possible, it is important to pay attention to the correct sequence when shaving.

In plain language, this means that you should always shave your cheeks first, then your neck, and finally your upper lip and chin. This is where the stubble is the hardest and therefore needs a longer soaking time.

7: It is better to shave with the grain to protect the skin

Whether it is better to shave with or against the grain depends on the sensitivity of your skin and the strength of your beard’s growth. In any case, shaving against the grain is more thorough. But it is also more charming. This is why most men should shave consistently in the direction of hair growth, i.e. with the grain, to protect the skin.

Is the result not smooth enough for you? Soap the problem areas again and only shave against the grain the second time. Because the stubble is now ultra-short, it can no longer pull. You can find tips against ingrown hairs here.

8: Wash the blades thoroughly with hot water

While shaving, rinse the blade thoroughly with warm water several times to prevent it from becoming clogged. “Simply hold it upside down under running water. And please never use mechanical tools (e.g., a nail brush). This will dull the blades,” says the expert.

Important: As long as the wet razor is still a little damp, never store it airtight, as it could become a breeding ground for bacteria.

9: Change the bells regularly to prevent cuts

Many razors now have colored lubricating strips with care ingredients. These are how you can tell when the blades are past their prime. If the color fades, it’s time for new ones.

10: The right care afterward soothes irritated skin

Clean your face of soap and beard residue first with warm and then with cold water – this closes the pores and refreshes. You should then apply a moisturizer or aftershave. For example, the Men Expert After Shave Balm from L’Oréal Paris.

Why care is so important? No matter how careful you are, shaving is unfortunately never a benefit for your skin. Here you will find the most important tips for facial care for men.

If you follow these simple tips every time you shave, redness, pimples, itching and burning will no longer be an issue in the future. Yes, our shaving instructions are complex. And you will need a little more time, especially for the first few runs. Once you have a routine, the whole thing will work itself out. You’ll see that it’s worth it!