How does this work?

[HanzoSBM]

I'm relatively new to the skin care world and my girlfriend is an esthetician (so I can't get away with anything too abusive to my dermis) and I'm having some trouble finding a good regimen. I get up in the morning, shower, shave and then...

Well, right now I'm using a Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum (courtesy of my girlfriend) and then AOS aftershave balm. My girlfriend catagorizes my skin as normal, but my face is a little on the dry side after I get out of the shower, so I need something with some moisture, hence the AOS balm.

That being said, I'd like to introduce an aftershave into this as I like the way my skin feels when it tightens up a bit. But is putting all of these products on one right after another defeating the purpose? How should I go about this?

 

[man00ver]

Well, the product directions for the Murad Serum call for cleansing and toning first. Your shaving lather will do the cleansing part, and pretty much any aftershave splash qualifies as a toner. You could use witch hazel, Sea Breeze, or pretty much any "toner" labeled product in front of the serum and see how it works for you.

Or ask your girlfriend!

 

[HanzoSBM]

Man00ver,

Excellent idea. I've asked my girlfriend, but everytime I do, she wants to recommend something very clinical. I'm all for skincare, but wet shaving is about the experience.

So, building on your idea, suppose I use the serum, then a toning aftershave. Would I then put the balm on after that for moisture? And if so, would it still retain the scent?

Thanks for the help.

Hanzo

 

[man00ver]

You're welcome, and welcome to the forums BTW. I've never used the Murad Serum, but looking at those product directions, I'd do this sequence: shave (cleansing), aftershave splash (toning), serum, then balm (moisturizing).

FYI: I normally just shave & splash. On some winter days, I shave & witch hazel & balm.

 

[HanzoSBM]

So, bringing my girlfriend into this conversation, she has pretty strictly forbidden me to use anything with alcohol. Are there aftershaves made from witch hazel? If so, is there a specific way to search or them or a term I can use etc?

 

[man00ver]

You have options. Neutrogena makes a nice alcohol-free toner, as does Anthony Logistics. Thayer's makes several flavors of alcohol-free witch hazel toners, and these are fairly popular around here.

I use generic witch hazel USP, which is only 14% alcohol. It's a wood hydrosol, so it has a bit of a wet campfire smell that dissipates quickly, but it's cheap-cheap and can be found in pretty much any pharmacy.

 

[HanzoSBM]

Thank you very much! I'll check these out and start trying some.

Hanzo

 

[smoothie72]

TOBS makes Jermyn St. No alcohol. very nice skin feel. I have to apply with wet hands or to a wet face because ir feels tacky when it dries. Probably a high glycerin content. But a very nice A/S. The scent does last 6-8 hrs like a cologne.

 

[Patman27]

Have you though about Lucky Tiger After Shave & Face Tonic? It has a very light scent so your balm shouldn't clash.

 

[dcobranchi]

Master Bay Rum is low in alcohol. Glycerin doesn't appear in the list of ingredients but it sure feels like it on the skin.

 

[Silence!]

So, bringing my girlfriend into this conversation, she has pretty strictly forbidden me to use anything with alcohol. Are there aftershaves made from witch hazel? If so, is there a specific way to search or them or a term I can use etc?

There are witch hazel products made without alcohol. You can try Thayer's witch hazel. It doesn't have alcohol, and it goes on easy and feels great. There are also many different scents like Rose, Lavender, etc. I use this before applying my aftershave splash.