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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 am fairly certain that Mamabear's summer aftershave balm is 100% natural. Please do not quote me on that, but shoot her an e-mail and she will confirm that for you. I only use her aftershave product as I don't want to rub unknown irritants/preservatives/toxins into my freshly shaven skin. :)
What do you define as natural (and please don't say "does not include chemicals", because everything includes chemicals).
Unfortunately, this is true. I cannot speak for Chrbia, but it makes me feel better to try to avoid products that are completely loaded with unnecessary "toxic" chemicals (dyes for instance). It would probably be impossible to find 100% natural products because even the "natural" stuff will have preservatives in it.Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterRolf
I mean something that does't contain parapens, or harmful/toxic additives. The aubery's aftersahve that I use has a list of ingredients that I can acutally understand. It lists out EO, Natural Grain Alcohol, Witch Hazel, ...etc. Nothing in there that makes you go huh... what the *** is that?
Well, you could just use alum like the olden days. Or just thayer's wh.
I'd try Speick aftershave lotion (splash). It's almost entirely composed of natural ingredients that are quite useful for post shave care.
Ingredients -
Alcohol, Water, Sorbitol, Glucose, Mannitol, Valeriana Celtica (Speick extract), Witch hazel, Lavender oil, Lemon peel oil, Parfum, Lactic acid, Potassium alum, Menthol, Camphor, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool.
It's quite possibly the most healing after shave out there, with a mild, citrusy, masculine scent that doesn't last too long.
I use Alum and let it sit on my face for 2-3 minutes, then I do a cold water rinse and apply some Thayer's witch hazel... this combination is natural and wonderful:)
It's not entirely natural but as far as making your own, I use recipe that I found here. I think I got it from RayG but I'm not certain.
2 parts Cornhusker's Lotion
1 part aloe
1 part Thayer's witch hazel (You can adjust the witch hazel amount to alter the viscosity.)
Initially the Cornhusker's Lotion imparts a smell I don't care for but it seems to fade when it ages. I supplement it with a small amount of another scented shave lotion or essential oil to add a better scent.
It's not as good as Nivea Aftershave Balm, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper.
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?
chrbia1,
Distilled Witch Hazel is one of the original face lotions for use after shaving, and is 'natural' to boot. Very well priced too :)
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
I've had good luck with straight jojoba oil and rose hip seed oil as aftershaves. With one ingredient each, I imagine they meet your criteria for "natural."
Another natural after-shave is just plain aloe. I have a large plant from which I regularly cut leaves. After each shave, I cut about 3/4" off the leaf, rub it between my hands, pick out the green part, and then spread it on my face. I usually supplement it with the home-made after-shave I described earlier in the thread, but the aloe can work by itself.
Thayer's Medicated Superhazel works absolute wonders for me.
I remember when I was first learning to use a straight and would get the burn, I would use aloe to help with the healing. It's good stuff!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Utopian
Try this natural bay rum.
Of course, you could also go for Hai KarateQuote:
This is the original, subtly scented skin tonic that refined gentlemen have used since the early 1900s. Fresh and completely natural, with no artificial ingredients.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtwh3nQP5Uo
Believe it or not, I am in the same boat.Quote:
Originally Posted by groundrush
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by groundrush
You can pat or air dry, splashing is messy.
I found NancyBoy's Replenishing AS to be refreshingly nice...If I remember, it's "natural".Quote:
Originally Posted by chrbia1