Noob Question: Is the alcohol hate anything other than preference?

[irishScott]

Being a DE noob (3 weeks in) and having put a subsequent several hours of research into this, what's the problem? The most realistic argument I've found is that it irritates sensitive skin, and given that it's present in about 90% of the aftershaves I've seen I figure it can't be too bad (if at all). Yet every instructional video I've found has explicitly had a huge NO ALCOHOL stamp on it at some point, yet none have explained why.

Is there any reason beyond personal preference, or is this as unsubstantiated as the ZOMG NOOBS DON'T USE FEATHERS UNTIL YOU GET 2 MONTHS OF EXPERIENCE OR YOU DIIIEEEEEE!!!! (I've been using feathers quite nicely since shave 5 (I shave every morning) and haven't looked back).

 

[Pioneer]

Well, your face is getting used to a whole new way of shaving, thus leaving it a tad more tender, so that's why a lot of advice steers away from alcohol in the beginning. That said, alcohol is ok if you apply a balm - Nivea Sensitive is a good one - directly after the alcohol. This allows the alcohol to do its work while easing the drying effect it has on your face, especially at the start. And, simply put, some guys just prefer a no alcohol splash for whatever reason.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

All things shaving are YMMV.

Alcohol is often touted as bad because many with sensitive skin can't tolerate it. There are a host of those who can however.

As a Newb starting out...you need to watch your variables!

That said (and I know you saw my other post) alcohol is not "bad." Its used to cleanse the skin after dragging a blade against it.

If you're getting good shaves with your current technique, roll an alcohol based AS into your routine for a week (change nothing else) and see how it does. If you find your skin a bit dry, a balm may help solve the issue.

If...after a week...you're getting horrible irritation, you know how your skin feels about alcohol-based aftershaves!

 

[82R100]

In terms of instructional videos, these are often produced by people who have products to sell. Recommending against alcohol content at all costs is an easy way to distinguish an expensive non-alcohol containing product from the affordable mainstream.

- Chris

 

[quickie-cookie]

The todays warnings of after-shaves with alcohol are nothing to worry about.

If the alcohol penetrates the skin REALLY, you will be drunk like a sailor!

The alcohol only adstrings the top of the skin and gives a cooling-effect with cleaning the skin from "rests".

Many people, wich have tried aftershave-balms, had problems with allergical reactions. The reason is, that balms haven´t adtringing-effects and the cooling effect is very light.

But, if the shave was very good, without irritations, try to splash the face with nice cold water and don´t save with. May be, you will not need aftershave or balm.

 

[col conk]

I did not realize there was an “alcohol hate “. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think the majority here use AV ,OS, ,bay rums, clubman etc.
If your skin is normal or oily, alcohol splashes are probably beneficial. If you have dry , sensitive skin ,skin ailments (rosacea) , then alcohol may not be the best thing .

Its another YMMV

 

[HoratioCaine]

Noob Question: Is the alcohol hate anything other than preference?

The simple answer is no, it's nothing other than preference. Ru4scuba's post pretty much spelled it out. Those instructional videos have some usefulness, but to the extent they put things in terms of absolutes, I think they stink.

 

[The Nid Hog]

I think that you just have to get out there and find out what you like. Personally, I don't care much for balms or milk. There are a couple of exceptions, but I love starting my day off with a splash. From the chilling menthol of Aqua Velva and the warm jolt of Old Spice to the flames-of-Hell-charring-my-flesh-followed-by-wolverines-abrading-the-wound blast of Pinaud Bay Rum, I love it. Try a bunch of different things and you'll figure out what suits you. Have fun!

 

[Luc]

I never used alcohol in my AS until last year. My mom and Patrick Bateman always said that it will dry the skin... Depending on your skin type, it won't necessarly be bad...

I like the feeling/effect of a splash! I'm now sold and the only Balm that I might ever use again is Proraso. Love my splashes! Japanese AS splash are underrated IMO...

 

[xriley]

There are a lot of alcohol splashes out there that provide enough moisturizing despite the drying effect of the alcohol they contain. Speick is probably the standout.

I do follow my AS with and ASB though.

 

[luvmysuper]

I won't use any after shave product unless it HAS alcohol.

Buy some. Use it.
If it works for you and you like it, question answered.


If you don't like alcohol, fine. Don't use it.

But if that is the case, please don't try to tell everyone else in the world that because you don't like it everybody else ought to give it up too.

 

[DE Shaver]

I avoided alcohol aftershave products for the longest time, thinking that it would dry the skin as well as irritate it. However, I decided to try some alcohol based aftershaves and have since reversed my thoughts on the matter. I now use them as part of my daily regimen.

 

[Obsessed]

It all depends on the person and on the product. Some alcohol-bases aftershaves are just alcohol, water, and fragrance, while some contain skin care ingredients as well. I have very sensitive skin, so I really can't use alcohol-based products regularly. Before I started wetshaving, I couldn't use them at all, but now that shaving is much less traumatic for my skin, I can sometimes use the gentler alcohol-based aftershaves.

 

[snufflesdarkness]

There are two videos that really got me into alcohol aftershaves. The first is the shaving video of Charles Roberts of Enchante going through the whole MS process with shave cloth in his store. I was surprised at the end of the video, he gives shavers a tip after applying a aftershave conditioner balm, you can add alcohol aftershave.

The second video is the Mantic59 barbershop shave at Truefitt and Hill in Vegas. The barber used alcohol twice, first is ice bath alcohol mix with towels in it. Then when applying an aftershave, the barber mixed the TH aftershave balm and aftershave(for antiseptic reasons). Which was novel idea.

Then again, other shavers I talk to are discontent with many aftershave balms clogging pores or too greasy. I think these are the people with sensitive skin, knowing when balm is clogging pores. They usually became converts to skin food from Trumpers. Many scented balms have alcohol in it so the scent can work by evaporation. To tell you the truth, if your aftershave process is done very well like the Truefitt and Hill barber, the alcohol aftershave will have little or no burn. Otherwise I don't suffer dry skin from aftershaves.

Too bad the general mens departments are fading out alcohol aftershaves, maybe because it more profitable to sell aftershave balm and cologne of the same scent, then just alcohol aftershave.

 

[TheSweep]

I have bad skin. It is dry and I have rosacea. But I use alcohol AS. I have never noticed a problem with my skin after using them. Sometimes my skin is a little drier after, then I just put on a small dab of Aveeno lotion on my way out of the bathroom.

 

[westpac690]

Preference.... I want "soothing," not "invigorating" or "a slap in the face wake me up" in the morning. It's aggravating to me. You can keep your alcohol aftershave AND Proraso cream. I'll stick with my Cremo(and Musgo cream on occasion), and Musgo Balm.

 

[thecoalition]

"I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older." - Pat Bateman - American Psycho

'NUFF SAID

 

[dbconlin]

I think my preconception was based on advice from dermatologists, gleaned from either the web (?) or Men's Health/Maxim/etc-type magazines. They all seem to advise AGAINST alcohol-based aftershaves and thus I avoided it.

However, I have oily-to-combination skin and I have recently started using alcohol splashes which I find quite pleasing and with no ill effects...

So, from my perspective, the OP's question is still not answered: why do dermatologists recommend against it unilaterally?

 

[HoratioCaine]

"I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older." - Pat Bateman - American Psycho

'NUFF SAID

So, have you tried alcohol splashes, or are you just relying on what screenwriters tell you?

 

[talibeard]

Alcohol hate?! I love it and will never be without; not even when I am shaving!!