Your day begins with a close shave but afterwards it looks like you’ve shaved an inch off your life.
Cosmetic houses market their skin care ranges for men around his shaving routine. Their products are convenient, masculine and are becoming the ultimate anti-aging weapon that all men should incorporate into their grooming routine.
Shaving after a shower is ideal, as the warmth & moisture from the steam will help soften your stubble for a comfortable shave, but hot water can also strip away the skin’s protective oils, which exacerbates dryness, tightness, redness & irritation and consequently kick-starts excessive sebum production so keep the temperature comfortably warm rather than scalding.
Cleansing needs to remove the gunk that causes breakouts without stripping the skin of its essential oils and should leave your skin feeling refreshed rather than ravaged. It might seem quicker & cheaper to get the job done with soap and compensate with a decent moisturiser afterwards but it is better to strike a balance by investing in a decent cleanser that gets the job done without disrupting ‘oil-control’. Invest in the right one because decent cleansers aren’t as cheap but they don’t have to be expensive either. Choose one that suits your skin and your budget.
Lubrication and a sharp blade go a long way towards a smooth shave. It should feel as though your blade is gliding through your stubble rather than ripping each follicle from its shaft. It also helps if you can see where you’re going, so a translucent shaving product that lubricates without obscuring your view is ideal. Shaving oils or silicone lubricants are also helpful, either on their own or in conjunction with another cream or gel. Single blades are best for sensitive skin while multiple blades offer the closest shave.
Shaving debris is both nutritious and delicious, for bacteria, so a post shave cleanse is essential
Toners are optional nowadays, especially if you’re using a cleansing gel or facial wash, but still worth using as they bridge the gap between cleansing and moisturizing. They offer pH balancing, anti-bacterial and firming benefits, but if you’re skeptical you could begin using an inexpensive version to assess both the physiological and psychological benefits. Alcohol free toners are the best way regardless of your skin type.
Moisturizing is not the important aspect of skin care- it’s actually just one of the steps. You shouldn’t feel as though you have moisturise but rather that you want to apply moisturise. Your moisturiser is simply going
to seal those benefits together with a protective layer that hydrates, soothes and protects. It shouldn’t feel like an excessive layer smothering post-shave stress- which is just nasty!
Sun block is vital but its application depends upon your circumstances. Applied over your moisturiser is ideal but if you look glossier than a cover girl then switch to a moisturiser with a built in SPF. If your business is mostly outdoors you will want to bump that SPF proportionately higher.