Do aftershaves dry your skin out?

High alcohol content = Drying

High Glycerin Content = Moisturizing

Both high Alcohol + High Glycerin = Heaven for my skin type.

Aqua Velva is probably the most well known brand that contains both a high alcohol and glycerin content and as such has become the Wal-Mart staple of aftershaves. Personally I have evolved towards balms especially when the humidity is lower.

Great post @Straight razor dandy Stirling is the gold standard that you must try if you have not. Dr. Jon is amazing as well... actually I have around 12 AS brands I would highly recommend.

 

I have several as well, but I didn't want to overwhelm others. I think proraso white balm and stirling (anyone really) are the best values. I would also second dr. Jons

 

I'm using Dove Men Care+ with Micromoisture. So it's not drying me out to the point where I'd where it would be noticeable.

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I just used a newly opened bottle of Florida water, about 30 minutes later I noticed my face felt tight. I rubbed it, and it was dry. I forgot that the last bottle I had just finished had a few drops of glycerin added to it. So, I added some glycerin, shook it up and applied it. Much better now.

 

I'll start by saying that I use some unscented Stirling PSB after every shower whether I shave or not. But, I have found that if I apply two layers of an alcohol based aftershave, with about 30 seconds between layers, they are much less drying.

 

For some of my alcohol based aftershaves (like Clubman), I just added some food grade glycerin to the bottle. You can get it at any drug store. For a 6oz bottle of Pinaud I added about 8 - 10 drops of glycerin. Glycerin is a humectant which means it attracts moisture. Don't put too much in it or your face could feel sticky once the alcohol dries.


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Same thing I was thinking...these aftershaves that people are crazy about seems more like cologne or hair tonic to me.

 

You likely already know this, but Stirling makes a witch hazel and aloe splash that has no alcohol. Sounds like it would be perfect for you.


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Proraso splashes are great. Kramperts also. Stirling makes balms and a splash without alcohol, plus his regular splashes have aloe and glycerine.


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Another good aftershave is the one from Shea Butter. It has some alcohol but lots of witch hazel and some suspended oil. Smells like grapefruit, and the scent is light. Moisturizing with the aloe, oil and glycerin but not sticky or oily. And only about $8 at most supermarkets.


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One of the Stirling balms will be an immediate purchase as soon as I finish my current balm. I was also thinking of picking up some Proraso blue or white for the sake of travel since it's the perfect size. For now, I went with some Ginger's Garden splash, which also has aloe, witch hazel, and glycerin, and it does wonders for my face.

 

If its a good aftershave, it shouldnt dry your skin out. The whole point of aftershave is to hydrate your skin and sooth any irritation from shaving.

 

Sounds great. Unless you live where I do, and your supermarkets are still damn near "general stores" where they stock the .22 shells next to the NOS canisters of ddt.

In their defense, our better grocery store does stock Gem style SE, and DE blades long with Williams pucks.


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As a rule I always use a balm or moisturizer before an aftershave splash.

 

Not on my face.

 

The purpose of aftershave is to slightly moisturize one's skin and to slightly disinfect one's skin after a shave, while giving a slight psychological boost with a pleasant scent.

 

So throwing cologne on your face doesn't dry you out?

 

Read the title. AFTERSHAVE

 

I've never had a problem. My post shave routine typically is;
Alum or Witch hazel rinse
Nivea or some other post shave balm
Finish w/a splash of aftershave

This works well for me...............

 

Granted I'm getting away from using aftershaves but when I do use them I apply them to my face when it is wet after rinsing.
Personally I haven't noticed my face feeling dry after using an aftershave.