BE A BETTER GIFTER

To riff on the old poker adage, there’s a terrible gift giver in every office, and if you look around and can’t point him out, there’s a pretty solid chance you’re that dude. But I’m… More

NO SHAVE NO MORE

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

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MORE BLADES DO NOT EQUAL A CLOSER SHAVE!

Ever catch yourself in a drugstore shopping for a new razor and wondered whether you should splurge on the one with more blades in hopes of getting the closest shave possible? Don’t feel bad; that’s the intended effect. Thing is, the ability to fit more blades on a razor wasn’t considered a benchmark of technological advancement until—well, until we were told as much in advertisements beginning in the ‘70s. We laughed at the idea then. So what’s changed? (Hint: the opinion of dermatologists has remained the same.)

A “close” shave, indeed: Multi-blade cartridges operate under the principle of hysteresis (don’t bother googling it—you’ll never get that time back), a term borrowed from physics to describe how the blades work together to simultaneously pull and cut whiskers. The result is that your facial hair is often cut below where it meets your skin’s surface. Closer than close, right? Maybe so, but it’s hard to feel good about a 7 o’clock shadow when your skin’s on fire.

More blades can mean more irritation, mainly because those blades can easily push hairs (and gunky buildup) back down, which can lead to razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and serious razor burn. Put simply, razor burn describes your skin’s reaction to having a razor blade raked across it, commencing the eponymous burning sensation and subsequent redness. The two biggest culprits behind razor burn? Dull blades and buildup of bacteria—mostly dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. The spaces between blades on multi-blade cartridges can trap this buildup between the blades and your skin. So change your blade out every fifth shave and rinse your blade with warm water constantly while shaving.

Double Edge Safety Razor is better because a single fresh blade in a properly weighted handle minimizes pressure on your skin and can reduce the harmful buildup of bacteria—both of which can cause irritation, bumps, and razor burn. A close shave depends on the proper skincare routine for your skin type more so than on the number of blades you use.

STOP USING BAR SOAP AS A FACIAL CLEANSER!

We love multi-functional products as much as the next guy, but we should get one thing straight: that chalky, pastel-colored bar soap is not ideal for facial cleansing. And that’s putting it mildly. Bar soap can be great for removing oily buildup and odor-causing bacteria on, over, and around your hot spots, but the ingredients you use to de-funk your junk do not a proper facial cleanser make.

Many soaps and body wash formulas strip your face of needed moisture, which can lead to an over-production of oil, and most brands include harsh surfactants, fragrance, and colorants that can irritate sensitive skin. Picking the right cleanser for your skin type will help you stay on top of blemishes and breakouts and improve your shave routine by removing the pore-clogging dirt and oil that can cause razor bumps and ingrown hairs.

Look at the following options to find the right cleanser for your skin type:

Deep Dive™ Glycolic Facial Cleanser

Recommended for: Oily, Combination, Normal skin types

Deep Dive™ Glycolic Facial Cleanser‘s formula includes a smart balance of Vitamin E, plant extracts, minerals, and powerful exfoliants to effectively remove dirt and oil without completely stripping your skin of needed moisture. This multi-functional formula contains Kaolin clay to draw out dirt and helps control oiliness, while the volcanic ash works to restore, repair, and smooth skin. Apply to problem areas like your nose or chin and let dry for five minutes for a deep-down purifying mask.

Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser

Recommended for: Normal, Dry/Sensitive skin types

Prepping your skin with a gentle two-in-one cleanser and toner like Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser leaves your skin clean, hydrated, and fresh by harnessing the power of natural ingredients, including Organic Chamomile and Aloe Leaf that help to soothe and oat-and coconut-derived, sulfate-free surfactants that work to cleanse. The plus side? Our formula won’t irritate or dry out dry or sensitive skin.

Face Buff Energizing Scrub

Recommended for: Normal, Combination skin types

Face Buff Energizing Scrub effectively cleanses the face and clears the way for an easier shave by smoothing the surface of your skin. This deep-cleaning pre-shave cleanser and scrub contains 100% biodegradable scrubbing particles that remove dirt and dead skin cells for healthier-looking skin and fewer ingrown hairs after shaving.

Pro Tip: Use our power peel multi-acid resurfacing pads on your face and neck two to four times a week (ideally, post cleansing before bed) to unclog pores and to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

HOW TO SHAVE WITH SENSITIVE SKIN?

Shaving for men with sensitive skin can get downright nasty: nicks and cuts, razor burn, inflammation, ingrown hairs. Tons of people offer suggestions, but good intentions from non-experts tend to make the problem worse. The only thing keeping you from enjoying a close, comfortable shave every morning is knowing the proper shaving routine for your skin type—and a key behind that is eliminating myths and misconceptions about shaving best practices. We’re not saying to disregard everything your old man taught you, but we are suggesting that you leave skincare advice to the experts.

The perfect shave for sensitive skin starts and ends here:

1. Cleanse: Clean skin is the catalyst behind every close, comfortable shave—no matter the skin type. That’s because dirt, oil, and dead skin cells act as a barrier between your blade and your facial hair, which can cause irritation and razor drag. Prepping your skin with a gentle two-in-one cleanser and toner like Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser leaves your skin clean, hydrated, and fresh by harnessing the power of natural ingredients, including Organic Chamomile and Aloe Leaf that help to soothe and oat- and coconut-derived, sulfate-free surfactants that work to cleanse.

2. Lather + Lift: For closeness without irritation, your blade needs cushion. Use a rich, creamy lather like our Supreme Cream Shave Lather to condition skin and help lift whiskers. Applying the lather (ideally with our cruelty-free Shave Brush) helps skin retain moisture, while Macadamia Nut Oil, Glycerin, and Soybean Oil deliver three layers of protection against razor burn, irritation, and nicks and cuts.

3. Shave: Shave experts and dermatologists agree that the ideal shaving tool for men with sensitive skin is a single-blade razor like our German-engineered Double Edge Safety Razor. Multi-blade cartridges have a tendency to pull facial hair up in order to cut it below the level where it meets the skin, which can cause irritation as well as razor bumps. Our specially crafted handle is weighted perfectly, alleviating the need for additional pressure and helping to prevent razor burn and bumps. To ensure maximum comfort, shave immediately after showering.

4. Post Shave: One of the most effective ways to help prevent redness and heal irritated skin is to apply an alcohol-free after-shave product like our Post Shave Cooling Gel. This soothing gel uses Aloe and other natural ingredients that help soothe and calm sensitive skin.

Allow yourself time to properly treat and condition the skin before and after you shave. We know that asking you to wake up a few minutes earlier may seem like we’re asking a lot. But we’re pretty sure you’ll agree that a pain-free shave is worth sacrificing one tap of the Snooze button.