We Alpha guys are not averse to a competition between certain products. Besides, we are always very happy with the feedback we get from you when our brands cross swords.
This time we are comparing the Aftershave Lotion and the Aftershave Balm. Just what are the differences and similarities? And which aftershave is best for your skin? Follow me.
Why use an aftershave lotion or balm?
There are plenty of men who shave optimally with the right safety razor and the best shaving soap but take after-shave care less seriously. This is because many men are still unaware of the refreshing and nourishing effects of an aftershave lotion or balm.
The smell can of course be very pleasant but the purpose of a good aftershave lotion or an aftershave balm is precisely to perfectly care for the skin after you have handled the razor.
When we shave, the pores open and because of this you run the risk of developing bacterial infections. That is exactly why we need an aftershave balm or lotion because with it you disinfect and soothe the skin.
What is an aftershave balm?
An aftershave balm is a creamy somewhat semi-solid substance that is more lumpy than an aftershave lotion. This is due to a combination of the various ingredients in the balm. For example, in balms you will find natural ingredients such as aloe vera, glycerin and allantoin. The best aftershave balm also often contains a diversity of carrier oils such as the famous jojoba oil. This nourishing oil, in addition to moisturizing the skin, also assists in producing the natural sebum in the skin.
The castor- avocado and coconut oils are also regularly used ingredients that not only have a nourishing but, in fact, soothing effect on the skin.
What is Aftershave Lotion?
A quality aftershave lotion is often clear and is intermediate in substance between an aftershave balm and an aftershave (splash). An aftershave lotion is usually creamy in consistency but less thick than the balm variety. It is slightly milder than an aftershave splash because it contains less or no alcohol.
A good aftershave lotion usually contains the following ingredients:
- Glycerin
- Aluminum starch
- Water
- Myristylpropionate
- Alcohol
An aftershave lotion aims to disinfect, soothe, moisturize and prevent dehydration of your skin after shaving by closing the pores. The aftershave lotion types with alcohol often provide a (quite) invigorating experience after shaving. So it has a less soothing character than the balm aftershaves.
What are the differences?
In terms of compound, we had already mentioned that an aftershave balm has a thicker substance. The lotion variant is a lot thinner in texture and often consists of different ingredients. But let's clearly outline the differences between the two:
Aftershave Lotion
- Liquid and clear with a slightly creamy substance but less lumpy than a balm.
- Often provided with antiseptic alcohol so you may experience a tingling sensation upon application.
- Stronger scent than the balm variety.
- Less suitable for men with acne due to amount of glycerin present.
- Generally disinfects better than the balm version.
- Alcohol can dry out the skin.
Note: An aftershave lotion is generally milder than the average aftershave.
Aftershave Balm
- Looser than the aftershave lotion
- Best suited to soothe the skin, relieve burning and shaving irritation
- Fast absorption, relieves even better and makes skin silky smooth
- Better suited for dry skin and sensitive skin than the lotion version
- Better suited when acne is present
- More subtle fragrance experience
- When alcohol is present it is usually in a much lower percentage than in a lotion
- Moisturizes and conditions better than the lotion
- Slightly less suitable for oily skin than the lotion
How do you use Aftershave Balm?
After shaving and patting the skin dry, apply the balm generously to the areas of skin that the razor has passed over. Massage it in with your fingers and palms until it is completely absorbed. You will see that the cream will quickly absorb into the skin and you will immediately experience a soothing and supple feeling. Very simple and immediately a fine skin care product.
How do you use Aftershave Lotion?
After shaving and patting your face dry, pour a few drops of aftershave lotion into your hands and spread it over your face. You can also "splash" it as an aftershave if necessary.
Lotion is more liquid than a balm, so it absorbs quickly. Aftershave lotions are often already liberally scented so a perfume is no longer necessary.
The winner?
It's easier to pinpoint a winner between a cartridge razor or a safety razor. But with these products, it's all about preference and most importantly, what type of skin you have. After all, if you are equipped with sensitive and dry skin, it is easy to pick a winner. That would easily be the aftershave balm with natural ingredients such as jojoba oil and aloe vera.
After all, this variant has more nourishing, moisturizing and softening properties than the highly liquid and often more strongly perfumed aftershave lotion. The latter is also more often provided with alcohol. Although there are now also alcohol- and perfume-free ones on the market that have soothing and nourishing properties.
Find an aftershave (with alcohol) just too much but you still want that invigorating experience after shaving? Then the aftershave lotion is your match winner. Provided your skin reacts well to it otherwise you'll make a pact with the balm'. Check out our top 10 best aftershave lotion.
Conclusion
The aftershave balm is particularly suitable after shaving for sensitive skin due to its nourishing and soothing nature. If you want just more tingling sting after shaving then an 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 that the skin is perfectly prepared for the water, the shaving soap and the razor!
Call or email us if you have any questions. We would love to hear from you!
Good luck!
Your friends, The Alpha Men.