Look for barrier-supporting ingredients
Not all moisturizers are created equal. Dr. Hall recommends looking for formulas that support and strengthen the skin barrier. “I would look out for things that are very nourishing and are potentially present in the skin barrier already,” she says. “That will include things like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, but also ingredients like glycerin—essentially humectants that can attract water.”
Other ingredients she recommends include colloidal oatmeal, which can help calm sensitivie skin, as well as panthenol and niacinamide. “Together, these ingredients work to hydrate the skin, reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier,” she says.
Avoid potentially irritating actives
Immediately after shaving is not the time to reach for your strongest skin-care products. Because the skin barrier is already slightly compromised, Dr. Hall recommends steering clear of potentially irritating ingredients.
“I would avoid any kind of acids, any retinol, vitamin C-containing formulas, anything that has a lot of alcohol or that is heavily fragranced,” she says. “They are going to cause stinging, irritation and redness.” If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, exfoliating ingredients such as salicylic acid, lactic acid, and urea can still be helpful, but timing is key. “You need to wait at least 24 hours and then use it,” advises Dr. Hall.
Don’t forget your shaving technique
Aftercare is undoubtedly important, but prevention is often the best cure when it comes to post-shave irritation. “If you’re using a blunt razor, that’s going to contribute to irritation,” says Dr. Hall. “You need a sharp one, a clean one, you need to use something to lubricate between the blade and your skin and try and shave in the direction of hair growth where you can.”
She also warns against shaving with water alone. “If you don’t use anything to lubricate the skin and you’re just using water, that can actually be quite abrasive—you’re not getting the glide that you need.” After shaving, she recommends rinsing legs with cool water before applying a gentle moisturizer to lock in hydration.
