"Some people are graced with an existence that involves nothing but clear, even skin—and I’m not one of them. My freshman year of college, after a thoughtful stare-down, one of my friends observed “You can tell just by looking at you that you have sensitive skin.” And boy, was she right.
Over my 28 years, I’ve said the word “rash” more times than I’d like to admit, and the days after trying a new product are plagued with holding my breath to see if my skin’s going to decide to have a reaction. My mosquito bites turn into massive red welts, my skin will break it out in hives in a moment’s notice, and—to absolutely no one’s surprise—I’m no stranger to razor burn.
Despite being diligent about swapping out my razor heads and prepping my skin for shaving properly, I still frequently (and inexplicably) get pesky razor burn bumps after I shave. After an extra-frustrated summer day last year, I decided to give the problem an ole’ Google, and ended up reading pages of reviews of a mythical product that people swore banished their razor burn for good—and its $20 price made me press order quicker than I could say “I’m just going to leave my shorts on the next time I lay by the pool.” Enter: Tend Skin Solution.
As far as packaging goes, this one falls into the completely unsexy category that lives in the depths of your bathroom cabinet instead of front and center on your vanity. But looks aside, this product has changed mine—and 38,600+ five-star Amazon reviewers’—lives for the better.
What Causes Razor Burn?
According to Cleveland Clinic, razor burn occurs due to the interaction between your razor blade, your hair, and your skin. Tiny cracks in your top layer of skin (epidermis), along with inflammation and a loss of hydration can occur when a blade moves across your skin. This causes red, irritated patches of skin, which sometimes includes small, pimple-like bumps.
Causes of razor burn include:
- Dry shaving (shaving without any water, soap or shaving cream)
- Shaving too fast
- Shaving with a dull razor blade
- Shaving against the direction of hair growth
- Sensitive skin
How to Prevent Razor Burn
Razor burn can be prevented with some proper shaving techniques, including making sure your skin is moist before shaving, shaving in the direction of your hair growth, and swapping razor blades often. Contrary to popular believe, one culprit of razor burn can be soap, which can dull razor blades (if you’re out of shaving cream, conditioner or a body lotion work better in a pinch).
According to Cleveland Clinic, these are the things to prioritize while shaving to prevent razor burn:
- Make sure your skin is moist before shaving
- Always use a lubricant, such as shaving cream, when shaving
- Shave in the direction of your hair growth (shaving in the opposite direction can cause irritation)
- Use light, short strokes while shaving
- Clean your razor blade often
- Rinse your razor blade with water every few strokes
- Moisturize your skin after shaving with a fragrance-free gel or lotion
- Replace your razor blade roughly every 5-7 uses
My Review on Tend Skin Solution
Even though I follow the aforementioned standard shaving protocol, unfortunately, after I shave, my sensitive skin still loves to break out in the telltale red bumps. I found Tend Skin Solution after Googling razor burn solutions, but then—as one does—I searched it on TikTok, where I was flooded with videos of creators saying the product was a life-saver.
After it arrived on my doorstep the next day—what did we do before Prime?—I put it straight to the test. I followed my general shaving protocol, and when I got out of the shower, applied the solution onto a cotton ball, which I then swiped over my bikini line, armpits, and a small area of my leg that looked irritated. Upon contact with the skin, the solution does sting a bit, but it subsides within a few seconds.
I expected to see improvements to my razor burn within a few uses of Tend Skin Solution—what I didn’t expect was to see results 12 hours after using it for the first time. The following morning, when I took a look at the red bumps that had been left from shaving the night before, to my absolute shock, they had completely subsided. What had been red and angry post-shower was now almost completely calmed down, as if I had taken a magic eraser to my irritated skin.
I began using Tend Skin Solution as a permanent part of my shaving routine. I’ll shower and shave as usual, then dab some of the solution on the areas I’m prone to razor burn after I dry off. The brilliant little liquid has made razor burn a thing of my past, which has been a miracle especially in the summer months. In addition to that, it’s banished pesky ingrown hairs, leaving me with smooth, clear skin that’s ready to throw a bikini on in a moment’s notice.
The only downside of Tend Skin Solution is that to keep post-shaving irritation permanently at bay, you need to use it consistently. If I skip a week or two, my razor burn comes back (along with an inevitable few ingrown hairs), but it’s eliminated as soon as I incorporate it back into my routine. That said, one bottle of Tend Skin Solution truly lasts forever—even with consistent use, I still am working with the original bottle I bought last summer.
As someone who’s consistently trying new beauty products, it’s rare that a product completely eliminates an issue—and even more rare that that product is affordable. Tend Skin Solution has completely banished all signs of razor burn and ingrown hairs for me, without any caveats or a hefty price tag. I can confidently say that for the telltale blue bottle will have a place on the top shelf of my medicine cabinet for as long as I’m living, breathing, and shaving.
