Fitness
The Best Shaving Creams for Sensitive Skin in 2022
Published
3 years agoon
By
Terry Power
This article was published in partnership with Blu Atlas.
Let’s face it: A healthy complexion is essential to looking your best. However, studies show that nearly two-thirds of men experience skin irritation due to shaving, including cuts, redness and razor bumps. The delicate skin on the face and neck can easily become inflamed, leading not only to discomfort but lasting scarring and discoloration.
Fortunately, there are actions you can take to prevent skin damage and perfect the art of shaving. Experts agree that choosing the right shaving cream is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your skin and ensure a clean shave. This is especially true for men with sensitive skin, which requires targeted anti-inflammatory ingredients to soothe and prevent irritation.
While it can be challenging to select a product that meets your needs, you’ve come to the right place. To streamline the process, we have surveyed all of the top grooming brands and selected the best shaving creams for sensitive skin in 2022. Put your best face forward with these failsafe options.
FAQ: Best Shaving Creams for Sensitive Skin
While we’re sure you would love any of the 14 best shaving creams for sensitive skin listed above, you might still have questions related to your skin type, or how to go about selecting the best product for you. If that’s the case, feel free to review some of the questions we often come across on the topic of shaving creams for sensitive skin.
How do I know if I have sensitive skin?
Before going out and buying a shaving cream designed for sensitive skin, you’ll want to determine if you actually have the condition. There are a number of signs that can help you determine your skin’s sensitivity level. These can include the following symptoms or conditions:
• Dry skin
• Redness
• Inflamed patches
• Tenderness
• Tightness
• Soreness
• Itching
• Burning or stinging
• Sensitivity to the sun
• Poor reactions to big-brand skincare products
• Acne
If you’re experiencing even a quarter of these signs, chances are that your skin is sensitive. If that’s the case, it’s time to switch gears and start looking for products made for your skin type. After all, no guy wants a shave that leaves him red in the face, susceptible to nicks, or experiencing tenderness or itchiness.
Is shaving cream good for sensitive skin?
If it’s properly formulated, shaving cream can be beneficial for sensitive skin. When a product is specifically made for sensitive skin, it probably includes ingredients that are gentle on the skin. With shaving products, the goal is not to overwhelm the skin but to provide it with relief both during and after your shave.
Natural products usually work best for sensitive skin, because they’re not pumped full of artificial ingredients. Natural formulas typically focus on using anti-inflammatory ingredients that soothe the skin. The Blu Atlas Shave Cream, for instance, includes coco caprylate and vitamin E, which are ideally suited for men with sensitive skin.
How do I shave my face if I have sensitive skin?
Shaving sensitive skin is easy once you’ve got the right product and tools to make your shave effortless.
For starters, you’re going to want to find a suitable razor. Make sure the blades are sharp and that the razor features enough of them to adequately tackle your facial hair. A poor razor will negatively affect your skin, leading to nicks, cuts and irritation.
Before starting, dampen your face with warm water. The best time to shave is post-shower, but if that’s not possible, warm water alone will work just fine. This step aims to relax and soften your facial hair to create the best possible shaving scenario.
Apply your shaving cream, and don’t be shy. Lather it in and apply it to all corners of the shaving area. Before you begin shaving, remember that shaving is not meant to be a rushed process. You want to make firm, calculated movements, moving in the direction of your facial hair. For maximum protection against nicks and cuts, use your free fingers to hold your skin in place.
Be sure to use a specialized aftershave or face moisturizer to further soothe your skin after a shave. A product that can rehydrate your skin will work just fine. Look for ingredients like shea butter, aloe and rose water to get the job done.
Is shaving cream worth it?
If you’ve got skin that’s prone to irritation and need a more advantageous method of shaving, then shaving cream is definitely an investment-worthy product to add to your shaving routine. It softens the hair, creating the best surface for your razor to glide through with ease, without irritating, damaging or cutting your skin.
As far as costs go, shaving creams are just about the most inexpensive grooming products a man can get. Even if you’re looking at the top end of the market, expect to pay no less than $30 for a considerable supply.
What makes a shaving cream good for sensitive skin?
When you’re looking for shaving cream for sensitive skin, check that the product meets the following three criteria:
1. Formulated for sensitive skin.
2. Free of artificial dyes and fragrances.
3. Contains ingredients that are soothing and moisturizing.
Thankfully, there are now plenty of products that have all three going for them. Let’s take a closer look at each of the three criteria.
Formulated for Sensitive Skin
The clearest sign that a product might be ideal for your sensitive skin is if the makers mention that it’s formulated for your skin type. Brands will never miss an opportunity to let you know that their product will work for you. Some products will be specifically designed for sensitive skin, while others might be suitable for everyone, including for people with sensitive skin.
Free of Artificial Dyes and Fragrances
You can tell a lot about a product from its formula. If your skin is sensitive, then you should steer clear of ingredients that can easily irritate it. For example, artificial dyes and fragrances are commonly found in shaving products. These can easily cause blotchy, itchy, dry or uncomfortable skin.
A reputable company will disclose if their shaving cream product is all-natural, while providing an ingredient list that can help you understand what’s in it.
Soothing and Moisturizing Ingredients
There are a number of natural ingredients that can contribute to soothing and moisturizing your skin. For example, you could seek out shaving creams that contain aloe vera or vitamin E. Both of these ingredients are known to reduce inflammation and irritation, and promote soft, calm and hydrated skin.
Which is best for sensitive skin – shaving foam, shaving gel or shaving cream?
Whether we’re talking about a shaving cream, foam or gel, each product type likely has the same desired function of making shaving more effortless and comfortable. All three product types form a layer between your skin and the razor by creating a slippery and damp surface area. This helps reduce friction between your skin and the razor itself. The most significant differences between a shaving gel, cream and foam are their respective textures and skincare capabilities.
Shaving foams come in a lathered state and are generally somewhat airy and light. Shaving gels are slicker and heavier. Once you rub a shaving gel onto your face, you’ll find that it does not foam up nearly as much as shaving foam. Gels usually provide more lubrication, making them easier to shave with, as the razor glides across the skin with ease. Shaving creams are a whole different ball game. These are more moisturizing and have a richer, creamier texture.
Can I be allergic to my shaving cream?
The short answer is yes, you can be allergic to your shaving cream. Avoiding this should not be a difficult task, however. Your shaving cream should contain a full ingredient breakdown, allowing you to determine ahead of time if it contains something you’re allergic to.
Will a shaving cream moisturize or dry out my skin?
The right shaving cream will moisturize your skin. The ingredients found in most shaving creams do help in this department. All-natural ingredients like aloe vera and jojoba oil do an exceptional job of hydrating and nourishing the skin, and you’ll see a difference in the quality of your skin with continued use. If you’re seeing a decline in your skin’s hydration, consider switching your product.
What ingredients should I look for in a shaving cream?
In our opinion, the best shaving cream for sensitive skin will be an all-natural product. Ingredients you should be looking for in a 100% natural shaving cream include aloe, coconut byproduct, vitamin E and jojoba oil. Basically, look for ingredients that are known to have anti-inflammatory capabilities.
How should I select a shaving cream?
When deciding if a shaving cream is right for you, you’ll need to look at various factors. You might consider things like price, ingredients, customer reviews and availability. You generally want a product that is optimally priced and readily available. But, perhaps more importantly, it needs to have good reviews and contain the right ingredients.
Once you’ve purchased the shaving cream of your choice, you’ll need to consider its ease of use, performance, smell, and how you look and feel after the shave. You want a product that gives you a clean shave, with minimal or no irritation, with a pleasant scent, and that isn’t a pain to use. It needs to lather well and provide adequate layering. Often, the only way to be sure if something will work for you is by trying it, so don’t be afraid to experiment with new brands and product types.
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
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Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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