Follow our step-by-step guide to smooth post-shave skin.

In twee American TV shows, encouraging fathers are always on hand to pass down the rules of the perfect shave to bewildered teenagers. In reality, it ain’t like that. Your dad was probably too stressed and busy to show you how to run a Bic over your chin. And, even if he was more fastidious than that, no two faces are the same, and grooming products have evolved at lightspeed since your dad was involving himself in your ablutions. So, forget what your old man told you (or didn’t), and listen up. Here’s how to shave if you have sensitive skin.

I have sensitive facial skin and find that I regularly cut myself shaving and get spots afterwards. What daily facial regime do you recommend?

@clarky_matt via Instagram

Shaving is one of life’s little pains. It is a bore, because the time it takes in the morning could be put to so much better use, such as staying that bit longer between the sheets or reading the paper. But most of us prefer to be fuzz free, so shave we must. Here’s how to do it and avoid having a face that is as pitted as a polo field. In the first instance, make sure your razor is sharp and you keep it clean. If it isn’t, get a new one, such as this one from Baxter of California.

If you are cutting yourself, you are likely pressing too hard, and you are likely doing that because the blade you are using is older than God’s headmaster, as it were. Before you do anything, wash and exfoliate, which will clear any dead skin, which is apt to block pores (use this by Tom Ford).

After washing, apply a shave oil to lubricate the skin and prevent snagging. We particularly favour this one from royal groomer Penhaligon’s. Now, apply some shaving cream or foam, and shave with the grain of your stubble. Dab off the excess cream, then apply a post-shave balm, such as this from Aesop, which, in concert with the pre-shave oil, should prevent razor burn. This might sound like it would take about three days, but it actually takes only a few minutes. And, trust us, your skin will thank you for it.

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