Thread: When to use an Astringent?

I agree with LG

It doesn't hurt you to try both before and after a shave. It's pretty natural stuff. Use the Non-alcohol kind. before applying it after your shave, wash your face with cold water...this will help in reducing irritation, etc...then put Witch Hazel on.

Also, post-shave is as important as pre-shave, IMHO. Whatever you do after your shave (particularly if you get irritated or sensitive skin) and the witch hazel, do not use alcohol containing after shaves . Sure alcohol cools the skin (due to its latent heat of evaporation - it absorbs heat and thus feels cold from both the skin underneath it and also from the air around it), but it will lead to dehydration of your skin, leading to production of inflammation signals...enough to irritate you the entire day after the cooling effect has disappeared. Instead, use a good AS balm and moisturizer.

Originally Posted by chrbia1

I was told once that Witch Hazel helps the hair stand up striaghter so it should be used prior to a shave to get a closer shave. Is it ok to use Withc hazel twice, once before na once after?

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

I agree with LG

It doesn't hurt you to try both before and after a shave. It's pretty natural stuff. Use the Non-alcohol kind. before applying it after your shave, wash your face with cold water...this will help in reducing irritation, etc...then put Witch Hazel on.

Also, post-shave is as important as pre-shave, IMHO. Whatever you do after your shave (particularly if you get irritated or sensitive skin) and the witch hazel, do not use alcohol containing after shaves . Sure alcohol cools the skin (due to its latent heat of evaporation - it absorbs heat and thus feels cold from both the skin underneath it and also from the air around it), but it will lead to dehydration of your skin, leading to production of inflammation signals...enough to irritate you the entire day after the cooling effect has disappeared. Instead, use a good AS balm and moisturizer.

Yes...
There is one historic reason for alcohol and other
harsher after shaves. At one time folk shaved with
water that some of us would call "unsanitary". Old
farmer Bob or miner Tom would shave once or twice
a week but the work place was full of less than sanitary
grit and grime. Alcohol or witch hazel could help avoid
problems.

I was lucky -- my summer working underground was the
cleanest dirty job I ever had. We all got a hot shower
and put on clean togs at the end of the shift. But working
in the oil patch and uranium exploration was not so tidy.
There was a reason the laundromat had machines reserved
for "greasers".

So for most of us they are unnecessary. Your life,
face and shave may be different.