Ingrown hairs can be painful and unsightly. Taking them out with tweezers reminds me of those videos you see of tapeworms leaving the body of an animal. They’re not that dramatic, but they’re still something gross and easy to avoid.
Exfoliating removes the dead layer of skin on your face that can stop hair from growing out. A coworker with curly facial hair recommended this one to me. It has 2% salicylic acid, which is on the strong side, but doesn’t hurt sensitive skin; I didn’t experience any redness or irritation.
Read More: Best Salicylic Acid Cleansers for Men
To further “hugely reduce the risk of irritation”, Grooming Editor Sean Zucker recommends using a pre-shave oil. Apply it before your shaving cream, and your razor will glide as smoothly as an Olympian figure skater across your face.
This is his go-to oil because it has few, natural ingredients and works for all facial hair types. A lot of people will skip this step, but you can do better. It takes a couple of seconds and yields a big return.
Read More: Best Pre-Shave Oils
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This was my gateway drug to a better way of shaving (maybe living, who’s to say). It’s a shaving cream that’s slick, not thick, and gives me a close, smooth shave. The touch of eucalyptus smells good and cools my skin while shaving. I recommend buying the big bottle for the easy pump.
Read More: Best Beard Products
Another world-expanding shave cream I fondly recommend is Hardwicke’s. It got me hip to the process of using a shave bowl and brush. This cream is dense and was too thick to just slap on my face and shave. Instead, I put an almond-sized amount in my shave bowl, wet the brush, and whip it into a lather: A short process with an impression of luxury.
Read More: Best Shaving Cream
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This set is my first foray into using a shaving bowl and brush, and I don’t feel the need to look any further. The marble bowl is weighty and elegant—for a while, I was actually using it as a catchall tray for the entryway table of my apartment. The bowl has small ridges at the bottom to help really whip up a lather.
I was equally impressed with the look and weight of the brush. The handle doesn’t feel plasticky or cheap, and the matte black finish looks good in my less-than-elegant bathroom.
This converted me to safety razors because it gave me a closer shave than any disposable I’ve ever tried. Like Supply’s other supplies, it has a nice weight and sleek polished chrome finish.
A lot of reviews knock the fact that this razor has proprietary blades, but I don’t see why this would be a deal breaker. The blades come in a “reload system” device that makes them easy to store and change out.
Read More: An Argument for Straight Razor Shaving
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If nothing else, use an aftershave. This one leaves my skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Before I used it, I’d always have itchy red spots after shaving that I couldn’t help but scratch (and further irritate).
I wish it came in a larger tube; however, a little goes a long way. I got hooked on the smell and feel of the menthol in this balm; I’ve used it exclusively the past three years or so.
Read More: Best Aftershaves for Men
Danny Perez is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men’s style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men’s shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean’s not wr