Should You Shave Before or After a Shower?

When’s the best time to shave? Before or after a shower?

Men have been debating this, probably forever. Which makes sense. For most guys, shaving is an everyday part of life. Even if you’re not clean shaven, you likely spend at least some time each week trimming and maintaining your facial hair.

Something that’s such a critical part of your everyday life is important! So it matters how and when you shave. Here’s how to decide when the best time to shave is for you.

Should You Shave Before a Shower?

Shaving before a shower is most convenient if you use an electric razor since they don’t work well on damp or wet facial hair. Shaving before a shower also tends to be quick and easy. Instead of having to spend a lot of time cleaning up, you just shave, hop in the shower, and cleanup is part of the showering process.

A note on dry shaving - it’s not great for sensitive skin. Guys who tend to experience a lot of shave irritation would benefit from waiting until after showering.

Concerned about nicks and cuts that need to be cleaned up after shaving? If so, shaving before a shower might be best - although it would be preferable to improve your shave technique and stop hurting yourself unnecessarily.

What About Trimming Your Facial Hair Before a Shower?

Shaving before a shower is also convenient if you’re trimming your facial hair instead of completely shaving it. Trimming with scissors or clippers is best done on dry hair. It can be hard to clean all of the little bits of whiskers out of your beard after - but it’s much easier to brush everything out with the help of warm running water.

Pros of Shaving Before a Shower

• Minimal cleanup
• Remove all the stray hairs in the shower
• Electric razor is an option

Should You Shave After a Shower?

After is by far the most common answer to the question - “should I shave before or after a shower?” That’s because cleaning your face and spending several minutes in the steamy shower prepares your skin for a smooth shave. Your pores are open, your whiskers are softened, and your skin is clean. So you have less risk of irritating your skin and can get closer if you shave after a shower.

Showering is also a nice opportunity to exfoliate your skin before shaving. This deep cleans your pores, removes dead skin cells, and softens your rough facial hair - all allowing for an ideal shave. You can use our Renewing Face Scrub in the shower, then shave right after and enjoy the benefits.

Does It Take Longer to Shave After a Shower?

One potential con to shaving after a shower is that it tends to take longer. When you shave before a shower, you can incorporate some of the cleanup time into your shower. But when you shave afterwards, you have to dry off from your shower, then apply your shaving products to your face, shave, rinse, dry off again, and clean up. So if you’re strapped for time, this might not be your best choice.

Pros of Shaving After a Shower

• Skin is prepped by the warm shower steam
• Face is freshly washed (and/or exfoliated)
• Can apply aftershave without it being washed off

What About Shaving During a Shower?

For a lot of guys, shaving during a shower combines the best of both worlds. You’re already in the shower getting clean. So all you have to do is bring your razor with you, install a suction cup or hanging mirror in your shower, and shave while you’re in there.

Shaving during your shower means you get the efficiency of shaving beforehand with the skin soothing benefits of shaving after. Just wash your face, exfoliate (if that’s part of your routine), and then rinse off. It couldn’t be easier. But don’t forget to apply your aftershave after you dry off.

Pros of Shaving During a Shower

• Fast and easy
• No additional cleanup time
• Shower steam opens pores and allows for a smooth shave

Shave When It’s Best for You

Should you shave before or after a shower? It all depends on you!

• If you’re in a rush and/or using an electric razor, before is best
• If you have sensitive skin or use a disposable or safety razor, during or after a shower is best

And to ensure a smooth shave every time and prevent irritation, make sure you’re using the best shave products for men. That way you’ll enjoy a smooth, clean shave every single time.