Exfoliate Before Or After Shaving? The Ultimate Guide To Prep For A Smooth Shave

Exfoliate Before or After Shaving? The Ultimate Guide to Prep for a Smooth Shave

January 6, 2025 by Poornima Joshi

Important: This article is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer for more details.

When it comes to getting that soft, smooth skin after shaving, exfoliation is your secret weapon. Many of us ask, “Should I exfoliate before or after shaving?” and the answer is pretty straightforward—always exfoliate before. In this guide, we’re going to break down why that’s the best approach and how to do it in a way that leaves your skin silky and smooth.

Article Contains

Why Exfoliate Before Shaving?
How to Exfoliate the Right Way
When to Shave
Caring for Your Skin After Shaving

Why Exfoliate Before Shaving?

Think of exfoliating before you shave as laying the perfect foundation. It removes all the dead skin cells, dirt, and oil that might get in the way of your razor’s glide, giving you a flawless surface to work with. This step is also a game changer for preventing razor bumps and ingrown hairs since exfoliating helps lift hair follicles, making it easier for the razor to cut more closely (Loreal Paris, Dove).

Here’s a fun fact: You wouldn’t paint a wall without prepping the surface first, right? The same logic applies to your skin.

Pro Tip

For those with oily skin, a scrub with some grit works wonders to exfoliate. If your skin’s on the more delicate side, choose a chemical exfoliant—it’s gentler but just as effective (The Banyo, Otis Skincare).

How to Exfoliate the Right Way

Now that you know why exfoliating before shaving is a must, let’s talk about the how. Here’s a quick and easy routine to follow:

Start with Warm Water: Begin with a warm shower or cleanse your skin with warm water. The heat opens your pores and makes exfoliation a lot more effective (Dove).
Use Exfoliating Gloves or Scrubs: Slip on your exfoliating gloves or grab your favorite scrub. Massage it gently into your skin in small circular motions for about 30 seconds. This helps buff away the old skin and gets the blood flowing—your skin will love it! (Otis Skincare, Spongelle).
Rinse Thoroughly: Don’t forget to rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water to clear away any excess exfoliant and dead skin (Loreal Paris).

Pro Tip

Focus on areas that are prone to ingrown hairs, like your bikini line and underarms. Giving these spots a little extra love ensures they’re just as smooth as the rest of your skin (Veet).

When to Shave

The best part about exfoliating before shaving? You can shave right after—no waiting required! Just make sure to apply a good shaving cream or gel to help the razor glide smoothly across your skin (Loreal Paris, Gillette Venus).

Pro Tip

Always shave in the direction your hair grows. This helps prevent irritation. And don’t forget to rinse your razor frequently to avoid clogging and any razor burn (Gillette Venus).

Caring for Your Skin After Shaving

Once you’re done shaving, it’s important to pamper your skin. Here’s what to do:

Moisturize: After shaving, treat your skin to a nice moisturizer or soothing lotion. This helps lock in moisture and calms any irritation that might crop up (Dove, The Banyo).
Exfoliate Gently Later: If you’re itching to exfoliate again, wait a day or two. This allows hair to grow back slightly, preventing those annoying ingrown hairs (Spongelle, Veet).

Pro Tip

Look for moisturizers with calming ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile. These will soothe your skin after shaving, especially if you tend to get irritated (Veet, Otis Skincare).

Conclusion

Exfoliating before shaving isn’t just a nice-to-have step—it’s essential for smooth, glowing skin. When you get into the habit of exfoliating, you’ll notice fewer bumps, smoother shaves, and softer skin. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll turn your regular grooming routine into a little moment of luxury. After all, healthy skin is happy skin!

Sources