Veloskin Shave Cream

VeloSkin Shave Cream is a great way to take a little extra care when preparing your legs for race day. The cream is easily applied with a brush, lathers well, provides a close shave, leaves the skin pretty well moisturised, and seems to have slowed regrowth slightly. This is well worth the investment.

• Pros: Scent, seems to inhibit regrowth
• Cons: Expensive

I started shaving my legs when I started racing at uni. It's not the worst choice I made while there and I've kept it going, preferring the smooth look to the caveman legs I used to have. It's a year-round thing for me and I like to take the time to do a good job.

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I've always had a slight issue with irritation, so when I was sent this cream that is designed for legs, I was intrigued. Would this be better than a fancy gel?

The application of a cream like this is best done with a brush. I picked one up on Amazon for a few quid, which is good enough for me. The cream takes the water from the brush and lathers up nicely on the skin, with one dip in the cream being just enough for both legs. I did apply some with my hands, but this didn't generate nearly as much lather as the brush.

I found it best to apply to the legs in halves. This way, the lather stays in the best condition for a comfortable shave.

The smell of this cream is one of its main appeals. The smell isn't your usual 'blokes changing room' whiff; it's much more pleasant, with a citrusy orange blossom aroma meant to evoke the twisting climbs of Mallorca. I know which I'd rather be reminded of.

Using my Gillette Fusion, Veloskin Shave Cream allows for a really close shave and I'm pleased to report zero irritation when I'd usually have at least a little, especially around the knee.

> How high should you shave your legs?

The cream doesn't leave the skin feeling dry by any means, but I'd always recommend a little moisturiser after the skin has been patted dry. Should you be shaving on the morning of a ride, you can always rub in sun cream, but as a rule you should always avoid embrocation for a few hours post-shave. It's not a mistake you want to make...

Veloskin claims that the 'cutting-edge molecular technology contained within each tube inhibits hair regrowth'. While I was sceptical, it does seem to be stemming the regrowth, which normally turns my legs to sandpaper after a day. This seems to delay it for about 48 hours. I'm impressed.

At £12 direct from Veloskin's site (plus £5 p&p), it's more than double the price of a tube of shaving gel. This cream, however, is lasting really well. I've been using it twice a week for two months and it's about three-quarters full. This will depend on your usage. Veloskin says you can also use it on the face, which I've only done once, purely because I don't usually wet shave my face. It's also cheaper than Rapha's version at £15.

You do also have to factor in the price of a brush, but I'm converted. Beyond the superior shave, I like the process of using the brush and the delayed regrowth that the cream provides.

Would I use this every morning on my face? It's probably too time-consuming compared with a gel. Add to this the fact that I care more about my legs than my face, and I'll be saving this for my 'guns'.

Verdict

Luxury shaving cream that delivers a close and comfortable shave while seeming to slow regrowth – a great gift for any racer