Thread: Natural After Shave

Originally Posted by groundrush

I believe I asked this in another thread, but this thread seems more "on topic"... my face is really sensitive to chemicals. I don't even use after shave. What is with Witch Hazel and Alum Block?

I have been shaving for 40+ years (-3 months SRS) and have always cold water splash and pat dry.

I would like to use something. Is this safe for sensitive skin?

Believe it or not, I am in the same boat.

Witch Hazel is basically a tincture of a plant. I've made it before in quantity, but I usually find it to be too strong (drying) for my skin; either home made or store bought. It does work for me, but I find I have to rinse it off after about 10 minutes. It does have a medicinal smell which I don't find particularly attractive but the price is right and after a rinse, the scent is mild to non-existent.

Alum block, or more generally potassium alum, is a natural occurring compound that is basically used to tighten the pores of the skin, post shave. Same as the aftershave, really. Other aluminum derivatives are added to this potassium alum to create a styptic pencil, for instance. Personally, I despise the feeling of the Alum block on my skin post shave.

I use the Dominica Bay Rum linked in the above post. If I use too much, it will dry out the skin on my face ... so a little bit on a wet face seems to be working for me.

Sometimes I use Vitamin E oil for a post shave treatment. It doesn't have an aroma per se, but it really does help condition the skin. Extra virgin olive oil has alot of vitamin E in it. I've found that it is really easy to apply way too much of this type post shave treatment. A little goes a long way on a wet face. One could add scented oils to the vitamin oil to develop a personal after shave scent, although I haven't personally gone that far with it.

It's tough to generalize sensitive skin. It comes down to the individual user, really.

Originally Posted by groundrush

I believe I asked this in another thread, but this thread seems more "on topic"... my face is really sensitive to chemicals. I don't even use after shave. What is with Witch Hazel and Alum Block?

I have been shaving for 40+ years (-3 months SRS) and have always cold water splash and pat dry.

I would like to use something. Is this safe for sensitive skin?

Cold water is an excellent choice, though if you are using tap water you are probably still getting a few chemicals other than water (which of course is a chemical). Hypochlorites and various organic chlorides are typical.

You can pat or air dry, splashing is messy.

Originally Posted by chrbia1

Does anyone know of some good natural aftershaves?

I have been using Aubery Organics Norther Woods After Shave Balm and really enjoy both the smell and the moisturizing quailites of the product. With that said I wanted to try something new.

On a side note what does it take to make your own?

I found NancyBoy's Replenishing AS to be refreshingly nice...If I remember, it's "natural".