If you do choose to shave your body hair, you deserve an irritation-free shave. Many people who shave will be familiar with pesky razor bumps and ingrown hairs that occur after shaving, so how can you prevent them? 

In this blog, we’ll talk you through a step-by-step shaving routine for silky smooth skin. 

1. Exfoliation

The first step to a bump-free shave is exfoliating your skin. Removing dead skin cells and unclogging your pores, using a scrub before shaving helps to ensure as smooth a shave as possible. 

We have two body exfoliators as part of our range, and three facial exfoliators. Whichever you choose, your skin will benefit from all-natural, skin-loving ingredients.

Our natural and vegan scrubs are made with top-quality Arabica coffee grounds, upcycled from artisan coffee shops across London.

How to use: Mix the scrub in the jar before applying to damp skin in circular motions. Leave for a few moments before washing off with water. We recommend using the UpCircle Mini Metal Scoops!

Face exfoliators

1. Natural Face Scrub – Citrus

Specifically formulated for dry skin, our Citrus Face Scrub is formulated with a delightful blend of essential oils to hydrate the skin, as it removes dead skin. 

Helping to soothe redness as well as irritation, this scrub is ideal for those with dry or dehydrated skin. Infused with rosehip, sweet orange and lemon verbena essential oils, this scrub is packed with skin-loving ingredients.

Orange oil is both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, which is perfect for soothing redness and irritation, and uplifting lemon verbena helps to tone the skin. With strong antiseptic properties, our natural face exfoliator can also help treat acne and spots for a clear complexion.

How to use: YouTube Video

2. Natural Face Scrub – Herbal

Formulated for acne-prone skin, our Herbal Face Scrub helps to soothe redness and irritation, while fading dark spots and pigmentation.

For clearer, glowing skin post-shave, remember to exfoliate beforehand. This coffee face scrub is formulated for oily and combination skin with rosemary, thyme, petitgrain and tea tree essential oils.

A powerful antibacterial and antiseptic, rosemary oil helps keep whiteheads, blackheads and acne away. While thyme has strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which help against acne and spots.

How to use: YouTube Video

3. Natural Face Scrub – Floral

This Floral Face Scrub is perfect for anyone struggling with sensitive skin. Formulated with soothing chamomile, rosehip, geranium and patchouli essential oils, this scrub helps to nourish the skin while buffing away dead skin cells..

Renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile soothes redness and irritation, making an ideal remedy for skin complaints like rosacea, acne and psoriasis. Rich in vitamins E and B, jojoba oil deeply moisturises, helping dry, dehydrated skin regain hydration.

How to use: YouTube Video

Body exfoliators

1. Vegan Body Scrub with Peppermint

Buff away dry skin and gently exfoliate your skin with our Vegan Body Scrub with Peppermint. This peppermint and coffee vegan body scrub is formulated using sea salt, eucalyptus and coconut oil to invigorate the senses. 

Gently exfoliating, this body scrub revives dry skin, while working to brighten skin and fade dark spots. Infused with vitamins A and E, and blended with shea butter, this scrub also works to moisturise the skin post-scrub.

How to use: YouTube Video

2. Coffee Body Scrub with Lemongrass

Our natural body scrub is infused with lemongrass, lime and coconut essential oils to transport you to tropical paradise.

Providing gentle exfoliation and deep moisturisation post-scrub, our body scrubs make the perfect precursor to shaving. Buffing away dry and dead skin cells, this scrub leaves you feeling soft, smooth and refreshed.

How to use: YouTube Video

2. Shaving

When it comes to the actual shave portion of your routine, we always recommend using a Safety Razor. Not only is it kinder to the environment, it’s also the key to a close shave and minimal irritation. 

After exfoliating the skin, pull your skin taut and glide the razor across your skin, in the direction of the hair growth in small strokes. 

See our in-depth guide on How to Use a Safety Razor. 

How to use and change razor blades: YouTube Video

3. Moisturising

Moisturising post-shave helps to hydrate the skin, soothe irritation, and reduce your chances of getting ingrown hairs by keeping your skin soft and supple.

At UpCircle, we have both face and body moisturisers: 

1. Face Moisturiser with Vitamin E

Light and protective, our Face Moisturiser with Vitamin E is deeply nourishing and suitable for all skin types. 

This facial moisturiser is made with finely-ground powder of discarded argan shells, a natural by-product of the argan oil industry that is rich in antioxidant vitamin E.

Multi-award winning, this moisturiser is ideal for soothing your skin post-shave. 

2. Body Cream with Aloe Vera

Providing deep moisturisation our Body Cream with Aloe Vera has a rich, lightweight formula for a non-greasy finish.

Perfect for use after shaving, this body moisturiser works to soothe even the most sensitive skin. Formulated with the anti-inflammatory extract of leftover date seeds, a by-product of date farming, which is clinically proven to reduce redness.

4. Body Oil

For an extra hit of nourishment post-shave, use some non-greasy body oil after moisturising to lock in the hydration. Our Body Oil with Upcycled Passion Fruit Oil helps to boost collagen in the skin.

Our body oil is brimming with luxurious upcycled ingredients, such as natural passion fruit, tangerine, and kumquat oil to help hydrate and nourish the skin. After use, our body oil's quick-absorbing characteristics allow it to enhance skin softness and radiance. 

How to use: Apply a small amount of body oil onto either damp or dry skin, massaging in circular motions until absorbed. Enjoy soft, hydrated skin all day.

Discover our full collection of vegan skincare and haircare at UpCircle.