Shaving is not the easiest thing in the world–especially shaving your face and around your jaw. It’s easy to cut yourself and get ingrown hairs. What you probably don’t know is how easy it is to avoid these problems so you get a nice shave that’s close and leaves a smooth, clear complexion. So, through trial and error, we put together 6 amazing shaving hacks that will definitely help you out.

Don’t use body wash or regular soap to replace shaving cream

While it might lather well it, doesn’t give a close shave, and if you have sensitive skin it can cause the skin in that area to become dry.

Exfoliate

This is the step most men don’t ever do. If you are not prone to ingrown hairs, you don’t necessarily have to do this step, but if you get those evil little bumps this step is vital. Exfoliating clears away the dead skin so that when you shave there isn’t anything dead to clog up around the hair follicle.Wash your blade in baby oil

Instead of using soap and water to wash the razor and get all of the hair off, use baby oil or even coconut or olive to wash the blade. This keeps it from rusting and gathering bacteria.

Use conditioner in place of shaving cream

Shaving cream can be expensive, and since regular soap shouldn’t be used as a replacement, conditioner is a great replacement for shaving cream. It’s good for your skin and can also add a little extra moisture to keep it from cutting you.Chapstick or petroleum jelly can be used to stop bleeding

So you cut yourself, now you’re gonna have to deal with a lot of blood and a scab–or are you? If you have Chapstick or petroleum jelly on hand, putting a little on the cleaned cut can stop the bleeding and prevent a big scab.Salicylic acid helps get rid of ingrown hairs