Do You Exfoliate Before or After Shaving?

Ashley Reynolds is the Co Founder of EMTCBD. Working with those ready to make the transition to plan based medicine is the driver behind Ashley’s ambitions to marry education with safe consumption of cannabis. A mom, dental hygienist, wife, and Vermonter, Ashley brings a unique story sharing perspective to the everyday women just trying to be well in a life of ups and downs.


Whether you’re grappling with your legs, face, or bikini zone, this question is a common one. To exfoliate before or after you shave? That is the question. Well, our simple answer is to exfoliate before shaving. If you want smooth skin without razor burn, Elmore Mountain Therapeutics can tell you more about how to get it. Read on to learn more about why you should exfoliate before shaving…

Why Exfoliate Before Shaving?

The benefits of exfoliating before shaving include the removal of dead skin cells and a closer shave.

Do you exfoliate your face before or after shaving?

Before you shave your face, apply an exfoliation scrub in circular motions with your fingertips. Aim for about 30 seconds of exfoliation and then rinse with lukewarm water.

Do you exfoliate before or after shaving your bikini/groin area?

You should be using about a nickel-sized amount of scrub for your entire bikini area. Be gentle and use circular motions with your fingertips to unclog your pores.

Do you exfoliate legs before or after shaving?

Yes, you should also exfoliate your legs before shaving if possible. You can use your fingers or a shower brush to exfoliate your legs before shaving them. If you’re using a tool, we recommend short and light strokes for each part of your leg. Start at the ankles and work your way up.

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Exfoliate Before Shaving – A few Tips

  • Wet the hair: Your hair has to be wet, otherwise, the razor is going to tug on it. Ideally, you’ll soak in warm water for at least a few minutes to soften the hair. Or you can shave right in the shower depending on your situation and which part of the body you are shaving.
  • Exfoliate: This step rids your skin of anything that shouldn’t be there. Using a product like EMT’s CBD Salt Scrub can gently take off anything from old moisturizer to the remnants of sweat. An important step to a clean and healthy shave.
  • Apply soap: Soap gives your skin another layer of protection from the razor and helps the blade glide more effortlessly along your skin, especially if you’re in the shower and don’t plan to use shaving cream or gel.
  • Shave the right way: Typically that means against the grain (in other words, shave up instead of down). However, if your hair is long, shorten it first by shaving downward before finishing it off by shaving upward. This is an especially important step for those with more sensitive skin. If you have ultra sensitive skin and are worried about rashes, you may want to avoid going against the grain altogether. You may just have to shave more frequently.
  • Apply oil: Using oil, such as our Rose Glow CBD Body Oil, can help soothe your skin after shaving and give it the all-over glow & shine.
  • Exfoliate again: While you don’t want to exfoliate immediately after shaving, trying it again a couple of days later is a great way to reduce the odds of in-grown hairs.

Regardless of what area of the body you’re shaving, you can follow the same basic formula above. The only key exception is shaving with the grain for areas on the face that aren’t a significant source of stubble.

Use the Right Skincare Line

The products through Elmore Mountain Therapeutics are designed to reduce irritation and improve the look and feel of your skin. CBD can fight anything from inflammation to itchiness and beyond. If you’re looking for a better shave, check out our full line for formulas that won’t let you down.

Written by Ashley Reynolds.