AS or Balm?

I had always used an After Shave - the stronger the better, I thought.

However, my wife bought me some after-shave balm for my birthday, that contains no alchohol at all - only natural ingredients.

I must admit that I much prefer it now, as it really improves and cools the skin after shaving.

So, what do you guys prefer: AS or Balm?

I like the sting and the astringent effect of ethanol, so I'll go with AS.

I use both, but prefer balm by a wide margin. I've used the Nivea stuff, but prefer the Harris Face Milk - the new formulation - diluted a bit with distilled water so it smears out thinner and soaks in quicker. It's pretty pricey stuff, so thinning it out also makes it last longer, though it's pretty long-lasting stuff anyway - I've used maybe a quarter of my 500ml bottle after about 6 months of use.

I most definitely prefer a non-alcohol balm or gel. The drying effect of alcohol on the skin is something I want to avoid (may be an age thing). If you want to use an after-shave, or splash, use a moisturizer afterward.

I use both depending on my mood. In the summer I'm more inclined to the a/s and in the dryer winter months I'll usually go with a balm type product. Some days I'll apply a non-scented balm - eg. proraso - let that do its thing for 10 minutes or so and then apply my a/s de jour - win/win.


Jordan

Mostly I use both, the A/S splash at first, followed by a balm.

Thomas

For me it is something like;

Distilled witch hazel (couple of splashes a few mins apart) followed by a low alcohol a/s, something like Tabac. This works very well for me, easing razor burn on the occasions where I may over-do it a bit.

Trumpers skin food, then my fave a/s (Joseph Abaud / Georgio Armani) Usually best for me when I have light or no razor burn but need a decent scent for work.

Proraso on cold wet skin after the shave, followed a couple of minutes later by a quick splash of Pinaud Clubman Classic. Usually for the Sunday shave, no razor burn, invigorating finish. Fab.

I guess to sum up, overall I think I would go with a moisturiser/balm before a 'hard' aftershave to finish with.

I have found most moisturizers clog my pores and after shaves irritate my skin.

I started using "Purpose" brand 15spf moisturizer at my Dermatologists recommendation; it works great, no burning or clogging, plus the benefits of sun block. Then I got some "Gentlemen’s Oak and Moss" essential oil from Colleen to give it a scent I like. Now I have the best of both worlds!


Dave

well i change depending on my mood, sometimes just one and other times both, just wondered which way i should them Moisturizer then Aftershave or the other way around?

You should probably A/S, then moisturize. A/S usually contains alcohol or witch hazel which acts as astringents which cuts the oil on the surface of your face, then you put on a moisturizer which helps to lock in the moisture your face has from the wet-shave.

It depends on the time of the year and how your skin responds to various weather conditions, though. People usually have drier skin in the winter due to the drop in humidity and being inside with a heater running (making it drier still). If you have dry skin, you definitely want to use it as the last step so it keeps the barrier between the air and your skin keeping the moisture inside.

I use a low alcohol content AS and then moisturise. Happy skin.

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