Shaving for men with active acne or acne-prone skin is a risky task. You always have the risk of triggering acne or getting bruises and infection. If you have cystic acne, it’s better to wait till the skin calms down and if you have acne-prone skin, a carefully curated shaving routine can help without triggering the post-shave acne. From products used to the type of razor, men with acne-prone skin need to be patient when it comes to their shaving routine. Here are the tips that can help: 

Use An Exfoliating Cleanser 

If you are prone to breakouts, preparing the skin before shaving is essential. Use an exfoliating cleanser to clean the skin of any dirt or pollution that’s accumulated on the skin. Anything that’s exfoliating in nature but not too harsh that strips the skin off its natural oils is what you need. You can pick a cleanser with charcoal or salicylic acid for your skin type. This will also help in unclogging pores and surfacing of ingrown hair that can be removed while shaving. This way, you also prevent the risk of clogged pores turning into pimples later. 

Choose Anti-Acne Shaving Cream 

The benefit of living in today’s day and age is that you get multiple options in the kind of products you need. For example, there’s an option of choosing anti-acne shaving cream over a normal one to suit your skin concern. These shaving creams make sure that there’s no fear of post-shaving acne and irritation while making sure that the shaving experience is smooth.  

Get Razors with Closely Placed Blades 

The idea is to shave off hair in one smooth glide rather than using it multiple times on one area. A razor with multiple sharp blades that are placed closely is something that will help prevent cuts and ingrown hair that could become a cystic pimple later. Look for razors that are easy to use and provide anti-friction shaving experience to avoid any inflammation to the skin later. 

Pay Attention the Direction of Hair 

It’s important to carefully examine the skin and the direction in which your facial hair grows. The most important factor to keep in mind is to shave in the same direction as the hair to avoid any friction and post-shave bumps. Make sure to the skin from one end before gliding the razor to get the closer shave. Also, for acne-prone skin, use a clean shaving brush to apply the cream instead of your hands as it makes the hair stand up making it easier to shave in a single stroke.  

Steps After Shaving 

Make sure to wash your face with lukewarm water after the shave and gently pat dry it. Apply a lightweight, gel-based moisturiser after the shave on the damp skin. This is the most important step for people with acne to calm down the skin and prevent dryness. You must also use a gentle, soothing after-shave lotion to not just soothe the skin but also prevent any infections. 

Use Alcohol-Free Products  

You must use products without alcohol so that they don’t irritate your skin. Products with alcohol can irritate the active acne and cause infection and redness. Instead use products with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and tea tree oil that are not just soothing but also don’t clog pores or aggravate acne.