Aftershave Balm vs. Traditional Aftershave

Hey everyone,

I'm extremely new to the whole process of shaving with a straight razor (I had my 3rd and closest shave yet this evening), and I'm wondering, firstly, what the real differences between aftershave balms and more traditional aftershave products are, and secondly, what the pros and cons would be of using either of these types of products.

Also, what types of post-shave products do you guys use, in what order do you use them, and what benefits do you get from your particular setup?

Many thanks,

-Robert

Hello Robert,

Your typical 'traditional' aftershave splash is alcohol based with other ingredients mixed in, usually skin toners and fragrance. They come in a variety of scents, but these are most associated with "barbershop" scents. They will most likely burn when applied to freshly shaved skin, which wears off and feels refreshing afterwards. Unfortunately, some guys experience skin drying or other irritation from alcohol splashes; you'll have to try it for yourself to see if you get a bad reaction.

Balms usually look like a runny cream, opaque in colour. They usually don't contain alcohol, so you won't get the refreshing burn most of us are used to, but they do have good skin moisturizing properties. Just like lotions, balms come in many scents, however it's not so common to find the traditional scents (the barbershop classics) in balm form.

I hope this helps.

I tried Nivea balm and a low alcohol DR Harris pink splash..both left my skin greasy and oily..my skin is already oily..so it's Clubman LimeSec/Vegitol and British Sterling I choose to use..cheap n lasts a VERY longtime so its worth the buy IMO

I actually use a bit of both.I apply an unscented aftershave balm first, then after about 15 minutes, I apply whatever A.S I decide on, on top of that.


Mick

Hi Robert,

I only use balms in the winter, when it's REALLY dry here. I'm over in Grand Junction, where it's pretty dry pretty much all the time.

My daily aftershave is Thayer's cucumber/aloe witchazel, reliably available at GNC stores. It has no alcohol, so no sting. I keep mine in the fridge and it feels extra soothing as it goes on cold. I'm not really into scents, but don't mind smelling like a cool cucumber for a few minutes.

I get the best comfort bang for the buck by shaving with cold water only. As cold as the tap will run, for a preshave rinse, for my lathering, for the whole shebang. Sometimes in the winter I can't bear the thought of a coldwater shave, but I find it's a great way to go in general.

There are quite a few users in the Denver area. Here's the thread for this summer's Denver meetup, with pictures starting around page 8. Put a pin in our Googlemap (it's in the Community dropdown) and see who's close by.

Best wishes to you.

Hello,

I have sensitive skin and when I use traditional after shaves my skin dries out and turns red for a few hours in spots. When I use most after shave balms my skin doesn't dry out and usually doesn't turn red.

Have a good one,

Chris

Sometimes I use Proraso 'Cream Liquid Aftershave' which is sort of cross between a balm and a AS, sometimes an AS, sometimes both. Basically I monitor my skin and the shave and use what is warranted. I too have oily skin and I find many moisturising products uneccesary...

No matter how good one's technique may be, the fact is that moving a sharp blade across your facial tissue creates trauma to the skin. Razor burn is a clear sign of too much trauma. Skin heals best when it is moist, and balms have the effect of moisturizing the skin and keeping it moist.

Although I quite like using an alcohol based AS, I am unable to do so regularly as my skin really doesn't like it!
I also tend to use a lightly scented or unscented balm, and use an AS later if required

Robert,

Post shave routine is a very personal thing. I would say try ALL of the above and remember which works best for you.

For me:
Always...cold water rinse and witch hazel, followed by
hot weather... alcohol based aftershave
cold weather...balm

Good luck, Jimbo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MickR

I actually use a bit of both.I apply an unscented aftershave balm first, then after about 15 minutes, I apply whatever A.S I decide on, on top of that.

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I pretty much do the same.

Most of the cheaper balms contain a cocktail of chemicals to produce a certain smell and consistency but still contain alcohol and do little. Some of the better ones contain more botanicals and avoid alcohol or at least use minimal amounts and I've found some of these to actually provide some beneficial results. You have to read the ingredients to see what you are getting. In general the AS is just water, alcohol and scent. It's all about the smell.

I like to use the speick balm, cooling and I really love the smell

I've been using Anthony unscented after shave balm for about a year know and balms in general for close to 8 years. I have extremely sensitive skin prone to razor burn, ingrown hairs etc. I have to say the balms have all but eliminated most of these problems resulting from shaving. I wasn't particularly fond of the after shave burn anyways so I tend to stay away from them for the most part but will use them occasionally mostly just because they come with some of the colognes I purchase.
I am a new SR shaver and the Anthony ASB has been great post shave. It cools my skin, conditions it quite well and leaves my face feeling great. I also like it being unscented, well mostly unscented there is a slight scent to it but won't over power as I have various colognes I like to use and I find when you start layering several scents on top of each other it can be a little much and hard to distinguish between them.

Hey, Robert!

I've had the same issue whether I'd choose balm or splash. After a lot of trial and error, I decided that it's mostly up to the weather conditions and my skin type. In winter I use balm + splash, in summer only splash. I have dry skin and the winters get real cold here and my face is prone to crackling. So I tried T&H's Ultimate Comfort and it works wonders. It's unscented. On top of that, Ogallala Bay Rum, which I couldn't live without.

On the other hand, the various responses you're receiving to your question is are the result of the various skin types of the guys doing the responding and the weather conditions each of them lives in. So you should adjust your needs based on the common denominator of the guys living in the same climate. If you feel AS alcohol-based splash is ruining your face, go for a balm that has the lowest chemicals possible in it. Or there's this recipe you can't go wrong with: cold water, witch hazel and whatever 100% organic shea butter or cream you prefer.

Cheers,

Andrei

i have found a lotion made by carmex........ carmex healing lotion...

works a miracle.... not greasy *(IMHO)...

I used to use Aqua Velva but my face started rebuking me, so I stopped using alcohol splashes. Now I use Dickenson's Witch Hazel after a cold water rinse, followed by Nivea Sensitive Balm and my skin has really turned a corner.

I really gotta try that Nivea, everybody seems to find a zen place with it.

Nivea Q10 + SPF15 is nice too..pretty cheap as a bottle lasts a long time..its a nice scented Balm

At the moment I've got the T&H No 10 balm, which works wonders. Also, kinda cheap compared to the other lines they've got.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by whiskeypete

I really gotta try that Nivea, everybody seems to find a zen place with it.

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I use it after a cold water rinse and a wipe down of Thayer's Witch Hazel. I have been using the Nivea AS balm since I started SR shaving back in April.

Nivea is my travel is choice. it is readily available, inexpensive, and fairly effective.

For me it is: alumn, Mitchell's Wool Fat hand and body lotion and GFT Skinfood.

My favorite balms (non-alcohol) are Nivea, Edwin Jagger or Muhle products. Love the scent and the feel.