The present invention relates to a method of shaving the skin, in particular the facial skin of men, using a composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one salicylic acid derivative of formula in which: R represents a linear, branched or cyclic, saturated aliphatic chain containing from 3 to 11 carbon atoms; an unsaturated aliphatic chain containing from 3 to 17 carbon atoms bearing one or more conjugated or nonconjugated double bonds; an aromatic nucleus linked to the carbonyl radical directly or by means of saturated or unsaturated aliphatic chains containing from 2 to 7 carbon atoms; it being possible for said R groups to be substituted with one or more substituents, which may be identical or different, chosen from halogen atoms, a trifluoromethyl group, a hydroxyl group in free form or in a form esterified with an acid containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or else with a carboxyl function, which is free or esterified with a C1-C6 alcohol; R′ represents a hydroxyl group or an ester function of formula (II) below: where R1 represents a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched aliphatic chain containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and/or a salt thereof. A subject of the present invention is also the use of at least one salicylic acid derivative of formula (I), in a cosmetic shaving composition, with the aim of facilitating the shaving of the hair.A subject of the present invention is also the use of at least one salicylic acid derivative of formula (I), in a cosmetic shaving composition, with the aim of decreasing or even eliminating the ingrown hairs of the skin during shaving.