Hot or Cold?

[kasabian]

So you've just finished shaving. You put your razor down. All that remains on your face is a few bits of shaving cream residue. You're going to rinse your face with water before applying some proraso cream/trumpers skin food/aftershave lotion...etc.

What do you rinse it with? Hot water or Cold water?

Something in between? What's the difference? Do you want your pores to be open when you apply the cream/lotion? If your pores are closed, does the cream/lotion not benefit you?

regards,

A confused Kasabian
:redface:

[Jonnybc]

I always use cold. I let the tap run for about 30 secs so it's as cold as possible. I think this is the first stage of the aftershave treatment; followed by alum, a balm.

[TraderJoe]

Just after shaving, I'll use warm water at about the same temp I've been using to rinse between latherings.

After removal of residual soap/cream, I'll then splash with the cold water.

[Jim]

Just after shaving, I'll use warm water at about the same temp I've been using to rinse between latherings.

After removal of residual soap/cream, I'll then splash with the cold water.

Ditto - :biggrin:

[NMMB]

first with warm to get rid of the left over cream and mess... then with cold (and for much longer) as a part of the AS (before any AS products).

[Kyle]

first with warm to get rid of the left over cream and mess... then with cold (and for much longer) as a part of the AS (before any AS products).
ditto

[fuerein]

I have to agree with the last several guys. Use hot/warm water to clean the soap off my face, then run the water cold and do a final rinse to close the pores.

[GuitarDan]

1)Warm water and a cloth to clean my face.
2)Cold as I can stand it after.
3)I rub a pit of a lavendar massage oil in my hands work it into my elbows and the rest into the parts of my face that I just shaved.*

* Seems to be just the thing to keep my face soft, but not greasy- it all gets absorbed in about 10 minutes, and I don't have trouble with clogged pores or any such malady.

[mrob]

warm rinse
cooooold rinse
Thayers lavender WH
after shave o' the day
cologne o' the day

On to rule the world!:biggrin:

[roughrider]

I finish the shave with cold water.

[kasabian]

Thanks gents! :001_smile

[AceHarddrive]

Warm rinse
Cool/Cold rinse

~Tim :cool:

[AJS]

Same as practically everyone else; hot water rinse to clear residual cream and then a cold water splash to close the pores ( and because it feels good.) The cold water splash is particularly bracing after using Proraso, every wet shaver should try it at least once.

[Tye]

Tepid rinse followed by a cold water rinse.

-Tye

[moses]

Why does everyone do a warm rinse, before cold?

I find that cold takes off the leftover lather just fine.

[Ashe]

No real idea but out of my own experience I think the cold water rinse after a temid or hot water rinse feels much cooler, thus better.

[rafikz]

Guys, do think warm water would be better for someone with dry skin??? (to keep pores open, so the lotion or balm is well absorbed)

[TraderJoe]

Guys, do think warm water would be better for someone with dry skin??? (to keep pores open, so the lotion or balm is well absorbed)

Hmmm.....I would say yes, it would allow the balm to be absorbed better. But I wonder about the long term effects of not closing up the pores.

clogged pores?

[rafikz]

Tks Traderjoe
Well, I've never had clogged pores, and dry skin means really small pores

[Nick75]

I just use cold water. One rinse with cold water, then clean my shaving brush, then another rinse of my face with cold water for good measure... I then let the water on my face dry (i.e. for 10 minutes or so) before applying any aftershave balms etc.

[SteveL]

Why does everyone do a warm rinse, before cold?

I find that cold takes off the leftover lather just fine.

I agree, I just use cold. What is the point of doing warm first? I especially can't wait to use cold water after I have used Proraso.

[TraderJoe]

I agree, I just use cold. What is the point of doing warm first? I especially can't wait to use cold water after I have used Proraso.

I find that warmer water dissolves leftover soap/cream more thoroughly.

[mrob]

Yup, for me the warm water rinses better than cold, but if you like the cold water, go for it!

There are no rules here that work for everyone. . .except for "don't shave drunk with a straight," but that just seems to make sense.:tongue:

[TheYoshi]

first with warm to get rid of the left over cream and mess... then with cold (and for much longer) as a part of the AS (before any AS products).

Me too.. keep pores open while you rinse the stuff off your face, then switch to cold to close them up (at least in my mind that's what I'm doing).

[SteveL]

That makes sense I can see how it would possibly rinse a bit quicker.

[Elmo]

cold water
then an alum block
then cold water
then aftershave

[srk1103]

I do a warm rinse, followed by a cold on, but I don't really know why???

[rusirius]

cold water
then an alum block
then cold water
then aftershave

If you've already tried this, no biggie, but if you haven't, try, you might be surprised...

After you rinse and block, don't rinse again, don't dry, just let it air dry. I usually go get some pants on during this time. :scared:

Once most of the alum rinse has dried, then finish up with your splash or balm of the day.

I find I get MUCH better results from the alum if I let it dry on my skin. It tightens better, and reduces burn, irritation a LOT better... If I have a slightly rough shave and block but rinse soon after, i'll break out a bit for a good portion of the day... If I let the alum dry, I usually won't have any irritation at all.

[Ashe]

Letting the alum airdry completely is the best way to go instead of rinsing it off again or drying it off. I used to rinse afterwards again and then pat my face dry but since a couple of weeks I use the cold block after a cold water rinse and let it airdry. While it's drying I clean up my brush, bowl and put some stuff away. Once it's completely dried up I don't use an AS balm anymore but just a moisturizing balm since I find the alum alone highly sufficient for an AS treatment.

[TraderJoe]

FWIW - if I let the Alum dry on my face without rinsing/swiping it away with witch hazel, then my face gets more irritated than if I hadn't used the alum at all.

I may be in minority/the only one with this reaction...

[Ashe]

Initially when I let the alum airdry my face tends to look/feel a slight bit irritated, but this is away after 15 to 20 minutes. I take it it's just the alum that's doing its job at that time. :001_smile

I should actually try shaving a few days without the alum and see whether it has any different effect. I do know that if I put the Nivea Extra Mild AS balm after the alum that I get more irritation, but that's because of the AS itself and not because of the alum block.