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Just wondering who out there uses witchhazel as a part of their daily shave routine. I usually throw a splash after applying an alum block, but before an aftershave. However I've heard many people say they use Witchhazel to replace a traditional aftershave.
Also, I find that applying it to irritated sensitive skin really reduces inflammation as it dries out the skin. But some have said it is not good to apply directly to irritated areas.
Appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks.
That's pretty much all I use ----Dickinsons ---plain and simple and the Jasons Witchvera occasionally. I just want something that works and has little to no smell,
Justin
Same as Justin. I use Dickenson's and Jasons Witchvera. I don't know about applying it directly to irritated skin. I've not experienced any negative issues doing that but I've not heard one way or the other.
It is my only aftershave, too.
I believe witch hazel is traditionally used on inflamed hemroids -- that's some pretty irritated skin/whatever there. I don't know if witch hazel is necessarily drying to the skin or is it the alcohol typically used in witch hazel products. If you get a Thayers non-alcohol witch hazel product then I think it is all good. But for real men with rawhide for facial skin like me and Steve, a little alcohol is just something we laugh at ;).
Also they have witch hazel hydrosol ---which is just pure witch hazel and water.
Justin
Check that! Since witch hazel is a natural astringent it must has some drying properties of its own ---but to what degree I don't know ---
Justin
I like the scented Thayers witch hazels - I keep Lavender, Lemon and Rose on hand - they're so lightly scented, that any residual odour is usually gone by time the witch hazel dries on my face - plus, they have Aloe, and that's always good for minor irritations.
Some are alcohol free, and, for those days when I aspire to being as manly as Jaeger-dude (I know...I know...fat chance of ever even APPROACHING that level of manliness...but what is life without dreams?)(actually....let me clarify this right here....I DO NOT dream of Justin....I dream of being manly....got it?...ok...lets move on)...where was I...oh, yeah....some are alcohol free, and some have a bit of alcohol included, for that 'manly' sting. I likes 'em all.
..and I DON'T dream of Justin!
(...I dream about Jimbo...and Paris...)
-whatever
-Lou (cream-puff)
Hell -- Lou go ahead and dream about me -- you won't be the first. I even dream about me sometimes but it's in a total platonic type of way --- but if you have your brain full of Jimbolina and Paris and Surrealistic Balls ---I understand ----Quote:
Originally Posted by scarface
(I'm sending back all the designer potatoes you sent me -- take that buster)
Justin (no potatoes in Idaho --yeah right)
I use Thayers witchhazel then AS. Works for me.
Same works for me....splash of Thayers then AS. Never tried Dickenson's, but I hear good things.Quote:
Originally Posted by Firebox
I rarely have a shave that doesn't use witch hazel. My usual routine is:
cold rinse > alum > wait/putter around for a minute or two > cold rinse > witch hazel > balm du jour (usually Coral Skin Food or a QED balm/conditioner).
Once in a while I'll go straight for the Clubman or Proraso splash and will follow with an unscented balm or Proraso balm respectively. Even then, I'll often use witch hazel before the splash.
It's way overkill but it feels great on the skin.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gravitas
Probably overall Thayers is higher quality stuff but Dickinsons is just witch hazel and alcohol ---some don't like the witch hazel smell but it doesn't last for long.
Justin
Dickinson's doesn't smell that bad, and honestly it goes away in a few minutes anyway. it beets the smell of pure alcohol!
I splash on witch hazel and rub the alum black into that. Than I am done.
Mason
Speaking of Alum...mine fell on the floor this morning and shattered into 5 pieces :( Which makes me think...while the block should last 30 years...multiple that by 95% chance of dropping it over that time and you get 1.5yrs of use - lol
JR
I'll put in another vote for Thayer's. I have three, and Lavender and Rose are my favorite. I keep them all in the refrigerator in spritz bottles.
RT
That witchhazel is a very interesting plant, its bloom is in winter. I got one this spring and planted it in my garden. Now I'm looking forward to seeing it develop (it grows very slowly).
And next time I make my own aftershave from vodka, aloe and piment, I'll also put some witchhazel leaves in the mix.
Greetings
oskar
Interesting Oskar, Is it a complicated process for making your own AS?Quote:
Originally Posted by oskar
Not at all. Just dump all the ingredients in a lidded glass having taken the lid off first, though, leave it to stand for two weeks or longer. Shake that thing from time to time (with the lid on this time) and it's done.
I like to think that it is good for the skin and that it stops minor bleedings. No persistent smell either.
Greetings,
oskar
Thanks Oscar, I'll have to give that a try some time.
Works well for me as an AS.
X
I use distilled witch hazel from the drugstore which does have alcohol as an inactive ingredient. For those who just want a little more alcohol alcoVap is a spray bottle for alcohol and so I can just add a little.
I'd recommend checking out the dollar stores for products at a discount. I get my alcohol there, even aloe vera sometimes, and I am hitting them up to try to get witch hazel in.
Is Thayer's worth the extra coinage?
So my aftershave routine is:
A cold water rinse
A splash of distilled witch hazel and a little top up spray of alcohol
A fingertip of proraso preshave cream
I have used EE Dickinson's since the 60s......a great antiseptic, good for red-ant bites and bee stings. Have used it as an AS since the 70s.
They used to pack it in glass bottles that looked just like the plastic. The label has hardly changed at all. Like baking soda, laundry blueing and FF blackpowder, some things don't change much. Grant