Many men still believe that after shaving their skin needs alcohol in the form of colognes, eau de toilette or lotions. However, this idea is, to put it mildly, erroneous. Any facial product that contains more than 30% alcohol is harmful to the skin. .
A face injured after shaving is subject to additional stress - alcohol burn. In addition to the fact that a constant burn can contribute to early aging of the skin, it also makes the skin unattractive in appearance. And although some men pretend that they are indifferent to their complexion and appearance, in fact this is not the case.
Everyone wants to look 100%, however, to achieve this you need to seriously take care of your skin, especially after shaving. Every shave is a microtrauma for the skin. during which the top, protective layer is removed.
Alcohol “lotions” will not help protect the skin from frost, sun, and adverse effects external factors. Modern cosmetology has long developed more effective products for men. One of these modern and effective means is an aftershave gel, it has the best reviews compared to other products.
Aftershave gel benefits
Shaving gel is an intermediate option between liquid products and cream. Therefore, it has all the positive properties of both. It perfectly moisturizes and disinfects the skin, and also covers it with a protective layer. Modern cosmetic companies produce aftershave gels for different types skin and for solving various problems. Buying a good aftershave gel that suits your skin type will ensure that it leaves your skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. In addition, it is very easy to apply and spread over the face. Often men confuse gels and wonder whether it is necessary to wash off the gel after shaving? No no need. The gel will protect, cool and soothe your skin throughout the day. The gel is especially relevant in cold weather and hot sun, when the skin needs special protection.
FAQ
How to use aftershave gel for men?
After you have shaved smoothly, rinse your face with warm water. You can wipe your skin with a piece of ice from brewed herbs or clean water. Pat your face dry, but not dry. The gel is best applied to slightly damp skin. Take a little gel and carefully spread it over the surface of the skin. The aftershave gel is easy to apply and absorbs without clogging pores.
Do I need to wash it off?
There is no need to confuse shaving gel with after shaving gel. The shaving gel is usually washed off because it is designed to improve the glide of the razor. performs completely different functions - it nourishes and protects the skin during the day if you shave in the morning and restores at night if you shave in the evening.
What better gel or aftershave balm?
Gel and balm cannot be compared because... they solve different problems. So the balm is designed to solve current skin problems - relieve irritation, moisturize and cool the skin. In most cases, balms contain medicinal herbs. The gel is designed to moisturize, nourish and protect the skin more long term. Therefore, it is quite possible to use both methods.
How to choose aftershave gel?
First you need to decide on your skin type or the problem that bothers you. There are gels for problem skin, for dry and oily, for mixed skin and so on.
How many jars, bottles, spray cans, flasks and tubes are on a woman’s bathroom shelf or on her dressing table? They themselves cannot answer this question. But men have only one, or less often a couple of facial care products. Cream or shaving foam and cologne.
And who would have thought that shaving foam could be used by the weaker sex? And specifically for the face. Find out which of the women was the first to come up with the idea of trying to fight blackheads on the skin with the help of men’s cosmetic product, it is no longer possible, but to state the fact that this woman has discovered a new and quite effective method, quite appropriate.
There may be other components in the composition, but they are more for solidity
To make it clear why this product, intended and developed exclusively for men, has a beneficial effect on women’s skin and in order to remove unnecessary and completely unfounded fears, it’s worth starting with the ingredients. Firstly, men's skin also does not tolerate all kinds of artificial chemical compounds well, and therefore the developers tried to cram only natural ingredients into the shaving foam. Secondly, there is not and cannot be any particular difference in these components for men and women.
It’s worth starting with threatening names that are actually no more harmful than ordinary salt.
- Sodium benzoate. In fact, it is a food additive that can be found in the most common foods. In our case, it is used as a preservative that dries the skin very well.
- propylene glycol. The opposite of the first substance is a humectant. In the right proportion they give a simply amazing effect.
- extract of aloe, chamomile, eucalyptus and others medicinal plants. They have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. It is worth paying attention that in shaving foam this component is not replaced with its synthetic analogue.
- mineral oils different types. It is this component that has the most beneficial effect. Destroys fats, softens and cleans ducts. Under its influence, the skin gets rid of the notorious blackheads.
The effect of baking soda on facial skin
How does baking soda affect the skin?
To say that soda cleanses is to underestimate its role, and this is quite bad. Some people in a hurry, having read this far, will rush to rub their face with baking soda and naturally rub it off to holes. So it's worth clarifying.
Soda very quickly removes the top layer of skin, which serves on the one hand as protection, and on the other as some obstacle to the release of harmful substances.
Following this, the soda sinks into the pores and successfully, even very successfully, fights pollution of any type of complexity and concentration.
And the last property of soda: you can call it regenerating. But it does not appear because sodium bicarbonate itself is involved in this process. It simply stimulates it by destroying that very first protective layer.
The effect, as you can understand, is very positive and almost lightning fast. However, it does not have a long-lasting effect. Maximum 2-3 days.
Several recipes
Listen to the sensations when applying such a mask
And again we will have to slow down a little those beauties who can’t wait to try this “magic” remedy.
The fact is that all of the above components are very, so to speak, masculine. They act effectively, quickly, but HARD. Especially if they are combined into a scrub or face mask. Therefore, you should strictly adhere to proven recipes, observe proportions and carefully monitor your feelings.
Mask made of shaving foam and soda No. 1
A simple face mask recipe
Quickly stir 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into a small amount of shaving foam. Apply with your fingers to problem areas with blackheads. Wait 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water, then wash with cold water.
Mask of shaving foam and soda No. 2
For 2 tablespoons of shaving foam, 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of the finest salt. Apply to face without massaging movements for 10 minutes. Wash in the same way.
Mask of shaving foam and soda No. 3
Making a mask from shaving foam and baking soda
Separate the egg white from the yolk, add the same amount of shaving foam and a teaspoon of soda. Massage your face in problem areas for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
Mask of shaving foam and soda No. 4
Half a teaspoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide. Mix with a small amount of shaving foam. Apply to face for no more than 15 minutes. Rinse off first with warm and then with cold water.
Facial scrub with baking soda and shaving foam
Making a facial scrub
Add the same amount to a teaspoon of baking soda lemon juice and wait until the soda goes out. If the mixture is too thick, dilute it a little with water. Apply to problem areas with an abundance of blackheads, massage for 2-3 minutes. Wipe your face wet wipe and apply a thick layer of shaving foam. After 5 minutes, rinse with warm water.
The subtleties of using masks and facial scrubs with soda and shaving foam
Observe simple rules applying such a mask
There are some specifics that should be observed.
- In order not to strictly monitor time and not be afraid of burns, you can add oatmeal, organic oil, moisturizing cosmetic cream, and cottage cheese to the mask or scrub.
- shaving foam or gel can be used instead of soap when washing your face.
- Obligatory washing with warm and then cold water. Warm water washes off the mask and cleans it out of open pores. Cold water closes these pores, which significantly prolongs the effect of the mask or scrub.
- If your facial skin is not oily, it is better to use shaving gel instead of foam.
- If you have active acne or pustules on your face, it is better to refrain from using these products.
- If during the massage you experience unpleasant sensations (burning, itching, desire to scratch), you should immediately stop the procedure, regardless of how much time has passed since it began, and wash your face thoroughly.
- If you overexpose the mask or scrub on your face, you will get sunburn-like burns.
- You should not steam your face before the procedure. It is better to simply moisten with warm water.
- Such cleaning should be carried out no more than once every 2-3 days.
- At the end of the procedure, it is recommended to apply a moisturizer.
That's probably all that can be said about this unusual facial care product. Of course, these are just the basic rules and just a few recipes. But they have been tested, and experiments with such active substances are not always a justified risk. Beauty is undoubtedly important, but health is more important.
Shaving foam for blackheads
Very often, men experience difficulty and fear when shaving their face and neck. The complex terrain, the protruding Adam's apple, really adds trouble and some skill is required in order not to get hurt and learn how to shave correctly.
Some people, due to excessive caution, are left with unshaved areas of skin. Some are concerned about redness, pain from cuts, or ingrown hair. All this may be a consequence of an incorrect approach to shaving.
In this article we will tell you 10 tips on how to shave properly for a man and avoid cuts, redness on the skin, and other irritations caused by the razor.
Some manufacturers claim that you can shave your face and neck without using shaving foam or gel. Don't take their word for it. Yes, they use some kind of soap bar to soften the shave, but it does not replace a full-fledged shaving gel/foam. Therefore, be sure to use shaving foam.
Use shaving cream or gel
The hair on your face can grow in different directions. Hair follicles located on one side of the face or neck can even be arranged in a circle. Understanding the direction of hair growth is the first step to shaving properly.
The easiest way to determine the direction of hair growth is to run your finger along 2-3 day old stubble. If the stubble scratches your finger, you are going against hair growth. If your finger goes smoothly, you are following the hair growth. You can even draw a “hair growth map” on paper if it’s easier for you to remember. Draw the direction with arrows on both sides of the face.
You need to shave in the direction of hair growth. Do not mind! This is the main rule of shaving.
Proper skin preparation is very often overlooked. As a rule, men rinse their face and chin, but they may, for example, forget about their neck. Remember to rinse your entire face and neck with warm water. Rinse thoroughly to remove dirt. It's even better if you steam your skin during a hot shower or a warm towel placed on your face and neck for 2-3 minutes. The pores thus open up and shaving becomes both easier and safer.
If you have very sensitive skin, applying a small amount of shaving oil will help reduce irritation. The thin film will prevent the blade from touching the skin, and you can easily get through difficult areas.
Proceed as follows: wash your face -> apply oil -> apply shaving cream.
After preparing your face and steaming your skin, try shaving and rinsing the razor with cold water. Oddly enough, many note a decrease in irritation and the risk of cutting their face and neck.
By “special” I mean a shaving machine with softening strips and a large number of blades (from 3 pieces). They are sometimes called "safety razors" for shaving. In fact, the manufacturer of the machines made sure that with little knowledge about shaving, you could not hurt yourself or cut yourself, even shaving against the hair growth (as the advertising claims). The production uses high-quality sharp blades located at a certain angle so that the edge of the blade does not protrude too much and does not injure the face.
Tip #7. Pull out some hard-to-reach areas of skin
In some places it is very difficult to shave, even using all possible emollients. For example, the Adam's apple area is a very complex area. Try to move the area of skin or tighten it by moving your head forward or backward. Shorter strokes of the razor will also help to delicately shave a difficult area.
Do not put pressure on the razor when shaving. You need to shave calmly and effortlessly. If the unfortunate hair is not shaved off, try slightly changing the direction of movement of the razor.
Once you have finished shaving, you should thoroughly rinse your face and neck with warm water (before applying aftershave lotion). This will allow you to get rid of any remaining shaving foam and particles of shaved hair.
After applying aftershave, it is recommended to rinse your face with cold water to close the pores of the face and neck. This is especially useful if you prefer to shave in the morning and then drive through a dusty city.
Let's face it. Many people fail to shave their face and neck perfectly, even after years of practice. Obviously, your skin won't become like a baby's even if you pour all the shaving products on yourself. Therefore, try not to cut yourself and bring your skills to a “satisfactory” level, and I think this is quite enough to look “presentable”.
Today it’s no secret that not only men, but also women need to remove unnecessary hairs. Moreover, the latter need to do this in much larger volumes, because in addition to the armpit area, unwanted hair grows on the legs and in the bikini area. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right shaving product that will not irritate your skin.
How to choose
First of all, you need to consider that if you have dry skin, shaving gel will be more suitable for you than foam or cream. The thing is that the gel moisturizes and softens the hairs much better.
It is more logical to select a shaving product depending on the area that you need to clean. The gel is more suitable for sensitive areas, such as the bikini area, and when shaving your legs, you can replace the product with foam - it covers a larger area.
Each person's skin and hair condition are different from each other., so the choice of product is very individual. However, if you have black and coarse hair, it is better to use gel - it softens it and takes care of the skin.
Also, you should not buy any product with sodium benzoate, because it dries out the skin and causes irritation.
Features of the composition
Women's shaving products are different from men's., although not much. But since women’s skin is softer and more delicate, the product for it should be more gentle. In addition, representatives of the fair sex also need to shave in the bikini area, which is even more delicate and sensitive than all other areas of the skin.
That is why softening components such as aloe extract are quite often found in the gel. At times, vitamin complexes are also found among the ingredients.
The difference between men's and women's gels is also in the aroma. For the fair sex, the smell is always more delicate and pleasant than for men.
Advantages
There are a lot of advantages to shaving gel, so it is not surprising that it is so popular. Let's take a closer look at them:
- Allows the razor to glide easily without catching, which is especially good for sensitive skin;
- More transparent, allowing you to see places in time, which are better to avoid, like acne, moles, and so on. This makes shaving safer;
- Gently cares for and cares for the skin;
- More economical than foam, because it does not need to be applied in a thick layer, and it also has a higher concentration - this is good for people who often shave;
- Contains no soap, as in foam or cream, so it not only does not dry out the skin, but also moisturizes;
- The composition usually does not contain too many essential oils which is good for oily skin;
- There are special bactericidal or silicone gels which have a healing effect. This will be especially useful for those who have small wounds after shaving;
- Usually, the products have a very pleasant aroma;
- You can and should wash off the gel with plain water.
Flaws
Of course, any remedy has its drawbacks. Shaving gel does not have many disadvantages, but whether they are important or not is up to you to decide:
- They are often not cheap;
- Some products lack thickness and may run down the skin at times;
- It doesn’t always foam well – you have to make an effort;
- Due to transparency, it is not always possible to understand whether a certain place has been shaved or not; as a result, you will have to go through the machine again, which is fraught with irritation.
How to use it correctly
The first thing to do is wait half an hour in the morning and only then shave. This will give the skin the opportunity to “wake up” and any swelling that has developed overnight should subside.
The area that you are going to treat needs to be rinsed with warm water - not scalding or icy, but warm, it softens the skin and hairs. Apply the gel to the desired location - always in a thin layer. Smear it with circular movements until a light foam appears.
Before we get started, Make sure your razor is clean and sharp. Shaving hair with a dirty razor is unhygienic, and dull blades can cause irritation. After the skin has become clean and beautiful, you can put the machine aside and rinse the area with warm water, washing off any remaining gel.
The best brands
It is very difficult to choose a specific product like shaving gel among the abundance of manufacturers. That's why we've put together a review for you. best brands and funds.
- The company Arko There are three women's shaving gels produced by the " Soft touch" The first one is called " Mango and tangerine"and contains extracts of these fruits. Thanks to them, the skin becomes soft and tender. Second hypoallergenic gel " Eastern dreams", which also softens and cares for your skin well. And finally, the last one - “ Aloe and vitamin E» for sensitive skin. Aloe perfectly moisturizes, so this product is suitable for dry skin, and vitamin E nourishes well.
- Manufacturer Yves Rocher has only one shaving gel, and that one is for men. However, thanks to the aloe in the composition, the product moisturizes and softens well, and also has a pleasant aroma, so a woman can also use it.
In addition, the gel gives a feeling of freshness, and the glycerin included in the composition perfectly softens hard hairs, making shaving easy and painless.
- Avon created the line " Skin so soft"specially for women's shaving. This line includes two products, each of which softens and nurtures your skin. Both means are called " Perfect smoothness", one of them is just a gel, and the second is moisturizer.
- Gillette Satin Care is a line of special caring shaving gels with special properties. For example, the manufacturer has a product “ For sensitive skin"containing moisturizing aloe extract and vitamin E.
Gel "Pure and Delicate" is also designed specifically for sensitive skin. It is dermatologist approved and does not contain dyes. " Radiant Apricot» contains apricot oil and is designed more for dry skin than oily skin. The gel has a pleasant aroma and is completely hypoallergenic.
"Avocado Twist" contains even more oils in one product. Collected here essential oils avocado, aloe, rose and jasmine. Smooth feet after such care are ensured. Gel " Vanilla Dream» designed to hydrate and protect your skin from losing moisture while you shave. Vanilla extract softens and gives a pleasant smell.
"Lavender Kiss" brings with it the scent of flowers. And not without reason - this product contains extracts of rose, lavender and lily. " Violet Swirl» Helps moisturize the skin and protect it from moisture loss. This gel contains five times more moisturizing ingredients than any other.
- L'Oreal has created a special gel for men who need special care. This product is hypoallergenic and prevents all kinds of irritation, redness and itching. With this attitude, this gel can be used by your better half.
The composition is rich in oils and includes aloe extract, which moisturizes and softens. The product does not contain alcohol, and therefore has a more gentle effect on the skin.
- Belita "Young Men" is a non-foaming gel that helps you shave off stubble easily. Thanks to its properties, every hair will be visible to you and this will make shaving more effective. It also contains aloe and extracts of lemon balm, magnolia and eyebright.
- Oriflame “Silk Tenderness” moisturizes for a long time and makes the skin soft. It contains silk proteins, which make the skin smooth and take good care of it, as well as evening primrose oil, which can provide nourishment and safe shaving. " Silk orchid"from the same manufacturer also softens the skin, and orchid extract provides protection and soothes.
Both of these products protect against ingrown hairs and provide a close shave.
- Firm Elegance produces innovative men's products for shaving. These are transparent gels that allow you to better control the process itself. Different products with different scents lead to equally good results. The composition must contain moisturizing components.
The line includes products such as " Jupiter», « Mercury», « Moon», « Earth" And " Venus" All of them do not irritate the skin and do not require preliminary steaming, and are also suitable for sensitive epidermis.
