The Grooming Manual
Clean Shave Benefits - Why You Might Consider Shaving Your Beard
You have so many options when it comes to your facial hair style. You can go for a clean shave, or for some subtle stubble, grow a mustache or goatee, or go full beard. Each style says something a little different about you and projects its own unique message to the people around you.
Even though it takes some time and effort to grow a beard, you can always adjust your facial hair if you want to try something new. If you’ve been rocking a beard, mustache, or goatee for a while, you may not even be aware of the many clean shave benefits.
Is it time to shave your beard and go for a smoother look after years of having thick facial hair?
Before you decide, consider beard vs no beard differences that may affect you and the benefits of shaving more or less often.
Beard Vs. No Beard
The main difference between having a beard or being clean shaven is how it looks. A beard tends to give off a more masculine and potentially strong or even intimidating appearance. One study found that people perceive men with beards as less generous, caring, and cheerful than guys without facial hair.
That’s not to say that a beard is off putting in any way. But clean shave benefits include that you tend to come off a bit less aggressive and nicer (even if it’s not true personality-wise).
If you’re considering the beard vs clean shaven vs stubble differences and trying to decide which is right for you, think about these factors:
Both Require Lots of Upkeep
Regardless of whether you choose a beard or no beard, both options require a lot of time and energy to look great. If you have a beard, you have to keep it clean, brush out debris, and apply natural beard oil regularly for the best texture and shine.
But if you’re clean shaven, that requires daily shaving and the right techniques to prevent shave irritation (more on that later). You’ll also need to invest in quality shave products for men - like a natural men’s shave cream and an alcohol-free aftershave.
Depending on whether you keep your beard or shave it off, you’ll need different grooming tools. A beard trimmer, comb, and scissors are essential for keeping a clean beard that's neat and trimmed at all times. But for the facial hair-free look, you’ll need razors too.
Beards Can Get in the Way
The reality of having hair all over your face is that things are going to get messy from time to time. There are some foods and drinks - like soups, ribs, and anything with a lot of sauce - that are almost guaranteed to get stuck up in your facial hair.
That’s OK - but if we’re talking shaved beard vs. clean shave and some key clean shave benefits, it’s definitely easier to eat whatever you want without worrying about making a mess if you don’t have a beard.
Should You Shave More or Less Often?
Benefits of Not Shaving So Often
If you have sensitive skin or tend to experience shave irritation, there are clear benefits to shaving a beard less often. You’ll experience reduced irritation - you can’t get shave bumps or burns from shaving, if you’re not shaving.
That doesn’t mean that shaving is all bad. Guys often wonder if it's bad to shave everyday, and sometimes they're asking, "how often should I shave my beard?". This varies from person to person depending on factors like how fast your facial hair grows, if you want or need to have totally smooth skin, and how sensitive your skin is.
Products You Should Try on a Clean Cut Beard
How our beard oil works:
Our beard oil soothes and moisturizes the skin beneath your beard, while also making it easy to shape and style.
How to apply:
- Start with a clean shave beard
- Rub the beard oil in your palms
- Gently massage the oil into the base of your beard
Benefits of Clean Shaving
Another of the clean shave benefits is that shaving exfoliates your skin. As your skin renews itself, dead skin cells accumulate on the surface. These can dull your appearance and clog your pores. But when you shave, you remove some of that outermost layer. This reveals the brighter, newer skin below.
Regardless of where you fall on the beard or no beard debate, there are very real clean shave benefits. Exfoliating regularly is great for your skin.
If you choose to shave, use our Renewing Face Scrub beforehand to soften your whiskers, unclog your pores, and prevent shave irritation. If you have a beard, use our natural face scrub for men every 2-3 days to exfoliate the skin beneath your facial hair and thus prevent blemishes, flakes, and other skin issues.
How Often Should You Shave Your Face?
Most of us shave every other day, but that depends. Ask yourself these two important questions:
- Does my skin tend to get irritated after shaving?
- Do I need to always be clean shaven for any reason?
If you answered yes to the first, it’s better for you not to shave everyday. Shaving every other day can still keep you looking mostly clean shaven while reducing your risk of dealing with shave irritation and ingrown hairs.
If you answered no and you don’t have sensitive skin, there’s no problem with shaving daily.
Of course, if you answered yes to the second question and a clean shaven beard is important for you, you don’t have much of an option. But even guys with sensitive skin can shave daily without irritating their skin.
How to Get a Clean Shave
Clean cut beards don't just happen overnight - they're the product of hard work and due process. Read below for step-by-step instructions on how to shave a goatee, or any facial hair for that matter, like a GOAT.
Step 1: Wet Your Skin and Hair
Start by wetting your skin and facial hair with Renewing Face Scrub. This will make it easier to shave and reduce irritation.
Our Renewing Face Scrub is designed specifically to gently remove dead skin cells, dirt and impurities from the face.
Step 2: Apply a Shaving Cream or Gel
Next, before shaving beard hair of any kind, you'll need to apply some Smooth Brushless Shave Cream.
This foundational product lubricates the skin and hair to make it easier to shave while reducing any irritation.
Step 3: Shave in the Direction of Hair Growth
The stubble vs clean shaven debate is never ending. But when it comes to achieving the perfect clean-cut beard, you must shave in the direction of your hair growth.
Step 4: Rinse and Repeat
Once you've finished shaving, rinse your face with cool water and pat dry.
Step 5: Dry Your Razor Completely Between Uses to Prevent Bacteria
No one wants icky bacteria to ruin their freshly clean-cut beard. So, when you're done shaving, make sure you dry your razor completely before putting it away.
Step 6: Apply Aftershave
Instant Relief Aftershave is an essential last step to close with.
This cooling, alcohol-free aftershave lotion can be used to soothe the skin immediately after shaving at home - or on the go with a travel size bottle.
How to Shave Without Irritating Your Skin
Follow these face shaving tips to get a smooth, comfortable shave without razor burn or shave irritation afterwards.
Open Pores
One of the best tips for shaving your face is to use warm water or a hot towel to open your pores and soften your facial hair before shaving. You could also opt to shave while you’re in the shower.
Shaving a beard well goes far beyond the act itself. Getting a clean shaven look also requires some serious skin care. Take a look at these pore-smoothing products:
Charcoal Face Mask
A great way to reduce the redness and irritation that might come from skin scrapes, our Charcoal Face Mask is specially formulated to draw out impurities and restore your skin's natural balance.
Balancing Toner for Men
Brickell's Balancing Toner for Men is the perfect accessory to a clean shaven beard. It restores natural pH levels, closes pores, and adds a little bit of moisture to the skin for that post-shaven comfort.
Acne Controlling Spot Treatment
Although an Acne Controlling Spot Treatment is probably the last thing you'd think of when it comes to learning to shave beard hair well, ours can reduce the acne that would otherwise spring up in the wake of freshly shaven skin.
Smooth Finish Glycolic Acid Peel
Use our Smooth Finish Glycolic Acid Peel to exfoliate the skin after going all-in with that razor. Its powerful ingredients are proven to revitalize the skin and make it look and feel smoother than ever.
Clearing Scar Cream
Don't worry, it's happened to the best of us. When used consistently, our Clearing Scar Cream can help reduce the appearance of scarring from past forays into shaving.
Acne Controlling Face Moisturizer Treatment
An Acne Controlling Face Moisturizer Treatment is a great way to keep your skin hydrated, reduce inflammation, and help prevent future acne. Shaving can take a toll on your skin, but this is like an insurance policy to keep it looking healthy and refreshed.
Exfoliate
Exfoliate before you clean shave with our Renewing Face Scrub to unclog pores, remove dead skin cells, and draw facial hair up and away from the skin’s surface. Its scrubbing particles are gentle and natural - jojoba beads and pumice - so they won’t scratch or irritate your skin. Our formula is also hydrating, soothing and energizing with avocado butter, vitamin E, coffee extract, and green tea.
There are plenty of products to consider applying both before and after you shave beard hair. Take a look at some popular ones below.
Daily Elite Face Care Routine
Our Daily Elite Face Care Routine should be followed on a consistent basis - kind of like the ritual of shaving a beard. Its natural products work amazingly in combination with each other, and even better when followed up with a good beard oil or balm.
Exfoliating Body Wash
Now that you've got that clean shaven goodness done for your face, why not extend care to the rest of your body with Exfoliating Body Wash? It delivers exactly what the name implies - exfoliation, cleansing and hydration all at once.
Polishing Body Scrub
If you're looking for a deeper cleanse, try pairing Polishing Body Scrub with the Exfoliating Body Wash. This scrub is great before and after a shave as it polishes away dead skin cells to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.
Purifying Charcoal Soap Bar
Brickell's Purifying Charcoal Soap Bar not only cleanses deeply but also helps absorb oil and dirt from the skin pre-shave. An absolute asset to any man's arsenal of facial care products.
Apply Shave Cream
Use our Smooth Brushless Shave Cream - made with rich, hydrating ingredients - instead of shave foam that does little to protect your skin from irritation. This is the best choice for clean shaven men. The tiny air bubbles in foaming products do almost nothing to lubricate your skin and protect it from razor burn. Our lotion-like shave cream, on the other hand, is 99% natural with glycerin, jojoba, and aloe vera.
Go with the Growth
Shave with the growth of your hair. While it might seem that you get a closer shave going against the grain, you’re actually putting yourself at greater risk for ingrown hairs. Knowing proper shaving directions by cutting and shaving in the direction of the grain will ensure that your facial hair grows properly and doesn’t get stuck within the hair follicles.
Be Gentle
Do not tug at your skin or pull it tight while shaving your beard. Just like shaving with the grain, this prevents a variety of common shave irritation - like razor burn and ingrown hairs. The slight benefit of getting a closer shave is not worth causing ingrown hairs.
Clean Your Blade Often
Rinse and Dry
When done shaving facial hair, rinse the entire area thoroughly with cool water. This gets rid of any debris left behind after your shave and helps prevent your pores from getting clogged. Once you’re all rinsed off, pat your skin dry gently with a clean towel. Don’t rub at your skin to dry it - that’s too rough.
Use Aftershave
Finish by applying our Instant Relief Aftershave. Its alcohol-free formula won’t dry or sting your skin and is packed with soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. Menthol, alcohol, and other harsh ingredients might feel like they’re doing something because they burn your skin. But that’s not a good thing. Our formula prevents bacterial growth without the painful irritation of alcohol for your shaved beard.
How Often Should I Shave?
Clearly, the answer all depends on your needs and personal style. There’s no hard and fast rule about how often you should shave. So consider the beard vs clean shave pros and cons. Decide what’s right for you - and go with it!
Of course, you can always change your style later if you want. Regardless of whether you choose to wear a beard or enjoy the clean shaved beard benefits, make sure you’re using the best natural grooming products for men to treat your skin right.
Nothing can stop a clean shaven man from getting what he wants.
Whether it's a promotion, a better job, or just more respect from people around him; having the right look can make all the difference. It doesn't take much—just some good grooming habits and a Total Skincare Routine from Brickell.
