Many black men have sensitive skin and this can make their grooming habits, such as shaving a painful experience.  The problem can become even more of a challenge by commercially available products that can further irritate their sensitive skin.

Rashes, itchiness and hair bumps are just a few of the challenges that can irritate their skin.

Shaving is in essence an exfoliation of the skin, whereby hair is being removed as well as dead skin cells.  Typically an aftershave product would be applied once the shave is complete.  But often they are primarily an alcohol based product that can irritate the skin and dry it out.

When my father had an ingrown hair he would use alcohol on the bump that had the hair in it, just on that bump.  He taught me that alcohol would dry your skin out. It would bring the hair to the surface and then he would use his tweezers to pull it out.  My husband does the same thing.  He uses alcohol on the bump that has the hair in it but I’m the one to pull the hair.  This is the only time that I feel that alcohol has it’s place.

Toners can and have taken the place of aftershaves because they are more soothing to a man’s skin.  They are far more soothing and do an excellent  job of balancing the skin after a shave.

When you add an essential oil to your toner it will help in healing your skin.  Such oils as rose, lavender, jasmine or bergamot are excellent oils for your skin.  Lavender oil can be applied directly to your skin.  If you blend it with jojoba oil, you then create an oil that can be applied to your face after your toner.

So the next time you’re looking for a black skin care product to use after you shave, try a toner.  It’s a more gentle product for your skin than an alcohol based one and will help in keeping hair bumps away.

Dedicated to Your Skin,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Publisher

NYRAJU Skin Care – Providers of Natural Skin and Hair care products for the African American Market.

http://www.nyrajuskincare.com/face.html