Looking for the perfect shaving cream, dry skin and hard/straight hair

Nico said:
Do you guys have any other brand/products to recommend? Is there any shaving cream that will allow the razor to "glide" more on the skin than the two I have already tried?
Click to expand...

As someone with very dry skin, it soon became apparent to me that alcohol based aftershaves are out for me. Since discovering Nivea's very good Sensitive After Shave Balm (the one with 0% alcohol on the front - NOT the "cooling" one) and paired with a glycerin-based cream or soap, my face has never looked or felt better. I use Nivea mild shaving cream now (lathered with a brush) as it works really well for me but have also got great shaves from the respectable Palmolive shave stick. There are many things out there that do a better job than the current stuff sold by Gillette in my opinion and experience.
 
just about anything beats the stuff in cans they sell, as well as the gels they sell.

Its just that people, after decades of being indoctrinated to cartridge shavers and the crap in a cap..... they feel its the only choice.
 
Bezoar said:
just about anything beats the stuff in cans they sell, as well as the gels they sell.

Its just that people, after decades of being indoctrinated to cartridge shavers and the crap in a cap..... they feel its the only choice.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more with this. It takes courage and faith to make the leap into the wet shaving world but it's totally a one way street. No turning back once you've been converted.
 
skyracer said:
Which brush are you currently using?
Without wanting to understate the previous messages, an adittional possible cause may be the wrong (for your skin) brush that you are using. I mean that a more gentle brush (synthetic knot maybe?) may help you reduce the irritations you are having.

+1 for Body Shop Maca Root.
Although I have not yet used the Baume.be cream, so that I could express a personal opinion, it also has quite a lot of good reviews from shavers with sensitive skin.
Click to expand...

@Nico It might be you're reacting to natural bristles (badger/boar) - try using a synthetic brush.

Baume.be is excellent cream designed by a pharmacist who himself suffered from razor burn. It would be my recommendation as a last resort cream but I'm loath to recommend it first because it's a bit expensive (but well worth it IMO). I would suggest Palmolive cream or Maca Root cream first.

As others have stated, if the blade feels like it's tugging that suggests to me either the blade doesn't suit you (you're not using Derbys are you!) or it's blunt or you're shaving at a cartridge razor angle i.e. handle too close to your face. Start with the handle parallel with the floor, top cap touching your face and (as making a downward stroke) lower the handle's angle until you feel the blade cutting. Slight lower of the handle and that's roughly it. Important you use NO PRESSURE, let the razor's weight do the work.

Shave on.
 
Nico said:
I have used the Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood cream and the Green Proraso cream but both of them gave me faaaar more irritation and razor-burn than the Gillette gel (Proraso being slightly better than TOBS for me).
I have try to mount the cream using more or less water than usual but the result is always worst than with the gel...
Click to expand...

I meant to respond directly to the above text but I missed that in my previous messages. Apologies.

Not one to slag off other people's favourites, but truth be said Proraso products are packed full of menthol and eucalyptus - so much that one of these products ruined my face. I think it was a "Sensitive" branded pre or post shave balm? My face felt like it was on fire for days after. Never bought a single Proraso product since.

I avoid mentholated products now and my face looks and feels much better.

I would try to use some of the milder products for now (trumpers rose/Violets, something unscented perhaps or even a Palmolive shave stick) and see if they bother you, but using a fresh blade each time. Also, stick to after shave balms as per my previous suggestion.
 
If you'd be willing to try a hard soap, Mitchell's Wool is the most moisturising soap I've ever tried. My face feels wonderful after using it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom