Razor Burn on Face: How to Calm It and Prevent It

Shop the brands in this guide: COSRX Australia · SKIN1004 Australia · Numbuzin Australia · SOME BY MI Australia · Nature Republic Australia · All brands A to Z

To calm razor burn on your face, rinse with cool water, pat dry, and apply a fragrance-free soothing gel or barrier cream, then leave the area alone and skip shaving until the redness settles. To prevent it, shave with a sharp blade over well-softened skin, go with the direction of hair growth, use light pressure, and moisturise straight after. Most razor burn settles within a few days.

What is razor burn?

Razor burn is irritation that appears soon after shaving. It usually looks and feels like:

• redness or a rash-like flush
• stinging, burning or tenderness
• a tight, dry feeling
• small red bumps

It's different from razor bumps (ingrown hairs), which develop a day or two later when a shaved hair curls back into the skin. Both are common on the jaw, neck and upper lip, and they can happen to anyone who shaves or dermaplanes their face.

Heat, sweat and humidity can make shaving irritation feel worse, which is why many people notice it more during an Australian summer.

How to calm razor burn: step by step

1. Cool it down

Rinse your face with cool (not icy) water and gently pat dry with a clean towel. Don't rub.

2. Apply a soothing gel

A cooling gel is the fastest way to make freshly shaved skin feel more comfortable. Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel is a versatile gel for adding hydration and soothing irritated skin, and it's suitable for all skin types. Keep it in the fridge for an extra cooling feel in summer.

3. Seal it with a barrier cream

Once the gel has absorbed, apply a moisturiser made for stressed skin to help it recover and stop it drying out.

Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream contains panthenol, centella asiatica extract, niacinamide, allantoin and beta-glucan to hydrate, soothe and support the skin barrier. It's made for irritated, dry or sensitive skin. Curious about panthenol? Read what vitamin B5 does in skincare.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Hyalu-Cica Moisture Cream is a lightweight gel-cream with 50% centella asiatica extract and five layers of hyaluronic acid. It's free from ethanol, artificial fragrance, mineral oil and essential oils, which makes it a good choice if fragrance tends to sting after shaving.

If your skin is oily and you prefer something lighter, Numbuzin No.1 Pantothenic B5 Active Soothing Cream is a lightweight, non-greasy cream with pantothenic acid and niacinamide, made for oily, combination and sensitive skin.

4. Leave it alone

Don't shave over irritated skin, and hold off on exfoliating acids, retinoids, scrubs and fragranced aftershaves until the area has settled.

How to prevent razor burn

Before you shave

• Soften the hair. Shave after a warm shower, or hold a warm, damp cloth on your face for a minute.
• Use a shaving gel or cream. Never shave dry skin.
• Start with a sharp blade. Dull blades drag and tug. Replace blades often and rinse them between strokes.

While you shave

• Go with the grain (the direction the hair grows), especially on the neck.
• Use light pressure and short strokes. Let the blade do the work.
• Avoid going over the same spot repeatedly.

After you shave

• Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Apply a soothing gel or fragrance-free moisturiser straight away.
• In the morning, finish with sunscreen, as freshly shaved skin can feel more sensitive in the sun.

Shaving in summer and with an active routine

A few situations make razor burn more likely, so it's worth adjusting your routine:

• Hot, humid days. Sweat on freshly shaved skin can sting. If you can, shave in the evening rather than right before a hot commute or a workout, so skin has time to settle overnight.
• After the beach or pool. Salt water, chlorine and sun can leave skin feeling sensitive. Give it a day before shaving if your face already feels tight or pink.
• If you use actives. Retinoids, AHAs and BHAs can make skin more reactive to a blade. Skip them the night before and the night after you shave, especially when you first start using them.
• If you dermaplane. The same rules apply: clean, dry skin, a fresh blade, light strokes, and no exfoliating acids for a day or two afterwards.

What about ingrown hairs?

If you tend to get bumps a day or two after shaving, regular gentle exfoliation (on days you're not shaving, and never on irritated skin) can help keep hairs from getting trapped. A salicylic acid cleanser such as COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser is an easy way to add this, a few times a week. Don't dig at ingrown hairs with tweezers or fingernails.

See your GP or dermatologist if bumps become painful, swollen, filled with pus, spread, or keep coming back despite changing your shaving routine.

For a simple starter routine for shaved skin, see our beginner skincare routine for men, and shop gentle options in our sensitive skin collection.

FAQ

How long does razor burn last?

Mild razor burn usually settles in two to three days if you keep the area calm and moisturised and avoid shaving over it.

Is aloe vera good for razor burn?

An aloe gel is a popular way to cool and soothe freshly shaved skin. Patch test first if you have very sensitive skin, and choose fragrance-free products where possible.

Should I use aftershave with alcohol?

Alcohol-heavy or strongly fragranced aftershaves can sting freshly shaved skin. A soothing gel or fragrance-free moisturiser is gentler.

Is razor burn the same as razor bumps?

No. Razor burn is irritation that appears right after shaving. Razor bumps are ingrown hairs that develop a day or two later.