Newbie quewstion : How/Why important to use witch hazel , balm , aftershave, etc ?

[Bass301]

How important is it to use witch hazel , or balm , or aftershave to condition the face after shaving ?

I am entering the double edged safety razor realm after using the popular multi-blade disposable plastic cartridges ever since I began shaving. After shaving I have always just rinsed off rather than using any product on my face. The facial pain of alcohol aftershave any was never an enjoyable way to start my day , so I never used any after my first bottle years ago.

Reading other threads on B&B I see disinfecting the face after shaving has merit.

My skin is "normal" rather than dry or oily.

Do I really need to condition the face after shaving and rinsing with very cold water ?

If yes , what is the least amount of products to use to get the job done ?

Thanks

 

[kg0mz]

Hi, Welcome!

I use all of the above. I like the Thayer's Witch Hazel with Aloe, unscented and without any alcohol. I use it most everyday and notice a difference when I don't.

I use a balm with the witch hazel if I have irritation (the alum block tells me when to use a balm).

Somtimes I use a balm that is matched with a cologne to enhahnce the effect of the scent.

I most always use an aftershave or cologne.

Of course, there are those who simply rinse and head out the door. I like complex rituals.

 

[1stGenRex]

Here's the way I've had this work for me...and I could be completely wrong, but like I said, it works for me

After my cold water rinse, I put on some Witch Hazel, I find that it soothes my skin and gets rid of any redness, and stops small spots from bleeding (if any), as it is an astringent. I then follow that up with an ASB, or a splash, whatever I'm feeling like that day....and that's it. SOMETIMES I'll use GFT skin food if my face feels dry, but not on a daily basis...hope that helps/answers your question.

 

[LukeDuke]

First and foremost, welcome aboard B&B! You will find that this is one of the friendliest places on the web. Each and every member stands at the ready to help you any way they can.

Regarding your question, I have had outstanding results using witch hazel after shaving. I was rather skeptical at first, but the benefits of using witch hazel became obvious to me as soon as it became part of my daily routine. I find that my skin is free of irritation and is FINALLY healing after nearly 20 years of abuse at the hands of a multi-blade cartridge razor. I began using T.N. Dickinson's, but have switched to Thayer's. For me, Thayer's is definitely worth the extra money.

As far as balms are concerned, they do a good job of moisturizing and are well worth the money. Try a few and find one that you like! I am a fan of the Proraso and Barbasol balms. Best of luck!

 

[Kcaps]

Give witch hazel a try. It is cheap, plentiful and if it doesn't work there's not skin off your back. Even if you are fine without anything, I would still give it a try, you don't know what you are missing until you try!

As for ASB, splashes etc., there are MANY without any alcohol at all, so no worry about the sting. I use a combination of many different things depending on the day, but as stated about I like the complexity AND I like variety!

 

[1stGenRex]

should have mentioned- I have nothing against alcohol in my products

 

[TheSentinel]

Welcome to the B&B.

I like to use witch hazel then balm. While I have nothing against splashes, I think any advantage of the alcohol in an AS is gone by the time witch hazel is applied.

 

[Bass301]

Thanks for the advice so far.

For those of you recommending witch hazel , would that be an alcohol based witch hazel or a non-alcohol witch hazel ?

Is disinfecting important ? Should I be using an alcohol product ---- witch hazel , balm , or aftershave ---- somewhere along the line ?

Or is general washing and hygiene acceptable rather than needing to use a product with alcohol ?

 

[joec22]

The facial pain of alcohol aftershave any was never an enjoyable way to start my day , so I never used any after my first bottle years ago.

I'm also a newbie but after trying menthol, I think I'm addicted. Some products do contain both, but the couple I've tried have menthol as primary and alcohol is minor. The alcohol never bothers me, but if you're adverse to that try menthol. It's a great way to start the day, and it's pretty cool too.

 

[Luc]

Welcome to B&B!

Some can make it without AS and it's not a problem. Some don't use Witch Hazel at all. So no post-shave products.

I think it's part of the experience and it does help the skin in the end. I like my AS splash (with alcohol) but that's a preference. Some of the best AS I had were AS splash with Witch Hazel in the ingredient list...

 

[Judge Kemp]

Welcome to the B&B.

I like to use witch hazel then balm. While I have nothing against splashes, I think any advantage of the alcohol in an AS is gone by the time witch hazel is applied.

I think you're probably right that WH then alcohol-based splashis just duplicating efforts. YMMV of course. That said since I don't use WH I love me the burn of some club man or Osage Rub!!

 

[Slivovitz]

I tried some after-shave balm when I was first experimenting with DE shaving and have occasionally tried aftershave splashes over the years. I have never used WH or alum.

After a while, I began to suspect that the ASB wasn't really doing anything other than giving me a momentary soothing feeling. I stopped using it, and confirmed my suspicions. Minutes after the shave, I couldn't tell any difference, with or without, and my face felt fine.

I still have some of that ASB (Nivea sensitive), and did break it out once again recently when I had an unusually irritating shave with an unfamiliar razor. Can't really say if it helped or not. My face felt okay again within an hour, perhaps it would have anyway.

My suggestion is to experiment with whatever post shave treatments appeal to you. When you think you are getting good enough results, then try a week without any post shave treatment. If you notice a difference, then you'll know that the witch hazel, aftershave, or whatever, actually is doing you some good. If not, then maybe you'll be just as happy without it.

Of course, there are also the scents of aftershaves, but that's a different matter, and has nothing to do with healing. The Nivea after-shave balm I tried is at least unscented.

 

[mretzloff]

The least and cheapest way to get by is with witch hazel (real witch hazel, not the pseudo-witch hazel Thayer's sells). If you tend to get dry skin, get a balm.

I use an after shave because it cools the skin and the alcohol acts as an antiseptic. Plus, it just seems more traditional.

 

[Go West Young Man]

All you really NEED after a shave is cold water. Commercial aftershave products all serve different purposes, and every brand is slightly different in what benefits it provides.

At it's most basic, balms add some skin-healthy ingredients and moisturizers while splashes give the skin a toning and tightening. What you use depends on personal preferences, how you feel that day, and how the specific ingredients react to your skin, and trial+error is the only way to figure it out.

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

I tried some WH this morning for the first time and I have to say it was very refreshing and soothing on my face. I didn't have any razor burn or nicks/weepers though. It felt good going on and kept my face feeling good. I recommend anyone who hasn't tried it to give it a try.

 

[Snidely]

I rinse with hot water, then cold water. Often that's it. No product. If I want to use a product, either for the nice smell or because I've had an irritating shave, I splash on some bay rum or Clubman. No witch hazel. No balms. No moisturizers. My skin isn't sensitive and my beard grows fast, but isn't too coarse.

 

[chado006]

I do a witch hazel splash just for the comfort of it. There is 14% alcohol in it but literally zero burn. It just feels really nice. I don't really use after shave balm for the soothing effect because the witch hazel usually takes care of that. However, I do always use after shave balm to moisturize my face.

 

[RobE]

Witch Hazel? I always thought that was for insect bites... Live & learn huh? For after shave, after the cold rinse, I've been favoring Ice Blue for a long time. I like the mild burn, fresh scent.

 

[CB1]

Brought this old thread back from the dead lol.. But it's probably good for the new folks!
I like witch hazel and then a light coat of Nivea balm.
I don't have sensitive skin but if I cake on lotions and goop I will occasionally get little blackheads or zits.
I live in South Florida so have to wear sunscreen most days even if I'm just commuting to the office.
If I do sense any kind of mild break out or the feeling of clogged pores I'll just use with hazel after a cold water rinse and leave it at that. I use cheap drug store with hazel and I like it just fine.

 

[Starkicker]

I use a balm; dont know if it does any good vs. anything else - I like the smell. I think of it like lotion for my face.