I've always heard mixed things about using alcohol based aftershaves in terms of it's effectiveness on sensitive skin. Is it true it's not good for people with sensitive skin or does it work well with soothing sensitive skin and preventing irritation and razor bumps?
Alcohol based AS good for the skin
- Thread starter djw19
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The alcohol will dry up your skin... If you have a dry skin to start with, it will make it worse.
I use it every day, usually Aqua Velva. My skin feels great. My advice is to try it and see how it works for you. If you like it, fine. If you don't like it, try something else. I really like it myself.
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- #4
I have oily skin creams as a rule are off limits for me. I get better results and a less oily complexion with Alcohol based aftershaves.
Edit: Just saw your post, have you tried Speick? I find it to be a very tame aftershave.
Edit: Just saw your post, have you tried Speick? I find it to be a very tame aftershave.
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No, I haven't. I currently use Proraso liquid balm and was thinking of adding the splash to the mix.
The best way to know if to try it... You might get a good result out of it. I would not qualify my skin as sensitive. It is but I do not think that I have an extreme case. I use alcohol based AS without any problems. I prefer balms but a splash is always good here and there!
My own experience is that most creams and balms provide more moisturizing, but can also often cause razor bumps & acne to flare up when used exclusively. Nivea balm actually creates a slight burning sensation when I apply it, so there must be something in it which doesn't agree with me. My splashes (Aqua Velva & Booster) close up my pores much more effectively, and I also like the much simpler ingredient list.
If I get a rough shave or find my skin getting dry, I tend to use a balm that day, but go back to using just splashes on subsequent days. Even better still, my alum block is my cure-all, followed by some aloe & witch hazel. I simply don't like using balms all that often.
And don't forget, none of these products are mutually exclusive. I have on occasion been known to run my alum block around, rinse with cold water, then follow a splash (after it's dried) with a very small amount of balm. Overkill? Probably, but I like it, and it doesn't seem to do any harm.
If I get a rough shave or find my skin getting dry, I tend to use a balm that day, but go back to using just splashes on subsequent days. Even better still, my alum block is my cure-all, followed by some aloe & witch hazel. I simply don't like using balms all that often.
And don't forget, none of these products are mutually exclusive. I have on occasion been known to run my alum block around, rinse with cold water, then follow a splash (after it's dried) with a very small amount of balm. Overkill? Probably, but I like it, and it doesn't seem to do any harm.
It is good in the sense that it is mildly antiseptic
I have found that alcohol based splashes completely prevent razor bumps. My neck is 100% clear since I have been regularly using these splashes. The razor bump (inflamed hair follicle) can become infected and make the problem worse. Alcohol kills Staph on contact.
My skin is normally a little dry. To avoid any excessive dryness from alcohol based splashes I first work a small amount of Proraso balm well into my skin before applying the splash. This does the trick.
I can't resist throwing in my $.02 on this subject......
These days there is a TON of negative publicity about using alcohol based products on the skin. I chalk this up to the pervading organic mentality that has swept the world like wildfire. Some good and some not-so-good has come from this thinking. Sometimes this stuff seems to get out of control and taken way over the top. Personally I don't think alcohol is the uniformly evil entity that everyone says it is and I think it still has its place and can be beneficial if used correctly.
My neck gives me fits, although it is getting a lot better since moving to DE. I have been using alcohol-based aftershave every day since switching to DE, and I think part of the healing is attributable to this.
I also will occasionally apply Dickinson's Witch Hazel followed by some generic Kroger Aloe Sunscreen Lotion in the evenings--I find this combo really helps moisturize and heal my neck. The sunscreen has such goodies as glycerin, lanolin, cocoa butter, aloe--I think it works great, plus I got a huge bottle for peanuts.
I also will occasionally apply Dickinson's Witch Hazel followed by some generic Kroger Aloe Sunscreen Lotion in the evenings--I find this combo really helps moisturize and heal my neck. The sunscreen has such goodies as glycerin, lanolin, cocoa butter, aloe--I think it works great, plus I got a huge bottle for peanuts.
I have never had much problem with razor bumps, but the little irritation I once had seemed clear up the first time I used an alcohol aftershave, in particular Aqua Velva. I could definitely tell a positive difference after a few uses, and now it is part of my regular routine.
Then you definetely should try it. Most men will profit from ASB and that's why Gillette et al. say that. But there is also a great deal of men (within this ASB-group) which profit more from alcohol based aftershaves.
I can't speak for the sensitive skin issue, but I can speak to the dryness factor, although this only reflects my experience and preferences.
I use the alcohol splashes and really enjoy them. Pinaud, Masters, A/V, mainly the cheap stuff for me, although I try a lot. I am under the impression that the alcohol is mainly a carrier for the other ingredients. It evaporates on the skin and is gone relatively quickly. The alcohol may provide some slight antiseptic or other effects (toning?), I don't know. I never noticed.
Some folks here find them drying, and I do sometimes as well. If they dry my skin though, I have a simple remedy- I add glycerine, a little at a time until it feels right. I keep a bottle around for exactly this purpose. Pinaud in particular has none in most of their A/S's (I think) and I always add some up to a concentration of 1-3% depending on the season (winters are dry, hence more). Once or twice I added too much, and my skin felt a little sticky. Oops. I have never had to adulterate a Master's A/S this way, they work great for my skin.
If you just want to try a few without ordering something, A/V Musk is a cheap favorite of mine, and Pinaud Clubman and Master's Bay Rum are available at Sally's Beauty Supply shops (usually one in most smaller cities, more in larger) in their roughly six inches of shelf space devoted to men's products.
Others feel there are other negative qualities to alcohol a/s products, and I can't speak to those- like all cosmetic products, some people just react badly to some ingredients, alcohol being one of many. That's too bad, because a/s splashes are some of the cheapest products for a wetshaver to buy, and are available in tremendous variety even on the cheap end of the scale.
I use the alcohol splashes and really enjoy them. Pinaud, Masters, A/V, mainly the cheap stuff for me, although I try a lot. I am under the impression that the alcohol is mainly a carrier for the other ingredients. It evaporates on the skin and is gone relatively quickly. The alcohol may provide some slight antiseptic or other effects (toning?), I don't know. I never noticed.
Some folks here find them drying, and I do sometimes as well. If they dry my skin though, I have a simple remedy- I add glycerine, a little at a time until it feels right. I keep a bottle around for exactly this purpose. Pinaud in particular has none in most of their A/S's (I think) and I always add some up to a concentration of 1-3% depending on the season (winters are dry, hence more). Once or twice I added too much, and my skin felt a little sticky. Oops. I have never had to adulterate a Master's A/S this way, they work great for my skin.
If you just want to try a few without ordering something, A/V Musk is a cheap favorite of mine, and Pinaud Clubman and Master's Bay Rum are available at Sally's Beauty Supply shops (usually one in most smaller cities, more in larger) in their roughly six inches of shelf space devoted to men's products.
Others feel there are other negative qualities to alcohol a/s products, and I can't speak to those- like all cosmetic products, some people just react badly to some ingredients, alcohol being one of many. That's too bad, because a/s splashes are some of the cheapest products for a wetshaver to buy, and are available in tremendous variety even on the cheap end of the scale.
I'm glad to see that people are wising up to the fact that alcohol is not bad for your skin. It is an antiseptic as well as an astringent. It kills harmful germs that may attack you face as well as tones the skin, adding more colour and tightening. As for those who have dry skin and are forced to use balms, I say you can still use both. It is all good!
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I have some Old Spice A/S and the wife does not like it so I need to get something else.. I have been using cream balms and was breaking out a little bit but getting good repair on razor burned skin.
This new balm I'm using seems awesome and my skin is clearing up, but I can tell it should be an every other day use maybe due to the rest of my face seeming oily... this product:
http://www.yvesrocherusa.com/control/men/after-shave/eryo-soothing-after-shave-balm/
Looking in other threads there are hundreds of different products to choose from...
I have a question about alcohol based aftershave. Does it work in the same way that an alum block does? Can you use plain witch hazel in place of an aftershave? are aftershave or witch hazel necessary if you use an alum block?
I am trying to get away from my as balm, and am experimenting. i would first like a bit of guidance. thanks guys.
I am trying to get away from my as balm, and am experimenting. i would first like a bit of guidance. thanks guys.
Jon,
Somewhat multi-tiered question.
Yes, alcohol cleans the skin similar to alum. For some, they can use both; others will find it too drying.
You can use witch hazel in place of an aftershave. Many do that on this forum as well. Many use it in combo with a follow up balm/moisturizer.
Whether aftershave or WH are "necessary" depends on your skin. Some will use only alum, rinse it off and then finish up with an Edt. Others will use alum, rinse it off and go to a splash based aftershave.
It all depends on you my friend...no one knows what works for your face better than the man in the mirror!
Somewhat multi-tiered question.
Yes, alcohol cleans the skin similar to alum. For some, they can use both; others will find it too drying.
You can use witch hazel in place of an aftershave. Many do that on this forum as well. Many use it in combo with a follow up balm/moisturizer.
Whether aftershave or WH are "necessary" depends on your skin. Some will use only alum, rinse it off and then finish up with an Edt. Others will use alum, rinse it off and go to a splash based aftershave.
It all depends on you my friend...no one knows what works for your face better than the man in the mirror!
Thank you very much. I will begin building off my alum (which I love) and figure out what is right for me. A/S balm isn't one of them.
