Why aftershaves with alcohol in them ?

[Fletch]

Up until I started DE shaving I never used any aftershave. My first purchase for one was Proraso aftershave balm. I specifically didn't want something with alcohol in it. Mostly because there were times I used to shave then hit myself with some cologne and would feel the burn, and not in the weight lifting sense.

My feelings were it was the alcohol in the cologne that was causing that incessant burning feeling on my neck. So my question is... What's the joy of an AS with alcohol in it? Am I missing some kind of joy associated it with DE shaving?

 

[Xezmer]

Well not always will you find a burn... some use it because they like to know something in it is doing something (ie. fighting germs), some just like pain, but really, not all of them burn, if at all, if used correctly as I understand.

I do this:
Prep
Shave
Rinse
Witch Hazel
Cool water
Alcohol After shave
After balm (depending on the day)

Notice the cool water before the AS. This should close up the pores, and from what I understand it should also defend against any burning sensations of the alcohol. I don't know why I choose alcohol based aftershaves... I like them and keep more of them in my den than any other AS... I guess since I watched it on TV for so long I feel like it's just supposed to be that way. My reason is because I feel like it's the way it's supposed to be. Kinda like why we shave instead of get laser hair removal or grow beards..

Some food for some thought. Or it's just really late at night.

Just my two cents

 

[Topgumby]

It's antiseptic, and the burn I get from an alcohol splash lets me know I'm still kicking.

If the burn isn't there, I'll start scanning the obituary section to see if I'm in it.

 

[hometownhero]

The joy I get out of using aftershave with alcohol in it is that very burn you don't like. If I use a balm ( I do have a few) it feels like something was missing in my shave.

 

[RF1963]

If the burn isn't there, I'll start scanning the obituary section to see if I'm in it.

I read the obituary column; if I'm not in it, I start shaving.

 

[Mad Weiland]

This is a good summation of how I feel.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=59118

 

[Swampfox]

If it burns, you know it's working.

 

[kadett]

Mostly because there were times I used to shave then hit myself with some cologne and would feel the burn, and not in the weight lifting sense....My feelings were it was the alcohol in the cologne that was causing that incessant burning feeling on my neck.

I use alcohol based AS every shave, I never use balm. If you are burned that much then either you are using a poor quality product or are giving yourself rough shaves. A good alcohol based AS should not burn that much, Tabac or English Leather spring to mind as good quality AS with relatively little burn.

Finally I have highlighted the word cologne based on what you wrote, I wanted to ask if you are actually using cologne instead of an aftershave. If you are using EdC as an aftershave then the burn will be much greater than a good AS as the alcohol content can be higher, EdC also tends to be devoid of any of the good things for skincare that is found in an aftershave.

 

[Drubbing]

Cologne isn't after shave. Cologne has alc and fragrance, and possibly colours in it. That's it.

As an AS, it's useless.

AS contains oils, astringents and moisturising agents, depending on band. The alcohol levels also vary. Even at low alc levels, an AS will give instant feedback on a poor shave.

It does a lot of good for your skin IMO. Barbers and other experts say its bad because it can dry the skin. Living, washing, and being outside does that too, and that's why man cream exists as well.

I use both. AS is soothing and healing, and man cream puts moisture back.

 

[ackvil]

My philosophy is why torture yourself? I enjoy my shaves too much to subject myself to pain! Thus, I use Thayer's rose petal WH which works great. And, I know it's working because of its soothing impact.

 

[luvmysuper]

The joy I get out of using aftershave with alcohol in it is that very burn you don't like. If I use a balm ( I do have a few) it feels like something was missing in my shave.

Exactly.

I feel like I'm not done till I get the burn afterwards.

It's not a painful type burn (if it is, your doing something wrong) just a good warm tingly feedback that the ritual is complete.

 

[Valker]

It's not the same without the burn.

 

[Fletch]

I use alcohol based AS every shave, I never use balm. If you are burned that much then either you are using a poor quality product or are giving yourself rough shaves. A good alcohol based AS should not burn that much, Tabac or English Leather spring to mind as good quality AS with relatively little burn.

Finally I have highlighted the word cologne based on what you wrote, I wanted to ask if you are actually using cologne instead of an aftershave. If you are using EdC as an aftershave then the burn will be much greater than a good AS as the alcohol content can be higher, EdC also tends to be devoid of any of the good things for skincare that is found in an aftershave.

I didn't use it as an aftershave I actually never used any kind of aftershave before I started de shaving. It's just that there were times I would be in a rush to get out of the house. So it would go shave, get dressed, a shot of cologne and out the door I went. I just figured it was the alcohol that was the main culprit for the killer burn. So I was relating that with a similar experience with the alcohol based aftershaves. I don't know what an alcohol based AS is lime because I never used it mostly because I was lumping them in with the burn I got when I would hit myself with some cologne a few minutes after shaving when I was in a hurry.

 

[Pungo Lee]

I wish I could get some burning. Nothing burns anymore. I laughed at previous Posters saying Ogalla burns, what?

 

[media]

At first using an alcohol aftershave really burns. After a while you get used to it and it's nothing more than a tingle. Just make sure your face is wet when you apply it. It tells you how good your shave was. If you sucked, it burns. If you did a good job it tingles.

 

[cymric]

I do this:
Prep
Shave
Rinse
Witch Hazel
Cool water
Alcohol After shave
After balm (depending on the day)

which is considerable overkill in the post-shave dept. Witch hazel is already an astringent, so the alcohol in the AS is moot. And once you've treated the skin this way, half of the balm's properties are there for naught. You only need one product, plus a cologne (if your fancy runs that way).

@OP: alcohol in an aftershave is there for various reasons. It's an astringent, an antisceptic, cools the skin a little by evaporation, doubles as a solvent for other useful compounds, and is dirt cheap. If your shave was good, the alcohol won't burn at all, but merely tingle for a few moments. What you felt with the cologne were probably the fragrances.

 

[Lando]

Some AS have more alcohol than others. My Taylor's St James is a purdy color and has a nice scent but burns like the dickens. DR Harris Arlington has less of a burn, just enough to invigorate you, then just enough menthol kick to give a nice cooling sensation. My favorite AS.

 

[DE_Dude]

which is considerable overkill in the post-shave dept. Witch hazel is already an astringent, so the alcohol in the AS is moot. And once you've treated the skin this way, half of the balm's properties are there for naught. You only need one product, plus a cologne (if your fancy runs that way).

I'm another one of those guys who likes to combine the cleaning feeling of a splash with the moisturizing qualities of a balm afterwards...leaving one out either leaves me feeling unsatisfied with my shave or dried out. My last shave ended with Adidas Dynamic Pulse followed by Nivea ASB...a great finish to a fine shave!

Never tried a witch hazel before the AS, though. The smell is a little too much for me, so I've stayed away from it.

 

[azrichter]

I think the aroma of the alcohol is as much a slap to the brain as the sting is to the face. Especially if there's menthol riding on it!

 

[cymric]

I'm another one of those guys who likes to combine the cleaning feeling of a splash with the moisturizing qualities of a balm afterwards...leaving one out either leaves me feeling unsatisfied with my shave or dried out.

The point is splash and balm are not influenced by wishful thinking about which property they are going to convey to the skin they've been applied to.

If you suffer from a dried out feeling after shaving then you most certainly shouldn't be using alcohol afterwards: you just make matters worse. The balm then just undoes what the alcohol stripped away, in fact. Look closely at the entire shave (technique, soap/cream) instead.

I concur that an alcohol-based splash is not for everyone. My skin is by nature very fat, so it doesn't need the extra emollients present in most balms unless I've been really careless.