Shaving, sweat, and bicycle commuting

**cameraflier** · 05-27-2011, 05:53 AM

I guess I was lucky. I started wet shaving in January. Sweating salt into a freshly mauled face wasn’t an issue at 15 degrees F. Now it’s summer in Virginia, and I’m still riding to work. It’s hot, humid, and I’m on the bike for ~45 minutes each way.

About half way to work I start to feel the salt sweat sting. It’s not unbearable. I’m familiar with it from carts. Only now I’m spoiled. I’ve gotten used to a face that feels lovely from the inside.

I do a full wardrobe change at work, but no shower. I just rinse off the sweat with cool water, and apply some Nivea from my desk drawer. That seems to treat the symptoms. I’m looking for the cure. Shaving at work it's really an option I'm interested in.

I suspect it’ll get better as my skill set improves. I may ditch my last pass, and settle on a slightly less close, more skin friendly shave. Targeting CCS to DFS, and only reaching for the golden BBS for Date Night. But I’ve gotten spoiled.

Still, compromise is looking like the answer.

Any other ideas?

**global_dev** · 05-27-2011, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by cameraflier

I’m looking for the cure. Shaving at work it's really an option I'm interested in.

i like this idea.

**ssultan** · 05-27-2011, 06:41 AM

Too much stuff to keep at work. I would just focus on improving my technique, following through with some good post-shave care and take it from there. Skip the alcohol based after-shaves, try witch-hazel followed by a good skin conditioner before your ride.

**Alraz** · 05-27-2011, 06:47 AM

Use less pressure and while perfecting your technique, aim for comfort, not closeness.

Al raz.

**Blix** · 05-27-2011, 06:55 AM

Shave at night instead?

**klm099** · 05-27-2011, 07:27 AM

I'm in the gym 5 days a week for an hour each day, I keep a bottle of "souped up" menthol AS in the locker for the same reason you state, feels great
ken

**cameraflier** · 05-27-2011, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by Alraz

Use less pressure and while perfecting your technique, aim for comfort, not closeness.

Al raz.

That's what I suspected. A magic bullet would have been nice. This will take some patience. That's ok. I'm enjoying the journey.

Originally Posted by klm099

I'm in the gym 5 days a week for an hour each day, I keep a bottle of "souped up" menthol AS in the locker for the same reason you state, feels great
ken

"souped up"? You've added bonus menthol to the AS? Do you have a favorite recipe you can share? I should browse the Aftershave forum more often.

Many Thanks Gents!
Happy Friday!

**Kentos** · 05-27-2011, 08:52 AM

I wonder if some high quality natural oil or a light preshave oil would water proof your face from the sweat?

**jwcarlson** · 05-27-2011, 08:57 AM

Cold Water Shave
Proraso or other mentholated soap/cream
Osage Rub aftershave

Try putting a drop or two of glycerin mixed in with your aftershave. It seems to give a little buffer to things and might keep the sweat out a little better?

Otherwise the technique improvement is great advice.

**cameraflier** · 05-27-2011, 02:33 PM

I've been curious about menthol anyway.
ok... I'll grab some Bigelow, ease off the blade a bit... and go from there.

thanks again.

**franz** · 05-27-2011, 02:41 PM

That bike ride sounds like pretty good preshave prep to me. Just sayin'.

**jansob** · 05-27-2011, 02:58 PM

I shave at night for this very reason....I commute by bicycle in a very hot and humid place, and nothing I did really worked.

**jsj_297** · 05-27-2011, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by jwcarlson

Cold Water Shave
Proraso or other mentholated soap/cream
Osage Rub aftershave

Try putting a drop or two of glycerin mixed in with your aftershave. It seems to give a little buffer to things and might keep the sweat out a little better?

Otherwise the technique improvement is great advice.

I tried the ice shave several days ago with the proraso, kmf mint, and osage AS, and cold towel afterwards, and I can tell u, your face wont be thowed out by the bikeride to work! my face was frozen for an hour! It felt great too!

+1

**brucered** · 05-27-2011, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Blix

Shave at night instead?

+1

i also commute to work. i used to like shaving in the morning and having a nice stubble free face all day, but since cycling to work has limited my time, i now shower and shave at night.

i find that night shaving allows my face to fully heal from any razorburn or redness or weepers etc overnight and when i wake up, my face is very refreshed, smooth and irritation free.

cycling to work goes not aggravate it at all, as it's already had 7-8hrs of rest. they shave/shower at night feels great. wake up, put on they cycling gear and head off to work.

i'd say, give it a try.

i was a morning shave/shower guy for 20+years (i'm now 38) and never thought about it as a night time routine, but i like it now.

**cameraflier** · 05-28-2011, 04:44 AM

more votes for night shaving.... ok... I'll try it this week and report back.

thanks again gents.

**Quantrill** · 05-28-2011, 05:28 AM

+1 on shaving at night. I usually don't have time for it in the AM so I decided to try it at night. My face is still pretty smooth the whole next day.

**jansob** · 05-28-2011, 05:45 AM

I find that while I can feel stubble by afternoon, it's not visible...so for students and coworkers I appear just as clean-shaven as when I shaved in the morning.

**jeffpofutah** · 05-30-2011, 01:59 PM

I have the same issue. I bike to work and road bike a lot. I rode today - it was 85 degrees and 70% humidity. I have had the same problem but after reading your post I decided to try talc for today's ride. I had no problems with stinging on the ride.

I shaved this morning normally, put on my normal moisturizer (Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture SPF 15) and then patted on TOBS Mr. Taylor talc on my neck. No problems on a very hot 2 hour 35 mile ride.

**inspiringK** · 05-30-2011, 03:01 PM

I'll add to the night shaving suggestions

No-one else can tell the difference and your face gets more time to heal

BTW, yes improving your technique is a good idea. That being said, any time that you shave, even with the best technique and equipment, your face will be more sensitive afterwords. If it were any different, experienced shavers would eventually not need AS.

**cameraflier** · 05-31-2011, 04:45 AM

Originally Posted by jeffpofutah

I have the same issue. I... I decided to try talc for today's ride. I had no problems with stinging on the ride.

ok. Didn't think of that one. I'm not really sure what talc does, but I'll give it a try sometime. It's on the shopping list.

Originally Posted by inspiringK

... If it were any different, experienced shavers would eventually not need AS.

good point.

So I spent the three-day weekend night shaving. Each afternoon I asked SWMBO for an assessment. It's not as bad as i thought. Definite stuble, but not quite as bad as I expected. Not great, but just as good as 80% of the working guys I see every day. I might stick to this. I hadn't tried night shaving in quite a long time, and that was with a cart. I guess starting with a closer shave makes a real difference.

The good news: I made the ride in this morning without giving my face a second thought. No sweat sting. Yet another problem solved by the wise men (and women) of B&B.

Thanks y'all.