Witch Hazel?

[The Last Chimney]

Does witch hazel, even something like Thayer's Superhazel, do anything that an alum block and a good ASB can't?

I usually go ATG at the end of my shaves, even though I know my face hates me for it. Every time I use an alum block, it'll burn pretty fierce, but afterwards the witch hazel will not burn at all (and it definitely does if I skip the alum). I have to wonder if the WH is even worth using when you already have a good astringent and a good moisturizing/soothing balm.

 

[Alacrity59]

I find witch hazel very mild and comforting. Alum does it's stuff and tingles and if you messed up stings a bit. Aftershave balm I mostly find too goopy . . . I tried many decades ago and didn't find a good one back then . . . recently I tried the Proraso and I think they have it just right.

 

[DizzyArnaz]

It's working well for me, so I'll stick with it. My skin definitely responded well to it, and looks better as a result.

Warm rinse > cool rinse > Witch Hazel > AS.

 

[HCSchluge]

I use Witch Hazel for aftershave and love it. It doesn't clash with colognes I might be using.

 

[driney]

I only use alum if I have niked or scraped myself, other wise I just warm rinse wipe my face and beard down with a cool cloth follow up with WH and then Nutregena aftershave balm, the WH defiantly helps reduce any inadvertent skin irritation above just the balm alone.

 

[VT_Hokie]

Just used Witch Hazel for the first time today.

Nobody on here ever warns you of how nasty this stuff smells

Ill stick with my Anthony Logistics aftershave balm, which second ingredient listed is Witch Hazel, only it smells delicious

 

[whitete]

Thayers WH doesn't smell too bad. I tried regular WH first and you are right about the smell. The stench would gag me!! I've been using Thayers (thanks to this site!!) for a few weeks and love it.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Nobody on here ever warns you of how nasty this stuff smells

Heretic!

The delicate scent of witch hazel grows on you.

Heck, I didn't like coffee or beer the first time I had, them, either.

As for the OP, I find witch hazel an excellent AS. I always use it right after a shave, followed by ASB.

Works for me and YMMV, of course.

 

[gearchow]

Heretic!

The delicate scent of witch hazel grows on you.

Heck, I didn't like coffee or beer the first time I had, them, either.

As for the OP, I find witch hazel an excellent AS. I always use it right after a shave, followed by ASB.

Works for me and YMMV, of course.

I liked the taste of beer the very first time, thank you. And the cheap witch hazel still bums me out. Maybe I should stop drinking it?

To the OP, I think your right, witch hazel or AS or alum. Combining may not give added benefit. But I don't use ASB, so after alum I will rinse and use a splash for the ... for the... I can't think of the right words. Got to stop drinking that witch hazel.

-jim

 

[buyandhold2018]

The Thayers WH products are very good. Most of the time I use Alum, followed by WH but I agree with you, it's probably overkill. Both Alum and WH are astringents and toners; they serve a similar purpose. Personally, if I was forced to only use one, I would pick Alum, I like the feedback it gives me after the shave (my opinion is a little bias though because I sell Alum).

 

[gearchow]

The Thayers WH products are very good. Most of the time I use Alum, followed by WH but I agree with you, it's probably overkill. Both Alum and WH are astringents and toners; they serve a similar purpose. Personally, if I was forced to only use one, I would pick Alum, I like the feedback it gives me after the shave (my opinion is a little bias though because I sell Alum).

feedback is right!



-jim

 

[baggiez]

Heretic!

The delicate scent of witch hazel grows on you.

Heck, I didn't like coffee or beer the first time I had, them, either.

As for the OP, I find witch hazel an excellent AS. I always use it right after a shave, followed by ASB.

Works for me and YMMV, of course.

+1. I've been using Thayers Lavender for a couple of weeks now and I like it

 

[Dharion]

Some ASBs have actually a fair amount of witch hazel itself. Witch hazel doesn't have a nice scent but in my experience it fades away real quick.

Sometimes it's not giving enough moisture but that's all. I like it. Really cheap and not as messy as some ASBs.

 

[hdhaskell]

I just started using generic drug store witch hazel, and I love the results, if not the smell. Alum's great for stopping bleeding, maybe better than witch hazel; the advantage of witch hazel is that it reduces the redness.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I hear a Feather fanatic saying that if you have irritation, something's wrong with your technique!