My NEW favorite post-shave Balm

Over the past few months, I've invested both time & $$ in trying to find an ideal post-shave balm.

Why a balm & not a simple, cold smack of astringent aftershave? Simple. My face— covered with my ultra-sensitive skin, prefers the soothing, moisturizing glow a balm provides. I've used some common aftershaves for years (old spice, skin bracer, aqua velva, brut) plus a few more 'exotic' (Floid amber, Jagger, Alt-Innsbruck) and although the cool, evaporative effect these provided was refreshing, these all tended to dry out my face and rarely soothed any razor rash that I'm prone to getting. So I started using balms (Nivea, Taylor, Castle Forbes) and most did a decent job of not only smelling good, but provided a solid moisturizing and easing any rash discomfort. The problem with many balms is they can feel slick for a long time after application, and unless you wish to have skin that looks like a salamander, you really need to rub the product in thoroughly. Some still feel greasy despite one's efforts to massage it into the skin.

My NEWest favorite, however, is a post-shave balm called "Pre de Provence" (yes, it's French). Really nice product. A small dab goes on easy, smells 'manly' (ok...it's 'sage' but it's a manly outdoor herbal scent), and feels great on your face. Refreshing, soothing, my skin just loves this stuff! Not greasy, and gives a nice shea-butter moisturizing to my sometimes inflamed epidermis. PLUS my wife loves both the feel and smell of the stuff. A Win-win situation.

It's not the cheapest stuff out there (about $13 for 2.5oz on amazon), but to me, it's money well-spent. Now I just have to figure out what to do with all these other aftershaves....

 

Congrats on the find...

You could always PIF em out

 

Sounds like an excellent option for all skin types. It has some of my favorite ingredients for skin care (shea butter, grapeseed oil, aloe & calendula/marigold). The Amazon price is very attractive, as I see it listed at close to $20 at some sites. Great find!

Welcome to TSD! :wave:

 

I'll have to give this stuff a try when I run out of what I have now. I've been enjoying the RazorRock AS Wax, it was the first post shave product I purchased and still use it regularly. I find myself switching from splashes to balms or vice-versa from day to day. I believe I have "combination skin" so it has the tendency to be oily in some places and dry in others. I also can't deny that after using a good balm your face feels very soft and moisturized, always a plus for SWMBO.

 

Welcome! Great review! I think I will stick with my Nivea. It is half the price for more product, easily found locally, and a quality German made balm. I find German products always win over the French ones for me anyway.

 

Thanks, everyone, for the welcome!

I've been a fan of the Nivea for some time. It is considerably less expensive than 'Pre' and when I run out of the French stuff & have to re-order, my fall-back will be the Nivea.
I still prefer BMW & Porsches over Citreons & Renaults, however.

 

As a history teacher I'd have to say that yes, the Germans do usually beat the French.

 

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE!

(were there others...? )

 

The most respected french military mind of all time. He was Italian!

 

Pepe Le Pew. A poor tactician, I'm afraid...

 

to TSD HolyRollah.......I hope you enjoy it here...

Just wanted you to know if you need a place to dispose of the Nivea, you can send it my way...
I have oily skin and use Nivea sensitive balm everyday followed by the splash choice of the day, anything from Aqua Velva Ice Blue,Skin Bracer,Old Spice,one of several Bay Rums to Figaro or Pashana.....

 

Never tried it but it sounds like a quality product. I, too, prefer balms. The best I have tried are: 1) al's shaving aftershave balms, 2) QCS aftershave balms, and 3) St. Charles Shave aftershave balms. I may have to give this stuff a try.

 

It is 'addicting' stuff. Not everyone may care for the 'sage' scent, but to my nose, it's quite refreshing and the feel of the balm is tough to beat. No sting, just a slight tingle when applied. Scent fades rather quickly so it won't overpower any cologne.

 

Well there was this one time around 1778 when the French actually came out on top. Germans were calling themselves Hessians at the time and the French army had the advantage of serving under George Washington.......

 

I've really been enjoying the RSC PS Balm and The EMJ PS Balm Mint. Both can be had for under 5 bucks usually and locally available. The scents are mellow but efficacy is very high for my mug.

Haven't tried the PdP Balm but it is also available locally for around $15. I want to try the soap some day also so I will probably get both at the same time. Thanks for the review.

 

He was actually Corsican. Which is an island off of Italy but French. Not to be a know it all. I had to look it up to be sure I wasn't being stupid.

 

Yes but France only owned Corsican for one year at the time of his birth. Making him from Italian decent is what I meant by my statement.

 

I did not read that. Maybe Wikipedia is missing some parts. But I defer to you sir.

 

I had to look that up as well.

http://www.napoleon.org/en/essential_napoleon/faq/

 

Im with you on the balms...im just getting started have a couple splashes but mostly balms in fact i might start a thread to see what people have ranked...ill have to try this one