Thayers Witch Hazel - applied to dry or wet face?

[number_nine]

Hey all,

I'm only very new to DE shaving (2 shaves thus far). I've had a few weepers/razorburn around my throat area and have been using a combo of Thayers Witch Hazel and Trumpers Skin Food.

Firstly, let me just say I think both of these producst are fabulous and seem to work wonderful as a combination!

After my first shave I wet my face with cold water and patted dry with a clean towel. Then I applied Thayers Witch Hazel Rose. I then waited a few minutes before applying skin food Lime as a sealant. Worked fine in my opinion. However, after my first shave I watched Mantrics video and he applied Thayers to a wet face, not a dry one. So for my second shave I did the same process except I didn't pat my face dry with a towel. It meant I had to wait longer before putting on the skin food as I waited for my face to dry. This method of application also seemed to work well.

My question is: should Thayers be applied to a dry or wet face? Or does it not really matter? Both applications have seemed to work really well. I shave every second day...I also use Thayers the night in between after having a shower...I really am loving this stuff.

 

[FLTiger]

If you cannot tell a difference, then it doesn't matter. I dry my face after the post-shave cold rinse and then apply toner (either Thayer's or Dickinson's), and follow up with an AS or ASB after it dries. Whether it makes any difference that I dry my face, I really don't know--perhaps it allows the astringent properties of the WH to really shine, since there isn't any water on my face to dilute it.

 

[number_nine]

You're right...if I can't tell the difference it really doesn't matter. I was just interested to see what other people were doing.

I probably prefer to dry my face so I'll do this from now on. I just thought it was interesting that Mantric's video showed him applying it to a wet face.

 

[Evbo]

Whatever works for you is the correct way.

FWIW, I apply mine to a wet face. Works for me.

 

[Bulldawg]

If you cannot tell a difference, then it doesn't matter. I dry my face after the post-shave cold rinse and then apply toner (either Thayer's or Dickinson's), and follow up with an AS or ASB after it dries. Whether it makes any difference that I dry my face, I really don't know--perhaps it allows the astringent properties of the WH to really shine, since there isn't any water on my face to dilute it.

Do you find that the WH takes away from any of the AS properties? I've considered using WH but I was concerned that it would water down the alcohol burn/menthol cool effects of the Proraso splash is the Proraso was used immediately after the WH

 

[dpm802]

Whatever works for you is the correct way.

FWIW, I apply mine to a wet face. Works for me.

+1 on both points.

I do a warm water rinse, then a cold water splash, then apply ASL. The wet-face helps to dilute the burn effect. Then I let it air dry while I clean up the bathroom. 5 minutes or so later, I put on balm.

 

[Evbo]

I'll do a WWR, then apply the WH, cook breakfast, get dressed, do some magic tricks & read the paper. Then I do a CWR (rinsing off the WH) & apply my AS du jour.

 

[Lowstandrd]

I rinse cold after my shave, then mix some AS and Dickinson's Witch Hazel and apply it directly to my wet face. I let that dry a bit,but do not dry my face, and use the skin food.

From there I'll go get dressed and ready for work. Then just before leaving, after my face has dried, I'll apply a moisturizer with spf because I live in sunny Florida.

Personally, I think its all about find the what's perfect for YOU. And getting there is the adventure!

 

[FLTiger]

Do you find that the WH takes away from any of the AS properties?

I don't apply aftershave until the witch hazel has dried. Thus, it does not take away from "the burn."

 

[strat1117]

I pat my face dry with a towel before I apply the WH, then I let that air dry before I apply my ASL/ASB and/or EdC.

 

[Tom C]

Water is one of the primary ingredients of witch hazel. I don't think it really matters if your face is wet or dry.

 

[grumpy old codger]

I apply Thayer's Lemon or OTC witch hazel after I've used an alum stick and before I use an an ASB. Works for me.

 

[LandToSea]

I would expect that the wetter your face the more diluted the active ingredients getting into the pours?