You Really Should Stop Using Soap When You Shave

When choosing between hopping out of the shower to find shaving gel or reaching for the closest thing in our showers (read: soap), we are guilty as charged of going with the latter. But we always regret our hasty decision when we look down and see that our legs are covered in nicks or a rash from razor burn. In an effort to do the right thing, we took our shaving concerns to Schick & Skintimate partner dermatologist Annie Chiu so we'd know exactly why we should put down the soap and stick to gels. Read on to find out what we learned and to shop for better shaving products. Soap or body wash is good for leaving your skin moisturized after cleansing, but bad for razors.  According to Chiu, sudsy soaps and body washes contain ingredients that clog up razor blades, making them dull. "It can also then trap moisture and allow more bacteria to grow on your razor," she says.  You probably already know from trial and error that a dull razor isn't the key to a smooth and close shave. Chiu adds, "It can increase the risk of ingrown hairs, nicks, cuts and maybe infections because soap residue dulls razors. Typically, soaps do not provide the gentle glide that a shaving gel does." This difference is imperative as gels make shaving over irregular or sensitive areas, including the bikini line, knees or ankles, much easier. Instead, use shaving gels with nourishing ingredients to moisturize the skin and decrease irritation.  Chiu notes that shaving exfoliates the ver...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news