Thread: Dry skin

Now I know being winter time doesnt help much, especially in New Orleans, where its either no humidity or so humid the walls drip, but lately i just havent gotten the same smooth face feeling as usual, almost feels like razor burn, but i know its not. I'm not sure if it's the fact that i'm not hydrating as much or maybe i need to moisturize my face more. I use CO Bigelow on the regular with a splash of witch hazel after, and finish up with Nivea Sensitive ASB. It's strange beacuse its only recently. I want to chalk it up to the weather, but not quite sure whats goign on. Any ideas?

I too get dry this time of year. I take a little corn huskers lotion and apply this about twice a day. It really helps. I have also been known to shave every other day.

I've considered face lotion, but as weird as this may sound...just not a fan, its weird i dont mind aftershave balm, but for some reason regular lotion just feels to greasy. As far as every other day shaving, unless i do a 3 pass shave (WTG, XTG, ATG) you can tell i dint shave the second day, which doesnt go over well being in the military. But all in all i'm willing to try anything, the dryness, leads to uncomfortable shave the next time. But i guess this is the raod we choose. Thanks for the tip, but still willing to entertain more.

I actually use corn huskers as my aftershave balm. Have you thought of applying your aftershave balm twice a day? What you are describing is the beginning of chapping. Does it ever get itchy?

Just an extra alternative for you to consider, Josh:
1) baby oil: there's a whole thread about it in the Pre-Shave forum further down the page; and
2) Extra Virgin Olive Oil: discussed by some in the thread about baby oil, totally natural alternative that's easy on the skin and the wallet.

Both are inexpensive options that give decent results. Whatever you do, though, it'll take some time to reap the full benefits. What you'll actually wind up doing is conditioning the skin, and it takes a while to soak all the way down to where it counts.

Personally, I use baby oil from the grocery store. It's dirt cheap ($2-3 for a large 1L bottle), doesn't smell bad at all, and a little bit goes a long way. I usually pour some into my hand (not a lot, mind you), then rub my hands together vigorously to generate some heat and spread it around, then work it into my face and beard for a good minute or two. Keep rubbing it in until the visible oily sheen disappears: that's when it's really worked in below the surface.

Let it sit for several minutes while you lather, strop, prep your towel, etc. otherwise the oil residue can deflate your lather before it does any good. After you wash the lather off from your shave, you can apply a little bit more (less than the first application) to restore your skin's moisture and help with the post-exfoliation process (i.e. 'healing'). After a few weeks of use, though, the reapp won't be necessary any more, but you can choose then to continue the practice or abandon it.

All of the above can be applied to olive oil, as well. Fear not, even if you have oily skin, though. Proper face prep can still be effective with the oils and such, and I am living proof. I lucked out and got most of the Italian features in my family, so that means my "T-zones" are pretty greasy toward the end of the day. Even so, I don't suffer from break-outs or pimples, etc. Just do your part to wash before hand, and you'll be fine.

Hope some of this is of use to you!

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

I actually use corn huskers as my aftershave balm. Have you thought of applying your aftershave balm twice a day? What you are describing is the beginning of chapping. Does it ever get itchy?

I havent noticed any itchiness..but it burns when i pee.Lol, sorry i couldnt resist. No i didnt consider the ASB twice a day,do you mean once in the morning and once after a shave? if it will help, anything is worth a shot.

During the winter months, I apply a nice moisturizing serum onto my face before I hit the sack. Face feels soft and refreshed when I get up.

Originally Posted by SonOf1337

Let it sit for several minutes while you lather, strop, prep your towel, etc. otherwise the oil residue can deflate your lather before it does any good. After you wash the lather off from your shave, you can apply a little bit more (less than the first application) to restore your skin's moisture and help with the post-exfoliation process (i.e. 'healing'). After a few weeks of use, though, the reapp won't be necessary any more, but you can choose then to continue the practice or abandon it.

I appreciate the heads up! I do have a question though, after the shave would i use the witch hazel and ASB as well as the oil? Or just the oil in place of the ASB?

Mitchell's Wool Fat shaving soap has lanolin in it, which is an excellent skin moisturizer.

I mix plain old glycerin with rose water i get from an Indian store. The glycerin traps moisture from the rose water and keeps it on my skin. The rose water just gives it a nice scent , but once it dries the scent goes away so you don't smell like flowers. BBS and no tight, dry, itchy, red, flaky skin. Experiment with the glycerin to rose water ratio. Too much glycerin and your skin will feel tacky.