With many years of shaving experience, I know the post-shave panic well — you have an array of products and no idea what to use. Whether you’re new to wet shaving or looking to upgrade your routine, the question remains: should you apply lotion after shaving?

For this guide, I consulted Dr Munir Somji, a respected skincare expert and founder of Dr Medispa Clinics, and Dr Anna Andrienko, dermatologist at Dr Ducu Clinics. Together, we’ll clarify post-shave care, covering everything from preventing razor burn to keeping skin healthy and hydrated. No more guesswork — just clear, expert shaving solutions.

Pre- and post-shave routines are exactly what they say on the tin: the steps you take before and after you shave to ensure your skin is protected and nourished.

Even the most practised hand can benefit from a pre- and post-shave routine. Think of it like preparing for a workout: you wouldn’t launch straight into a heavy session without warming up or skip the cool-down stretches afterwards. Your face deserves the same consideration.

As Dr Andrienko explains, ‘shaving can be a major stressor for the skin. Proper post-shave care is key to avoiding irritation, dryness and long-term damage.’

Through years of testing products and techniques for a clean shave (and more than my fair share of razor burn), I’ve learned that a proper pre- and post-shave routine can transform your daily grooming from a chore into a genuinely enjoyable ritual.

So, does a post-shave routine involve moisturising the skin? Yes. There are a few options for keeping your skin hydrated and soothed, which we’ll get to later, but applying a moisturiser is highly recommended to prevent dryness and irritation.

How to Prep Your Skin

Warm Water Cleanse

Start by washing your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser. This step isn’t just for cleanliness — the warmth softens facial hair, making shaving much easier on your skin.

To further prepare your face for shaving, Dr Somji notes that you can use a warm pre-shave towel or warm up your razor by running it under hot water.

Gentle Exfoliation

Dr Andrienko recommends using a ‘gentle exfoliating cleanser 1-2 times a week.’ The exfoliation will remove dead skin cells that trap hair beneath the surface, preventing pesky ingrown hairs that can lead to bumps, irritation and an uneven shave.

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energising Scrub has been a mainstay in my bathroom for the best part of a decade, and that post-scrub feeling is a surefire way of your skin telling you it’s ready for a shave.

Pre-Shave Oil

‘Use a fast-absorbing pre-shave oil, as this reduces drag and prevents razor burn without needing extra time for absorption,’ advises Dr Somji. Clarins Men Shave and Beard Oil is a dual threat that caters for all face types.

Quality Shaving Cream

Skip the canned foam. A proper shaving cream or gel creates that essential barrier of protection. Look for products with glycerin or aloe vera, which help the blade glide while keeping your skin happy.

How to Treat Your Skin

Immediate Aftercare

First, quickly splash your face with cold water. This helps constrict blood vessels and calm irritation.

Then, follow Dr Somji’s advice: ‘Apply an ice cube or cold compress post-shave to tighten pores and reduce redness, giving you a refreshed look instantly.’ Thirty seconds of compression will do the trick.

Soothing and Protection

Skip the old-school alcohol-based aftershaves — they’re about as kind to your skin as sandpaper. Instead, opt for something that soothes rather than stings.

‘I often recommend a hydrating anti-inflammatory aftershave balm,’ says Dr Somji. And I agree — the post-shave balm from Murdock London is an all-time favourite of mine.

Lock in Moisture

Your freshly shaved skin is particularly vulnerable to dehydration, so sealing in moisture is crucial. A decent moisturiser acts as your skin’s security guard, keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. I recommend the Clinique For Men Moisturising Lotion — it’s the perfect lightweight moisturiser from an established name in the game.

Why choose? A modern aftershave balm followed by a moisturiser gives you the best of both worlds. The balm provides immediate relief and light hydration, while the moisturiser offers longer-lasting protection.

Moisturiser

A good moisturiser (my favourite is the Real Shaving Company’s Anti-Ageing Moisturiser) locks in hydration while protecting against environmental stress. After shaving, it’s particularly important, as your skin barrier has just faced a literal blade.

Aftershave

The classic alcohol-based splash served its purpose in an era before we understood skincare. Yes, it disinfects, but it also strips your skin of natural oils faster than a hot car wash strips wax from a car. That signature sting? That’s your skin crying for help.

Luckily, modern men have another option: aftershave balms. These are the sophisticated younger siblings of traditional aftershaves. Less concerned with making you smell like a barbershop, they focus instead on soothing and protecting freshly shaved skin. They’re typically lighter than moisturisers and absorb quickly.

If you’re going to use only one, though, opt for a moisturiser — your skin will thank you.

When you moisturise your skin after shaving, you’ll experience immediate benefits: reduced irritation, less redness and no more tight, dry feeling.

There are long-term benefits, too. Regular moisturising after shaving helps prevent premature ageing and keeps your skin’s moisture balance in check. Plus, it makes future shaves smoother.

Adding a moisturiser to your post-shave routine can help transform your daily shave from a chore to a proper grooming ritual. The key lies in preparation and aftercare — rushing through either is a sure route to irritation.

Want more guidance on perfecting your grooming routine? Read the Men’s Health guide to achieving the perfect shave or the roundup of the best face washes to ensure you’re giving your skin the best possible start.

What Happens if You Don’t Moisturise After Shaving?

Without moisturiser, freshly shaved skin becomes vulnerable to dryness, irritation, increased sensitivity, tightness and potential breakouts. In the long term, skipping moisturiser after shaving can compromise the skin’s protective barrier.

What Not to Do After Shaving

After shaving, avoid alcohol-based aftershaves, harsh exfoliants, hot showers, tight clothing on freshly shaved areas and touching your face with unwashed hands. Most importantly, don’t skip moisturiser — your skin needs immediate hydration.

How Long After Shaving Should You Moisturise?

Apply moisturiser immediately after patting your face dry. Your skin is most receptive to hydration right after shaving when the protective barrier needs reinforcement.