How to Shave Sensitive Skin
Want to know how to shave sensitive skin so you end up super smooth instead of itchy and bumpy? There’s nothing worse than that uncomfortable itchy, irritated feeling after shaving sensitive skin. Maybe you even end up skipping shaves simply to avoid feeling uncomfortable. That’s about to change. With the proper shaving products and techniques, you can definitely enjoy a smoother shave without nicks, bumps, and itchiness.
Ahead, we show you the best way to shave sensitive skin along with the most soothing shaving products (pre- and post-shave) for the most hydrating, nourishing shave.
How to Shave Sensitive Skin
What is the best shave for sensitive skin? Shaving sensitive skin can be a tricky job. Especially since this is a skin type prone to redness and irritation. That’s why we’ve put together a guide on how to shave with sensitive skin. Here’s how to enjoy a smoother, more comfortable shave.
Step 1: Soften Hair With Warm Water
Every good shave starts in the shower. That’s because warm water makes body hair stand up, making it easier to shave. What’s more, warm water opens the pores, softens hair, and loosens the skin, allowing your razor to glide seamlessly through hair without pulling or friction that can lead to irritation. It’s an important pre-shave step that can make all the difference in keeping skin calm and bump-free.
Step 2: Prep Skin With Exfoliation
“Exfoliate? Won’t that make my skin more irritated and sensitive?” is probably what you’re thinking. Actually, exfoliating is a great way to remove dead skin cells which can hinder the shaving process by clogging your razor and trapping hairs, resulting in painful bumps and ingrown hairs.
To achieve a smooth shave minus irritation, your razor needs to be at its optimum performance. Razors just don’t work as well when they’re clogged with dirt and dead skin cells. That’s because the blades get dull faster when they’re clogged full of dead cells, causing your razor to drag which leads to friction and ultimately, irritation. For best results, exfoliate before you shave to prevent razor bumps and ingrowns.
Step 3: Lather Up With a Hydrating Shave Butter
When it comes to how to shave without irritating your skin you must NEVER skip shaving cream. You can either use shaving cream, shaving gel, or even better: shaving butter. Shave butter is significantly more hydrating and softening than your average cream or gel. It’s usually formulated with a base of shea butter, a super softening emollient that hydrates and nourishes skin while softening coarse hair for an easier razor glide.
Think of shaving cream or butter as a protective barrier between your skin and razor. When you glide over dry skin, there’s more friction which causes rashes and bumps. But when there’s a nice pillowy protective layer between your skin and razor, there’s far less friction which results in a smoother, closer shave.
Shaving butters are a must for sensitive skin as they help protect against cuts, bumps, rashes, and razor burn as well as ingrown hairs.
Step 4: Shave With a Multi-Bladed Razor
The best way to shave sensitive skin is with a five blade razor. Here’s why: shaving with multi-blade razors gives you a smoother shave with fewer passes. It also reduces the amount of force you need to apply while shaving, preventing friction and skin irritation. Single blade razors, on the other hand, increase friction.
Going over the same area more than once skyrockets your risk of redness and bumps because of the increased friction. Using a razor with five blades seamlessly cuts hair in one stroke so you don’t need to repeat the pass and increase your risk of bumps, cuts, and burns.
Step 5: Use a Razor With Gel Bars
How to shave sensitive skin? Always do it with a razor featuring cushy gel bars. Gel bars on razors can benefit sensitive skin by providing extra lubrication and moisturization, helping the razor glide smoothly and reducing irritation. Even better, choose a razor with gel bars infused with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or vitamin E for extra protection.
Step 6: Shave With the Grain
Always shave in the direction of hair growth. Shaving with the grain is essential when it comes to sensitive skin shaving techniques as shaving against the grain increases your chance of cuts and bumps. To do this, pay close attention to the direction in which your hair grows back, and use that as your guideline for shaving.
Step 7: Rinse Your Razor Between Strokes
A buildup of hair in your razor can lead to dull blades and a less effective shave. The fact is, razors just don’t work as well when they’re clogged with hair and shaving butter. To prevent this, rinse your razor after every stroke. This way, you’re always working with a clean, sharp razor.
Step 8: Apply an After Shave Serum or Oil
Skin’s especially sensitive after shaving. Once you’ve rinsed off your shaving cream and patted skin dry, apply an after shave oil or serum formulated with soothing, cooling, antimicrobial ingredients to nourish skin and prevent razor bumps and ingrowns. Look out for ingredients like tea tree oil, lavender, jojoba oil, coconut oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera.
Besides hydrating and soothing skin, these ingredients are anti-inflammatory, helping to ease irritation. Most of them also offer antiseptic and antibacterial activity which can help prevent bumps and ingrowns.
Step 9: Moisturize for Long Lasting Relief
Finally, finish your shaving routine for sensitive skin with a gentle hydrating moisturizer to retain lost moisture and soften skin while providing a protective barrier on the skin to keep it soft and nourished. Choose a moisturizer formulated with emollients and humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil.
Best Shaving Routine for Sensitive Skin
Now you know how to shave sensitive skin for the best results, treat yourself to one of these bestselling, cult-fave shave bundles packed full of the best shaving products for sensitive skin.
Best for Super Sensitive Skin
Truly’s Ultimate Coco Cloud Shave Set
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Key Ingredients: Coconut Milk, Argan Oil, White Tea | Scent: Creamy coconut and warm vanilla
Drench your skin in cooling coconut milk and skin healing argan oil with this tropical island-inspired shave routine. It’s extra soothing on sensitive skin, thanks to its nourishing formula of shea butter, coconut milk, vitamin E, argan oil, and white tea. Plus, it comes with five blade razor featuring cushy gel bars infused with aloe and shea butter for an ultra smoothing, soothing shave.
What People Say: “The razor is by far the best razor I have ever used. And the scent is to die for!” - Caren P.
Best for Dry, Dull, Sensitive Skin
Truly’s Glazed Donut Shave Set
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Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides, Niacinamide, Lavender | Scent: Sweet vanilla glaze and strawberry
Get supermodel-worthy smooth, glowing skin with this cult-fave shave set. It covers all the steps: exfoliation, shaving, after shave relief, and hydration with the lushest, most indulgent products your skin will adore. With an ultra-soothing lineup of hyaluronic acid, peptides, and niacinamide, your skin will feel heavenly smooth without a trace of redness, itchiness, razor burn, or bumps.
What People Say: “I absolutely love love love these products. I'm addicted to Truly!” - Ashley B.
Best for Ingrown-Prone Skin
Truly’s Dreamiest Shave Set
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Key Ingredients: Peptides, Mandelic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide | Scent: Cotton candy, vanilla glaze, and coconut
Enhance your shaving experience with this deluxe 4-step set. It comes with all the right products so that skin feels hydrated and soothed after shaving. In addition to a shave butter, after shave oil, and moisturiser, you also get an exfoliating deodorant that stops ingrowns before they start while keeping your underarms fresh all day.
What People Say: “This set is TRULY DREAMY! My legs, bikini line, and underarms are SILKY smooth from using these products!” - Karla C.
Best for Post-Shave Irritation Relief
Truly’s Cooka Routine
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Key Ingredients: Tea Tree, Lavender, Primrose, Jojoba Oil | Scent: Spa-like
From facial hair to bikini hair, soften coarse hair and eliminate ingrowns with this dreamy antimicrobial-powered duo. You get our Cooka Concentrate + Cooka Oil, both developed with antiseptic and antibacterial properties from lavender, tea tree, and lemon oil to prevent ingrowns and soothe active inflammation.
What People Say: “I am prone to terrible ingrown hairs and this serum and concentrate have almost eliminated them entirely! - Kayla W.
Best for a Smooth, Bump-Free Shave
Truly’s Ultimate Smooth Legend Routine
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Key Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Passion Fruit, Lavender | Scent: Passion fruit + vanilla
Get an ultra-smooth, close shave for sensitive skin with this iconic shave set. Packed full of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich ingredients like coconut, passion fruit, grapeseed oil, and lavender to deeply hydrate, soothe, and protect your skin for incredible silkiness.
What People Say: “Don’t even question if you need all these steps because you do!!! I’m obsessed.” - Allie S.
Can Sensitive Skin Get Used to Shaving?
Some say sensitive skin can get used to shaving over time. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to know how to shave sensitive skin properly and use the right skincare products and techniques to ensure the best possible outcome.
From prepping skin with warm water and exfoliation to using the right razor to finishing with soothing serums and hydrating lotions, using the right techniques and tools can make all the difference for achieving a smooth, close shave that is irritation-free.
How Often Should You Shave for Sensitive Skin?
If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to avoid shaving every single day. Take regular breaks in-between shaves to allow your skin to heal and recover. That being said, you can still shave as regularly as you like as long as you prep your skin accordingly before and after shaving, and use the right products and techniques.
Shaving Tips for Sensitive Skin
While we’ve already outlined how to shave sensitive skin and the best routines you can use, here’s a quick summary of the best shaving tips for sensitive skin.
• Always start with a warm shower to soften coarse hair and open pores.
• Exfoliate before shaving to remove dead skin cells that clog and dull blades.
• Always apply shaving cream or butter before putting razor to skin for protection against bumps and burns.
• Make sure you’re using clean, sharp blades for maximum glide.
• Always finish your routine with an aftershave balm, oil, or serum.
• Moisturize after shaving to lock in hydration for long-lasting smoothness and itch-relief.
• If you're ingrown-prone, finish your shave routine with an after shave deodorant designed for sensitive skin.
Ready to transform your shave? Browse our full range of bestselling shave products for sensitive skin.
