Here’s Why You Should Moisturize After Shaving Your Face

You should always moisturize after shaving to prevent razor irritation and replenish the moisture you stripped away. A lightweight, gel-based moisturizer is a great alternative to traditional aftershave products that have alcohol and artificial fragrances.

We stumbled across an important question on the r/Shaving subreddit: Are you supposed to moisturize your face after shaving?

“I've tried Googling it but didn't really find much,” he said. “I would guess because skincare is seen as ‘taboo’ for most men since there's not really much discussion about it.”

The short answer is yes: Moisturizing should be an essential part of every dude’s shaving routine to prevent razor burn and hydrate your skin, which can easily get dried out.

Your old man might have told you to slap on aftershave once you mow down your stubble. But despite the name “after-shave,” these concoctions of alcohol and fake fragrances are one of the worst things you can use after dragging a sharp razor blade over the most sensitive skin on your body—shocker, right?

In this article, we’ll show you exactly why you should moisturize after shaving, and most importantly, the type of moisturizer you need.

Should You Moisturize After Shaving?

You should moisturize immediately after shaving your face, ideally with a lightweight, gel-based serum. It’s a simple habit that soothes irritated skin, prevents razor burn, and provides essential hydration.

When you shave, the razor doesn’t just remove your facial hair—it removes the top layer of your skin, temporarily stripping away your natural oils. Additionally, shaving can throw your skin's barrier function out of whack, leading to further dehydration. That’s why your skin feels dry , tight, and inflamed on the days you shave.

Don’t worry: you’re not doomed to a flaky, bloody mug. Applying moisturizer immediately after shaving counteracts these effects by repairing your skin barrier, reducing redness, and hydrating your skin from the inside out.

It’s like an ice-cold Gatorade after a hangover but for your face.

What’s the Best Type of Moisturizer to Use After Shaving?

The skin on your face is delicate as it is, but it gets even more sensitive after shaving. Accordingly, you can’t slap on any random moisturizer and call it a day. You need a lightweight, gel-based moisturizer that soothes and repairs your skin without clogging your pores.

Here’s a cheat sheet for what to look for in a post-shave moisturizer:

• Alcohol-Free: While alcohol can disinfect your nicks, it also dehydrates your skin and causes that “tight” sensation.
• Fragrance-Free: Artificial fragrances are a common culprit of irritation and allergic reactions, exacerbating post-shave sensitivity.
• Oil-Free (AKA non-comedogenic): Oil-based moisturizers and lotions are notorious for clogging your pores, leading to post-shave acne breakouts.
• 2% Niacinamide: This form of B3 is almost like a magic eraser that eliminates redness and keeps sebum production under control.
• Ceramides:These healthy fats support the renewal of your skin's natural protective barrier, which can get damaged when you shave.

Shameless plug incoming: We designed Revival to double as a daily moisturizer and aftershave. On top of taming razor bumps, our 6-in-1 formula targets early signs of aging and keeps your face looking photo-shoot ready 24/7. 

Don’t take our word for it, though—Revival was named the #1 moisturizer for dry and oily skin by GQ and Men’s Health.

5 Things to Avoid After Shaving Your Face

When it comes to your post-shave skincare routine, it’s not just about what you put on your face. You also gotta know what to stay away from. Here are 5 things to avoid like the plague any time you shave.

1. Alcohol

We’re not talking about beer and whiskey, ya dingus (although that kind of alcohol is bad for your face too). We’re talking about the alcohol-based aftershave balms , which make your skin feel as dry and burnt as the Sahara desert.

2. Fragrances

Artificial fragrances in shaving cream and aftershave are notorious for causing red rashes, itching, and other types of skin irritation. To play it safe, always opt for fragrance-free skincare products.

3. Hot Water

Shaving already strips away a lot of your skin’s natural oils. But nuking your face with warm water immediately after a fresh shave can dial up your dry skin woes to a whole new level. Be smart and rinse your face with cold water after shaving. 

4. Astringents

Astringents like witch hazel temporarily shrink your pores and remove oil. That might sound like a good thing, especially if you deal with chronically oily skin. But astringents are notorious for causing excessive dryness, especially when you apply them right after shaving.

5. Heavy Oils

Shaving can temporarily open up your pores, so slathering your skin with heavy oils can clog them up, leading to blackheads and breakouts. Not to mention, heavy oils make your skin look and feel greasier than a slice of pepperoni pizza.

When it comes to post-shave care, stick to products that are water-based, oil-free, and non-comedogenic.

Stop Getting Scammed by Skincare Brands

TBH, we gotta give the mega-corporate skincare brands props for duping guys into thinking they need a dozen different skincare products to take care of their faces. It’s a savage strategy that earns them billions—but it’s BS.

The truth is there are a handful of essential skincare ingredients that do the heavy lifting, and we put them all into Revival. We collabed with dermatologists to create a formula that functions as a daily moisturizer, aftershave, and eye cream all in one.

Stop aimlessly wandering around the skincare aisle and snag a bottle of Revival. Your face and your bank account will both thank you.