Exfoliating is one of the most beneficial steps in any skincare routine. By removing dead skin cells, it brightens your complexion, unclogs pores, evens skin tone, supports firmer-looking skin, and leaves everything feeling silky smooth.
Seriously, few other skincare products or practices that do so much! Still, most of us want to get the absolute most out of our routines—because why wouldn’t we? If you’re putting in the effort, you want the best results possible.
Effective exfoliation comes down to a few factors, and one of the biggest is timing. Yes, you should only exfoliate every few days. But what order should you do everything in?
Take shaving and exfoliating, for instance. Since these two have so many overlapping benefits, they often go hand in hand. Because of this, a lot of women like to do them on the same day.
So today, we’re getting into how exfoliating and shaving should work together. Whether you’re shaving your face (totally normal and effective for women) or shaving your body, here’s how to get the smoothest, best results possible.
Do You Exfoliate Before or After Shaving for the Best Results?
Always exfoliate before you shave. There are a ton of benefits to doing this for both your face and your body.
First of all, shedding those dead skin cells helps lift any trapped hairs. This lets the razor get closer to the root, giving you a much closer, smoother shave from head to toe.
With a closer shave, you're less likely to deal with ingrown hairs or that stubbly feeling right after shaving. That texture is actually from the razor blunting the ends of the follicles, which makes hair feel thicker as it grows out—even though it’s not.
Patches of dry, rough skin on your legs, arms, bikini line, or anywhere else can also cause your razor to slip or skip across the surface. If you’ve ever shaved your legs and wondered why certain spots still feel prickly, this is usually why.
Plus, if there are any dead skin cells left behind, shaving itself counts as a form of physical exfoliation. So when you exfoliate and shave, you’re left with the butteriest, smoothest skin of your life.
When Should You Exfoliate?
Exfoliating is an important skincare step—but you shouldn’t do it every day or in every situation. It’s a more intense part of a routine, so most people only need it 1–3 times a week.
The key is being mindful about when your skin actually benefits from exfoliation and when it needs a break.
Here's when you should exfoliate:
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Your skin looks dull, rough, or flaky.
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Makeup isn’t applying smoothly or looks patchy.
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You’re experiencing clogged pores or congestion.
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Your products don’t seem to absorb well.
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You’re dealing with uneven tone or texture.
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You have normal, oily, or combination skin that tolerates regular exfoliation.
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You’ve been using heavier moisturizers or sunscreen and feel buildup.
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You want to improve firmness and cell turnover.
Here's when you shouldn’t exfoliate:
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Your skin is irritated, red, inflamed, or actively breaking out—especially if you have sensitive skin that reacts easily.
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You have open cuts, raw patches, or a compromised skin barrier.
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You’re dealing with sunburn.
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You’ve recently had a professional treatment (laser, microneedling, peel) and are still healing.
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You’re using strong actives (retinoids, benzoyl peroxide) and feel sensitivity.
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Your skin becomes tight, shiny, or overly dry after exfoliating—a sign you’re overdoing it.
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You’re exfoliating daily without giving your skin any time to recover.
Benefits of Exfoliating Before You Shave
Some people think that when you shave, your hair grows back thicker and darker. This is 100% not true. It’s a skincare myth, we’re happy to debunk! Instead, we want to share some of the benefits of shaving and exfoliating:
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Prevents razor bumps and razor burn
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Reduces the risk of ingrown hairs
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Prepares your skin to absorb products better
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Removes dead skin cells for a smoother shave
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Helps the razor glide more easily across the skin
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Gets you a closer shave by lifting trapped hairs
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Minimizes stubble and that “prickly” feeling afterward
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Helps prevent razor skipping on dry or rough patches
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Leaves skin feeling softer, smoother, and more even
What to Use to Exfoliate Before You Shave
Chemical Exfoliants
Chemical exfoliants use ingredients like AHAs or BHAs to dissolve dead skin cells. This gives you a super even, gentle exfoliation that lifts buildup, clears gunk out of your pores, and helps trapped hairs rise to the surface.
We love chemical exfoliation because it’s effective yet super gentle—perfect for the face.
To use them, just apply a thin layer, let it sit for a minute, and rinse as directed on the label. (Some you leave on.) Then, apply a high-quality shave cream for women, and shave with a dermaplaning razor.
If you’re not sure how to use one, here’s how to shave your face as a woman.
Physical Scrubs
Physical exfoliators remove dead skin by gently buffing the surface. Think scrubs made from coffee, sugar, or salt. Because these formulas are grainy, they manually shed those dead skin cells instead.
Unlike chemical exfoliants, you can feel the results right away—literally! That rough, dry texture melts away as you work the product in.
To use a physical exfoliator before shaving, start by wetting your skin with warm water to soften the outer layer. Scoop a small amount of scrub into your hands and massage it over the area in light, circular motions for 20–30 seconds.
Rinse thoroughly, pat the skin dry, and then apply your shave gel or cream. With the dead skin gone, your razor will glide smoothly and give you a closer, more even shave.
Exfoliating Mitt
An exfoliating mitt is a great option if you want something that gently exfoliates while still giving you hands-on control. These mitts grab onto dead skin without harsh scrubbing.
This makes them perfect for legs, underarms, and even the bikini line. They’re quick, easy, and offer more control than a scrub because you can adjust the pressure as you go.
Using an exfoliating mitt before shaving is pretty easy, too! Just wet your skin with warm water, then slip on the mitt and buff the area using small circular motions. Focus on spots that tend to get rough or bumpy.
Rinse well, pat dry, and apply your shave cream. Then shave away!
Microdermabrasion Tool
A microdermabrasion tool is a more advanced way to exfoliate, giving you results closer to professional-grade—right at home.
It works by using suction and a textured tip (usually diamond or crystal) to lift away dead skin cells and unclog pores. It’s especially helpful for areas that tend to get ingrown hairs or feel rough even after shaving.
To use a microdermabrasion tool before shaving, make sure your skin is clean and completely dry. Gently glide the device over the area using slow, controlled strokes—no dragging or going over the same spot repeatedly.
Afterward, rinse the skin, apply a hydrating shave cream, and shave with a sharp razor.
Dry Brushes
Dry brushing is one of the most effective ways to exfoliate your body before shaving. Not only is it the quickest way to buttery-smooth skin, but dry brushing has other beauty benefits, too! It’s a total game-changer for your body care routine.
The firm, natural bristles sweep away dead skin cells, lift trapped hairs, boost circulation, and even support lymphatic drainage. It’s a totally product-free method, but the results feel like you just did a full-body polish.
To really get the best results, you need the best product. The Skinny Confidential Butter Brush is the best exfoliating brush out there to maximize your results. With natural boar hair bristles, an ergonomic handle, and an intuitive design, there’s just nothing else like it.
Once it arrives, here’s how to use your dry brush: First, make sure your skin is completely dry. Start at your ankles or wrists and brush upward toward your heart using light, long strokes.
Spend 1–2 minutes brushing the areas you plan to shave, then hop in the shower to wash away the loosened skin. Once you’re clean, shave as usual—you’ll notice your razor glides much more easily and gets a closer shave.
Always exfoliate BEFORE you shave for the best results.
Exfoliating before you shave is one of the simplest ways to upgrade your routine, no matter what you’re shaving.
By clearing away dead skin first, you get a closer shave, fewer ingrowns, a smoother texture, and a finish that actually lasts. It’s one of those small steps that make a big difference.
For more skincare guides and the best beauty products on the market, visit The Skinny Confidential Shop! Here are posts you might find helpful next:
