Whether you shave frequently or occasionally, shaving cream is a must-have in your grooming arsenal. But what if you don't have any on hand? Here are 7 steps to shave without shaving cream.
Shaving is an essential part of many people's personal grooming routine, but it can be problematic when you find yourself in the middle of a shaving session and realize that you've run out of shaving cream.
Without it, your razor may tug or pull at your skin instead of gliding across it with ease, and while it is always recommended to use shaving cream, there are certain circumstances when it may not be available, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be done in a way that is safe, effective and quite enjoyable.
Shaving correctly not only helps keep your skin healthy and smooth but also makes you appear more put-together and, hence, more confident; here are 7 steps to shave without shaving cream to help you achieve a smooth and comfortable shave — with minimal skin irritation — without this go-to product.
Grab your razor, and let's go over all the information you need to get started on your next tight'n'neat grooming experience — sans lathering up with good ol'lathery goodness!
Why do we use shaving cream?
Shaving cream is used to provide a lubricating layer between the razor and the skin to reduce friction and prevent nicks, cuts and razor burn; while softening the hairs and making them easier to shave.
Can you shave without shaving cream?
Yes, you can shave without shaving cream, but the risk of causing nicks, cuts, razor burn and ingrown hairs is much higher; that's why it's essential to take the right steps and extreme precautions so that it's done safely and effectively to prevent skin irritation and damage.
How to shave without shaving cream? 7 Steps To Shave Without Shaving Cream
Here are 7 steps to shave without shaving cream:
Step 1: Prep your skin.
Before starting your shaving routine, prepare your skin by opening up your pores and softening the hairs to allow the razor to easily glide over your skin, making them easier to shave.
To prep your skin, wash it thoroughly with warm water and a mild, gentle cleanser and exfoliate gently with a physical or chemical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, excess oil, dirt, and impurities that can clog the razor and irritate your skin while shaving.
Step 2: Use a new, clean and/or sharp blade.
A dull, dirty and/or damaged blade prevents the razor from easily gliding over your skin, increasing friction and causing even more skin irritation.
So if you are going to shave without shaving cream, use a new, sharp and/or clean blade to reduce the risk of nicks, cuts, razor burn and ingrown hairs for a cleaner and smoother shave; here are 5 tips to avoid getting shaving cuts and in case you cut yourself while shaving, 8 ways to treat a shaving cut.
If you use disposable razors, use a new razor every time you shave, but if you use cartridge or electric razors — such as foil shavers and rotary shavers — although you can use the same blade in multiple shaving sessions — replacing the blades is necessary when they begin to get dull, clogged or damaged.
Note: For cartridges or electric razors, it is essential to clean them regularly — here's how to clean a razor and sanitize the blades — with rubbing alcohol after each use and change the blades at least once a month, depending on their usage, as a precaution against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and infections.
Step 3: Choose your alternative or substitute product.
Shaving without shaving cream can leave your skin feeling dry, tight and uncomfortable, so even though you may not have access to shaving cream, you still need to provide your skin with lubrication to reduce the friction between the razor and your skin and make it easier for the razor to glide without tugging or pulling your skin; thus reducing skin irritation nicks, cuts, razor burn and ingrown hairs, providing you with a better shaving experience.
When shaving without cream, it is vital to find a suitable alternative or substitute product to provide enough lubrication and protection between the razor and your skin; you can choose from a wide range of products, but the most common products are:
- Baby oil, coconut oil or olive oil — these are three of the best options when it comes to shaving without cream because they act as lubricants, providing enough slip for the razor blade to move over your skin without tugging or pulling, leaving your skin feeling smoother and softer with minimal to no irritation.
- Hair conditioner, leave-in conditioner or hair serum — these products are great for those who don't have access to the oils mentioned above. Hair conditioner, leave-in conditioner or hair serum are usually formulated with fatty acids and lubricating ingredients to soften the hairs, which helps reduce friction while shaving; just make sure to choose a suitable product that will not irritate your skin, such as an unscented, fragrance-free and/or hypoallergenic conditioner.
- Bar soap, liquid soap or body wash — these products are usually used as a last-resort alternative when there are none of the above available; although they provide enough lubrication — they contain mild surfactants that help create a lather — to make the razor glide over your skin easier and reduce irritation, bar soap, liquid soap or body wash can be quite harsh and drying on your skin if not properly moisturized afterwards.
The product choice depends on your skin type and hair texture; if none of the above alternatives or substitute products works well for you or you're not sure which product to use, check out our list of the Best Shaving Cream Alternatives.
Step 4: Apply the alternative or substitute product to your skin.
Once you have chosen your alternative or substitute product, start by applying a thin layer of the product and spreading it evenly with a shaving brush or your hands to cover all the areas you want to shave.
Step 5: Shave slowly with light pressure and short strokes in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Now that your skin is prepped correctly and you have applied an alternative or substitute product to shaving cream, it's time to shave; if you have a lot of hair to shave, it is advisable to trim it with scissors first to reduce the chances of tugging and pulling.
The key to a smooth, comfortable shave without shaving cream is in the technique; take light pressure and short strokes in the opposite direction of hair growth to avoid nicks, cuts and razor burn; start by shaving downwards on your face and neck, then sideways and finally upwards.
While shaving, rinse the blade every few strokes with warm water to remove hair buildup and product residue to keep your blade clean and sharp; avoid shaving over the same area repeatedly, as it can cause irritation and razor burn.
Step 6: Take your time.
Shaving is tricky and time-consuming, but without shaving cream, the process is even trickier and can take even longer because it requires more attention and patience, so take your time while shaving to avoid unnecessary accidents — after all, slow and steady wins the race.
Step 7: Rinse off with cold water and apply an aftershave balm or moisturizer.
When you have finished shaving, rinse your skin with cold water to remove the residue left behind from the alternative or substitute product you used and close open pores to prevent bacteria, viruses, and fungi from getting in and causing irritation and/or infections.
Gently pat dry your skin with a clean, soft towel, then moisturize with a suitable aftershave balm or moisturizer to soothe redness, irritation and inflammation and provide nourishment, hydration, and repair damage caused by the razor.
Note: Always use rubbing alcohol to disinfect and sterilize the blade after every shave to avoid bacteria, viruses, fungi and infections.
By following the steps above and choosing a suitable alternative or substitute product for your skin type, it is possible to have a good shaving experience and achieve a comfortable shave without shaving cream.
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