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What’s the first thing you see when you look in the mirror? If it’s straggly facial hair, an unkempt beard or a five o’clock shadow that’s best kept in the dark, it’s time for you to shave.
If you prefer using a manual razor, you’ll want to prep your skin with a good shaving gel. The best shave gels are specially formulated to lift and soften your facial hair for shaving, so that the razor blades can glide more cleanly and comfortably. A good shave gel also forms a protective barrier over your skin, to give you a closer shave with less irritation.
What You Need to Know About Shaving Gels
Gel vs cream: Shaving creams (or shaving foams) are generally lighter and airier, and, as the name suggests, lather into a rich cloud of foam. Shaving gels tend to be a little heavier in weight and are more lubricating, forming a closer bond with the hairs on your face. They may not form as rich of a lather, but the best shaving gels will be more conditioning and nourishing than a foam. Razor blades also track better with a gel, offering a smoother shave with fewer strokes.
Skin types: The best shave gels are suitable for all skin types, but because of their thick lubrication, they’re especially suited to those with sensitive skin. Many shave gels are packed with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile, to cool and condition skin from razor burn. The best shaving gels will also protect against nicks and cuts, and they can help prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs too.
How to use: Never shave on dry skin. It’s best to shave right after a shower, or apply warm water to skin to open up pores. Squeeze a quarter-sized amount of the shave gel onto your fingers and gently rub the gel over your skin in a circular motion to form a lather. Shave as normal, rinsing off blades and re-applying shave gel as necessary. Rinse off with cool water.
The gel creates a slick and even surface for your razor to glide through, preventing it from getting stuck, even in thick beards. And because the best shave gels also contain moisturizing ingredients, there’s less chance of any irritation before, during and after shaving.
