How to Get The Smoothest Shave and Avoid Strawberry Skin

Getting a smooth and clean shave goes beyond just removing unwanted hair; it’s also about properly preparing your skin beforehand.

One of the most complained about issue when shaving is strawberry skin, also known as Keratosis Pilaris (KP). KP is caused by trapped hair follicles that grow back into the skin or by enlarged pores that contain a mixture of oil, dead skin and bacteria.

Therefore, if you regularly experience these pesky red bumps after shaving, it’s time to incorporate a shaving routine that exfoliates, cleanses and moisturises the skin.

Before Shaving:

It’s important to cleanse and moisturise the skin before shaving, as shaving on dried out skin can cause KP. Cleansing is also an important step because if you are adding oil to skin that isn’t cleansed, it can further clog pores, which as mentioned above, is one of the causes of KP.

Therefore, ensure to prepare your skin an hour before and wash with a natural soap and moisturise with a moisturising oil, like jojoba oil or our Migh-Tea Moisture Body Balm.

While Shaving:

• Rinse and wash the body with warm water (not too hot as this can dry out the skin). Try and be in the shower for at least 3 minutes before shaving to properly to soften the skin and hair.

• Turn off the water and exfoliate with our Coconut Body Scrub. This is perfect for KP prone skin as it gently exfoliates (exfoliating with something too abrasive can cause irritation).

All our scrubs contain vitamin E, which helps reduce the sandpaper feel associated with KP. Use in circular motions to buff away dry skin and show some extra love to problem areas. Leave on for 2-3 mins to maximise the benefits before rinsing off.

• Apply conditioner or a moisturising soap to the skin you are shaving, which will help prevent the skin drying out and becoming irritated.
• When choosing a razor, consider your hair type. If you have coarser hair for example, you may want to use a razor with sharper blades. However, if you have fine hair or sensitive skin this may bit a bit rough on the skin. Ensure the razor is clean and shave it the same direction as your hair growth. Although shaving against the grain can give you a closer shave, this does increase the risk of irritation and ingrown hairs.

After Shaving:

• Pat skin dry with a towel

• Once dry apply our Migh-Tea Body Balm to the skin. If you have particularly sensitive skin, try our fragrance-free version. Our body balms contain shea butter, which is rich in vitamins and healthy fats, nourishing the skin. It is also anti-inflammatory, making it fantastic at preventing razor burn and quickly heals cuts and scrapes.

We hope this routine helps you feel silky smooth! Shop our range here, to browse our other balms and scrubs.