Alcohol based aftershaves

I have read in numerous places that skin drying alcohol based aftershaves are the last thing your skin needs after being shaved. However, the bumps, ingrown hairs, acne, and bacterial growths it avoids is second to none. Sure, your face may have a couple red spots for 15 minutes, but I usually find it to be worth it. Also, I may be incorrect, but havent these alcohol based aftershaves withstood the test of time? Products come and go, but these have been around for a while.

My question is, is there anyone out there who uses alcohol based aftershaves, and then follows up with moisturizer later? Seems like that would be a pretty happy medium. On another note, is there anyone who has serious issues that follow using aftershave?

I think a lot of it comes down to your skin type. I use alum then an alcohol based AS after every shave, if I've gone overboard I might add a balm after but its very, very rare. People with dryer skin types seem to benefit more from a moisturising product after. Some even mix an alcohol based splash with a balm or moisturiser.

As far as I'm concerned the antiseptic properties of an alcohol splash is part of the reason for using it to.

I pretty much exclusively use alcohol based aftershaves. My daily user is Pinaud. In the winter, like now, I sometimes follow up with a aftershave balm made by Nevia. Some use Witch Hazel to good success.

Biggest issue I have ever had was when I was in a hurry and left the house without using an aftershave & it was summertime. I am prone to razorburn anyways on my neck...imagine the misery.

I live in Norway, winters get pretty cold and dry here so during our cold months I sometimes use a moisturizer afterwards, but the rest of the year no problems at all. I use alcohol based splashes after every shave, and I slobber it on like nobody's business. In fact, what I do is make sure the shaved areas are wet with splash for 15 seconds. I also measure my shave from the amount of burn I get - a good shave will have little to no burn. I sometimes use witch hazel based splashes, but truth be told I get more problems from these, with a little uncomfortable redness. YMMV.

All my aftershaves are alcohol based and I love them dearly. The "burn" is something I look forward to. With the dry central California winters I usually follow in a few hours with Hemp Nation Australian Gold moisturize or Tumpers Sandalwood Skin Food.

Some Witch Hazel skin toner is in an alcohol solution (~14%). if you remember that the toner isn't the final step(cleanse, tone, and moisturize) I don't think it's that drying.

For me it's kind of like a drink..if theres no alcohol in it then theres not much point..lol :beer2:
As far as I know all of my aftershaves are alcohol based and I like the burn I get from them..lets me know how well/smooth the shave went :)

Just about all aftershave products are alcohol based. You really need to look to find the ones that aren't. I know a few use witch hazel as a base. Even the balms mostly use alcohol as a base. I've never had a problem with skin drying so it's not something I've given much thought to but I see no reason why you couldn't use a moisturizer as long as the AS you use doesn't already contain one.

Along with alcohol, many aftershaves contain glycerine and/or polyethylene glycol (PEG), which act as moisturizers for the skin. Read the label on your favorites and see what they contain.

Propylene glycol? I checked out PEG but it was more for cosmetics, I think.

As far as AS's go there are two types of skin: those that can tolerate alcohol, and those that can't. As I stated in my blog post, my skin is sensitive, but sensitive to abrasion and not chemicals so alcohol based products don't seem to pose a problem.

In reality, as TBS pointed out, the majority of AS products contain some amount of alcohol, so many guys may be using it even though they think they aren't. But even if it does cause some drying many of us use multiple post shave products that, conciously or not, offset the alcohol drying effects. What I do is apply alum and then use Trumpers Skin Food immediately after shaving, and then apply either a splash or balm. I also use Body Shop Maca Root Skin Protector, but that's usually the following day (since I shave at night). I live in the Canadian prairies, so the summers are hot and dry and winters are cold and dry. No problems for me.

Before using a straight razor I had the same issue and would not use aftershave at all. Now that I use a straight and get a more comfortable shave the Old Spice doesn't have the burn it once did and I have noticed my face produces more natural oils and I no longer have an issue with dry skin. Better complexion too. Just my experience.

It seems that most use Alcohol based aftershaves. I am in the opposite camp and actually have never used an alcohol based aftershave splash on my face. I always use Alum followed by Sabon Aftershave Cream which is a pretty thick, moisturizing balm. This has been my routine for a while now, and I don't see it changing.

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Originally Posted by Fbones24

I am in the opposite camp and actually have never used an alcohol based aftershave splash on my face. I always use Alum followed by Sabon Aftershave Cream which is a pretty thick, moisturizing balm. This has been my routine for a while now, and I don't see it changing.

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Try it and you may like it, especially a nice Bay Rum. Sky's the limit, really. Rest assured, we'll convert you eventually ;)

Isnt Propylene Glycol the main ingredient in humidifying agent found in most humidors? I van see how this would be a moisturizing agent. But in regards to the alcohol based AS, I use Pinaud pretty regularly, still looking for alternates like it to try something new. Yes, alcohol based AS can dry out skin, but if you have a good quality shaving lather or proper pre/post shave treatment on a regular basis. The amount of AS will not be enough to really make a huge difference in your skin.

I take a slightly different approach. After I shave I use the alum block, then brush my teeth, clean up etc. A COLD water splash to get the residual alum off and put on Neutrogena triple protection face lotion. Then, I use an aftershave with alcohol.

That works for me and I have been doing it for quite some time. For many years I only used just an aftershave lotion with alcohol or even nothing. What I do now is much better and I don't suffer from sore skin unless it is a result of a bad shave.

Will N.

I really love alcohol splashes, but in winter I stick to very mild balms, or witch hazel that I've fortified with multiple heavy moisturizers. As others have said, it depends on your skin and climate.

No alcohol for me. Now, if it's in a bottle and comes from Kentucky, that's something else.

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Originally Posted by joshb1000

Isnt Propylene Glycol the main ingredient in humidifying agent found in most humidors?

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I always used distilled water when I was on my cigar kick. What is cool is that you can experiment with your "aftershave" and make a custom blend. Mix and match...you never know what you may come up with. I put a few drops of mineral oil in my Clubman Pinaud and it really helped me as it's getting cooler here and my face needed a bit of protection right after a shave.

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

I put a few drops of mineral oil in my Clubman Pinaud and it really helped me as it's getting cooler here and my face needed a bit of protection right after a shave.

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I may have to try that, i never really thought of trying to make Clubman Pinaud into anything else than it already is...besides awesome, that is!

I guess my skin likes alcohol based aftershaves. I've used Aqua Vevlva Ice Blue for the last ten years and love it. The burn followed by cooling is enjoyable. Of course I am Italian and live in New Orleans, which translates to oily skin and humid weather. I have never had a problem with using this aftershave. I actually have to use a moisturizer, because if I don't my skin will over produce oil, causing it to be too oily. Pretty sure this is why I've never had problems with alcohol bases aftershaves.

All but one of my AS's are alcohol based and I don't have any trouble.

Might be overkill but, alum block, then Thayers with aloe, then an Alcohol based AS just about everyday.

My skin is sensitive but produces moderate oil, oddly enough I may have had 3 pimples my entire life. Red razor bumps on my neck is another story. Since I started using the routine above and a straight I haven't had much problems at all.

Love em!!!!

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Originally Posted by asj1991

I have read in numerous places that skin drying alcohol based aftershaves are the last thing your skin needs after being shaved. However, the bumps, ingrown hairs, acne, and bacterial growths it avoids is second to none. Sure, your face may have a couple red spots for 15 minutes, but I usually find it to be worth it. Also, I may be incorrect, but havent these alcohol based aftershaves withstood the test of time? Products come and go, but these have been around for a while.

My question is, is there anyone out there who uses alcohol based aftershaves, and then follows up with moisturizer later? Seems like that would be a pretty happy medium. On another note, is there anyone who has serious issues that follow using aftershave?

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I have used alcohol based aftershaves since i started shaving, i have never felt it to be a cause of irritation but rather a sanitizer. I have been using an old old-spice after shave for quite a long time to which i also added a few drops of whiskey for an extra sting (i was young and naive :hmmm: ) and it has worked very very well, also functions quite like a cologne. after using the AS i apply some nivea moisturizer as you've mentioned, works well :nj

I generally use an alum block and then my aftershave. My balms all have a little alcohol in them. Bay rum.... well that is alcohol... :beer2:

I tried to follow some of the advice I heard a few years ago about avoiding alcohol-based aftershaves. Then I came into possession of a bottle of Myrsol Agua Balsamica and loved it, so used it against the advice I had heard. Now I'm into other ones too.

My skin has been clearer, healthier, and smoother than it has ever been since regular use of alcohol-based products. This is clearly why our Mileages May Vary, and why it is important to experiment to find your own routine!

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I found myself very irritated by alcoholic aftershaves and I try not to use them.
Currently I use Clinique aftershave and it is amazing.

I guess that is maybe because of skin difference or of the shave results :)
What I like to do - is to put unscented non-alcoholic aftershave and then use some perfume if I like, but most of the time I find myself using just an unscented aftershave :)

I use a Dominican Bay Rum from TOBS followed by a rose water hydrating toner from AOS And the bay rum is amazing- Definitely wakes you up in the morning! Any dryness that I may get is automatically alleviated by the hydrating rose water. Just my 2 cents for what its worth!

I use cold water splash, then splash some witch hazel then Pinaud or Aqua Velva. I use a moisturizer with vitamin E but later in the day or at night.

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Originally Posted by asj1991

I have read in numerous places that skin drying alcohol based aftershaves are the last thing your skin needs after being shaved. However, the bumps, ingrown hairs, acne, and bacterial growths it avoids is second to none. Sure, your face may have a couple red spots for 15 minutes, but I usually find it to be worth it. Also, I may be incorrect, but havent these alcohol based aftershaves withstood the test of time? Products come and go, but these have been around for a while.

My question is, is there anyone out there who uses alcohol based aftershaves, and then follows up with moisturizer later? Seems like that would be a pretty happy medium. On another note, is there anyone who has serious issues that follow using aftershave?

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My routine is cold water splash followed by alum, pat dry face, alcohol based splash, wait 15 minutes then apply lotion based AS. The alcohol AS really seems to give me a really smooth feeling to my skin.

DITO !!!!!

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Originally Posted by WillN

I take a slightly different approach. After I shave I use the alum block, then brush my teeth, clean up etc. A COLD water splash to get the residual alum off and put on Neutrogena triple protection face lotion. Then, I use an aftershave with alcohol.

That works for me and I have been doing it for quite some time. For many years I only used just an aftershave lotion with alcohol or even nothing. What I do now is much better and I don't suffer from sore skin unless it is a result of a bad shave.

Will N.

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Gotta love those alcohol based
aftershaves...what an wonderful
ending to a straight (or DE) shave.


Terry

I do use alcohol based A/S myself, in winter, sometimes, I need some sort of balm or moisturiser, but that happens seldom. I used alcohol based since Imstarted shaving, tried non-alcohol based many times but I always went eventually back to alcohol A/S.

Currently I'm using TOBS Mr Taylor A/S, Pinaud Clubman Bay Rum and Floid. Floid is a recent addition and I just love it! :)