Mens’ Skincare Routine Tips: Shaving and Aftershave Care

Aftershave may be just an afterthought to most men, but did you know that this oft-forgotten skincare product may just save your skin from a host of other skin concerns? As it turns out, shaving foam isn’t the only thing you will need in your shaving kit. While it may seem like just another product to make you smell great post-shave, aftershave skincare serves to moisturise, soothe and reduce the risk of infections due to any cuts that may have occurred while shaving.

However, most aftershave lotions for men that are currently available in the market contain high amounts of alcohol which not only result in that stinging sensation you get upon slapping some aftershave on, they also dry out your already sensitive post-shave skin, causing irritation. How can you avoid the post-shave sting and still make your aftershave work to your benefit? Let’s dig further and find out how Clarins can help you achieve smooth, irritation-free skin after every shave!

What is aftershave?

As its name suggests, aftershave is a skincare product that is used post-shaving to moisturise, soothe and reduce the risk of infections from any cuts on your skin that may have been inflicted during your shave. Available in several forms such as balms, creams and gels, aftershave is focused on providing your skin with a temporary barrier to replace the one stripped off during your shave and reducing irritation due to the scraping of a razor.

Why is aftershave important?

For most men, shaving begins at puberty and never quite stops unless they opt to grow out their facial hair. While shaving does give you a clean look and hopefully, skin that’s smooth to touch, it also presents its own set of problems. Shaving involves making scraping motions over your skin and facial hair with a blade. This causes your pores to open, nicks and cuts, inflamed hair follicles or even just irritation in general due to the top layer of skin being scraped away along with the facial hair. Without any post-shaving care such as applying a soothing aftershave, you risk exposing yourself to skin irritation as your open pores may encourage bacteria to settle on your already-sensitive skin. In addition to that, there’s the ever-present risk of razor burns, particularly if you have thinner skin.

Shaving precautions

Although aftershave is important, preparations before shaving are essential as well to prevent any injuries. Investing in a good shaving cream will help to moisturise skin and soften facial hair. This makes it easier for the hair to be cut and thus requires less force from the blade, subsequently reducing the likelihood of nicks as well as helping to preserve your skin’s barrier. A shaving cream or gel such as ClarinsMen Smooth Shave that’s infused with Bison Grass and Chinese Galanga extract will help to significantly soften hair, soothe and moisturise skin, resulting in a friction-free shaving experience. Apply the shaving cream or gel and allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes before shaving so that it can thoroughly soften the hair.

Always ensure that your razor is sharp as blunt blades will require more force which may result in more nicks and cuts, razor burn and skin irritation. It is advisable to shave in the direction your hair is growing and try to achieve a one-pass shave if possible, as going over the same area multiple times is more likely to cause skin irritation.

After shaving, rinse off your skin with cold water to help close your pores and reduce the likelihood of inflammation. For best results, dab on an aftershave such as our ClarinsMen After Shave Energizer, paying special attention to any areas that may be affected by razor burn. Formulated with Bison Grass, Centella Asiatica and Shea extracts, it helps to reinvigorate, soothe, heal and protect skin after every shave. Not only does the ClarinsMen After Shave Energizer help to soothe irritated skin, but it also acts as a moisturiser to replenish skin’s moisture levels and aid in rebuilding your skin’s natural protective barriers.

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