First of all: Is it bad to shave without shaving cream? Before deciding on which shaving cream you want, it’s best to understand exactly why men use shaving cream. Many men shave with water or plain soap, but shaving cream allows you to get a closer shave if used correctly. Shaving lubes can also protect your face from irritation, so they’re great at banishing razor burns. There aren’t any negatives to skipping the shaving lube, but you miss the opportunity to moisturise and protect your face when you don’t use one.

Honestly, if you love your current shaving-cream-free routine, there’s no need to change what works. However, if you think you could upgrade your shaving routine, read on.

Shaving Soaps, Creams, Gels and Foams

Before contemporary shaving lubes were developed, men used lathering soaps to protect their skin while shaving. To use them, you had to work up a lather with a shaving brush in a cup. In the 1940s, brushless shaving creams that didn’t lather were developed. Now most men use a cream, gel or foam while shaving.

For sensitive skin and shaving aficionados, shaving creams are the preferred choice. Many brands contain a high level of moisturising fats and glycerin, which protect dry skin. When combined with hot water, shaving creams can deliver the best possible lather and also soften your facial hair. And while most shaving experts recommend using a shaving brush to apply it, it will still lather up in your hand.

Shaving gels add moisture and lubrication to your skin. They’re easier to use than shaving creams and lathering soaps: You can apply them with your hands if you prefer. Because shaving gels are clear, they allow you to see the direction of the hair growth and the underlying skin. This feature allows more precision when using a razor.

Shaving foams don’t have the same lather quality as other shaving products. Cold shaving foam also closes the pores on your face. Often, shaving foams contain ingredients that dry skin, and they don’t provide the moisturising benefits of the other options. However, many men find shaving foam easier to use.

Common Shaving Lube Ingredients

Once you’ve picked the right type of lube, you may want to consider the ingredient list. If you’re lucky enough to have normal skin, most shaving products should work for you. But men who have sensitive, oily or dry skin should take care when selecting a product. Here are some tips on common ingredients:

• Parfume: Some men have skin that’s sensitive to fragrance, while others prefer a scented product. Let your nose and skin be your guide. If you have sensitive skin or experience skin irritation after using a fragranced product, use a perfume-free shaving lube to protect your skin.
• Essential oils: Essential oils add fragrance to shaving lubes, but unlike perfume, they can also help skin problems. For example, lemon oil can help tame oily skin, and tea tree oil can help acne. Other popular shaving lube essential oils are bergamot, sandalwood and cedar.
• Glycerin: This heavy moisturiser helps the razor glide over the skin.
• Natural oils: A shaving lube may contain a combination of glycerin and natural oils to moisturise skin. Avocado, jojoba, coconut and almond oil are popular choices.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can irritate and dry your skin. If you already have dry skin, avoid shaving foams, which have high alcohol contents and dry the skin. Shaving gels usually contain the least amount of alcohol, so they’re best if you have sensitive skin.
• Stearic acid: This powerful cleanser helps other ingredients in your shaving lube lather. It can be derived from plant or animal origins.

Understanding the best products and ingredients for your skin should help you narrow your choices. Just be prepared to try a few different lubes before you find the perfect one for your needs.

We all know how annoying pubic hair can be: it’s itchy, uncomfortable and a definite no-no when you’re getting ready to don a bikini. If you’re nervous about the pain of a Brazilian wax, you can instead opt to shave your bikini area and get rid of that pesky hair with very little trouble.

1. Trim

If it’s been a while since you’ve bothered shaving your bikini line, start with some small scissors and carefully trim the area you intend to shave. This will make it easier for your razor to get a cleaner shave, and help you avoid nicking yourself in those sensitive spots. Get as close as you can without putting yourself in danger of cutting the skin.

2. Soak

Next, hop in the shower, turn up the heat, and relax for a few minutes. You’re not stalling — you’re allowing the hair time to soften in the hot water. The more pliable your hair is, the more effortlessly your razor will glide across your skin. The heat also opens up your pores, making your skin more receptive to those moisturisers you’ll be using after your shave. Give yourself 5–10 minutes in the heat; then, you can move on to the next step.

3. Treat

Light exfoliation helps remove dead skin build-up around the hair so that you can get a closer shave. Using either a gentle body scrub or just a washcloth, gently massage your bikini line to loosen and remove that layer of dead skin that has built up over time. If you have sensitive skin, go easy on with this step, as the combination of scrubbing and shaving can actually cause more irritation.

4. Lather

Next, you’ll need a quality shaving cream. Creams are much more effective than your average soaps; as creams lather better than soaps, they allow your razor to slide across the skin closely without causing burn. Most shaving creams also contain moisturisers to help hydrate the skin as you trim. When you’re shaving such a delicate area, this is one step you definitely don’t want to skip.

5. Shave

Now it’s time for the challenging part. First pick a razor that has at least three blades so that you can get nice and close, preferably one with a lubricating strip for added moisture and gentleness. Then, pulling the skin tight, slowly and carefully shave in the direction your hair grows. This helps prevent razor burn, but it also will not give you as close a shave. If you want to get it smoother, give it another pass, this time going against the grain. Be gentle and don’t press on the razor. You can always do multiple passes if necessary, but it’s better to take your time to ensure a clean shave with no accidental cuts.

6. Moisturise

Once your skin is satisfactorily smooth, pat your skin dry with a clean towel and select a moisturiser to finish up. A light, hypoallergenic body cream is a perfect choice for giving your skin a soft texture, while preventing any inflammation from the shave. Also, remember that it’s preferable to shave your skin at night – this prevents irritation and allows your moisturiser more time to soak into your skin and provide deep hydration.

Shaving your bikini line takes time and focus, but practice makes perfect and after a couple times you’ll be a pro. Now hop into that bikini and hit the beach!

SHOP NOW