We Alpha men are not afraid of a competition between certain products. Additionally, we are always very pleased with the feedback we receive from you when our Brands cross swords.
This time we are pitting the Aftershave Lotion and the Aftershave Balm against each other. What are the differences and similarities? And which aftershave is most suitable for your skin? Follow me.
Why a Aftershave Lotion or Aftershave Balm?
There are plenty of men who do optimize their Shaving with the right Safety Razor and the best Shaving Soap but take the aftercare less seriously. This is because many gentlemen are not yet aware of the invigorating and nurturing effect of a Aftershave Lotion or Aftershave Balm.
The scent can of course be very pleasant, but the purpose of a good Aftershave Lotion or a aftershave balm is precisely to perfectly care for the skin after you have used the razor.
When we Shaving, the pores open and this increases the risk of bacterial infections. That is exactly why we need a Aftershave Balm or lotion because it disinfects and soothes the skin.
What is Aftershave Balm?
A Aftershave Balm is a creamy somewhat semi-solid substance that is thicker than a Aftershave Lotion. This is due to a combination of various ingredients in the balm. In balms, you will find natural ingredients such as aloe vera, glycerin, and allantoin. The best Aftershave Balm often also contains a variety of carrier oils like the famous jojoba oil. This nourishing oil supports not only hydrating the skin but also in producing the skin's natural sebum.
The castor, avocado, and coconut oils are also regularly used ingredients that not only have a nurturing but also a softening effect on the skin.
What is Aftershave Lotion?
A quality Aftershave Lotion is often clear and its substance is between a Aftershave Balm and a aftershave (splash). A Aftershave Lotion is usually creamy in consistency but less thick than the balm variant. It is slightly milder than a aftershave splash because it contains less or no alcohol.
A good Aftershave Lotion usually contains the following ingredients:
- Glycerin
- Aluminum starch
- Water
- Myristyl propionate
- Alcohol
A Aftershave Lotion aims to disinfect, soothe, hydrate, and prevent drying out of the skin after Shaving by closing the pores. The Aftershave Lotion types with alcohol often provide a (quite) invigorating experience after Shaving. It thus has a less soothing character than the balm Aftershaves.
What are the differences?
In terms of compound, we had already indicated that a Aftershave Balm has a thicker substance. The lotion variant is much thinner in texture and often consists of different ingredients. But let's clearly set out the differences between the two:
Aftershave Lotion
- Liquid and clear with a slightly creamy substance but less viscous than a balm.
- Often contains disinfecting alcohol, which can cause a tingling sensation upon application.
- Stronger scent than the balm variant.
- Less suitable for men with acne due to the presence of glycerin.
- Disinfects better than a balm variant
- Present alcohol can dry out the skin
Note: A Aftershave Lotion is generally milder than the average aftershave.
Aftershave Balm
- More viscous than the aftershave lotion
- Best suited to soothe the skin, relieve burning and shaving irritation
- Quick absorption, provides even better relief, and makes the skin silky soft
- Better suited for dry skin and sensitive skin than the lotion version
- Better suited when there is acne
- Subtler fragrance experience
- When alcohol is present, usually in a much lower percentage than in a lotion
- Hydrates and cares better than the lotion
- Slightly less suitable for oily skin than the lotion
How to use Aftershave Balm?
Apply the balm generously to the areas of skin where the razor has passed after Shaving and patting the skin dry. Rub it in with your fingers and palms until it is fully absorbed. You will see that the cream will quickly be absorbed into the skin, and you will immediately experience a soothing and supple feeling. Very simple and directly a pleasant skincare.
How to use Aftershave Lotion?
After shaving and patting your Face dry, you can pour a few drops of the Aftershave Lotion into your Hands and spread it over your Face. You can also 'splash' it like a aftershave.
Lotion is more liquid than a balm and therefore absorbs quickly. Aftershave lotions are often already richly scented, so a Fragrance is not needed.
The winner?
It is easier to choose a winner between a cartridge or a Safety Razor. But with these products, it comes down to preference and especially: what type of skin you have. If you have a sensitive and dry skin, it is easy to choose a winner. It would easily be the Aftershave Balm with natural ingredients, such as jojoba oil and aloe vera.
This variant simply has more nourishing, hydrating, and soothing properties than the highly liquid and often more heavily perfumed Aftershave Lotion. The latter is also more often provided with alcohol. However, there are now alcohol- and fragrance-free versions on the market that have a soothing and nourishing effect.
Do you find a aftershave (with alcohol) just a bit too much but still want that refreshing experience after the Shaving? Then the Aftershave Lotion is your matchwinner. Provided your skin reacts well to it, otherwise you form a pact with the balm. Check our top 10 with the best Aftershave Lotion.
Conclusion
The Aftershave Balm is particularly suitable after the Shaving of the sensitive skin due to its nourishing and soothing nature. If you want more tingling sting after the Shaving, then a Aftershave Lotion is your friend in the Bathroom.
Tip: To perfect your shaving routine and better prepare the skin for the razor, we recommend adding a good Preshave to your shaving routine. This ensures the skin is perfectly prepared for the water, the Shaving Soap, and the blade!
Call or email us if you have any questions. We really enjoy that!
Good luck!
Your friends, The Alpha Men.