Thread: Aftershave moisturizer / balm recipes ?

I've been reading moisturizer and shave balm labels, and nothing I see on them justifies their prices.

I'm thinking about using almond oil as a base for a post-shave moisturizer/balm, and adding a bit of menthol (if I can find it) and eucalyptus oils for (a) cooling and (b) smell.

Has anyone tried homebrew shave balm? Any recipes would be appreciated.

Thanks --

Charles

PS -- my "standard of comparison" is H2O "Body Butter". If I could get close to that, I'd be very happy.

I make a very simple after shave moisturizer. It is quick and easy to make, and a little goes a long way so it will last "for many moons". I make mine without any scents so it doesn't collide with which ever aftershave I decide on. I use mine on cold days or if my skin feels dry.

3 oz aloe butter, 6 oz shea butter, 3 oz grape seed oil, 1 spoonful of glycerine.
(The best quality shea butter has a natural scent. If you mind it you could get scentless extractions, but I use the best quality. Just make sure you get a cosmetic grade.)

Melt slowly and keep the temp steady between 170-185F for approximately 30-45 minutes. (this stage is important to avoid the shea butter lump up as it cools). Then starts the cooling process. Whip it with a mixer till it looks like there are bubbles in it, then place in freezer/fridge for 5 mins. Repeat this process. It will take many whipping/cooling rounds, in the end it will feel like whipped cream. Then replace to a wide mouthed jar and stick it in the fridge for keeping. I use a small container in the shave den, and refill as needed from the fridge. The recipe is all natural and non toxic (you could even eat it, but it doesn't taste very well ) provided you use grade A shea butter.

Originally Posted by str8fencer

I make a very simple after shave moisturizer. It is quick and easy to make, and a little goes a long way so it will last "for many moons". I make mine without any scents so it doesn't collide with which ever aftershave I decide on. I use mine on cold days or if my skin feels dry.

3 oz aloe butter, 6 oz shea butter, 3 oz grape seed oil, 1 spoonful of glycerine.
(The best quality shea butter has a natural scent. If you mind it you could get scentless extractions, but I use the best quality. Just make sure you get a cosmetic grade.)

Melt slowly and keep the temp steady between 170-185F for approximately 30-45 minutes. (this stage is important to avoid the shea butter lump up as it cools). Then starts the cooling process. Whip it with a mixer till it looks like there are bubbles in it, then place in freezer/fridge for 5 mins. Repeat this process. It will take many whipping/cooling rounds, in the end it will feel like whipped cream. Then replace to a wide mouthed jar and stick it in the fridge for keeping. I use a small container in the shave den, and refill as needed from the fridge. The recipe is all natural and non toxic (you could even eat it, but it doesn't taste very well ) provided you use grade A shea butter.

Thanks for the great recipe! I'll have to try that out when I get the time.

I use a standard generic 28 proof witch-hazel extract as the base for mine. I have eucalyptus oil, pinus sylvestris (pine tree) oil, menthol crystals, two cheapo Indian grocery store finds (citrus and "sandal" extracts) and peppermint and spearmint extracts (the last four are food grade). They all work well to make.

Just go slow in your formulations and make them in small batches, think 1-2 tablespoons. A few drops of an extract, smell, maybe a few more. You can always readjust the extracts by adding a few more before the next use.

Menthol could be expensive if you get a liquid version.. the crystals should be very cheap. I have my proraso inspired eucalyptus and menthol aftershave. A "Aubrey Organics: Men's Stock: North Woods" inspired pine and light citrus and cut some Pinaud "clubman" and Aqua Velva "musk" with witch hazel but haven't done much with dedicated moisturizing balms.

str8fencer: that sounds interesting. Very laborous and possible to screw up, but interesting. It stimulates the cook in me. Have you thought of giving out samples for a basic recipe like that? When you take it out of the freezer and re-mix, is it hard on the mixer?

Originally Posted by AxelH

str8fencer: that sounds interesting. Very laborous and possible to screw up, but interesting.

I don't think it is very laborious at all, and can't really see how you could mess it up. The biggest thing is keep the temperature low. There is a chance you could get "grits" in the balm when finished, if you did not heat the mixture long enough (the shea butter needs a long warming period to avoid crystallization) but if that should happen you can just reheat and continue from there.

Originally Posted by AxelH

Have you thought of giving out samples for a basic recipe like that?

Umm, no
I don't sell and have no interest to.

Originally Posted by AxelH

When you take it out of the freezer and re-mix, is it hard on the mixer?

No, it is liquid and not hard at all. The point of the mixing is to incorporate air bubbles in it as it cools. The first few rounds there is very little that remains after 5 mins, but gradually it cools and sets. Once it sets it is still just a cream, basically.

I use a simplistic recipe I think blaireau posted a couple of years ago.

Two parts cornhuskers lotion
1 part aloe
1 part witch hazel (adjust for desired consistency)

Shake before use.

It's nothing fancy, certainly not ideal, but it works for me. In the winter I add a dab of nivea balm in my hand and apply both.

+1 to Utopian
I use plain corn huskers lotion--it's inexpensive, non-oily and you can use it several times a day, if you need to. My favorite is Proraso's non-alchohol balm, but then you're back to the pricy thing.

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

I've been reading moisturizer and shave balm labels, and nothing I see on them justifies their prices.

I'm thinking about using almond oil as a base for a post-shave moisturizer/balm, and adding a bit of menthol (if I can find it) and eucalyptus oils for (a) cooling and (b) smell.

Has anyone tried homebrew shave balm? Any recipes would be appreciated.

Thanks --

Charles

PS -- my "standard of comparison" is H2O "Body Butter". If I could get close to that, I'd be very happy.

a great thread. I've always suspected stuff that comes in bottles and jars had small amounts of good things suspended in cheap "fillers". anxious to learn more about home concoctions. In St. Louis there is a store called Loccitane; personal care from France. It's a chain. Anybody have personal experience with their products?

I'm going to give this a try. I found both shea butter and aloe butter on Amazon.com. I assume that those are adequate for this? I already have the grape seed oil and glycerine from making preshave oil so I'm good there. Would adding any witchhazel be advised? Would it hurt?

Originally Posted by str8fencer

I make a very simple after shave moisturizer. It is quick and easy to make, and a little goes a long way so it will last "for many moons". I make mine without any scents so it doesn't collide with which ever aftershave I decide on. I use mine on cold days or if my skin feels dry.

3 oz aloe butter, 6 oz shea butter, 3 oz grape seed oil, 1 spoonful of glycerine.
(The best quality shea butter has a natural scent. If you mind it you could get scentless extractions, but I use the best quality. Just make sure you get a cosmetic grade.)

Melt slowly and keep the temp steady between 170-185F for approximately 30-45 minutes. (this stage is important to avoid the shea butter lump up as it cools). Then starts the cooling process. Whip it with a mixer till it looks like there are bubbles in it, then place in freezer/fridge for 5 mins. Repeat this process. It will take many whipping/cooling rounds, in the end it will feel like whipped cream. Then replace to a wide mouthed jar and stick it in the fridge for keeping. I use a small container in the shave den, and refill as needed from the fridge. The recipe is all natural and non toxic (you could even eat it, but it doesn't taste very well ) provided you use grade A shea butter.

How much is a spoonful of glycerine?

Thanks for the information.