I’ve come to a crossroads as far as my aftershave usage goes and I’m not entirely sure where to go. As of now my routine order is bay run pre shave oil, stirlings bag rum puck, alum, proraso white aftershave balm. However, I’ve added an spf moisturizer to my morning routine, and really don’t like the feel of having two moisturizing creams at once. I was never keen on aftershave splashes bc alcohol is an irritant. Would it be possible that the drying and sometimes irritating effects of alcohol would be countered by the moisturizer? Or is there a different type of aftershave I should be looking into?
Balms vs splashes
- Thread starter sirplatypus
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Welcome to B&B, Sir sirplatypus!
Tell us how you've found our neighborhood!
BTW, there are some excellent alcohol-free aftershave splashes!
Tell us how you've found our neighborhood!
BTW, there are some excellent alcohol-free aftershave splashes!
I always use a balm/moisturiser after a shave. If I do use a splash, I apply after washing off my face and then, whilst the splash is drying, I clean up my work area, strop my razor (you don't want to do that with greasy hands!) and/or dry before putting it away.
By the time I apply the moisturiser, the splash has completely dried, so there is no conflict. I find this combo works really well for me.
You could also look at an aftershave where skin care is prioritised: Speick is excellent, as is Myrsol.
By the time I apply the moisturiser, the splash has completely dried, so there is no conflict. I find this combo works really well for me.
You could also look at an aftershave where skin care is prioritised: Speick is excellent, as is Myrsol.
I use Thayer's WH (toner) w/aloe, immediately followed by Clinique Moisturizer.
I agree that balm and moisturizer is probably overkill. I'd pick my favorite of the two and stop buying the other.
I agree that balm and moisturizer is probably overkill. I'd pick my favorite of the two and stop buying the other.
Me 2. My typical routine is to cold water rinse, pat dry, apply AV Ice Blue, clean up the bathroom, and once the AV Ice Blue is dry apply Nivea Balm.
I somehow feel better applying an alcohol based aftershave to treat any nicks or cuts and then following up with a balm to soothe my skin.
I must apologize, I opened your thread expecting to find a "Balms vs splashes" topic, and now I feel compelled to respond.
I honestly do not see how the irritating effects of a product can be instantaneously "countered" by another product, unless dilution is a factor. In my case, I never mix aftershaves and always keep it simple, as in using aftershave balms almost exclusively. I see that you are using alum after your shaves and I am wondering if you rinse it after a while and before applying other aftershaves.
In my opinion, if your spf moisturizer is a facial balm, it should be sufficient and adequate as an aftershave. In this case I would consider the Proraso white aftershave balm redundant. After all, the aftershave balms can be replaced by facial balms or creams.
Allantoin is one ingredient that I like to see in my (aftershave) balms, but is not a must.
I hope this helps.
Good luck and welcome to B&B.
Alcohol splash is an absolute must to disinfect and close the skin, and soothe instantly on contact, otherwise it will burn and itch for hours. Then I apply any balm to moisturize, moisturized skin is healthy skin that heals and grows back faster. I prefer fluid or oily aftershave moisturizers, they spread thinly and easily, you don’t want to rub raw skin that you just disinfected and closed with the alcohol.
I do the opposite of some of you, I apply Nivea balm after shaving and then a splash on top of that. Well, in the warmer months if my skin is already a little oily, I'll skip the balm entirely.
Not all alcohol splashes are created equal either, OP. Some are a lot more moisturizing than others.
Not all alcohol splashes are created equal either, OP. Some are a lot more moisturizing than others.
I use Aqua Velva Classic Ice Blue first, alcohol doesn’t give me any sort of problem, no dryness or anything and it helps disinfect any unseen shallow micro nicks. I also enjoy the menthol in it. I’ve always had nice results from it by rubbing it into the skin rather than slapping it on like so many youtubers do, like the kid from Home Alone. The menthol sensation works better for me rubbing it in. Then I typically use Afta Fresh because it will help seal off any micro nicks. It also has alcohol, but alcohol has never given me any issues which I can tell, and I only use a small amount of both products.
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I appreciate all the advice. To answer VerbaVolant, I always wash off the alum before putting anything else on. I was leaning toward the Stirling WH+aloe and then sticking to my cetaphil after that and ditching the balm and the alum entirely, if anyone has opinions on that. Trying to avoid alcohol because of eczema and acne prone skin, but I don’t see witch hazel being an issue if a moisturizer is applied afterward. Originally when I bought the balm it was the only moisturizer I used, but when I moved north I quickly realized something that doesn’t cover my whole face won’t quite be enough….
I suggest Lucky Tiger Face Tonic, It has a good mix of ingredients.
I avoid balms and moisturisers because regular use invariably causes spots for me, and I’m way too old to have spots. I also dislike the feel of goo on my skin - always have.
I use witch hazel after rinsing, because I like the way it feels. And when that’s dry I use a splash, which I also enjoy. I am happy with a normal alcohol splash, but even better are some of the more specialised shaving splashes and tonics, which have some skincare ingredients squirreled into them. I just insist on it being something that feels wet and that absorbs into the skin quite quickly without feeling sticky.
I think we sometimes pay too much heed to this idea that some sort of antiseptic is needed, or that skin pores can somehow be opened or closed. I’ve never heard of anybody getting an infection from shaving with water and soap, and neither have you, I’m sure. Maybe it mattered in decades past when clean water wasn’t guaranteed and people shaved with straight razors and gashed their faces. I’m sure these days you can just rinse off and stop there if you want.
I use witch hazel after rinsing, because I like the way it feels. And when that’s dry I use a splash, which I also enjoy. I am happy with a normal alcohol splash, but even better are some of the more specialised shaving splashes and tonics, which have some skincare ingredients squirreled into them. I just insist on it being something that feels wet and that absorbs into the skin quite quickly without feeling sticky.
I think we sometimes pay too much heed to this idea that some sort of antiseptic is needed, or that skin pores can somehow be opened or closed. I’ve never heard of anybody getting an infection from shaving with water and soap, and neither have you, I’m sure. Maybe it mattered in decades past when clean water wasn’t guaranteed and people shaved with straight razors and gashed their faces. I’m sure these days you can just rinse off and stop there if you want.
I found that i was prone to break-outs/folliculitis when i used balms. I flat out dislike using balms and there is zero chance that i'm applying one over fresh shaved skin. At a minimum, i'd have to use witch hazel and alum as an astringent first. My normal routine is to apply alcohol based A/S on fresh shaved skin. After clean up and getting dressed, and at the very end, may i apply a balm, and it has to be below freezing outside for me to use it. Otherwise, i don't use balms on the regular, i can't stand greasy tacky feeling skin.
I can't stand greasy tacky feeling skin either, and I use aftershave balms every day.
I think a lot of this has to do with an individual person’s skin type as well as the climate where they live.
Regarding alcohol as an irritant in splashes, is this assumed or based on experience? I stayed away from splashes for a long time because I made this assumption myself, but I was wrong. The splashes I’ve been using (stirling, fine, b&m) feel great on my skin and I don’t use balms during the summer anymore.
Regarding alcohol as an irritant in splashes, is this assumed or based on experience? I stayed away from splashes for a long time because I made this assumption myself, but I was wrong. The splashes I’ve been using (stirling, fine, b&m) feel great on my skin and I don’t use balms during the summer anymore.
I used splashes for years - until I moved to Arizona - when I switched over to balms. My skin started to dry in the hot desert sun and my dermatologist suggested I use balm or moisturizer. I moved to Florida but keep the same routine. After I shave some Thayers WH followed by a balm. At night I use a moisturizer before retiring.
My post shave routine is a cold-water wash, then a splash. If needed, then I apply a moisturizer. Works for me!!
For me: warm water rinse --> alum block --> cold water rinse --> D.R. Harris aftershave milk --> TOBS/GFT/D.R. Harris aftershave splash.
Today I tried Floid after shave with 2 pumps of Cerave lotion. Both mixed in the palm of my hand and rubbed together on my face.
Interesting... I think I liked it. Will try that again tomorrow.
Interesting... I think I liked it. Will try that again tomorrow.
Splash for every day
Balm for when weather is cold and dry
And then you have Nivea 2 in 1. It's a splash with oil, behaves like a splash, feels like a splash, looks like a splash, but nourishers your skin like a balm
Balm for when weather is cold and dry
And then you have Nivea 2 in 1. It's a splash with oil, behaves like a splash, feels like a splash, looks like a splash, but nourishers your skin like a balm
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