Coconut Oil Benefits: Maintaining Moisture in Your Skin and Hair

July 18, 2018 By THE GROOMING ARTIST in Beard Care, Natural Grooming, Skincare, TIPS & FACTS Tags: coconut oil benefits Leave a comment

When it comes to caring for your skin and hair, there are a number of factors that can negatively affect how healthy you are. From exposing hair and skin to too much heat from the sun or styling practices to using drugstore products with sulfates or other harmful chemicals, we don’t always treat our bodies very nicely. The results often include dry skin and hair. However, there is a natural solution to restoring your skin’s glow and your hair’s shine. Enter the world of coconut oil benefits.

Here at Royal Shave, we want to share one of the best hair and skin care secrets, utilizing coconut oil. Keep reading to find out more about its properties and how you can implement coconut oil into your routine at home.

What are some of the coconut oil benefits?

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One of the major components of coconut oil is Vitamin E. This is useful at restoring skin’s moisture and elasticity. In addition, it helps protect your skin against aging and sun damage. Moreover, Vitamin E also benefits your hair by working as a strong antioxidant against environmental irritants and increasing circulation in the scalp to promote thicker hair growth.

Coconut oil is also largely made up of fatty acids. For example, its lauric and capric acids work to kill harmful bacteria and fungi and fight off viruses. Because of this, coconut oil is often used in psoriasis and acne treatments. These acids also halt hair loss and help with healthy regrowth.

How does coconut oil benefit your skin?

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Coconut oil is nature’s way of restoring your youthful glow. Coconut oil benefits for adding shine to your skin come in the form of removing old makeup, dislodging irritants from your pores and moisturizing dry skin overnight. While it was traditionally designed to clean and prepare your whiskers prior to shaving, Musgo Real Glycerin Oil Soap is an effective cleanser for your entire body. It uses alcohol to disinfect and then restores moisture with coconut, lime and castor oils.

In addition, lotions containing coconut oil work as strong combatants against stretch marks. The most effective time to apply coconut oil to stretch marks is when they are still relatively new and red or pink in color. While it is harder to get rid of older stretch marks, the added moisture still helps to reduce the appearance of scarring.

Lastly, along with adding glow to your skin, coconut oil also reduces wrinkles, making your skin appear even younger and more alive.

How does coconut oil benefit your hair?

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When it comes to coconut oil benefits for your hair, both the tresses on your face and your head thrive with the extra moisture.

First off, coconut oil helps heal dry and brittle strands. Organic coconut oil from the grocery store can easily be applied to your hair and left in overnight. However, using a conditioner with coconut oil is another perfect way to deliver the product to the damaged areas for quicker use. DR Harris Conditioner offers an added bonus because it infuses the coconut oil benefits with aloe vera.

In addition, coconut oil makes hair appear healthier by adding shine and strength. Using a styling product like Dax Black Bees Wax will help nourish your hair and soothe the cuticle. Moreover, its natural ingredients also include jojoba oil, which has been used for centuries as a scalp treatment.

Finally, when it comes to beard care, using shaving products with coconut oil allows hair and skin to be cleansed and exfoliated before removal. This reduces uncomfortable itchiness associated with dandruff and frizz. Moreover, using a beard oil with the powerful but gentle ingredient will serve you coconut oil benefits throughout the day. Truefitt & Hill Natural Conditioning Beard Oil combines coconut with avocado, jojoba, sesame and argan oil.

How to Exfoliate Your Face For the Cleanest and Closest Shave

May 16, 2018 By THE GROOMING ARTIST in Beard Care, Natural Grooming, Skincare, TIPS & FACTS, Wet Shaving Tags: exfoliate, exfoliation Leave a comment

When you head to the bathroom to shave your face, oftentimes the only thought on your mind is removing extra hair. However, there is an important step that you should consider before lathering up your shaving cream. It’s called exfoliation. When you exfoliate, you penetrate pores deeply to remove any outstanding dirt or grease, providing the cleanest shave and healthiest skin.

While this may still be an unfamiliar step to add to your routine, learning how to exfoliate does not have to be hard. Here at Royal Shave, we researched and detailed the best products and techniques to exfoliate your face.

Why should I exfoliate my face?

Exfoliation is important for both men and women who are seeking skin with a healthy glow. Whether it is makeup or a beard on top, you want your face to act as the perfect base.

Most exfoliants come in the form of a scrub with beads or pumice to gently scratch away the top layer of skin. In doing so, you remove buildup of dead skin skills that clog pores and causes skin imperfections. In addition, this process also helps unearth ingrown hairs trapped under the skin.

Therefore, when you exfoliate you leave your skin smoother, softer and more conducive to additional treatments you put on your face.

Why is this important before shaving?

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Exfoliating is especially important before shaving because dead skin cells, oil and other debris can easily clog razors, making them less effective during the process. This can lead to the development of acne and razor burn and cause beard patchiness.

In addition to giving you an uneven shave, this is also bad news for your razor because it will decrease its longevity, dulling blades quicker.

Which exfoliation products work best?

When it comes to choosing products, you should first consider which facial scrub to add to your collection. Depending on your skin type, choose a product that will gently exfoliate without damaging your skin. Next, investing in a brush to apply your shaving cream is useful because it acts as an additional exfoliant.

Choosing an Exfoliator

If you have normal or oily skin, try an exfoliator that utilizes glycolic acid, which works to dissolve the top layer of the skin. This will leave your skin feeling fresher and looking brighter because it encourages cell repair to decrease scarring, discoloration and other complexion imperfections. Billy Jealous Assassin Deep Exfoliating Scrub is the strongest of the brand’s three scrubs. It deeply penetrates and cleans skin impurities, making further treatments more effective.

On the other hand, if you have sensitive or dry skin, glycolic acid may be too strong. Instead, try a gentler option like a product with hydroxy acids. Triumph & Disaster Rock & Roll Suicide Face Scrub is an all natural exfoliator with a woody fragrance. Its blend of volcanic ash and green clay works well to remove sebum from the skin, which causes blackheads.

Choosing a brush

Next, it is important to consider how you will be applying your shaving cream. While your hands are one option, adding a brush to your routine will help evenly distribute the product and provide additional exfoliation. This is because a brush can move product into your skin better than your fingers and dislodge any leftover impurities.

The Royal Shave PB Silvertip Badger Shaving Brush is a great option for lathering and spreading shaving cream with ease. Made from dense badger fur, the brush’s bristles glide across the skin, gently removing anything your exfoliating scrub may have missed.

How do I exfoliate my face?

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Now that you have all the information and products ready, it is finally time to exfoliate your face and get to shaving. Following these steps will lead you to the smoothest shave and healthiest skin possible.

Start by opening your pores. This can be achieved through taking a hot shower, washing your face with hot water or using a steamed towel.
Next, wash your face normally with the facial cleanser in your routine.
Use your fingers to apply your exfoliator, rubbing it into your skin in circular motions. Dirt and dead skin should begin to lift away.
Wash the paste away with lukewarm water.

If you are only looking to exfoliate your face, you can stop after this step. To finish this process, you should rinse your face off with cold water to close your pores and apply a light moisturizer to repair any sensitivity caused by scrubbing.

However, if you are combining this process with your shaving routine, continue on with the following steps to maximize exfoliation.

Use your badger brush to lather shaving cream in a bowl.
Apply the shaving cream with your brush in circular motions, pressing firmly against the skin to remove any additional irritants.
Continue on with your shaving routine.

After completing all the steps, your face will be brighter, smoother and you will notice a big improvement in your shaving results.

Aloe Vera Benefits: How the Miracle Plant Heals and Protects Your Skin

April 3, 2018 By THE GROOMING ARTIST in Beard Care, Natural Grooming, Skincare, TIPS & FACTS Tags: aloe vera benefits Leave a comment

Aloe vera is often deemed the “miracle plant.” But what exactly makes the sticky green plant so special? Aloe vera benefits are plentiful and can aid skin quality, hair growth and overall health in the form of gels, topical creams, liquids to digest or straight from the plant.

To start off, using aloe vera is not a new treatment. Aloe is a succulent that has been used as an herbal alternative to medicine for over 2,000 years. Other evidence suggests aloe use extends as far back as 6,000 years. This stems from documentation of the plant found in ancient Egypt art and alongside dead pharaohs referring to it as the “plant of immortality.”

Aloe vera gel is best at improving the quality of skin because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Here at Royal Shave, we broke down all the reasons aloe vera benefits your skin and how you can best incorporate it into your shaving routine.

Aloe vera benefits for skin

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While aloe vera gel is most commonly used to treat sunburns, its properties are also useful for other skin-related issues. Instead of just treating a temporary issue, aloe vera helps fight skin issues before they reappear in the future.

1. Aloe vera benefits you by helping you heal.

First, aloe vera is beneficial when treating mild to moderate first degree burns and sunburns that damage the first layer of skin. While this damage is less serious and treatable, it still causes redness and discomfort.

The clear gel in aloe vera steps in to repair tissues and increase blood flow with its enzymes. In addition, antibacterial properties in the gel help fight off infection. Moreover, aloe aids the regeneration of cells and hydrates the skin, increasing its elasticity during the healing process.

Some evidence like the 2009 research study published in “Surgery Today” shows that aloe vera gel is even effective in treating some second degree burns. In fact results showed participants healed three days faster than those using silver sulfadiazine cream.

2. Aloe vera benefits you by reducing acne.

Burns aren’t the only issue that aloe vera benefits help erase. Aloe vera’s antibacterial properties are also useful for cleaning the skin and removing irritants that clog pores and cause acne. In conjunction, ingredients like salicylic acid help to kill off the harmful bacteria.

In addition, aloe vera contains the hormones Auxin and Gibberellins that have anti-inflammatory characteristics that speed up the healing process and reduce scarring.

A 1998 research study shows that aloe vera helped to increase collagen development, which is useful when treating wounds or acne scarring.

3. Aloe vera benefits you by moisturizing your skin.

Aloe vera gel is also great for adding moisture to your skin. In fact, it may be so great that it wards off cancer. Specifically, studies linked the use of aloe vera gel to halting the progression of skin cancer. This is likely due to the increased production of melanin and extended skin protection that aloe provides.

In addition, when you use sun block or after sun products containing aloe, you are not only protecting yourself from the effects of a single burn but also from that burn later developing into skin cancer.

4. Aloe vera benefits you by slowing the effects of aging.

While moisture is beneficial against serious issues like cancer, it also benefits you aesthetically. In addition to it’s other properties, aloe vera contains Vitamins A, C and E. These vitamins work together to hydrate your skin and slow the effects of aging. What this means for your skin is less wrinkles.

Aloe vera is also especially helpful in the wintertime when your skin easily dries out. The added moisture will have your skin feeling soft and healthy again in no time.

5. Aloe vera benefits you by fighting skin irritation.

Some dry skin issues are related to more serious problems like eczema and psoriasis. Aloe vera is also useful in battling these ailments.

Due to the combination of fatty acids and the enzyme bradykinin, the skin irritation is able to subside more quickly. It’s anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties also help the healing process become less stressful.

In addition to reducing itch and infection, aloe is also used with medicine to fight eczema. For instance, some research suggests combining aloe with hydrocortisone to combat flare-ups.

Aloe vera benefits when shaving

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So, how does aloe vera apply to shaving? Aloe vera is useful for every step of the process. For instance, including aloe vera as an ingredient in your cleansers, oils and creams will maintain moisture and healthy skin before, throughout and after your shave.

Step One: washing your face

Washing your face is an important step because it helps remove any dirt and debris from your facial hair before shaving.

Using a softening conditioner like the Zeus Beard Conditioner (8 oz. / $16) provides moisture along with other aloe vera benefits.

In addition, this conditioner contains jojoba and avocado oils to further increase moisture and reduce breakage.

The added aloe vera ingredient will also work with Pro-Vitamin B5 to fight away dryness and dandruff.

Step Two: pre-shave prep

Pre-shave is particularly useful for men who suffer from razor burn, scars, tough growth or shave bumps.

Using a product like the Castle Forbes Pre-Shave (5 oz. / $40) offers a water-based formula. This means it will not leave an oil residue that clogs your razor.

The combination of aloe vera, Vitamin E and chamomile extract gently pushes the hair away from your face. As a result, it is easier for your razor to glide over stubborn areas.

Step Three: the shave

When it comes down to the time to actually introduce your razor to your facial hair, using a shave gel instead of a foaming cream allows for a closer and more precise shave.

To further explain, gels are more likely to have a clear consistency. This makes it easier to see where you are trimming and helps avoid mistakes. Take for instance the product Zirh Shave Gel (100 ml / $15).

This gel combines aloe vera gel with glycerin, which is great for exfoliating the skin, shrinking pores and most notably adding moisture to combat dryness.

Step Four: after shave

After shave is not only great for leaving a pleasant scent after your shave, but also to help treat sensitive skin and tone redness.

That’s where aloe vera steps in. For example, the Musgo Real After Shave (100 ml / $49.95) uses aloe to soothe the skin while hamamelis tones it.

Hamamelis, also referred to as “witch hazel” is great for fighting inflammation and viruses. In addition, it helps tighten the skin while still maintaining moisture and providing sun protection.

Step Five: further care

Caring for your skin and your beard does not stop with after shave. It is important to maintain moisture and protection in your weekly routine.

Adding a beard balm to your routine will help maintain moisture and help protect the skin underneath your beard.

Zeus Beard Balm (2 oz. / $22) helps fight dreaded beard itch, protects the skin from free radicals and offers light hold for styling.

FOR MORE BEARD TIPS CHECK OUT: “How to Grow Your Beard Faster and Fuller Than Your Friends.”

Should You Shave Before or After You Shower?

November 15, 2017 By THE GROOMING ARTIST in Beard Care, Skincare, TIPS & FACTS, Wet Shaving Tags: barbershop hot towel, hot towel treatment, men's skincare, mens grooming, shaving tips, wet shaving tips Leave a comment

Should You Shave Before or After You Shower?

When’s the last time you took a step back and looked at when you shave? It’s easy to fall into a routine of shaving at a specific time every day, especially when you have a packed schedule. But just because your shaving ritual fits neatly between a quick shower and morning coffee doesn’t mean it’s the best time for you to shave.

While shaving post-shower has been touted to deliver the most efficient, enjoyable shave, Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV). Check the shaving forums and you’ll see just as many men exalting a post-shower shave as loathing it, with the latter claiming it sensitizes their skin.

If you find yourself stuck in a shaving rut and experience redness and irritation post shave, reevaluate your timing and take an honest look at what works and what doesn’t. A few changes can turn a monotonous shave into an enlightening one.

Here are the benefits and drawbacks of shaving after you shower and shaving before you shower.

Shaving after you shower

The ideal (i.e. most painless) shave involves removing everything that gets in the way of a clean, slick razor glide. Thus, many men shave after they shower, when their skin is soft and pores are open.

When your hair follicles are dry, they have the cutting density of copper wire, so you should never go at them before first reducing the cutting strength by wetting your beard. Steam from the shower softens hair, making it easier to cut with fewer passes. And an easier cut means less tugging and pulling your skin. Meanwhile, the steam opens pores, allowing you to get in closer to the follicle. Think about it: the tighter the pore, the harder it is to rip hair out of it.

Then there is the bacteria factor: shaving after you shower ensures you’ve let hot water wash away traces of pollutants, dirt, and grime so they can’t be caught in your razor and spread around your face. This bacteria can easily seep into microtears in your face, causing irritation and razor burn.

Shaving before you shower

While shaving after your shower has a hefty list of benefits, some men say doing so actually causes more irritation and makes their skin sensitive. Indeed, depending on how you like your shower, there is some truth in the matter. If you prefer hot showers, the water may over plump your skin, predisposing you to weepers and nicks. Super hot water actually dries out your skin by removing skin’s natural oils, leaving you with a dry feeling when you shave afterwards.

While the solution is to switch to warm water and perhaps apply pre-shave oil to remedy the dryness, it may not remedy the situation for everyone.

Also, not all of us have time to devote to a luxurious shaving ritual after we shower. Shaving before you shower saves time and the effort of extra clean up at the end.

should you shave before or after your shower?

So which is better?

Although the hair-softening, pore-opening steam of a warm shower is fabulous prep for your shave, your skin has its own needs. Try both methods to see which one gives you less irritation and fewer nicks. You may have been successfully shaving after your shower until now, but as your skin changes (due to age or varying climates) you may find that shaving before your shower works better.

Or pick the routine that suits your daily demands.

If you’re simply short on time and can’t afford to progress slowly through the shaving ritual, save time by shaving before you shower – but with one caveat: complete a hot towel treatment before you shave.

A good alternative: A hot towel treatment

A classic barbershop tool, a hot towel treatment is the mid ground between shaving before you shower and shaving after you shower. If you’re planning to shave before you shower, this treatment will warm and soften skin and hair. While a hot towel isn’t as effective at softening hair as a shower, it does make whiskers swell up. A hot towel won’t remove environmental pollutants and grime.

How to do a hot towel treatment:

Wash your face.
Soak a washcloth in warm water and hold it up to your face for at least 3 minutes, the amount of time it takes to significantly reduce cutting resistance.
If you don’t have a towel on hand, you can also wash your face with warm water for a few minutes before applying shaving cream.
Shave your face.

Tips:

-For extra softening, use moisturizing conditioner on your beard in the shower. Look for one with softening properties, like Dreadnought Concentrated Conditioner.

-Test out your pre-shave shower method: use conditioner before you shave for a week, and then no conditioner for a week. Repeat.

-Beginners can benefit for a post-shower shave in the evening, when they can take their time to perfect their method.

-Option: exfoliate in the shower to achieve a closer shave. Exfoliation removes dead skin and debris that would otherwise get in the way of a clean shave. However, if you are a novice do not exfoliate until your skin acclimates to daily shaving. If you do exfoliate, do so on the days you’re not shaving.

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Coconut Oil Benefits: Maintaining Moisture in Your Skin and Hair