Speick or Proraso green?

[TripleB]

In looking for an aftershave that contains witch hazel, it seems like Speick and Proraso green are the two that many shavers prefer.

In your opinion, which of the two is the best for helping with weepers/nicks and hydrating the skin?

I'm looking for such an aftershave because using an alum block after shaving dries out my skin and doesn't seem to "calm" the razor burns down. I use an aftershave cream after the alum block which helps some, but I would really prefer to have the stop of weepers and the rehydrating properties of an aftershave all in one product.

Thanks for any and all help.

TripleB

 

[shave/brush]

I find Speick helps my skin recover from a shave better than anything else. It is also very refreshing to feel on the skin. It helps razor-burn a lot .

 

[Ravenonrock]

In the past I have used a product by Clinique Post Shave Soother. It was a problem area under the jawline. I’ve changed how I shave and haven’t required it for years. Just a suggestion, but I would consider why you are getting weepers and razor burn?

 

[silverlifter]

Speick is a skin care company that happens to make soaps and splashes. All of their products are superb!

 

[BigJ]

Two of my favorites!!

I was going to suggest the classic answer, ‘Get both!’ On looking at your question again, Speick gets the nod.

 

[TripleB]

Just a suggestion, but I would consider why you are getting weepers and razor burn?

I'm six weeks into my SE/DE razor journey after 40 years with an electric razor. I'm still learning proper technique.

TripleB

 

[ChriWilson]

Ensure that you’re get all the alum off…

To your question - though I have both, Speick is used by me at least 3x per week. It also is my travel splash.

My $.02, I also heavily use splashes from B&M and Stirling which both use Alcohol and Witch Hazel in their formulations. They have a slight edge for me at post-shave.

 

[NorthernSoul]

You are batting 1000. Why do I have to choose since they are both very good aftershaves?

Did you consider you could apply witch hazel by itself as a first step, followed by whatever you want?

Speick is an aftershave that I'll always keep on hand. Proraso Green comes right after it. If you like menthol, Proraso Green has more of it.

But an aftershave is not really made to repair your skin. Just practice shaving more, you will have much less problem with weepers and irritation.

 

[Frito Ray]

…hydrating the skin?

I love Speick shaving soap and cream, never got arround to trying their aftershave but I am sure it is excellent.

I love the Proraso green aftershave, it is very refreshing, soothing and I have yet to come across someone who is unaccommodated by the scent. If you happen to live in colder areas where the skin gets drier during the winter months, then the red Proraso aftershave could also be a good choice. It is a bit more fatty/oily so works really well on dry skin. I enjoy it but the sandlewood scent gets a bit boring to my taste after a little while.

 

[TripleB]

Did you consider you could apply witch hazel by itself as a first step, followed by whatever you want?

But an aftershave is not really made to repair your skin. Just practice shaving more, you will have much less problem with weepers and irritation.

I did, but thought since some aftershaves have witch hazel in them that one product could cover both my needs.

I agree with more practice! It always seems to be the left side of my face where I get them, in the neck area right under the jawline. All of the right side of my face and neck is great, under nose is great, chin is great, the neck below the chin is great, the area above the jawline on the left side is good, but my jawline and the neck area under my jawline on the left side is a huge problem area.

Thank you for your advice.

TripleB

 

[NorthernSoul]

...since some aftershaves have witch hazel in them that one product could cover both my needs...

...It always seems to be the left side of my face...

First thing I'd suggest if you have irritation is rinse off all soap with cool water. This will help calm things down some. Maybe keep a cool washcloth pressed on the area for a minute or so.

There's some advantages to using witch hazel by itself right after shaving. It is an astringent so will help any weepers to close up. Also serves as a final rinse to remove any soap residue. You can apply it generously and not get a lot of sting.

Are you right-handed, maybe? Watch your shaving angle so you are not scraping the skin by mistake. You should experiment with using slightly different directions for your shaving strokes in the areas you're having problems. Keep practicing, you will find it gets a lot better, like you will be on autopilot after awhile.

 

[TripleB]

First thing I'd suggest if you have irritation is rinse off all soap with cool water. This will help calm things down some. Maybe keep a cool washcloth pressed on the area for a minute or so.

There's some advantages to using witch hazel by itself right after shaving. It is an astringent so will help any weepers to close up. Also serves as a final rinse to remove any soap residue. You can apply it generously and not get a lot of sting.

Are you right-handed, maybe? Watch your shaving angle so you are not scraping the skin by mistake. You should experiment with using slightly different directions for your shaving strokes in the areas you're having problems. Keep practicing, you will find it gets a lot better, like you will be on autopilot after awhile.

Thank you for that advice...I will rinse off with cold water and have a cold washcloth near by so I can apply it after shaving.

After reading your advice, I ordered some cheaper witch hazel locally (T. N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel 100% Natural Astringent Clinical Grade) to use instead of my alum block and will use my Nivea after shave following the witch hazel. I'll probably eventually order the Speick or the Proraso, but first I'll try the witch hazel and Nivea.

Yes, right handed. Against my better judgement, I've tried a couple razors instead of sticking with just one. But I won a 1967 Super Speed TTP, tried a friend's Parker Variant, and tried a Rockwell 6C. A couple times I would shave the left side with one razor and the right side of my face with the other razor trying to figure out which razor I liked better. That is changing this week when I start sticking with one razor for my shaves.

Thank you very much for your advice and your encouragement!

TripleB

 

[NorthernSoul]

...That is changing this week when I start sticking with one razor for my shaves.

Good idea to just pick one you like and stay with it for awhile. The Superspeed is a good one to learn with, but whichever one you like should be fine.

Dickinson's WH is good stuff. Been around for a long time.

 

[TripleB]

Good idea to just pick one you like and stay with it for awhile. The Superspeed is a good one to learn with, but whichever one you like should be fine.

Dickinson's WH is good stuff. Been around for a long time.

Thanks!

I've tried the Super Speed with a couple different blades in it (ordered a variety pack of 9 different types, 5 blades each, when I first got into wet shaving) and it never has really worked well for me. I go slow, pay close attention to my blade angle, lathered up good, pull the skin tight, very short strokes, etc. and it leaves me with weepers/nicks. It's definitely user error, but I've lost confidence in that razor.

I really enjoy the Leaf Twig and the Henson AL13 mild. A friend of mine is trying to sell me his Supply SE (he got the Pro) so I may give that a shot before I decide which one to stick to stick with.

Good to hear on the Dickinson...it was $4 locally so I thought I would give it a shot.

I appreciate all of your advice!

TripleB

 

[ChriWilson]

First thing I'd suggest if you have irritation is rinse off all soap with cool water. This will help calm things down some. Maybe keep a cool washcloth pressed on the area for a minute or so.

There's some advantages to using witch hazel by itself right after shaving. It is an astringent so will help any weepers to close up. Also serves as a final rinse to remove any soap residue. You can apply it generously and not get a lot of sting.

Are you right-handed, maybe? Watch your shaving angle so you are not scraping the skin by mistake. You should experiment with using slightly different directions for your shaving strokes in the areas you're having problems. Keep practicing, you will find it gets a lot better, like you will be on autopilot after awhile.

This is why I have long been a proponent for showering post-shave. I like to apply alum right at conclusion of clean-up and stow-away and go right into the shower for a facewash to get everything off.

If I'm pressed for time in the morning, I'd much rather take a hurried shower than perform a hurried shave...

 

[sarimento1]

Welcome to B&B, Sir TripleB!
Re you original post, and FWIW, Speick and Proraso Green are great aftershaves!
Witch hazel really seems a non-factor, IMHO!
But try all and enjoy!

 

[SydneyShaver]

Speick is better for the skin but Proraso splashes are still pretty good for an alcohol based splash. BUT I really, really grew to dislike the scent of Speick original splash. The green splash has an excellent scent and I also like the red splash. Though being honest, if you are getting significant razor burn AS will not help as much as improving technique and using a more appropriate product. Perhaps just using a face moisturiser on its own may help.

 

[Prorazzle]

I haven't tried Speick but would be curious, currently Proraso green is my go-to (granted I also use Proraso white protective balm and Thayers cucumber spray w/ alum if it's a particularly close shave). I have tried the other Proraso aftershaves and green is defo my favourite, followed by red.

I adore the Proraso green pre-shave fragrance and sensation and heard a hack, to add pure menthol crystals to the green aftershave, so... after prying out the dropper cap with a fork and topping a mostly full bottle up to the top with crystals I got off ebay I gave it a splash and wow it's an awesome fresh sensation, like mouthwash cool for the face and the scent is even better.

I found it so soothing for my skin and applying it with Proraso white protective balm (and sometimes other moisturisers - Sudocrem works well to heal and soothe irritation, rashes or cuts) I have no issues with burning or dryness at all. I'd love to buy that guy a beer for that pointer about the menthol crystals.

 

[NorthernSoul]

Speick is better for the skin but Proraso splashes are still pretty good for an alcohol based splash. BUT I really, really grew to dislike the scent of Speick original splash...

There is also a Speick Active version of the splash. It's a similar formula but different scent, made for the more modern men, I would say. Don't know whether you have tried that one or not.

 

[Valerius]

I have/use both and suggest Speick as your first choice.