Supposedly it’s about closing the pores. I kinda think it’s a myth level thing.
It’s not.
I wet shave with a safety razor. I change my blade no less often than every 3 shaves. I use Feather Platinum blades, and Proraso shaving soap (I’ve tried a few others, but Proraso seems to do the best at making a good, slippery lather for me). I failed to use my alum shaving block–same principle as an aftershave–immediately before heading outside to do physical labor in 85F heat. My skin was burning from sweat; it was incredibly unpleasant. I’ve done the same thing before except with the shaving block, and have had no issues.
And yet, I have no signs of skin irritation from shaving, nor do I get the same reaction to sweat when I do a heavy exfoliating routine with a loofa or pumice.
Both shaving stones and alcohol are astringents. Both will strip oils out of your skin. Both prevent the burning sensation from the salt in sweat.
It’s not.
I wet shave with a safety razor. I change my blade no less often than every 3 shaves. I use Feather Platinum blades, and Proraso shaving soap (I’ve tried a few others, but Proraso seems to do the best at making a good, slippery lather for me). I failed to use my alum shaving block–same principle as an aftershave–immediately before heading outside to do physical labor in 85F heat. My skin was burning from sweat; it was incredibly unpleasant. I’ve done the same thing before except with the shaving block, and have had no issues.
I hate to break it to you, but your face burning from sweat has nothing to do with your pores. It’s the skin irritation.
Know how I know this? Because your face doesn’t burn when you sweat at other times.
Know how I know that? Because pores aren’t painful, no matter how “open” they are. That’s not how pores work. Here’s the Simplest explanation I could find quickly.
Seriously, if your pores are painful, it isn’t from shaving.
And yet, I have no signs of skin irritation from shaving, nor do I get the same reaction to sweat when I do a heavy exfoliating routine with a loofa or pumice.
Both shaving stones and alcohol are astringents. Both will strip oils out of your skin. Both prevent the burning sensation from the salt in sweat.