Don't use After Shave Splashes?

[CryptoDave]

I was reading in the Classic Shave site that for Straight Razor shaving, it's not a good idea to use alcohol based after shaves. " Do not splash with after-shaves or use any alcohol based products. The “burn” is your skin’s complaint that you’re drying it out and contributing to wrinkles! Alcohol-based products can also irritate the skin into over-secretion of oils, which can lead to ingrown hairs"

Does this apply to DE Razors?

I use Clubman's Special Reserve or 200th Anniversary, which I assume has alcohol. I apply them after I rinse, apply Witch Hazel and a Balm. I always get a "burn" for a few seconds, which I assumed was due to probably too much pressure. I actually like the burn (as well as the smell). I assumed that the after shave splash also helped close up your pores?

Any comments? Am I actually doing more harm than good?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Mick]

I would not worry about it too much.

If you like using an after shave for the scent, just let it dry down and then apply some unscented after shave balm

OR

Just witch to an after shave balm

 

[Niles]

I have only ever used splashes. Lots of people like them.

 

[Throwaway]

I was reading in the Classic Shave site that for Straight Razor shaving, it's not a good idea to use alcohol based after shaves. " Do not splash with after-shaves or use any alcohol based products. The “burn” is your skin’s complaint that you’re drying it out and contributing to wrinkles! Alcohol-based products can also irritate the skin into over-secretion of oils, which can lead to ingrown hairs"

It doesn't matter what you are using to shave with. Alcohol dries your skin. Dry skin makes the skin produce more oils as it is trying to balance itself.

If you have an oily skin, then I don't think using alcohol based aftershaves is bad, but if you have dry skin I would avoid them.

Personally I think it makes sense to use a soothing/healing aftershave balm. I have just run a sharp razor all over my face. I want to heal it.

 

[CryptoDave]

My skin tends toward the oily side.

Dave

 

[Bigsurprise]

I think aftershave routines are just a YMMV personal preference kind of thing. Its one thing to use an aftershave splash that only contains alcohol, and its another to use one that contains alcohol + witch hazel + glycerin like the Captain's Choice Bay Rum. I like splashes because it gives me reassurance that my face is clean and as bacteria free as I can make it, which I feel is important after shaving because in a way shaving is like an extreme exfoliation and leaves your skin vulnerable.

The key to this whole shaving thing is to try out products and find what you like and what makes your face feel the best to you.

Before I found this forum I was anti splashes. Now I use a splash and a balm every day.

 

[Harvey1]

I use to mix some balm and a few drops of splash in one hand. So I rub my face only once. It doesn't burn a lot.

Have a dry and very fragile skin.

Phil

 

[gegarrenton]

I would not worry about it too much.

If you like using an after shave for the scent, just let it dry down and then apply some unscented after shave balm

OR

Just witch to an after shave balm

This.

There is no problem using a splash. If your skin is dry, just follow up with a balm. I usually go splash in the summer, and a splash plus balm in the winter

 

[Elder Scrolls]

I have only ever used splashes. Lots of people like them.

+ 1, love my aftershave splashes

 

[njpaddy]

Alcohol-based products can also irritate the skin into over-secretion of oils, which can lead to ingrown hairs"

I've been splashing on alcohol based AS products for 50+ years. With a cartridge razor I routinely got ingrown hairs, with a DE I rarely get them. It's not the alcohol aftershave. I have found that I can't use balms. They clog my pores and I wind up with weird bumps. You just have to experiment and see what works for you. I now use witch hazel (with alcohol) before the AS. I also splash on witch hazel (Dickinson's) after showering on days that I don't shave. Good stuff esp if you have oily skin. Works for me at least.

 

[Pebcak]

Pffftttt.. Use what you like,

 

[Nick Danger]

Just pay attention to how your skin looks and feels, and you'll know if an alcohol-based splash works for you or not. It all depends on your skin type and level of sensitivity.

For me, they were too drying. I'm doing much better with just an alcohol-free witch hazel.

Nick

 

[Bytebuster]

As long as your skin is not very sensitive, then there is no problem with an aftershave, but not a cologne or eau de toilette. After shaves are made specially with less alcohol, just to overcome any infection if you have small nicks and cuts. Bu you should avoid applying cologne or eau de toilette right after shaving. It could irritate and dry your skin.

 

[Lion and the Fox]

I don't know what scientific evidence that site used to state that "the burn is your skin’s complaint that you’re drying it out and contributing to wrinkles". I personally think that the burn indicates that you applied too much pressure and irritated your skin. I've shaved and applied the same AS and sometimes no burn (which I attribute to a better technique) and sometimes I get a burn (if I've applied too much pressure, usually when using a more aggressive razor).

I personally always use an AS and then apply a balm just to moisturize my skin. It works for me, and as always, YMMV.

 

[hedonist222]

Using after shaves doesn't appeal to me.

You've just grazed your face with blade.
It feels better to add something milky, moisturizing and soothing.

I own a few *** but primarily prefer ASBs.

 

[Toothpick]

When I am in the mood for a AS such as Clubman I like to first use an unscented lotion or ASB. I give it a few minutes to "soak" in then splash on the AS over it. I still feel the burn but don't get the drying effect on my skin that some AS cause me. And get the scent of the AS too!

 

[peteyj10]

As it has already been said, depending on what kind of skin you have YMMV. I have somewhat oily skin, and I love splashing on Clubman. When I used cartridge razors, I tried a balm once, and I felt that it made my face greasy/sticky.

The contents of the splash make a difference too. When I splash on my Clubman, my skin looks and feels great. But last week when I tried some cheap Barbasol Brisk that a departing roommate left behind, I couldn't shave for 4 days because it dried out my skin so much. I probably could have gotten better results splashing Listerine on my face.

 

[Redstickjohn]

I use splashes. Floid, tabac, Proraso. I have tried balms, but they just make me feel greasy all day. I enjoy the alchohol burn, and my skin recovers very nicely from using the alchohol, leaving me with no irritation for the rest of the day. My skin tends to be a bit oily, though.

 

[JDTTO]

There are quite a few splashes that do good things to the skin.

Splashes like Tabac (AS lotion), Proraso and Nivea (cool kick) sooth my skin very well and after a comfortable shave they do not sting much (to me).

I only have one balm (Nivea Sensitive) but I am not too fond of milky substances on my skin.

 

[djh]

They seem to be forgetting the antiseptic effect of an alcohol-based after shave.

Feel free to splash away- but moisturising afterwards is also important.