I’m hardly a committed shaver. I mainly spend my shower time lathering on my favorite body wash and indulging my hair with hydrating masks. Ridding my legs of fuzz is an afterthought. I’m all about the no-shave movement, because of the empowering message, and, well, I'm lazy. But still, I give into the razor weekly. (It is summer, after all.) My biggest issues? Nicks and ingrowns.
No, they’re not catastrophic tragedies, but they are pretty darn unsightly. There are plenty of innovative alternatives to my old-fashioned routine, but I’m into quick and easy, so I'm staying with what I know and stocking up on these cooling creams, bacteria-killers, and ingrown fixer-uppers.
Ahead, click through to shop the hero products for achieving super-smooth skin post-shave.
If you don't put anything on your skin when you get out of the shower, or you use potentially irritating artificially fragranced lotions, it's time to reconsider. Up your post-shower moisture game with a formula that contains AHAs to gently exfoliate and encourage cell turnover. Not only will it help stop ingrowns from forming, it's also great for those pesky bumps along the back of your arms.
DERMAdoctor KP Duty Dermatologist Formulated AHA Moisturizing Therapy For Dry Skin, $38, available at DERMAdoctor.
This gel is to freshly shaved skin what aloe is to a sunburn. It cools, treats, and prevents bumps — and the salicylic acid kills bacteria on the spot.
Shaveworks The Cool Fix, $26, available at Sephora.
You've probably run out of shaving cream and reached for hair conditioner before. As far as hacks go, it's an easy one, but we can raise you one better. This shower gel doubles as a shave gel, so you have one less step in your routine. Plus, it smells heavenly.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple for Body, $28, available at Ulta Beauty.
Guys know a thing or two about how to avoid irritation in tricky areas with coarse hair, so why not venture over to their section of the drugstore for this soothing post-shave lotion? It's lightweight, but super-moisturizing.
Gillette Sensitive Skin After Shave Lotion, $2.12, available at Gillette.
Frequent shaving can lead to dry skin, which is not comfortable on your legs or underarms. Resist the urge to itch and reach for this gentle, unscented oatmeal lotion that won't irritate even the most sensitive skin types.
Aveeno Skin Relief Gentle Scent Lotion Soothing Oat And Chamomile, $9.99, available at Aveeno.
This Aquaphor balm is a cult product for a reason. It does just about everything, in addition to healing cracked, razor-burned, nicked skin and keeping bacteria at bay. Pat this on the wound, slap on a Band-Aid, and you're good to go.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment, $12.99, available at Target.
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