I usually do a cold water facial rinse just before I get out of the shower.My preference. You can just as easily do a cold water face wash just before you lather. Two things I do to ease my shave is after the shower cold water rinse I run a small drop of hair conditioner over my beard and leave my face wet after the shower. Just before lathering I re wet my face and rub a little Cremo, Kiss My Face or a dollop of Aveno in a can for sensitive skin as a pre shave. For me, I feel it gives me smoother glide for the razor.