ive used aqua velva ice blue religiously since i began DE shaving, and its been amazing. i have a shipment of musgo real coming and i cant wait for that. in the mean time, i just picked up aqua velva musk for a non-menthol alternative. it smells nice and sweet, and did a decent job of soothing, but i cant help but feel it just doesnt do quite the same magic that the ice blue is capable of. any AS splashes as soothing as one which is mentholated, but in fact isnt?
Nothing soothes quite like menthol...
- Thread starter laxrappa11
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Tabac is! The aftershave splash burns a little if you have a lot of irritation from shaving but works miracles on your face. If you really have bad burn, the best I've found is superhazel, followed by a thin layer of proraso pre/post, and then a splash of tabac. Also doesn't dry out your face!
Osage Rub is the best menthol out there, bar none.
Swiss Pitrolon is excellent as a soother without menthol.
You'll love the Musgo Real. It is top notch and in my opinion, what a man's aftershave ought to smell like.
Swiss Pitrolon is excellent as a soother without menthol.
You'll love the Musgo Real. It is top notch and in my opinion, what a man's aftershave ought to smell like.
I really want to see how the Spanish Floid does in this area!! I hear the alcohol content and menthol content is rather large.
I have to agree with CarlJN about the Superhazel!! Its definitely one of the better items to use if you have bad irritation! I use it as a general toner in the morning also. Wet face, splash a little in my hand and apply.
I have to agree with CarlJN about the Superhazel!! Its definitely one of the better items to use if you have bad irritation! I use it as a general toner in the morning also. Wet face, splash a little in my hand and apply.
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For me and menthol, its all about the Osage. I even keep a supply at the office for a quick splash after lunch - that stuff is like crack......but good!
Menthol does not soothe, in fact if you get right down to it the substance is a skin irritant as it very specifically triggers the cold nerve receptors, possibly overloading the nervous system temporarily so you don't feel anything else (much) for a while. It does not cool the skin either. It is the exact opposite of capsaicin, the compound which makes hot peppers 'hot' (by triggering the heat nerve receptors, of course), and I don't quite see how capsaicin can be 'soothing' in the shaving sense.
So while I hate to rain on your parade, you simply like the feel of cold where there isn't any; and it is very likely the combination of alcohol and glycerin which you find actually soothing. As a corollary, any aftershave containing these two compounds ought to give the desired caretaking effect. Provided, of course, that you do not have an allergic response to some fragrance or colourant.
I mixed Velva and SCS Blue Line menthol balm yesterday...talk about frigid! I washed my hands afterwards, and could still feel it between my fingers almost an hour later.
What a wonderfully happy post! I take it your glass is almost 100% empty.
Whatever you do, don't jump.
No, it is a factual post, dispelling the myths that menthol soothes and cools. Other compounds are responsible for that, and that is (should be, ought to be, might be, ...) worthwhile information for the OP. He can now make a more informed choice about what products to purchase; he might revisit other products he passed over; he can also decide to 'spike' non-mentholated products in order to obtain the characteristic feeling of menthol alongside the beneficial properties of such products. I don't quite see how that means I see the glass as practically empty.
I thought your post was one of the dreariest post I have ever seen. So I commented on it.
A lot of people here like the cooling sensation (feeling) of menthol. That is a fact. I believe that most people who enjoy the effect understand that menthol does not lower the skin temperature to around freezing. OP was asking for suggestions.
BTW I suggest the TOBS line of lotion/splashes. It doesn't give you a cooling sensation but leaves the skin feeling toned and does a lot to reduce razor burn.
This is true. In fact, I used mine this morning.
+1 to cymric's post.
Menthol feels good to many people, but you should know that to some it can be a significant skin irritant.
Menthol feels good to many people, but you should know that to some it can be a significant skin irritant.
If one were to be technically correct on whether or not determining something is soothing, you need to define what is soothing, which is defined as...
soothe: to tranquilize or calm, as a person or the feelings; relieve, comfort, or refresh:
If that is the case, then menthol does provide relief and refreshment to many, and, therefore is soothing. Menthol is often used as a topical anesthetic as well.
soothe: to tranquilize or calm, as a person or the feelings; relieve, comfort, or refresh:
If that is the case, then menthol does provide relief and refreshment to many, and, therefore is soothing. Menthol is often used as a topical anesthetic as well.
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