Majority of the shaving creams in the market contain harmful ingredients and toxins that can harm your skin. In order to reduce skin irritation, cuts, rashes, and redness - you should only purchase shaving creams that suit your skin type. In this buying guide, we are going to discuss some important factors that you should consider in order to purchase the best shaving cream for yourself.
Factors to consider for buying the best shaving cream
Below mentioned are some of the things that you should look into for buying a suitable shaving cream. Let’s have a look!
Type of Skin
Skin is basically classified into three types; oily, dry, or sensitive. The type of products that you use on your face should be bought strictly according to your skin type. Otherwise, they can cause more harm than good.
If your skin type is sensitive, then you should look for shaving creams that have been manufactured especially for people with sensitive skin type. These usually don’t contain any kind of astringents or ingredients that might irritate your skin.
On the other hand, if your skin type is oily, then you might want to look for one that contains astringent. Shaving creams that consist of this ingredient help control sebum production, which ultimately helps reduce the oiliness on your skin. Also, preventing the pores on your face
from clogging.
Similarly, shaving creams for sensitive skins are also formulated differently. Most of these are glycerin-based so your razor blade can glide smoothly over your dry skin without causing any nicks or cuts.
Lastly, people with sensitive skin should also avoid shaving creams that consist of ingredients
Ingredients
Ingredients are one of the most important factors that need to be considered while making the best shaving cream for yourself. Ingredients that are not suitable for your skin can harm your skin in the long run.
The best shaving creams are usually made from natural ingredients such as jojoba oil, tea tree oil, and almond oil. Ingredients such as these can be quite beneficial for your skin.
Since these oils evaporate from your skin once applied, they won’t make it oily. When put on skin, these oils work just like sebum that is produced in your skin daily. Other than this, carrier oils are not harsh on the skin, and help it smoothen out in the long term, also improving the whole shaving experience for men.
Moreover, for dry skin, it's best that you purchase shaving cream that comes with moisturizing properties. These not only help make your skin feel soft, but also add vibrance to your skin. Furthermore, ingredients such as essential oils also help improve the effectiveness of the shaving cream. Essential oils also leave behind a pleasant smell after the shave.
Viscosity
Viscosity refers to the thickness of cream. It determines how smoothly the blade slides over the skin. A cream that is not sticky would cause irritation on the skin since there would be no cushion or protection against cuts. For the viscosity of the shaving cream - you can read its reviews or check the product’s description.
Lather
Lather also determines how smoothly you would be able to shave. If your shaving cream doesn't create enough lather - you might get razor burns from the shave. Therefore, you should choose the shaving cream that suits your beard and skin type perfectly.
What are some of the ingredients that you should avoid in shaving creams?
Some of the ingredients that you should avoid in shaving creams are:
Parabens
It’s best that you avoid ingredients such as parabens in shaving creams. Parabens are chemicals that are used in cosmetics for preventing bacterial growth in the product. However, there have been numerous complaints from people about parabens causing skin irritation and allergies.
SLS
SLS, also known as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, works as a cleanser on skin. However, since it is a strong chemical, it strips your skin from natural oils. Moreover, this chemical can stay on your skin for several days. Therefore, it is best that you avoid using products with it.
SLES
SLES is another chemical that can be harmful for the skin. It is usually used in skincare products to reduce their harshness. However, it is also linked to severe side effects such as toxicity. It has also been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Fragrance
Fragrance is commonly found in a lot of cosmetic and skincare products. Though it makes the product smell good, it can cause irritation on the skin. However, fragrances include thousands of chemicals. On the contrary, essential oils also add a pleasant smell to the product and are also safe to use.
Therefore, if you want your shaving cream to have a pleasant smell to it, then you should prefer the one with essential oils in it. Eucalyptus and methanol are two of the most liked fragrances in shaving creams as they offer a cooling and fresh sensation to the skin when applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you let shaving cream sit?
Ideally, you should let your shaving cream sit for 2-3 minutes before you begin to shave. This helps soften the hair, allowing you to shave easily and quickly.
Is foam good for shaving?
There are basically three types of shaving creams; gel, foams and creams. The one that would work the best for you depends entirely on your personal preference. Foam produces lather which helps the shave razor glide over your skin easily.
What happens if you don't use shaving cream?
Shaving without shaving cream can cause irritation on the skin. It can also cause bumps, cuts, and ingrown hair. If the bumps are pus-filled you can get a serious infection.
Is daily shaving harmful?
Shaving helps remove oil, dirt, and dead skin from skin. Since human skin keeps regenerating with time, the old skin cells stay on skin which leads to clogged pores, dull skin, and oil deposits. Shaving helps remove all of this gunk from your skin. However, rather than shaving daily, it is better to shave only 2-5 times a week.