Pre/Post Shave sensitive skin

[lamshear]

Hello everybody! I'm a new poster to this site, but have been browsing for a while. I have yet to buy a straight - starting w/ a DE first (but haven't used one yet, waiting for it to get here). I have sensitive skin and def. get ingrown hairs, especially if I go against the grain. I think its b/c my hairs tend to grow flat against my skin, not outward. So after I shave, they grow parallel to my skin and sometimes grow into my skin, or never even grow out, just sideways. Anyway...

My face is kinda weird - when I get out of the shower or after I wash my face, it gets pretty dry, esp. my nose, but during the day its pretty oily (nose area again). Anyway, I was just wondering about pre and post shave products that could help me. I also have a specific question about a Alum block. I heard it shrinks pores and is good for your skin. Is this true, what about sensitive skin? I have big pores, esp. on my nose, should I use an alum block to try and shrink them? Will it help w/ ingrown hairs? Thanks for all the help!

Carl

[xman]

My skin adn whiskers act much as yours do. When it's dry coming out of the shower, your skin responds by trying to replenish the oils thus making your skin oily. I try to be really nice to my skin. First in the shower I will use natural soaps without Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. On my face I prefer NON soap based cleansers like Spectro Jel. Shaving creams are more moisturising than sahve soaps too. To finish, I've been using Lush Dream Cream which feels great. Finally, drinking elpnty of water and limiting diuretics like coffee and alcohol is also a good thing to do for your skin.

X

[rum]

As I think you must be my twin brother or something, I am going to chip in here with my tuppence worth. Basically, you have what they call combination oily/dry skin. Weird I know, but we both have it.

For your dry skin whilst coming out of the shower, I can wholeheartedly recommend Korres' Sage Gel Cleanser for men. I used to have exactly the same problem, but now that I use this twice a day (in moderate amounts - no bucket fulls each time!).

Now for shaving, I can only recommend Trumpers' coral skin foods rubbed on a wet face as a pre-shave, followed by Rose shaving cream by the same. Then to finish, apply more skin food or my favourite moisturiser (for this sort of problem): Korres' Borage Anti-Shine Moisturiser for Men.

Points to note: the Trumpers' site is not necessarily the cheapest place to buy these products. Google them, you may find a cheaper store near you or at least one that's in your country. Likewise for the Korres' products - at the time of writing their site is down so you can try it later or search Google for the individual products.

[lamshear]

Thanks for the responses. I'll def. look into those products. I actually already ordered the Coral skin food and some Trumper's violet shaving soap. Hopefully this stuff will help, I'll keep you posted.