Washing your face before shaving?

Do you clean you face prior to shaving?

Interesting.. I don't think my skin could take all that cleaning heh, especially a scrub before the actual shave.

I usually use a bar of cetaphil soap before I shave to make sure that my face is clean and ready for battle.

I do shower before I shave, but I don't wash the parts of my face that I'm going to shave. I figure whatever oils are on my face will act like a pre-shave oil. Also, since shaving cream (not to mention shaving soap) is essentially soap, I figure there is no need to wash twice in a row.

IIRC, there was some write up on B&B regarding prep and how whiskers are affected by certain prep procedures (e.g. washing your face with soap prior to shaving). The way I understood the premise, the hair shaft has an outer layer of scale like armor. Natural oils act as a barrier keeping the armor intact. Washing with soap, removing the oil allows for water to better penetrate the scales opening them up and allowing for water to soften the whiskers better.

I have found this to be true. If I don't wash my face while in the shower, my whiskers are noticeably rougher. If on the other hand I soap my face and rub it briskly in the first stage of my shower and then blast warm water on my face for a minute or two at the end of my shower, my whiskers are softened.

Of course, having ultra hard water and living in Minnesota where the indoor air is dry and cold for six months of the year, the SECOND I step out of the shower, even keeping my face wet, my whiskers start to harden again, long before I get lathered and ready to shave. Still, for me soaping the whiskers first helps a bunch.

Chris L

I shower before I shave, but like the "pirate" above, I don't wash my face with soap in the shower because it ends up too dry for the shave, and waaaaayyyyyyy too dry after the shave.

I shower before shave, and wash mah face like I wash the rest of my bald head. I have tried not washing (just rinsing), using preshave oil (or not) and don't notice that much of a difference either way.

Conditioner does make a difference, but I am way too lazy to go that extra step.;)

I do wash my face before shaving. It's just the routine that I have become accustomed to. For me it just doesn't feel right shaving without it. I strictly use CAR's soft shaving rounds for this. I don't like to hit my face with lather on a dry face.

About to go to PT and will shower on base. Therefore I have yet to shower this morn. I did however, heat a washcloth up with piping hot water and let it rest on my face for a minute or so. Did it 3 times then fired up the Boar bristle brush and the Frederick Reynolds and got a nice shave this morn Gents!

I like to shower after shave, so before shaving I moist my face and rub my beard with a very small amount of shaving cream to clean it from oils and to allow water to penetrate and soften the whiskers. After that I make the shaving foam in a mug. But if you make the lather directly on your face my impresion is that pre cleaning is not necesary...

Yes I wash my face, neck, beard (and all the rest of my body) in the shower before shaving. If I didnt, whatever layer of stuff my skin has been getting rid of over night will get on my new, beautiful, expensive brush. Also, it wouldnt feel right not to wash every part of my body in the shower.

Interesting comment about oil preventing water to reach the beard hair. Makes sense as oil is not water-soluble. I wonder what this means in terms of pre-shave oil efficiency.

I wash my face twice before shaving now. Didn't need to with cartridge razors or even a DE, but with a straight razor washing first makes things go a lot smoother for me.

I also shower first in the AM and wash my face there. I get a good shave after that without any drying out but then I have slightly oily skin so it proably doesn't matter for me.

I wash my face vigorously with hot water and soap before I shave 100% of the time. Usually in the shower but if I am shaving without the shower over the sink. It is much better to soften the whiskers up before you shave.

one word - always.

thanks for the valuable information. I will try washing beforehand again tonight :)

Always! If not, the razor scrubs along the skin with much friction. I use any kind of soap. Lather does not last if face is not oil-free. After rinsing, I wait about 10 minutes and then rinse again. I do not get razor burn if I do this. A good face patting seems to help restore oils. I actually enjoy shaving. It seems to give me a better outlook about life in general. Clean Shave=Fresh Start. Maybe. Robert

Outdoor Shaving Shelf at rainwater collection piping (with liquid Coast Soap this time):

Wow Timber59! I can't believe you shower outside. That's honestly so cool. I wish I lived in an area like you where I could get away with that without looking like a voyuer.

As for washing my face before shaving I tried once with exfoliating scrub but after shaving my whole face was RAW. It was a very dumb idea in retrospect. I haven't attempted it since but after reading this thread I think I'll wash my face with a mild soap before while in the shower.

Always wash my face. Either in the shower or by using a hot towel.

I always use a cleanser before I shave, with or without the shower.

I love showering outdoors. No neighbors' views here. One downside-the airport is not that far away. About the time I get lathered up, a small airplane or two comes over for landing approach to summer runway. I haven't been sighted yet. I always listen for them before disrobing. I have at times had to hurry with rinse and towel! I have enough cedar tree cover to hide amongst if careless. The fresh air and sunlight makes it all worthwhile. The gray water then goes to the plants and shrubs.

If you are in an urban area, build yourself an outdoor shower. Where I lived in New Braunfels, TX there were several garden area ones. They were constructed in a craftsman-like manner and did not look tacky. Some were of corrugated metal with liberal lattice work at the bottom and top. Some were even portable. Most used garden hoses for water supply. Just the ticket after a bout with the lawnmower or garden tools-a nice shower/shave plus dry change of clothes followed with a cold beverage!...or several.

Do use normal or mild soap and do not overly scrub. All it takes is something to clean away the skin oils and funk. Normally I shave post- shower inside or outside. Ain't this a lot of fun! Robert

I wash my face with what ever shower gel I'm using at the time, then massage in some conditioner.When I'm almost finished in the shower I wash off the conditioner. The bristles are noticably smoother.