Do you know your skin type? If your skin often feels dry or irritated after shaving, if you struggle to tell the difference between razor bumps and spots, and if you feel as though your skin is greasy even after cleansing, there’s a chance you’re not looking after your skin in the best way.
If your skin feels irritated, you might need to work on your shaving technique, but you should also make sure you’re using the right skincare and shave care products for your skin type.
What is My Skin Type?
You can find out your skin type by paying close attention to your skin, focusing on how it looks and feels. Spend a moment or two examining your face in the mirror before shaving to look for spots, blemishes or dry patches, as these can all be indicators of your skin type.How to Find Out Your Skin Type
An easy way to determine your skin type is to dab your face with a sheet of blotting paper, before holding it up to the light.
If the paper comes away covered in grease, this is a clear sign of oily skin;
If it comes away with little or no oil, you most likely have dry skin;
If there’s some oil from your forehead and nose, you probably have normal or combination skin.
Once you know your skin type, you’ll be in a better position to care for it in the right way, from your skincare routine to your shaving technique and the shaving products you use.
Shaving Tips for Sensitive Skin
Signs of sensitive skin in men can include:
- Dry skin
- Flaking
- Sensitivity to the sun
- Irritation after using certain products
Sensitive skin needs to be treated with care, especially during shaving, and that’s exactly what the Gillette SkinGuard Sensitive Razor is designed to do.
With added lubrication and a specially designed skinguard to help protect the skin from irritation during shaving, SkinGuard Sensitive has been clinically proven to result in a reduction in razor bumps from shaving in an eight-week study.
The shave care products you use are also key to managing sensitive skin. We recommend using our Gillette SkinGuard Men’s Sensitive Shaving Gel as Gillette’s best shaving cream for sensitive skin, and you should finish your grooming routine with our Gillette Aftershave Balm. Balms are typically kinder and gentler to skin than lotions - remember that a little can go a long way in keeping sensitive skin soothed and hydrated.
Get more tips on shaving with sensitive skin.
How to Shave Oily Skin
Oily skin can be characterised by:
- Large, open pores
- Excess shine
- Pimples
- Greasy areas caused by excess sebum production
Oily skin needs to be carefully prepared for shaving: cleanse your skin and pat it dry rather than scrubbing it with your towel, as this can leave your pores open, putting you more at risk of clogged pores and spots.
It’s also important to use shaving products that have a non-greasy formula, such as our SkinGuard Sensitive Shaving Gel, which is designed to help protect against all shaving irritation.
Find out more about how to shave oily skin.
Shaving with Acne
Acne can be a painful skin condition, with symptoms including:
- Spots
- Spots on Spots
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
- Pus-filled spots
Shaving with acne requires a great deal of care; it’s so important to thoroughly cleanse your skin and make sure your razor blades are clean before you begin to avoid irritating your skin further.
Use an alcohol-free shaving cream - our SkinGuard Sensitive Shaving Gel contains 0% alcohol and 0% dyes to help prevent razor burn and any other post-shave irritation.
Whenever you’re shaving, but especially if you’re shaving with acne, it’s important to apply gentle pressure with your hand onto your face, letting your razor do most of the work. Shaving with the grain (in the same direction that your hair grows) is also recommended for a more comfortable shave.
Learn more about shaving with acne.
Tips for Shaving Dry Skin
Signs of dry skin include:
- Flaky skin
- Itchiness
- Cracks
- Tightness
Dry skin is caused by a lack of moisture in your skin and can be the result of exposure to temperatures that are too hot or too cold, as well as dehydrating factors such as too much alcohol or caffeine.
Moisturising shave care products can help you to manage dry skin during shaving, with one example being the added lubrication in our Gillette SkinGuard Sensitive Razor. Our Gillette Aftershave Moisturiser can also help to hydrate dry skin as part of your post-shave routine.
Find out more about how to shave dry skin comfortably.
A Shaving Subscription for Every Skin Type
Whatever your skin type, fresh, sharp blades are essential for shaving to perfection. You can make sure you’ve always got new razor blades to hand by signing up for a Gillette shaving subscription.
There’s an option for every skin type and shaving need; choose Fusion5 blades to achieve a precise, close shave thanks to five anti-friction blades; go for a close, comfortable shave with ProGlide blades; and help keep sensitive skin protected with our SkinGuard Sensitive blades.
Joining Gillette’s shave club provides you with access to exclusive member discounts, you can delay your order or cancel at any time, and it’s completely free to sign up - you only need to pay for postage and packaging.
