Nothing beats a nice clean shave. The benefits of having a clean-shaven beard for men are endless – not only does this give your skin some time to air and absorb vitamin D, it also improves one’s appearance, giving you an overall good presentation which is ideal for those wanting to impress employers, or have to deliver a presentation.
One thing that gives your appearance an added bonus is to regularly exfoliate your skin. This removes dead cells, leaving your face radiant and smooth.
While all of this can be beneficial, there are many men who unfortunately battle with skin irritation, breakouts, and razor bumps. This is why it is important to consider exfoliating your skin before shaving.
Gillette – a company specialising in men’s grooming – highlights that this provides your razor with a much smoother surface to glide across to ensure that you experience a smoother shave.
“This isn’t just because excess dirt, oil and dead skin cells are removed, but also because exfoliating lifts hairs to stop them from lying flat against your skin.
“Lifting hairs before shaving also means your shaving gel or foam can get much closer to your skin, for an even smoother finish and extra protection from shaving side effects like razor bumps. Most men make between 40 and 1000 strokes with their razor every time they shave, so you need to do everything you can to keep your skin smooth and free from irritation,” explains the above-mentioned brand.
In addition, skincare company L’Oréal Paris explains that the best part about exfoliating prior to shaving is that you don’t have to wait too long before using your razor.
“After exfoliating your skin with either a physical or chemical exfoliant, you can immediately start shaving as you normally would. You’ll get a smoother shave since your skin surface is buffed and prepped for hair removal.”
Also see: Seasonal skincare: why your routine should change with the weather
