5 Ways Your Current Shaving Routine is Harming Your Skin Without You Even Knowing

Jina Lee - May 15 2024

Shaving is a common part of many women's grooming routines, but what you might not realize is that your current shaving practices could be doing more harm than good. Using improper products, products with harmful ingredients, and neglecting proper preparation and aftercare can cause your skin to suffer from a range of issues, including irritation, redness, ingrown hairs, clogged pores, and even dangerous infections. 

Here are the five most common ways your current shaving routine is likely harming your skin, and what you can do to avoid them to achieve smoother, healthier skin than before.

1. Inadequate Skin Preparation

Not properly prepping your skin for shaving can lead to irritations, redness, ingrown hairs, and the dreaded strawberry legs. Proper skin preparation with an Exfoliator or a pre-shave lotion softens the skin, removes dead skin cells, and unclogs pores, all of which are crucial for a smooth, irritation-free shave, without ingrown hairs or clogged pores (strawberry legs).

2. Using Unsuitable Products

Many women use soaps and conditioners not meant for shaving because they are convenient and readily available in the shower. However, these products are not formulated to protect the skin when shaving, and in many cases contain harsh chemicals which can harm the skin, strip it of its natural oils, and even lead to long-term skin damage when absorbed through the micro-cuts created during shaving. This potential chemical absorption can lead to dryness and irritation and can be harmful especially to sensitive skin. 

Using a proper shaving product with natural ingredients, specifically Shaving Oil, creates the smoothest and most protective layer on the skin while also minimizing micro-cuts, is crucial for skin health and best results.

3. Exposure to Toxic Ingredients in Shaving Products

Store-bought shaving creams, and other non-specialized products often contain toxic ingredients, such as parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and have been linked to various health concerns, including hormonal imbalances and an increased risk of certain cancers. The continuous use of such products can lead to an accumulation of these harmful chemicals in the body.

It is crucial to use high quality products made of natural ingredients that do not harm the skin, to ensure that your skin remains healthy and unharmed during the shaving process, minimizing the risk of adverse reactions and promoting overall skin health.

Could you be unintentionally harming your own skin?
Bumps and dryness after shaving.

4. Poor Visibility During Shaving

Commonly used opaque shaving lotions obscure your view of the skin while shaving, increasing the likelihood of cuts and missed spots. However, using a transparent product such as high-quality Shaving Oil not only helps you achieve a closer, more precise shave but also reduces the risk of nicks and cuts, which are not only painful and uncomfortable, but also hinder the end result of your shave.

5. Neglecting Post-Shave Care

One of the most important, yet widely neglected, things for your skin is your post-shave routine. Failing to properly treat your skin after shaving, or using alcohol-based aftershave, leaves it dry, rough, damaged, and irritated, and is one of the main causes of ingrown hair, bumps, and strawberry legs. A proper post-shave routine is essential to maintain skin hydration, smoothness, softness, and skin health, and will leave your skin nourished, and your legs looking and feeling great.

In conclusion, a complete and proper shaving process—from preparation to aftercare—is vital for protecting your skin and achieving the best results. Using high-quality, protective products, which include natural ingredients, at each step of the process helps prevent irritation, redness, dryness, ingrown hairs, clogged pores, and other common issues.

A product that I love and recommend is the ‘BARE 4-piece Shaving Kit’. This kit includes everything you need for the optimal shaving routine and superior shaving experience from start to finish - a pre-shave Exfoliator, Shaving Oil, Post-shave Mist, and In-shower Moisturizer. Every product in the kit is made with premium and natural ingredients, and offers amazing, longer-lasting results than any other product I’ve tried, while protecting and nourishing the skin.

Me and my BARE kit. Exceptional quality and great results.

Learn more about the BARE Shaving Kit HERE, and for a limited time you can save $50 when purchasing the full kit.