Thread: Face drying out

I started shaving(with a straight) about a week ago. My shaves have gotten better but today I noticed my face is starting to really dry out. I use AoS aftershave balm. Could this just be my face getting used to the straight razor? Any tips?

thanks

It could be your face getting used to the razor, it could also be that your skin is sensitive to the soap or cream you're using, or sensitive to the balm.

What did you use for lather before your straight? Maybe try switching back to that for a few days and see if your face clears up. If it does, it means its the soap or balm. If it doesnt then its the razor.

Then start adding things back in one at a time and see if any of them affect your skin. Once you've got the problem item isolated (be it the soap or balm or whatever) you can change it for something else.

If you do find its the razor you'll find that the problem will usually go away on its own with practice!

I would not call your face sensitive, its just that some people have dry skin that can't take soap, my mrs amoung them. I would recommend finding a great cream instead of the soap.

Originally Posted by Stubear

It could be your face getting used to the razor, it could also be that your skin is sensitive to the soap or cream you're using, or sensitive to the balm.

What did you use for lather before your straight? Maybe try switching back to that for a few days and see if your face clears up. If it does, it means its the soap or balm. If it doesnt then its the razor.

Then start adding things back in one at a time and see if any of them affect your skin. Once you've got the problem item isolated (be it the soap or balm or whatever) you can change it for something else.

If you do find its the razor you'll find that the problem will usually go away on its own with practice!

Hello, LosingXSleep:

I concur with my good friend Stuart. Excellent suggestions. Please try his recommendation and keep us posted with the results.

Regards,

Obie

Yea, Stubear is spot-on.

Most likely the balm or soap, but sometimes it takes a little time for the skin to adjust to the straight shave.

Good luck!

I agree with Stuart as well.
The other thing is not that you are using soap, but maybe too much if you wash with a harsher soap, then add a soap for the shave it could have drying qualities.
There is also a chance that your face cannot handle this level of exfolliation. Especially at the beginning of straight shaving the pressure is likely too much and if you add this to an already exfolliated face then the skin could have trouble. If the ellimination of soap doesn't work you could look into your facial wash routine. If you are using a facial scrub with exfolliating properties then it could be drying your skin.

-G

Does the Balm you are using have any alcohol? If so, I'd eliminate that first and see how the face does. Remember, old man winter is coming and that is naturally going to dry your skin even that much faster..URTH makes a good hydrating product...a little dab will do you...

Originally Posted by Formel1

Does the Balm you are using have any alcohol?

I was thinking something along those lines. I use Neutrogena Razor Defense ASB and I love the stuff. My local grocery store carries it so it's convenient to get and fairly inexpensive.

This seems to me like a case of overly dry lather or simply not rinsing off the excess lather after the shave. This used to happen to me a lot when I restarted shaving with a straight a couple of years ago. You may want to take a look at the wiki for tips on improving your lathering technique or watch Mantic's video, a true educational gem. When you are done shaving also make sure that you rinse off all the excess lather from your face.

YouTube - How To Build And Apply Traditional Shaving Lather