Has anyone here tried a lot of balms?

[VirtualAsylum]

Hi gents,

I'm going minimalist and I've identified most of my "tools of choice." One exception to that is my ASB of choice.

I want to narrow down my ASB to the best possible choice, and I'm looking to get some input from you on which I should try. Right now I'm using the Nivea sensitive and it's very good, overall.

For those of you who've tried a lot of different balms: I'm wondering if one has one stood out as superior? If so, what makes it the best?

As background, burn and irritation tend to be less of an issue for me these days. On the other hand, my skin does tend to be sensitive in the sense that it turns red just from being brushed/scratched/shaved/exposed to menthol in pre/post (I love it too much to stop).

For that reason, if you've ever come across a balm that's superior in combating redness, I'd especially love to hear about it.

 

[DMT]

I like to use a few different balms and splashes for varieties sake my two go-to's are Real Shaving Co. Soothing Balm and Gillette Intense cooling balm. Real Shaving Co. in non grease and absorbs into your skin very quickly, it does the job calming your skin leaving it feeling soft and well moisturized, I have never had to use a moisturizer in tandem with RSC balm it does the job that well. Gillette intense cooling balm is refreshing it offers some serious and almost instant relief from bad razor burn if you're a fan or mentholated shaving soaps/creams it's one to try out.

 

[Manning]

Not a balm, but any of the Razorock AS Waxes.

I've tried to find something better, but as far as something good for your skin, I'm convinced that this is the best out there. King Louis is my favorite FWIW.

 

[VirtualAsylum]

Not a balm, but any of the Razorock AS Waxes.

I've tried to find something better, but as far as something good for your skin, I'm convinced that this is the best out there. King Louis is my favorite FWIW.

I'm intrigued--I've seen this mentioned a few times now. Does it absorb well into the skin without feeling tacky? How would you describe the scent?

 

[Rivguy]

I like balms and use them mostly in cooler weather. I have had good luck with several of the Nivea balms. I like some of the scents from TOBS so I have tried their balms and I like them a lot. They are very soothing and calming to my skin and they smell great. I am one who likes the Castle Forbes balms as well. A very small amount goes a long way.

Regards,

Doug

 

[jpipes3]

I have used a TON of balms. Two important questions...

1) Are you looking for scented or unscented?
2) How much moisturizing do you need or want?

 

[LouBarraza]

Ive tried lots of balms so maybe I can help.
Like others,I dont use balms that much during the summer.
So far,Ive tried Neotrogena Post Shave Balm,Nivea Cooling,Sensitive,and Replinishing balms,Gillette Series Sensitive Balm,Proraso After Shave Balm,Afta By Mennen,Every Man Jack Post Shave Lotion,and Clinique Post Shave Healer.

A couple of these contain "parabens",like Neutrogena and Proraso (old formula),a couple have alcohol(Clinique,Nivea Replinishing,and Afta)My favorite to use is the Clinique Post Shave Healer.It has no perfume scent(it has a light scent that disappears)and it does contain alcohol,so it leaves a tingle upon applying it,but its not a burn.And it has witch hazel,and aloe,and its very light for summer use and has no parabens and doesnt leave your face feeling greasy.The only bad thing is its pretty pricey at Macys ($18 a bottle)
My second favorite is Proraso balm.But it does have parabens,but no alcohol,contains allantoin and witch hazel ,has a nice scent to it (to me anyway),but it too is also pricey.Niveas Replenishing Balm is my other go to balm as well.
But for soothing redness,I go with the Clinique Post Shave Healer.Prorasos does a great job healing redness too.But if you are on a budget,Niveas great selection of balms all work great,but the Sensitive and Replenishing are my favorite Nivea balms and for under $5,they work great.Afta,for a little over $2 a bottle works great as well.
Hope this helps

 

[jpipes3]

Here is what I have used:

Every Man Jack - not flashy, but I'll never be without it
C&E Nomad, West Indian Lime - awesome combination of moisture, silky finish, and scent.
L'Occitane Cade, Eau de Baux, L'Occitan - great for winter as they provide lots of moisture. Can't miss if you like the scents. I can get them for $19 through my credit card rewards site, so I'm a big fan.
T&H all of them - the scented ones can be a touch greasy, but the scents are great. The Ultimate Comfort is fantastic, however. Very tough to justify the price.
Edwin Jagger Aloe Vera - good, but just don't stand out unless you find the scent impossible to live without. Just not worth the price.
Feather Kanwa - not very moisturizing at all, but that makes it great for warmer weather. Probably my most used summer "balm".
RazoRock Wax - just weird to me. Seems like it would provide a lot of moisture, but it doesn't. My skin was almost more dry after using. I sold mine, but should have given it a chance in warmer weather.
Crown Shaving - I found it very similar to T&H UC, but quite a bit cheaper and doesn't have the initial lavender scent. Great ingredients.
Art of Shaving Unscented, Sandalwood - not worth the money when you take into account other options, again, unless you just can't live without that particular scent.
TOBS Jermyn Street - solid, but forget I have it sometimes.
eShave Aftershave Soother Lavender, Verbena Lime - good, but just not noteworthy. If you can find it cheaply at Marshalls in a scent you like, it will work.
Kyoku - might be the best for healing, but leaves a strange residue on my face. Could be my fault from over-application. Oh, and it STINKS.
Platone - I have three in my cupboard, if that tells you anything. Very very nice stuff, and was dirt cheap at Marshalls. Hardly any info out there online, but if you see it at Marshalls do NOT hesitate to buy.
Afta Fresh - does the job. Fine choice if you're extremely frugal.
Nivea Sensitive, Arctic Freeze - Sensitive was very pedestrian for me. Prefer the Arctic Freeze. Wouldn't buy either again, even considering they're pretty cheap.

Plus a lot of others that I don't really classify as balms - Trumper Skin Food, Nancy Boy, Jack Black, Himistry, etc.

Best Unscented / Minimally Scented
Every Man Jack
T&H Ultimate Comfort
Crown Shaving
Platone
Feather Kanwa (warm weather usage only for me)

Best Scented
C&E
L'Occitane


After starting out with mostly scented balms, I have gradually switched over to using unscented ones almost all of the time and using a splash or cologne over the top of them. That's why you see more recommendations on the unscented side. I just think the unscented options are typically superior, as you tend to pay hefty premiums for brands that bring nice scents to the table.

Sadly, I'm sure I'll come up with a couple more that I forgot. (sigh)

 

[imarcus]

I use the Herban Cowboy Carrot Cucumber Aftershave Balm. It is is very soothing, moisturizing and has a nice light scent. It is all natural, contains no parabens, and is a very reasonable price. Hope this helps!

 

[VirtualAsylum]

I have used a TON of balms. Two important questions...

1) Are you looking for scented or unscented?
2) How much moisturizing do you need or want?

1- Probably scented, but I wouldn't rule out an unscented top-performer
2- I have 'normal' skin, so probably just average moisturizing- nothing too greasy, just want the ol' mug to feel soft when I'm done

 

[VirtualAsylum]

Great info gents, I appreciate it...I'm googling away at the recommendations here.

 

[Predict]

QCS is the best balm ive tried.

 

[DMT]

After starting out with mostly scented balms, I have gradually switched over to using unscented ones almost all of the time and using a splash or cologne over the top of them. That's why you see more recommendations on the unscented side. I just think the unscented options are typically superior, as you tend to pay hefty premiums for brands that bring nice scents to the table.

+1
To give an example, I got some Armanis Code AS balm in a gift set last Christmas, it smells nice and soothes alright but it's not great at moisturizing. Sometimes after using it I have come back and use some nivea moisturizer. The $50 price tag is definitely not justifiable especially when I can get superior results from my RSC balm for under $5.

That said, I wouldn't rule out scented balms altogether. there are plenty of good ones out there. My favorites are TOBS sandalwood (actually a gel but it performs the same), and L'Occitane. L'Occitane is probably the only "high end" balm I tried where I felt the price was justified, there Baux scent has a permanent place in my go-to rotation, the l'Occitane isn't to bad either, but the Cade scent which they're pushing as their flagship at the moment, isn't great IMHO it's scented with juniper which comes across as a lavender potpourri and is way to flowery.

 

[jpipes3]

Yep, I forgot one. Goodfella ASB. Fantastic ingredients, and one of the best performers I have found. The scent doesn't do it for me (very spicy/peppery), and it only comes in that one scent. If it came in other scents or unscented, I would use it all of the time.

QCS is the next one up for me to try. Gets tons of positive feedback.

 

[cluelessdude]

Hey, I have problems with some red patches of sensitive skin on my face as well. Recently I just picked up Crown aftershave from westcoastshaving.com. It's really good and has great ingredients!!

 

[heybatter]

I have tried a few including:

T&H sandalwood - stings me a little but feels pretty good and nice smell. The sting(and price!) is what is holding me back from using it more or buying other T&H balms but I've gone through the sampler and I like the other scents.

Irisch Moos - awesome. My favorite balm, great woodsy clean scent. Great balm.

Nancy Boy signature - more like a gel but has a great scent. Love the cream too.

SCS Bulgarian lavender - I love using this after CF. Smells great and feels good too.

RR 888 wax - as others have said already, it's thicker but it smells good and makes my face feel great. Good stuff.

I'd like to try a few others(Speick,Kanwa) but I need to wait a few months for this Texas summer to end.

 

[Joey Anton]

I haven't tried much, as I am a bit of a rookie. But I can say that Castle Forbes Lavender ASB leaves my face feeling super smooth and soft. I have the Nivea Sensitive ASB and find that while it performs, it isn't on the same level of performance for me as the CF.

 

[rickboone1]

I've tried a ton, I'd stick with the Nivea.

 

[kingfisher]

QCS is the best balm ive tried.

+1. QCS balms are really nice.

My other recommendation is pricey. TwinLuxe II face soothing balm. It's unscented. Comes in a huge container. Very nice product.


but honestly, the QCS is just as good at a much nicer price, and you can get a scent!

 

[rickboone1]

Saxon is good, too. If you can find it.