Thread: straight razor shaving sensitive skin

hey ya'll i have a question and im sure im not the only one who has this problem. i have very very sensitive skin, like if i look at my razor wrong i get a rash.

what are some of your methods of getting around the problem? and which soaps and creams do you use that seem to help avoid angering the skin gods?

I try to keep it relatively simple. Noxema before my shave, I let it soak in while I am stropping. I watch which soap I use. There is no magic soap for all sensitive skin. You will have to try a few, and it is probably best to try the ones without a scent. Quite a few of the online shops have sample sizes, also most shave sticks are small and cheep. I then lather and shave. If you are just starting you are probably going to need to do a beard map, and remember to keep the angle low and our skin tight. I find for me less is more. You will find that there is less sensitivity issues once you et on top of your technique. Many find cold water to be the keystone. I find my water temperature to have little to do with shave comfort, but a cold water shave on a hot day is pretty nice.

Use a very light touch with your razor, & as RezDog mentioned, use unscented soap or cream. You'll find out quick which one's irritate you the most with a little experimentation. Everybody's skin reacts differently.

I was the same way. Razor burn after a shave with a disposable, electric, straight or DE.

With some straight shaving technique, and my secret weapons, though, I conquered it.

1) Really get your technique down. NO PRESSURE. Low angle. And proper stretching. These will go a long way!
2) I tend to use Proraso White preshave.
3) And the one two post shave punch: Slap on some Speick, strop your razor (to give it time to do it's thing), and then apply Razorock (original scent) After Shave Wax gently to the shaved areas.

Your face may still be a little red and sensitive after the shave, but not nearly as bad, and you will quickly go to calm, and no red.

At least that is how it worked out for me.

I am sold on AS wax. I think you should give it a shot!

I can't even shave with a cartridge. I shave only with the grain in sensitive areas, though I can do XTG in some areas. Super light touch, go for smooth over sharp on the edge.

If you can't make it work with a straight, try a DE. I can shave with my SS adjustable on mild and a Derby blade and never have a problem.

Pressure, angle, cold water.

No pressure, pressure bad.

Angle, 1 spine width sometimes 1.5.

Cold water. This was a life changer for me. Totally counter intuitive as well, at least for me.
I splash my face with tap water on cold, if it's cold out I go with Luke warm. Lather, strop, rinse face again with cold water. Get a nice creamy lather. I'm a face latherer. Splash the razor with a little water then go to town.

If I even shave after a hot shower, still shaving with cold water mind you, then shave, I get irritation.

It's worth a shot and took a couple go a rounds to find the right combo. YMMV. Good luck.

Many good suggestions in the above posts. Things to consider with sensitive skin.

1. Cold or lukewarm water works best.
2. Light pressure at all times.
3. With sensitive skin normal negative reactions to products like menthol, eucalyptus, alum and for some Shea butter. Some scents cause irritation as well. Stick with unscented or lightly scented soaps/creams.
4. As well honed blade as possible for each shave.
5. Cold water rinse
6. Aftershave balms, no aftershave scents. Nivea for Sensitive Skin is one of the standards and readily available.

i will have to try cold shaving. also thank you all for the advice and product mentions i'll have to look into each, sensitive skin runs in my family especially on the male side, most of my cousins deal with similar problems.

For me so far the only hundred percent irritation free soap so far has been proraso white. As mentioned everyone is different, but this one does seem good for many and is inexpensive. Good luck.

As ever, be sure your blade is pro-honed and hasn't been damaged by inexpert stropping or cleaning. My early struggles with irritation were a combination of too much pressure and bunged-up edges.