Exfoliation vs. Hair Removal: Which Should You Do First

The Beauty Prep Dilemma

You’ve got your skincare lineup ready. Your razor is clean. You’re all set for a glow-up facial shave—but wait. Should you exfoliate first? Or shave first? And what happens if you get the order wrong?

 

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Exfoliation or hair removal—what comes first?” you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions in skin prep.

What’s the Difference Between Exfoliation and Hair Removal?

Before we answer the big question, let’s define the basics:

Exfoliation = Dead skin removal

This includes:

  • Chemical exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs, enzymes)

  • Physical exfoliants (scrubs, gommage)

  • Devices (facial brushes, microdermabrasion)

Purpose: unclog pores, remove dull surface skin, promote cell turnover.

Hair Removal = Vellus hair (peach fuzz) removal

This includes:

  • Facial shaving (dermaplaning)

  • Waxing

  • Threading

  • Tweezing

Purpose: smooth skin texture, enhance makeup application, better product absorption.

So…Which Comes First?

Short Answer: Exfoliate first, then shave (with exceptions!)

Here’s why:

Exfoliating before shaving clears dead skin that could block your razor.
This allows for a smoother glide and prevents clogged blades, which reduce effectiveness and increase the risk of irritation or ingrowns.

But! There are important nuances. Let’s break it down by exfoliation type and skin type 

The Science: Skin Structure & Razor Logic

Your outermost skin layer (stratum corneum) is made up of dead skin cells. If this layer builds up, it:

  • Dulls skin

  • Traps hair

  • Causes uneven shaving

  • Reduces product absorption

Exfoliating removes this buildup, exposing the fine vellus hair more clearly—which is exactly what your razor needs to catch it cleanly. Think of it as clearing a forest path before trimming the grass.

 

That’s why we recommend using a visual aid like our Hair Identifier Spray before shaving—to catch every last fuzz without over-shaving.

Recommended Routine: The Pro-Glow Order

Step 1: Gentle Exfoliation

  • Choose: enzyme cleanser or lactic acid pad

  • Avoid: harsh scrubs or strong acids (no glycolic 10%+ before shaving!)

  • Why: clears the dead skin while keeping your barrier intact

Step 2: Apply Hair Identifier Spray

  • Spritz to reveal invisible peach fuzz

  • Wait 5–10 seconds until it activates

  • Use mirror + light to assess fuzz zones

Step 3: Shave With a Clean Blade

  • Shave gently, with short strokes

  • Wipe blade between strokes

  • Avoid tugging or overlapping

Step 4: Soothe + Protect

  • Apply a hydrating toner (no alcohol!)

  • Follow with fragrance-free moisturizer or barrier repair serum

  • Skip retinoids, vitamin C, and exfoliants for 24 hrs

When NOT to Exfoliate First

There are a few exceptions to the “exfoliate first” rule:

 

Scenario What to Do
Super sensitive skin Skip pre-shave exfoliation to reduce inflammation
Using retinol or acids Don’t double exfoliate—shave on a recovery day
Waxing or threading Exfoliate 1–2 days after (not before) to avoid irritation

 

Bonus Tip: Your Razor = Micro-Exfoliator

Yes—you read that right. Dermaplaning (shaving) already exfoliates the skin by removing both hair and the top layer of dead cells. That’s why you shouldn’t exfoliate again right after shaving—or you’ll risk overdoing it.

Try This Smooth Skin Ritual (And Don’t Skip the Spray)

Want your serum to actually soak in? Or your makeup to glide on like silk?

Here’s what a glow-optimized prep routine looks like:

  1. Gentle enzyme cleanser

  2. Hair Identifier Spray – reveals what fuzz to remove

  3. Face shave with dermaplaning tool

  4. Barrier-friendly toner

  5. Moisturizer with ceramides or hyaluronic acid

Shop our bestselling Hair Identifier Spray to get the cleanest shave without second-guessing what’s on your skin.