Thread: Simple post-shave solutions

I thought I would start a thread that examines some of the simple approaches to post-shave splashes and balms. I tend to use unscented products as much as I can.

So here is my short list of natural and unscented (at least no artificial scents) salves. My most favourite is plain Witch Hazel...this is a daily regular for me. Soothes and calms. Thayers makes different scents, but I prefer the unscented. As for balms...most of what I use I find in the kitchen:

Coconut oil. A small dab will work just fine. Melt it in your hands and apply

Olive oil. Again a very small amount will work just fine.

Eucerin cream base (generally not found in the kitchen). This cream is inexpensive and can be found in most pharmacies (sometimes found behind the pharmacy counter). It works best when mixed with a bit of water and massaged into your skin. Great for winter weather when your skin is dry and feels like crackers. Very soothing.

[Late edit -- forgot to add unrefined shea butter...an excellent post-shave balm]

Aloe vera leaf. I cut off about one per week and use about an inch of it per shave.

I like the balms, and am currently attached to Mama Bear's Winter Balm and Em's balm.

But, Utopian keeps reminding me to get an aloe vera plant going, and this time I'm writing it down!

My wife makes a great moisturiser. It consists of all natural products. Coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera, cocoa butter, vitamin E oil, bees wax, vegetable glycerin and some other stuff too. It's great and has a chocolate fragrance. Perfect if you want to avoid some of the harsher chemicals and alcohols common in most products.

Edit: It's very very soothing! Use sparingly though.

udder ointment works wonders ^^
similar to eucerin it adds a little protective layer which is especially nice in the winter months

After some experimenting I have found the perfect post shave. For me.

250g/ 8.8oz organic refined shea butter.
2 tbl spoons virgin organic argan oil.
2 tbl spoons organic rosehip oil.
1 tbl spoon organic almond oil.
Few drops of essential oil of choice.

Heat over a low heat in a double boiler and mix. Take care not to heat above 175°F/ 80°C otherwise you will ruin the benefits of the ingredients.

The benefits from the butter and oils are huge.

Shea butter. The moisturisers in Shea Butter are the same moisturisers produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin.
I prefer to use refined shea butter as the unrefined smells quite strong and takes away from the essential oils. Source of vitamins A and E.

Argan oil. Contains natural tocopherols (vitamin E), essential fatty acids and antioxidants to help protect from free radicals.

Rosehip oil. Contains vitamins C, A, and K, as well as the essential fatty acids - linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and oleic acid.

Almond oil. Contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E & is particularly suited for nourishing the skin and known to be effective at moisturising eczema.

For me I find this the most beneficial for my skin type, dry/sensitive, anything with alcohol dries my skin right out so most post shaves are a no go for me. A little goes a long way so you cant make up too much as the shelf life is 24 months.
All in all a perfect way to finish your shave.

Thanks for the recipe mark! I'm heading to the store with a shopping list. Exactly what I was looking for, a natural postshave moisturizer. Second ever SR shave today, and I'm gonna need some nourishing postshave treatments to keep my skin happy while I learn to shave correctly.

No worries.
I tried all ingredients individualy to see if they suited my skin and to be honest all would be more than fine by themselves.
As said only use a tiny amount warmed in your hands because too much will not be absorbed quickly.
This is free from chemical preservatives so store away from sunlight. Vitamin E is a natural preservative but it won't last forever, 18-24 months is a resonable shelf life to expect.

Have fun with the essential oil, my favourites are lavender, lime and a mix of cypress, bergamot and lavender.

Just got an alum block the other and seem to really enjoy that right after a rinse of cold water then some Thayers witch hazel. I've been having trouble finding a good AS balm or the like that my skin gets along with. I used some Nivea post shave balm the other day and to my surprise my face did not like that at all. I do actually enjoy the nice "burn" from those alcohol based AS but Im sure that cant be great for the skin. Mark that recipe sounds great thanks for sharing that, I think I will have to give that a try.

G

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

After some experimenting I have found the perfect post shave. For me.

250g/ 8.8oz organic refined shea butter.
2 tbl spoons virgin organic argan oil.
2 tbl spoons organic rosehip oil.
1 tbl spoon organic almond oil.
Few drops of essential oil of choice.

Heat over a low heat in a double boiler and mix. Take care not to heat above 175°F/ 80°C otherwise you will ruin the benefits of the ingredients.

The benefits from the butter and oils are huge.

Shea butter. The moisturisers in Shea Butter are the same moisturisers produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin.
I prefer to use refined shea butter as the unrefined smells quite strong and takes away from the essential oils. Source of vitamins A and E.

Argan oil. Contains natural tocopherols (vitamin E), essential fatty acids and antioxidants to help protect from free radicals.

Rosehip oil. Contains vitamins C, A, and K, as well as the essential fatty acids - linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and oleic acid.

Almond oil. Contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E & is particularly suited for nourishing the skin and known to be effective at moisturising eczema.

For me I find this the most beneficial for my skin type, dry/sensitive, anything with alcohol dries my skin right out so most post shaves are a no go for me. A little goes a long way so you cant make up too much as the shelf life is 24 months.
All in all a perfect way to finish your shave.

That recipe sounds awesome! Been making my own preshave oil for a while now and it is great for my skin and improves my shave very well. The wife even threw away her canned shaving cream and uses it all the time. She loves it too.
Going to have to give this a try. Was worried about the ingredients but a Google search revealed they are all available at the Vitamin Shoppe right up the road!!
Thanks Mark, look forward to trying it!