Balms and blemishes

[beardybrewer]

I've been switching between 4 AS balms and have found, on occassion, I'm getting blemishes. I'll admit my skin must clog easy as I had to try many moisturisers before I found one that I didn't react to.

My question is for people with similar skin, what have you found that works the best? Or what do you avoid?

 

[Steveareno]

I've used three balms: Burt's Bees - no reaction, but it was a little greasy and took a long time to absorb; Nivea - horrible reaction, face burning all day, blemishes - basically an allergic reaction; Gilbert Henry Bay Rum ASB - the best thing I've ever used as an aftershave - burns a little going on, but really soothes skin, removes redness, and smells great.

 

[akokandy]

I can't use balms. Every time I use them I wind up with pimples. Depending on your skin type, you may be better off with an alcohol splash. I know I am.

 

[Vivasanti]

I used to be a balm man, now im an AS man with a hint of balm.

I know that most men are guilty of using to much balm, you only need a tiny tiny amount.

 

[gaj90027]

I can't use balms. Every time I use them I wind up with pimples. Depending on your skin type, you may be better off with an alcohol splash. I know I am.

+1

My skin has never looked better since I started using alcohol based splashes. I shave at night and use an aftershave splash and then in the morning I use an face lotion with spf before work.

I only use aftershave balms after the occasional rough shave.

 

[LouBarraza]

I use Clinique Post Shave Healer.It's costly at $18 at Macy's but it's worth it.It's not greasy at all.No scent and has witch hazel.Has a bit of a sting going on,but it's more of a tingle.Nivea's Sensitive and Replenishing work great for me also.
You can try a splash like Proraso (contains menthol,witch hazel,glycerin) or Nivea Splash.

 

[beardybrewer]

Thanks guys, until I started wet shaving I had been using Fahrenheit for many years. But with winter coming and my skin already drying out I'm trying to combine a more gentle AS balm / moisturizer. Maybe it is best to keep the 2 separate.

 

[njpaddy]

I had to stop using balms, they clog my pores. I went back to splashes with alcohol and don't have that problem anymore. I always finish a shave with witch hazel containing alcohol. Any aftershave goes on after the WH.

 

[banditman]

I can't use balms either for the same reasons as akokandy and njpaddy. What does work is an alcohol splash or witch hazel or both. Knowing your skin type helps a lot to avoid using products that cause a reaction.

 

[Quintessence]

I use two balms at the moment. D R Harris After Shave Milk, and Edwin Jagger Aloe Vera. The Harris has a mild antiseptic in it, which makes up for the high parafinium content; the Jagger is mostly natural ingredients. I would recommend either for sensitive skin.

 

[superbleu]

you could try jojoba oil or raw shea butter instead. I am pretty sure these are not supposed to clog pores.

 

[beardybrewer]

Thanks again, more geat suggestions. I hadn't considered the DR Harris AS milks. I may try it if my current gear doesn't work out.

As I mentioned I've been rotating between 4 balms. Well I always use Proraso PrePost. Usually I hop in the shower after I shave. So the proraso is usually cleaned off and feel great with the cooling menthol and hot water.

Afterwards I've been applying Burt Bees (I'm suspicious of this sticky but lovely smelling stuff), Real Shave Co, Trumper Skin Food (only a couple times), and Proraso Balm (which I think is ok). I'll try to eliminate the culprits and may just swap back to a splash as this worked fine for years. I've also gone a bit bay rum mad so have plenty plus the Fahrenheit I just replaced. I can still moisturise separately in the winter. Sorry, giving you my life's story!



Would love to hear more specific brands commonly available in the shaving shops to look in to or avoid. Thanks!

 

[Jefebadskin]

I've been trying Truefitt and Hill balms and they don't cause many issues for me. (oily, blemished skin guy with balms here too) Most other balms cause problems for me.