Are you new to wet shaving? Are you trying to improve your overall shaving experience? The good news about shaving is that there plenty of little things you can do to improve the quality of your shave and make it an enjoyable experience.

Many of the things we take for granted are actually bad for your skin. For example, the classic, white shaving foam straight out of a can isn’t necessarily the best product for your skin.

In this article, we will provide you with some key tips for shaving that will turn any shaving newbie into a pro.

1. Shave With Hot Water

It’s true that cold water is better for washing your face, but it’s the worst temperature you could use while shaving.

When you splash cold water over your face, your pores immediately shrink. This is great if you’re trying to avoid harsh products from causing skin irritation during your cleansing routine (yes, men cleanse, too!) However, it only makes it harder for your razor to do its job.

Hot water softens and prepares the hair for removal, which speeds up the process and is easier on your skin.

2. Buy Quality Shaving Cream

You probably learned to shave by dolloping that thick, white shaving cream from the grocery store all over your face, right? Well, did you know that the type of cheap shaving cream that comes in a can is typically full of alcohol and sulfates?

These harsh chemicals dry out your skin before it even has a chance to recover from the daily trauma of shaving. This leads to breakouts, irritation, and razor burn.

Instead, invest in a good-quality shaving cream or shaving soap from a reputable brand.

3. Buy Quality Razors

Shaving cream isn’t the only shaving essential to cheap out on. The razor is arguably the most important part of your shaving experience, so make sure you invest in a good one!

Cartridge, multi-blade disposable razors are appealing because of their price, but they’re likely to tug and catch on your skin. They also don’t stay sharp for long, nor do they provide a very close shave. (Yes, even with multiple blades at work!)

Consider investing in a quality safety razor or straight razor and learn to use it.

4. Shave With the Grain

Dragging the razor across the direction of your hair growth instead of with it satisfies that instant gratification of getting a close shave, but did you know it can also cause ingrown hairs?

There is such a thing as shaving too closely, and that’s what happens when you shave across the grain. Shaving in the wrong direction also causes irritation and razor bumps.

For happier skin, shave with the grain every time.

5. Press Lightly

Don’t apply too much pressure while shaving. Using too much pressure can give you an ultra-close shave, just like shaving against the grain. Applying too much pressure also causes micro-cuts and skin irritation, which can lead to unsightly and painful ingrown hairs.

It’s far kinder to your skin to simply use extra shaving cream and let the razor glide smoothly with little pressure.

6. Replace Your Blades Often

Sure, it’s frugal to rinse out your old blades and re-use them. However, you do reach a point when they belong in the trash and not anywhere near your face. You should discard your disposable razor blades at least once a week if you’re shaving on a daily basis.

As soon as you notice that your blades are no longer gliding effortlessly, it’s time for them to go. A blade that is even slightly dull catches and pulls on your skin and hair, which prevents a seamless cut. This can be dangerous, so it is best to play it safe and avoid using dull or used razors at all costs. In short, the sharpness of the razor blade truly does matter.

7. Use a High-Quality Aftershave

Did you know that most commercial aftershaves are actually bad for your skin? They can be especially bad for freshly-shaven skin that is riddled with small cuts. In fact, this can damage skin.

Look for aftershaves that do not contain the following ingredients:

• Alcohol
• Sulfates
• Parabens

If your skin is especially sensitive, you can even opt for a fragrance-free product. Truthfully, choosing sensitive-skin shave products is always a good idea, even if you think your skin is healthy.

So there you have it. If you are new to shaving, and you want to avoid looking like you got into a fight with a weed wacker, these tips above will surely help. After all, shaving is a stressful process, and your skin deserves the best.