Some sobering info for all you alcohol A/S lovers.

[m139]

First of all, I'm not taking either side of this sure to become a debate related to the use of alcohol in aftershave (or any other skin care product). I'm posting this here instead of the "skin care" forum because I know a lot of B&B members love the alcohol in our A/S. I'm sure some love it for the wake-up effect but maybe others loved it because of a perception that it's good for your skin.

For the former, there is no need to read this link. For the latter, I think you should read the link and decide for yourself.

Again, I'm not taking sides... I just came across this and thought I would pass it on to my fellow B&B brethren as an FYI.

Here's the link: http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/acne/_/alcohol-in-skin-care-the-facts

 

[Mick]

I always knew there was a reason I enjoyed my aftershaves more after I doctored them with witch hazel, aloe, and glycerine.

 

[gruntedshaves]

truthfully, the first real alcohol based aftershave I use is old spice....started 2 weeks ago. ive always been the guy to slap on some nivea blue time on my face after my shaves. Just recently started using this stuff. and I love the freakin smell. if there was a non alcohol based old spice id use that to get back into my grind. its sad to hear that if you put AS on it strips things you need, but its common sense. usually after my AS splash, I put my cream on to combat the dry desert that AS leaves. I thought I was doing some help to my skin. maybe some, not enough. decisions decisions. mental happiness with Old spice, or skin happiness with my old regular creams.

 

[rxonmymind]

Nice article but truthfully the time you spend in the sun, microwaves in the air, hairspray, co2 etc are just as detrimental to us as alcohol. But it's good to have info like this to make informed decisions. I'll look to cut back on it anyway's. Thanks. Now where that Twinky..

 

[gruntedshaves]

I definitely agree, but doubling up, tripling up and all that jazz doesn't help lol

 

[Mike H]

There is so much incomplete or misleading information online, it's easy to believe...

The Paula's Choice Research Team is here with the latest research.

Extrapolated date skewed with a self serving bias. Please pass the Clubman.

 

[auk1124]

<shrug> That article appears to have been written by a cosmetologist or beautician, oriented toward female skin care products. The main complaint against alcohol appears to be that it "damages your skin's barrier", whatever that means.

By implication, anyone using an alcohol-based aftershave has just finished scraping a chunk of sharp steel across their skin. I'd think the "skin's barrier" has already taken a beating from the shave.

I don't see any controversy. I think this article was oriented toward feminine skincare products and the author didn't really have the shave and aftershave process in mind when she wrote it. Not a big deal in my opinion.

 

[Luc]

It's funny because I always feel that those type of articles are written for someone who has sensitive skin. That someone uses Alcohol and this article is going to save his skin from all the dangers. I use AS splash with alcohol and I found the results to be much, much, much much better than the balms without alcohols or AS without alcohol. I'm not convinced it's that bad as I have less issues since I switch to a splash! Bottom line: YMMV!

 

[tm3]

the author is selling her/his own products that, surprisingly, do not contain alcohol.

the points made could still be true, but ......

follow the money

 

[Fourcooks]

Extrapolated date skewed with a self serving bias. Please pass the Clubman.

Couldn't agree more. Lots of love for The Clubman.

 

[m139]

I don't think it's necessarily skewed data but perhaps presented with a bias. The data is well documented and well supported by 3rd party research and hence why so many high-end producers are going to alcohol free (i.e. AOS, GFT, etc).

On the other hand, the same website says Witch Hazel and Sandalwood are bad ingredients! So, we have to take it with a grain of salt.

 

[COHunter]

Ahh, so refreshing to see an article written with the complete objective scientific approach, not some "expert" trying to persuade you to use one product or another that would be so much "better" for you.

...now pass the witch hazel and bay rum!

 

[DFSDAILY]

They're just trying to hock their own skin care line with that article. I always follow my splash with a light balm anyway.

 

[Emanon]

I have been using alcohol based aftershaves for years and can't say i have any skin problems. Actually I think my skin looks pretty good. I know that alcohol is drying and I know I'm using it on my face so I also make sure to moisturize at night, try not to use soaps with too many ingredients (natural or glycerin soaps) or face washes like Jack Blacks or Neutrogena etc.
I also use witch hazel with aloe (non alcohol) and good shaving creams/soaps. So I hope to counter the alcohol. I think there may be more to the story; like a whole other side?

 

[the_edski]

Hey, if Patrick Bateman doesn't use alcohol based AS, why do we?

 

[luvmysuper]

follow the money

That's a bingo!
An article produced by someone who just happens to sell an alternative to that nasty bad alcohol. No conflict of interest that I can see.

I don't think it's necessarily skewed data but perhaps presented with a bias. The data is well documented and well supported by 3rd party research and hence why so many high-end producers are going to alcohol free (i.e. AOS, GFT, etc).

On the other hand, the same website says Witch Hazel and Sandalwood are bad ingredients! So, we have to take it with a grain of salt.

It absolutely IS skewed data.

The first study states that Medical workers hands are dry because of sweat trapped in gloves, detergent scrubbing, and the use of alcohol. Therefore the author of this article extrapolates that alcohol is bad for your skin.

What?

The other studies "cited" in the article are used in just as ridiculous a fashion.
Of course alcohol can damage tissue in an open wound. It's alcohol. It kills by drying out living cells. I recommend not using after shave as a disinfectant if you have a gaping chest wound. The article clearly states that minor wounds are less affected by the efficacy of alcohol due to wound closure, clotting, etc. If closure and clotting make the alcohol less effective as an antiseptic, it follows that closure and clotting block the alcohol from raw tissue.
The acne article talks about alcohol as an excipient, and that in combination with the active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide can be harmful to skin. It places surfactants into the same category as alcohol. Are all surfactants bad for your skin too?
The skin cell death study was performed by exposing the cultured skin cells to alcohol soak for 24 hours. Yeah, I reckon that'd probably be bad.

The evidence of people here at this forum who have used alcohol splashes daily for 40 or 50 years ought to amount for something.
Even this anectdotal evidence has more weight than the silly allusions made in that article.

Pseudo science and scare tactics.

 

[RandyR]

It places surfactants into the same category as alcohol. Are all surfactants bad for your skin too?

Too funny last time I checked soap was a surfactant. I remember reading an article about how a shower could give you cancer. Breathing in the chlorine from the water actually raised you risk of lung cancer by some small amount in the study. I am of the view you can find a single study to prove anything is bad for you.

 

[lt114]

Hey, if Patrick Bateman doesn't use alcohol based AS, why do we?

Ha, I was thinking the same thing.

 

[mistercitizen]

The information comes from "Paula's Choice" ..... not "Paul's Choice" . I do not listen to women who speak nonsense.

Ben

 

[BeeSeeDub]

If alcohol was really so bad for your skin, how come I look so good?