Though shaving obviously has its aesthetic benefits, it can irritate the skin.
If you don’t take care before, during and afterwards, you could experience adverse effects – especially when it comes to wet shaving. The process can strip your complexion of its natural oils, lead to inflamed pores and ingrown hairs and can even disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, which protects against bacteria and irritants. But if you take the right steps, you’ll vastly minimise the chances of any complications.
So, what are the steps to follow? To prep your skin, you should use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and unclog your pores, before softening your facial hair with warm water – whether that’s in the shower or with a damp towel. Then, apply some sort of lubricant, be it shaving cream, gel, soap, or foam, and shave with a sharp blade following the direction of hair growth.
The stage most guys tend to miss, though, is post-care. Once you’re done with the shaving process, you need to rehydrate your skin, support its barrier and help protect it from environmental aggressors like bacteria, UV rays and pollution. The best way to do so? With a post-shave oil or balm.
What is a post-shave oil, balm, lotion or serum?
Post-shave products are designed to help your skin, you guessed it, after you’ve shaved. While some guys might think a simple moisturiser will do the trick, it’s better to opt for a formula which will target the key concerns that arise during the process, which you can then follow with your normal skincare routine afterwards.
Most will be full of ingredients that are nourishing, hydrating, anti-inflammatory, protecting, cooling and soothing, so they’ll at once calm your pores down and rebuild your natural barrier, which may have been disrupted. If you’re prone to dryness, a heavier cream may work best for you, while those who tend to be oily should go for something lightweight instead.
Whether it’s an oil, a balm, a lotion, or a serum depends entirely on its consistency. As a general rule, serums are more lightweight, meaning they’re more easily absorbed, but tend to be less nourishing; lotions and balms are the next step up on the thickness front, and oils tend to be super nutritive while also helping with beard styling and sheen if you’re someone with longer facial hair.
The good news? There’s a lot out there to choose from. Generally, men’s grooming experts are the best way to go. Whether it’s Murdock London, the luxury-barbers-turned-grooming-label, or Horace, the Parisian men’s beauty brand which offers effective products at a great price, these names know a guy’s skincare needs better than anyone.
You can find options from them alongside our other favourites in the list below.
Murdock London Post Shave Balm 150ml
If you’re prone to excess oil, Murdock London’s balm is the lightweight, non-greasy formula which could be the answer to your post-shave woes. It’s enriched with almond oil, known for its soothing benefits, and witch hazel, which will reduce inflammation while also tightening your pores.
Buy now £16.80, lookfantastic
Aesop Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion
Every time I try an Aesop product, I’m impressed by everything from the efficacy to the scent – and this Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion is no exception. The gentle blend of botanical oils not only gives the creamy formula its ultra-hydrating credentials but also delivers a warm and spicy aroma which will keep you coming back for more.
Buy now £43.00, Aesop
Mauli Rituals Nourish Post-Shave & Beard Oil
Though a lotion or cream is good for your skin, your facial hair itself would benefit more from a nourishing oil. Enter: Mauli’s Post-Shave Oil, which is a skincare-and-beardcare double whammy.
It helps with the usual dryness and irritation while also dealing with ingrown hair and unruly beard hair. A one-and-done solution for guys who are regularly tidying up their longer facial hair.
Buy now £47.00, Amazon
Horace Aftershave Gel
If you’re after a refreshing feel, go for Horace’s Aftershave Gel. Aloe vera helps to soothe, while kukui oil nourishes and mint gives a clean, invigorating finish – and the gel consistency means it leaves you looking matte too. Amp up the cooling potential by keeping it in the fridge.
Buy now £9.00, Horace
Dr. Barbara Sturm Calming Serum
For those who regularly experience redness after shaving, Dr. Barbara Sturm has the serum to help. The active, plant-based mix of cardiospermum, echium and sunflower extract calms and rebalances the skin behind the scenes while purslane deals with the irritation itself.
A multi-functional tool, it can also help with stressed skin caused after sun exposure, environmental pollution, sleep loss or air conditioning. A saviour for those with sensitive skin.
Buy now £185.00, lookfantastic
ESPA Triple Action Grooming Oil
Though ESPA’s oil is designed to help with shaving itself, it’s powered by a whole host of nourishing vitamins and antioxidants which feed the skin with goodness while providing the all-important close finish.
The best part? It can be used solo, too, whether your skin needs an extra boost or you’re looking to give your beard some extra shine.
Buy now £13.60, lookfantastic
Kiehl’s Close-Shavers Squadron
If you’re not yet familiar with Kiehl’s, where have you been? The New York-based brand has a great range of men-specific skincare solutions, which are worth way more than their accessible price point.
This cream, for example, is full of actives which have both instant and long-lasting effects on just-shaved skin. It hydrates, nourishes, gently exfoliates, reduces ingrown hairs and strengthens your skin over time.
Buy now £24.00, Kiehl’s
Omorovicza Elixir 30ml
Though it’s not lauded as a post-shave treatment per se, after reading the calming, strengthening, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties of Omorovicza’s Elixir, I thought I’d give it a go – and it works a treat.
Not only does it deal with the razor-related problems, but it also helps with blemishes, fine lines and stressed complexions, and, like all of the Hungarian brand’s skincare, it feels amazing.
Buy now £175.00, Cult Beauty
