Do you have dry facial skin, especially over the lower half of your face? If so, you might worry that shaving your beard will make the dry skin worse. In some cases, it certainly can. However, there are steps you can take to make shaving less drying and to minimize the dry skin you experience as a result of shaving. Here are some key tips in that regard.

Wash with a moisturizing cleanser first.

In the days before your shave, make sure you wash your face with a moisturizing cleanser. In fact, you may want to use a moisturizing cleanser all the time. A cream-based one is likely a better choice than a foaming one. Also, use this cleanser right before you plan on shaving your beard. It will lay down a fresh layer of moisture and make sure your skin is plump and hydrated going into the shave. This way, shaving is less likely to cause irritation because the razor will slide over your skin more easily.

Use a shaving cream made for dry skin.

If you've been using an inexpensive, lower-end shaving cream, it could actually be doing more harm than good when it comes to drying out your face. Some of these shaving creams contain astringent ingredients that suck moisture out of your pores. So, switch to a better-quality shaving cream that is specifically made for those with dry skin. This product should do a better job of helping you retain moisture as you shave off your beard.

Shave in the direction of hair growth.

Shaving against the direction of hair growth will give you a closer shave, but it will also scrape off some of the top layers of dead skin cells, which can make your dryness worse. So, when you have dry skin, it is better to shave in the direction of hair growth. This is gentler on your skin and won't cause as much irritation. If you use plenty of shaving cream and go over it twice, you can get almost as close of a shave. You may need to shave more often with this method than when you shave against the hair.

If you follow these tips, you should have a better time shaving your beard without aggravating your skin dryness. Talk to a skincare professional if you need any additional tips or advice. They may be able to recommend a good shaving cream for you to use, too. 

Contact a beard shaving professional for more tips.