Does anyone do better without an aftershave?

[maru3445]

Does anyone else find that aftershave makes their irritation worse?

I currently have three different aftershaves that I rotate. AoS Lavender, Brave Soldier Code Blue, and Proraso Pre/Post. No matter what I do when I use any of those my neck goes from looking just fine into a red, blotchy mess.

After I am done shaving I rinse with cold water, then follow up with some Thayers Witch Hazel. At that point everything is perfect, neck feels great. But then if i apply one of the above products, in abt 5 minutes Ill have an irritated neck.

Lately I have just been leaving it at the witch hazel. Which I am fine doing, however I was just curious as to if anyone else had the same issues

Obviously everything on these boards is YMMV, but one thing that I thought was a constant was the need for an aftershave. However I'm not so sure

 

[Obelit]

A shave without an aftershave loses some of the overall ritual of wet shaving. It is not a crime to go without an aftershave, of course. For me, though, the aftershave completes the pleasure of shaving.

Your problem could be the chemicals used in those products, or the alcohol, or the particular scent. May I suggest using a mildly-scented non-alcohol aftershave? I like the alcohol and know nothing about the others. Other gentlemen shavers, I am sure, will have some ideas.

Regards,

Obelit

 

[jangozo]

I too have the Brave Soldier Code Blue and find it irritates my skin too. I also haven't used aftershave for the past week and am looking forward to trying something gentle on the skin like Nivea's ASB.

In my experience it doesn't matter, just make sure that if you do it is one that doesn't make things worse.

 

[jakespoppy]

A lot of A/S's irritate my face and neck. If I don't want to have the same reaction as you, I can't use anything with alcohol directy after shaving. A lot of other things can cause irritation, too, from my experience, but I'm not always sure which ingredients are the problem, so I avoid things with menthol and scents, too. Again, this sensitivity is primarily right after shaving. Later, it doesn't seem to bother nearly as much, if at all. I use The Gentlemen's Refinery A/S balm right after shaving, and both the Unscented and the Standard are fine for me, and I really like the way my skin feels after using these. My skin is too dry to not use anything, plus they have some healing effect.

I wish I could splash on A/S of all kinds like so many others, but my skin just won't allow it.

 

[The National Razor]

It's my favorite part of shaving. But I think the Witch Hazel does the trick as an AS. As long as you're splashing something on, I think you've got yourself covered in the Ritual Department as Obelit put it.

 

[AverageJoe]

You might consider Speick AS splash----it's very mild and more "natural" than a lot of others. A little pricey, but smells awesome (though, a light scent) and seems to really soothe. Another to try would be one of the Nivea for Men Aftershave Balms. They have a range of very mild, and mild-scented soothing balms that might be just what you need. Good Luck!

 

[mretzloff]

I only get irritation from ASBs. *** burn for a few seconds and then the burn goes away. I find that my skin is much nicer after I use an after shave. My skin tends to be very oily but when I use after shaves, that oily feature of my skin goes away.

 

[Hoos]

You don't need aftershave. It can be a nice optional part of the shave. You can stop with witch hazel or use a moisturizer.

It's probably the alcohol in the A/S that's irritating. So why do it?

 

[Peter123]

Often I find that the best finish for me after alum is TOB's Aftershave Balm gel. It is soothing and moisturing, with a fantastic consistency. It is expensive but adds a little luxury and soothes the harshest shave.

 

[chili]

You just have sensitive skin. Just use the Witch hazel and try Nivea sensitive AS balm/moisturizer IF needed for conditioning (if you have dry skin etc.), Otherwise use the Witch Hazel solely.

Hope this helps.

 

[bobbyd]

If you want something that is alcohol free, very moisturising, smells great, but is a little pricey - try the Crabtree and Evelynn after shave balms. Wonderful stuff, with good manly woody smells.

 

[Boba Fett]

I always do an aftershave. What I apply depends on factors which include the ambient temperature, level of irritation, things I have to do that day, and a few others. For example, if irritation is light and the weather is fine for riding a motorbike, I apply Nivea Sensitive AS lotion(with sunscreen), followed by either AV, Clubman, or TOBS Eton College. I apply Nivea Extreme Care or Replenishing balm (usually with no alcohol splash after) if irritation it pretty bad that day. Just a few examples, as of course everyone has their own routine.

 

[Koss]

some good ideas to try out would be an Alum block, then finish with witch hazel. Or Nivea's Sensitive Balm. No scent, alcohol, or irritation. Really helps my skin the most out of everything I have. I usually just splash on a little witch hazel. Clean up as it dries, then massage in some of that balm lightly into the skin.

 

[MikeLip]

I can do without an aftershave, but I just don't feel right without a splash of something. Usually Speick.

 

[rainman]

I only use wintergreen rubbing alcohol followed by vics vapo rub generic version on the more sensitive spots when I give myself a rough shave. I hardly ever have a bad shave anymore so I don't use it. Just cold water.