Originally Posted by
Brontosaurus
My understanding has been that both the alum block and witch hazel solutions serve the same function as an astringent. So if I am using the alum block I don't use witch hazel and vice-versa. I can understand that one might prefer witch hazel to alum given the latter's tingling effect, but for me, it doesn't last long after a cold water rinse, and is certainly gone once I apply the after-shave.
Applying the alum block, water rinse, then witch hazel, then an after-shave balm, then an aftershave seems pretty complicated. Each of the ingredients could risk to interfere with another, leading to irritation. After shaving, for me it's cold water rinse > alum block > cold water rinse > after-shave; or in the dry, winter months it might be more like cold water rinse > witch hazel toner > after-shave balm.