Here's What To Know About Shaving & The Sun

This is a weird question, I know, but aren't you curious about the answer? You may wonder if not shaving will help protect you from the sun or not. The answer? Not really. According to Stylecaster, "After shaving your skin is obviously bare and more susceptible to the sun’s glare, so don’t forget to stock up on some SPF filled lotion and try a product that’s not super greasy but provides the right amount of moisture."

The key words here are more susceptible — even if you don't shave, you will still need SPF to protect your skin from the sun completely.

But you should also know that you are in fact more likely to burn in the 24 hours directly following a shave or a wax. According to The Fashion Spot, shaving can cause inflammation, therefore making your skin more sensitive than usual. Additionally, their article points out that shaving after sunbathing is not ideal either, since it causes the skin to become "too sensitive and thick for proper hair removal."

Either way, since you should never skip your sunscreen, here's a few options that will leave your legs looking moisturized and beautiful — even after a shave:

Cerave Moisturizing Sunscreen

Create Moisturizing Sunscreen, jet.com, $12.38

Great for people with sensitive skin, Cerave will leave your legs looking moisturized and keep them protected all at once.

Australian Gold Sunscreen

Australian Gold Sunscreen, ulta.com, $7.99

While this bottle may look like your average sunscreen, it actually has an instant bronzer in the formula. So, you'll be feeling tan before the sun hits you!

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, sephora.com, $45.00

While this product doesn't have SPF, I can't live without it and it's the perfect post-shave product. Packed with shea butter and guarana extract (which has ten times as much caffeine as coffee) this product will keep you moisturized, plus the shimmer in the formula gives you an instant glow without turning you orange. The scent is basically a Brazilian beach vacation in a bottle.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, walmart.com, $6.99

If you have eczema, dry skin or sensitive skin, Aveeno is a great brand for moisturizer. But, it also happens to have SPF 15, making it a great day time moisturizer that gives you the added boost of some sun protection. Just keep in mind that anything less than SPF 30 isn't quite enough on its own.

Neutrogena Dry-Touch Sunscreen

Neutrogena Dry-Touch Sunscreen, jet.com, $8.77

This sunscreen is great for sensitive skin, providing a maximum protection of SPF 45 while keeping you moisturized and grease-free.

So whether you chose to shave or not this summer, either way you should lather up!

Images: Courtesy Brands