I’ve always had very sensitive face skin, which is probably due to me having to use retin-A and minocyclene when I was younger. My face has always been a little red, even on a normal day. On especially hot, cold, or windy days, it can get pretty sore. I use cetaphil gentle skin cleanser both in my morning shower and when I wash my face at night, and I try to wash my face gently. I also use cetaphil moisturizer.
The real problem is after I shave. My face gets so sore. I used to use a razor and shaving cream for years, but I decided I could no longer tolerate it. Around 6 months ago, I got an electric razor and since then I have only used it. It has helped a lot, but not completely. Even if I just go over my face with it gently, and leave some stubble, my face will still be sore the next day, and sometimes even the day after that. I shave every 5-7 days usually. Is there anything I can do that will help?
My ex had extremely sensitive skin that was prone to break out after shaving. He used Body Shop’s Face Protector. Otherwise, creams with Aloe Vera are generally good for calming down sensitive skin.
Edit: After googling cetaphil, I realized you’re probably using good stuff already. I’m stumped then!
I suffer from sensitive skin too - though not to the same degree.
What works for me is washing my face with pretty hot water first, shaving (ideally with a razor that will work wet, so you can keep replenishing the hot water and clean it at the same time), then dowsing in cold water.
The hot water opens the pores and softens the hairs, the cold makes them retract and starts the healing process. Aloe Vera or moisturiser should also help.
Seriously though… make sure your razor is new. Dull or dull-ish razors will drag rather than cut, and make shaving more uncomfortable than necessary.
Second, use something decent as a shaving cream- King of Shaves, Gillete Mach 3, and Nivea for Men all make better than average shaving products. Let it stay on a little while (30 secs or so) before you start shaving.
Third, shave after you get out of the shower, or at the very least, wash your face with warm/hot water beforehand.
Sometimes I wonder if I have rosacea. My symptoms aren’t nearly as bad as others I have seen that do have that affliction, but maybe I have a mild form.
When wetting, I give my whiskers a couple of minutes to get wet, but I don’t like to have my skin get too soaked. It makes it too sensitive. YMMV.
Shave slowly.
Use a good shaving cream, preferably for sensitive skin. Noxzema’s is pretty good.
Don’t try for too close a shave, because those pointy hairs growing out hurt. It might help you to shave with the grain on the neck, instead against it.
Avoid those 3, 4, 5, 10, 15 blade razors. They shave too close.
That’s all I’ve got. After 40 years of shaving, I still haven’t come up with the perfect answer. I had a beard once, but keeping a beard looking decent is 10X the pain in the ass of shaving.
I used to have your same problem, but because my beard is coarse and dark, skipping a day wasn’t a option after I entered the professional world. I still skip on days I work at home. My face toughened up after a while. In the meantime, I would recommend the following:
[ul]
[li]If you can’t shave in the shower, shave as soon as you’re out of the shower.[/li]
[li]Fill the sink with water as hot as you can stand. Soak a washcloth in it, and apply to your face. Soak and repeat a couple of times.[/li]
[li]Wet down your shaving cream a bit. (I use Edge Sensitive Skin. - The purple one.) I find a little bit of water in the foam matrix aids the lubrication, and it warms it up a bit.[/li]
[li]I use the dip and swish method. It helps keep the razor warm, and uses less water. Just be sure to rinse the sink right away. A sink full of whiskers is rather disgusting.[/li]
[li]After shaving, I wipe my face with my (now cool) wet washcloth. I also apply the Nivea after-shave balm.[/li][/ul]
I use the Mach 3. I like it, not for the number of blades, but for how it’s hinged. With where it’s hinged, when you put pressure on it, the pressure goes on the little lube strip on the bottom, rather than on the blades. I hardly bleed anymore.
Ditch the electric razor. Get yourself a shaving mug, some high quality shaving soap, and a shaving brush. Learn to properly prep your beard before you apply the lather and shave. Use a good sharp razor and don’t try to get too many uses out of an individual blade or cartridge. After shaving, rinse your face thoroughly and apply a little aloe-based balm.
Not sure if you are willing to go back to a razor but if so… consider upgrading your shaving products. I highly recommend the eShave product line. You may want to use a pre-shave lubricant/oil to help reduce razor friction/burn/irritation.
I use the almond shaving cream and the cucumber (with shea butter) after shave cream.
When using a razor I also found that slowing down and taking my time greatly reduces irritation. I now shave only a 2 inch or so section of my face before rinsing the blade thoroughly. Always go with the grain, not against.
I’m not hearing anything about using an aftershave. I heartily recommend my combo of Gillette Mach3 razors* and American Crew shaving cream and aftershave. I used to have sensitive skin, sometimes quite painful to shave, and this has numbed and tightened up my skin.
*You can get 'em in bulk on an embarrassingly named website called shavethis.com. I’ve ordered a couple times from them with no problem and it’s even cheaper than Sam’s Club/Costco.
I’ve got a super-sensitive face also, and one thing I’ve found to be true over the years is that attempting to soothe a sore face isn’t the solution- not getting sore to begin with is. This means using the right equipment and the right technique.
Not to sound overly dramatic, but my life has changed since I’ve gone to old school double edged blades, a badger brush, and after shaving for over 25 years, actually learning how to shave properly. In case you’re interested, here’s a list of equipment:
Awesome, I will check those videos out. Ironically, you know when my face felt better? When I was at the beach last summer. With all the extra attention due to applying sunscreen multiple times a day and having to scrub harder in the shower to remove the sunscreen in the evenings, I thought my face would be super sore. But it turns out, my face looked and felt great. I don’t know if it was the sun or the air down there or what.
I don’t enjoy shaving, but it’s not an ordeal. I use a Gillette Sensor razor, with Gillette aerosal shaving cream. I think that my skin is average in sensitivity, and my beard is thick.
What benefit can I expect from using a brush, shaving cream, and a double-edge razor?