Dry flake like skin texture

[NorthernSoul]

Simplify your routine would be my basic advice. You don't really need alum plus witch hazel, for instance, so choose one. Many aftershaves already contain witch hazel, also.

If you have sensitive skin, you may be getting a reaction to one of these products. So, if you can, keep it simple. You can gradually add things back in after a trial period.

A basic routine for example might be warm water prep, mild soap (lightly scented or unscented), warm water rinse, bit of witch hazel, then an unscented moisturizer such as a tiny amount of Cerave lotion applied while face is damp.

 

[The Blackadder]

Warm water is terrible for dry skin, and I’m pretty sure you suffer from my same condition (dermatitis). Move away from hot/warm water and drop the alum.

 

[WhiskerLess]

Thanks for all the advise, really appreciate it. Just to update everyone and for those newbie’s like me who might encounter the same thing.

Alum is the culprit for me. It went all better after dropping it. It will never gonna see the light of day unless I got a nasty nick which I hope will not happen.

 

[Mthammer11]

Looks like you’ve received great advice. I would also suggest dropping the alum, but add a good moisturizer at the end of your routine. I highly suggest Zingari Man’s aftershave balm. I use their unscented version daily. I’ve tried several brands, and it‘s just the best.

 

[kingfisher]

I have a similar issue where the skin is drying out and flaking around lips and goatee. It's a known issue for 10+ years which is caused by soap or a mix of products, all which dry the skin bit by bit. Aftershaves containing alcohol make things a lot worse, in a matter of just a few days. Alcohol free aftershaves are a bit better, but still don't seem to help. Balms can improve things, especially if I apply more product 2-3 times a day.

Don't know if yours is exactly the same as mine. If it is, my solution was to use only glycerin after I am done with the shave and rinse my face. I buy mine in 99.99% purity for just a few EUR and dilute it with water until it leaves a tiny film and not feeling too 'greasy/oily'. 50 ml of glycerin will last me a whole year if I shave 340 days a year. Another benefit of glycerin is you can add a drop or two in the lather and create that uber lather, which is also more moisturizing.

Oh, and just as it was already mentioned above, drop the pre-shave and alum block. I'd start with the alum block first. If you want to use a pre-shave, you can use the diluted glycerin.

I hope this helps!

If applying directly to the face, glycerin should be diluted 1:1 with water. If not, it can actually pull moisture out of your skin.

In the proper ratio, I agree that glycerin is a good moisturizer.

 

[ZeelandsRoem]

If applying directly to the face, glycerin should be diluted 1:1 with water. If not, it can actually pull moisture out of your skin.

In the proper ratio, I agree that glycerin is a good moisturizer.

Undiluted glycerin will not spread out well and will leave a shiny, greasy feeling skin. I dilute mine to a ratio of 4:1 (water to glycerin), but I see that everyone using it has a different ration (sort of YMMV thing). However, as far as I know and based on my experience, you could apply it undiluted and not dry the skin. Glycerin moves the moisture (from air to skin or the other way around), so if you apply it on the skin (diluted or not) and live in a very dry environment, then glycerin can pull the moisture out from the skin. For this reason, commercial creams can mix some oils which trap the moisture in the skin. However, where I live, that is not necessary as the moisture never drops below 50% RH.

 

[Alex Jr]

Alum is the culprit for me. It went all better after dropping it. It will never gonna see the light of day unless I got a nasty nick which I hope will not happen.

Besides that, ditch those balms and get a real face moisturizer as after shave. Unscented, quality ingredients aimed at skin barrier repair. You don’t even need witch hazel.

Cerave lotion or cream. Try it.

 

[musicman1951]

Alum is the culprit for me. It went all better after dropping it. It will never gonna see the light of day unless I got a nasty nick which I hope will not happen.

Excellent. I have dry skin and do the same - only use alum when necessary, and only on that small spot. I give it a good rinse after it's done the job.

I follow each shave with Thayer's scentless WH w/aloe, and then Clinique Moisturizer. Any good moisturizer should work, but I would avoid heavily scented products. Since you're not a daily shaver - and I'm going to let that slide because I am a very magnanimous gentleman - you probably want to use some moisturizer as part of your daily routine.

 

[WhiskerLess]

7. Apply after shave Nivea sensitive balm or Proraso green balm.

I’m applying moisturizing balm as my last routine and on a daily basis nowadays.

 

[Luc]

Thanks for all the advise, really appreciate it. Just to update everyone and for those newbie’s like me who might encounter the same thing.

Alum is the culprit for me. It went all better after dropping it. It will never gonna see the light of day unless I got a nasty nick which I hope will not happen.

I have the same thing. I cannot use the Alum block 2 days in a row. I use it once a week but only because I have it. It’s not mandatory to the shave.

I bought some alum matches and a styptic pencil in case I need them.

 

[horizon]

Can someone explain briefly, in a few sentences, why you use alum in the first place, given that when a sensitive skin question comes up, the first advice the questioner gets is to stop the alum? What more will alum give you compared to modern aftershaves and balms?
I only use alum when I'm trying out a new razor to feel if it scratches my skin.
The systematic use of alum, at least for me, brings only negatives, nothing positive.

 

[SalS]

Can someone explain briefly, in a few sentences, why you use alum in the first place, given that when a sensitive skin question comes up, the first advice the questioner gets is to stop the alum? What more will alum give you compared to modern aftershaves and balms?
I only use alum when I'm trying out a new razor to feel if it scratches my skin.
The systematic use of alum, at least for me, brings only negatives, nothing positive.

Its absolutely pointless

 

[speedwell]

A lot of good suggestions in the previous answers. I would echo a few - lay off the Proraso pre-shave and see if that makes a difference. In between passes, you don't need to rinse your face completely. Use your hands to see what stubble remains where. I like to do this with wet hands and no rinsing. Even after I'm done with my shave, I don't usually rinse, but use a wet washcloth instead and it works pretty well. The alum block could also be the problem. I use one on occasion but rinse very thoroughly afterwards. It definitely decreases the absorbency of my skin. I would further add that you probably don't need the alum and witch hazel since both more or less do the same thing. What you could do is add in a nice facial moisturizer like Cerave or Neutrogena after the alum or witch hazel. I like to let the moisturizer soak in while I clean up. As a final step consider a finishing product like RazoRock wax - only use a dab or two and apply with wet finger tips only to the shaved parts of your face. I find it to be too much on my nose and forehead but it's soothing, and more importantly, seals in the moisturizer. Obviously YMMV and a great many things including climate, water hardness, etc. will affect results. Just my two cents.

 

[speedwell]

Its absolutely pointless

I like it from time to time. And right now is one of those times because I'm trying to use up a block for the additional room it will provide in my war chest. When I got my first block, nobody told me that you should really rinse it off after applying. Only took me a couple of times to realize that it effectively seals the face making it impermeable to a lot of other products like moisturizers that would typically be used after. Pretty good toner though, and when you run it over your face, the sting is a great indicator for areas where you might have done too much.

 

[SydneyShaver]

potentially reacting to the preshave, shave creams or balm. I would assume the preshave since they both have a lot of synthetic ingredients. I would also choose between alum or witch hazel as they serve the same purpose more or less. Give your skin a rest as well, takes quite a while for it to get used to wetshaving. Maybe take 2 days off shaving and then shave every 2nd day and see how you go.