Aftershave help please.

I'm a little embarrassed to ask, more than a little actually, but what does aftershave do? I always assumed it was just to make you smell nice. When I shaved with a cartridge razor, I sprayed on a little eau de toilette. Now I'm a de safety razor beginner, with razor burn, I'm wondering if it does more than smell good. Should you use a post shave balm and aftershave lotion or are they doing the same thing? What is witch hazel? Anyway, thank-you.

 

Click here ---> *click*

 

You can use a splash and a balm if you wanted. The splash would help sanitize the skin and maybe help stop any bleeding, and a balm would help moisturize the skin afterwards. Each person has their own shaving ritual, but the most important part is that you do what works best for you.

 

I like aftershaves with moisturizer in it. If it doesn't moisturize, I add several drops of glycerin into the bottle of aftershave. Aftershave should both disinfects the face and moisturize, for me.

 

EdT is just perfume. Aftershave sanitizes and will often have other things for your skin like Aloe Vera or Witchhazel.

http://www.ebay.com/gds/Mens-Aftershave-EDT-Cologne-whats-the-difference-/10000000000078086/g.html

 

So a post/after-shave balm is like a cross between an aftershave, with some sanitising qualities, and a moisturiser. I might be starting to get this. I suppose most people use one or the other.

 

I always use which hazel followed by either an aftershave or balm.

 

I use a balm followed by aftershave splash. The balm is more soothing and moisturizing but both contribute and the splashes smell awesome.

 

I use balm and AS splash in that 0rder too but I think were in the minority. I did some reading on this issue and I found most of the forum experts use splash first. I went to a dermatology site and they recommended "thicker" product first. So that was good enough for me.

 

I personally like an after shave with alcohol and menthol. It provides a soothing "sting" that calms your facial irritation.

 

I use an alum block then splash. Alum is thicker than splash

 

that'd be me-it's never occurred to me to use both after one shave.

 

Just wanted to follow up by sayin dont be embarrassed to ask questions....i have a feeling that is one of the reasons this forum was started. These guys are great about trying to help everyone out so ask away!

 

That's a key reason for TSD's success, I believe.

 

I'm glad you asked the question. I found out some things I didn't know. Myself I use a balm to help sooth my face. I apply aftershave after the balm has had a chance to be absorbed. Heck sometimes I don't even use aftershave, especially if I am just hanging around the house. But I always use the balm. I tried making my own but I wasn't happy with it.

 

Y'know, some reviewers of Gillette Barbershop Fresh Shaving Cream say THEY don't use A.S. after that...they get all the fragrance they need.