I was looking at this thread just now and noticed a lot of posters include Thayer's Witch Hazel in their post-shave. Any thoughts on this product?
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I was looking at this thread just now and noticed a lot of posters include Thayer's Witch Hazel in their post-shave. Any thoughts on this product?
I use Dickenson's instead of Thayers, works as well and costs less.
I used to use Dickenson's, it smells awful, so I tossed it and got me some Thayers. I'm never going back. To me, it helps a lot to tighten the pores before applying my aftershave. It isn't NECESSARY, but I find it leaves me with less irritation and I feel better afterwards. Also, as I do not shave every day, I use it once or twice a day just on my face to keep my skin healthy.
I use Thayers Rose Petal with Aloe, feels wonderful after a shave. Never used Dickensons.
I see Dickenson's and it smells like death. Once this bottle is gone, I gotta find something else.
The Dickenson is quality stuff just that what you are smelling is the witch hazel. It's an acquirred smell-Har har. Actually I like the smell however I switched to the Thayers years ago. It's a better product especially if you use the superhazel. I know of no product on this earth that will stop razor burn in it's tracks like that product. Not severe burn of course but minor to moderate yes.
So is Thayer's Witch Hazel an alternative to the Alum Block and stick or do you use it with? I am getting use to applying the Alum Block after my shave but it does dry the skin a lot and does nothing as far as I can see for razor burn. :mace:
I have been using the Thayers Witch Hazel Lemon scented for months, it is refreshing and the lemon scent complements well. I have not used the Alum block, but hey, I might give it a try down the road. HOG
I use the generic Witch Hazel from Walmart ($1.48 per quart). It works well - soothes razor burn 2-3 time better than Nivea Cooling Balm for me, tightens my pores, but doesn't leave a drum-tight feeling face, and doesn't seem to dry my skin.
It definitely smells like witch hazel (ie: not pleasantly perfumed), but 98% of the smell goes away after it drys on my face.
I've used both Thayer's witch hazel or an alum block as a post-shave astringent. The former during the summer months and the latter during the winter.
I am definitely going to have to pick up some next time I am out. Getting tired of the burning and dry feeling of the Alum Block.
I also have to figure out how to shave my neck. I went with the grain of my neck, which is from the center out, and ended up with more razor burn than if I just do 2 passes down.
I swear something has to give and I don't think I am applying pressure or using too much of an angle, then again I did use my DE tonight instead of my straight. I have both to switch use to give the other a rest and for vacations. I think the DE would travel better than the straight, but who knows.
I was a little tired from mowing the lawn, push mower up hill:rant:. So that could have had some to do with it, arms were a little jello from the vibrations of the mower.
When I bought the Dickenson's, I failed to notice that it is 20% alcohol. When it's finished I'm going to try Thayer's. I wouldn't mind a mild scent to cover up the witch hazel smell. Even though the straight-up witch hazel smell doesn't last long on my face, it offends the delicate senses of my 6 year old "shave inspector" daughter:)
Monroe,
Why the seasonal switch?
Greg
I was reading something on Witch hazel about it being used before and after shaving and how it sooths the skin. I can't remember the site but I know it was not on here, the site was all about witch hazel only.
It said that it is good to use both before and after a shave, I am curious if it would do anything to melt some soap and add a little to the soap. Anyone ever try that or do you think it would defeat the purpose of using it?
I am also curious of the point of aftershave and balms? Never really got the point of them. Always figured a good astringent or some aloe was all that was really needed, unless you want the scent.
Just curious.
I've got a bottle of the unscented Thayer's and yeah it doesn't smell very good, but it fades fast, and doesn't dry my skin out. It honestly feels pretty soothing.
My new favorite witch hazel is the cheap house brand from Stater Bros. (Top Care) It really has a lot of witch hazel in it. And smells like it. To me this is good because I like the smell of witch hazel but for others this might not be so good. All of our mileages may vary.
I still use Thayer's Witch Hazel Skin Astringent with Witch Hazel and it doesn't look like I'll be stopping any time soon since the Validator loves the stuff herself for cleaning and toning her skin. I really should branch out a little more though.
Gentlemen:
For years I have used Thayer's super witch hazel with aloe vera after every shave, with additional applications throughout the day. It's great stuff.
The big bottle costs around $10 or so. By Jove, the other day a local store had it on sale for about $6. Whoa! Was this heaven or what? So I bought five bottles just in case someday I end up on a desert island.
Regards,
Obie
Thayers price is higher because of the way they extract the witch hazel from the shrub. It preserves the natural tannins in the sap of the plant, whereas the other brands use a distillation process and/or add alcohol. In addition, the Thayers product adds aloe vera which is also a natural skin healer.
I have not used witch Hazel yet, but it next on my list. But I think Ive seen that people will use witch hazel then another after shave. Is there much explanation to this or could I just have dreamt it up?
Witch hazel can be used as a stand alone AS. Speaking strickly for myself, I just can't leave it at that. Witch hazel does an exemplary job of calming inflammed, scratched skin and helps nourish your face, but it just doesn't get the job done by itself. That being said, any other AS gets a real boost by being applied after a treatment of witch hazel.
Hello, Andrevs:
After the shave I apply alum, and at various intervals during which I clean the razor, witch hazel follows, then aftershave balm and finally aftershave. Throughout the day, if I feel like applying a touch of aftershave, I always couple it with s touch of witch hazel first. I like witch hazel.
Regards,
Obie
I'm not sure how a mix and macerate extraction would be more costly than steam distillation, and I also challenge the claim that retaining the tannins is a good thing (at least as far as a skin treatment is concerned). Remember, tannins are what are used to tan hides to make leather.
Tannins are actually powerful astringents which close pores and capillaries immediately upon contact with them. Additionally, tannins have been used in medicine for centuries to draw toxins out (living) skin. I'm willing to stipulate that that the manufacturing process that Thayer's uses is no more costly. I just love the results.
+1 Tannin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The tanning of Cow Hides is done through a Chemical Process.
Has anyone tried this one?
Thayers Witch Hazel After Shave w/Aloe Vera Formula - $6.50 : Thayers Natural Remedies, Since 1847
What's the scent like? And how does the usage compare to this one:
Thayers Medicated Superhazel with Aloe Vera Formula Astringent - $9.95 : Thayers Natural Remedies, Since 1847
Actually, I don't use either one of those products. I only use the toners because they do not contain alcohol. Specifically, I like Lavender. There is just enough scent to mask the actual witch hazel scent, which is kind of nasty. Ironically, I sometimes use AS splash in stead of my usual Nivea ASB, but at least I'm ready for it when I do. My post shave ritual goes like this:
Cold water rinse, pat dry.
Witch hazel, air dry while applying pomade.
(Sometimes)Pinaud Bay Rum, Clubman, or Lime Sec AS splash
Nivea ASB
(if no AS) Gentlemen's Best Signature EDT. (wifey loves the stuff)
No matter what, Thayers goes on right after cold water rinse. I think it sets the "tone".
I have not used either type, I use the original (Astringent) Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera. Some say the smell of Witch Hazel is nasty but I like it.
I have looked at the medicated and it seems to have more alcohol in it, at least the one I looked at in the Grocery store. The price I paid was a bit more than that though :banghead: But no Shipping and Handleing charges :rock:
Thayers all the way for me too - definitely the benchmark for post shave comfort. I use the aloe-infused one which has very little (if any) aroma. Will be trying the Superhazel next as I hear good things about this.
I always use the hazel after cold water rinse post shave. Then add Trumpers Skin Food or Proraso pre/post shave cream.
Enjoy!
Well, tannins are of course chemicals, and while agree that leather making in the industrialized world uses synthetic tanning agents, the very term tanning (as applied to making leather) comes from the use of oak tannins in the process. All tannins are polyphenolic compounds that chemically alter protein molecules, stronger tannins such as those found in oak bark cause the protein molecules to shrink resulting in permanent stiffening of the hides with a reduction in the overall pore structure. This is what converts the raw hides to leather. It is this same process that causes the feeling of tightness or puckering of the skin when milder tannins are applied topically. If this is what you want, then I will agree that you will get it from any one of a number of vegetable tannin extracts, including tea and coffee. I still challenge the claim that this is beneficial.
Where can you get Thayer's Witch Hazel without ordering it directly from Thayer? I use generic witch hazel, and although the bad smell dissapates after it dries, I would rather have some that smells half decent.
I got mine from my local grocery store. You could also check out a Walmart or CVS or Walgreen's. Not sure if the CVS or Walgreen's will carry Thayer's but I am certain Walmart should.
Gentlemen's Best carries Thayers @ $9.00
Hello, Firefighter:
Most vendors mentioned at Straight Razor Place carry the product. So does Whole Foods. Also, many vitamin stores have it. You can order it from vitacost.com, too. The one I always use is Thayer's Super Medicated Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera. It has no smell that I can detect and it is good stuff.
Regards,
Obie
I just bought 10- 12 oz bottles of the Lavender toner from Amazon for $2.16 ea plus $6.95 shipping. It shows 17 left.
I gues it would be helpful if I included the link.
I stopped at several pharmacies and grocery stores on my way home lastnight. Couldn't find Thayers witch hazle or glycerine (I did find glycerine, but it was in little enama dispensers. Convienent for adding a few drops at a time I'm sure, but I was unsure if it was the right stuff at the time. It is.). The only thing I found was a styptic pencil at a Rite Aide.
Everyone only seems to have the Dr. something or other's or the equivalent, which all comes from the same plant (same bottle and label layout). All of which contain 14% alcohol.
Found the Thayers and vegetable glycerine at WholeFoods. Decent selection of different scents. With and without aloe.
I noticed the superhazle has 20% alcohol. Or it appeared that way. There may have been something that used a 20% mixture of denatured alcohol for extraction. I can't exactly remember at the moment.