Aftershave
A razor can cause irritation and tiny cuts, especially if you have sensitive skin. Therefore, it is important to calm and hydrate your skin as soon as possible after shaving. You preferably do this with a good aftershave. But what exactly is a aftershave?
What is a aftershave?
A aftershave is usually a liquid product that, as the name suggests, you use after shaving. A aftershave ensures that the pores of the shaved skin close again, preventing shaving cuts and shaving irritations. It also prevents redness and a burning sensation that can be caused by your razor. Besides being used as a face care, it can also be used as a eau de cologne.
When you have a complete shaving set including razor case, razor, shaving soap or shaving gel, synthetic shaving brush, alum, shaving towel and pre- & aftershave, you are optimally prepared for a comfortable and well-groomed shave.
What is aftershave good for?
A aftershave is an excellent refreshment after wet shaving. Especially early in the morning, a aftershave can give you just the boost you need. Additionally, a aftershave is primarily intended to calm your skin after shaving.
Particularly razor can cause some stress to the (sensitive) skin, so it is very good to splash a nice aftershave on your skin after shaving. Do you have a beard? Then you might be better off using a beard oil, beard balm, beard butter, beard brush and beard shampoo to care for your beard.
Furthermore, aftershave has various properties, namely: healing shaving cuts, calming your skin, closing pores, hydrating your skin, and finally, it leaves a delightful scent.
What is the best aftershave?
If we separate the wheat from the chaff, we can certainly recommend a few good aftershaves. For example, a Proraso Aftershave is a globally known player from Italy. Very fine aftershaves that are also reasonably priced.
Another well-known and iconic aftershave is the Floïd Aftershave. With their aftershave, they have a hit product that has been soothing the skin after a wet shave for years. optimal care.
What should I pay attention to when purchasing aftershave?
You can buy countless types of aftershave. The ones you should not let sparkle in your hands are the versions with a lot of alcohol and fragrance. Such a aftershave can be an assault on your skin. Especially if you have sensitive skin.
These often cheap aftershaves only dry out your skin and therefore have a counterproductive effect. Additionally, you must consider your own skin type. For example, there are aftershaves available specifically for sensitive skin.
How do you use a aftershave?
Now that you know what a aftershave is, you naturally want to know how to use a aftershave. As the name suggests, you use a aftershave after shaving with, for example, a shaving soap or shaving foam. Below you see the steps you need to take to apply a aftershave.
- Take an appropriate amount of aftershave in your hand. For a lotion, this means 3 to 5 large drops, and for other forms of aftershave, a small layer.
- Distribute this aftershave over your hands.
- Apply the aftershave to the shaved skin, doing so in the direction of the shave to prevent irritation.
- Let the aftershave absorb.
When you use a aftershave as a fragrance, you can apply it to your fingers and 'splash' it onto the skin in places where you would also apply a normal fragrance. (On warm (behind ears, neck, wrist) and cold (neck and chest) spots)
What does a aftershave do to the skin?
After shaving, the pores of the shaved skin are more open than usual. A aftershave therefore consists of organic acids and astringent substances, which contract the pores of the skin again. aftershave also contains disinfecting substances, which disinfect shaving wounds and prevent a burning sensation after shaving.
What does aftershave balm do?
A good aftershave balm contains no alcohol but hydrates, nourishes, and helps retain moisture in the skin. It softens, calms, and has the properties of a face cream. It helps prevent dryness and a tight feeling on the skin. Fine lines in your face can also fade. A balm thus has more caring properties than a aftershave lotion.
What is the difference between a lotion, balm & gel aftershave?
Although there were initially only aftershave lotions, there are now also aftershave balms, gels, and creams. The difference between these aftershaves is minimal, and the choice for the right aftershave is now more a matter of taste. In the past, the difference was greater because the lotions contained a lot of alcohol, which dried out the skin. Nowadays, these formulas have been improved. The type of aftershave is now purely personal.
Aftershave Lotion
Aftershave Lotion (also known as splash) is the most common aftershave. The classic aftershaves with a low fragrance and alcohol content feel refreshing and cooling. The versions with alcohol and a higher degree of fragrance can sting and are not pleasant for everyone.
Aftershave Balm
A aftershave balm is an extra soothing aftershave in the form of balm, often without alcohol. For men with chapped or tight skin, a aftershave balm might be the right product to soften and care for the skin after shaving. Aftershave balm contains nourishing ingredients that allow you to calm sensitive skin in a comfortable way.
Aftershave Gel
This product is in terms of substance between a lotion and balm. A aftershave gel feels less greasy than a aftershave balm and contains more cooling ingredients than a aftershave lotion.
A gel contains no alcohol and therefore will not dry out the skin. The right aftershave gel will also hydrate the skin due to the soothing ingredients and usually contains anti-aging properties.
Top 10 best aftershave
Now that you know everything, from properties to usage, about aftershaves, comes the fun part... choosing a aftershave! To make the choice a bit easier for you, we have compiled a list of the top 10 best aftershaves:
- Top 10 best aftershave balm
- Top 10 best aftershave lotion
FAQs about aftershave
What is the difference between a aftershave and a eau de cologne, eau de toilette, and eau de parfum?
The difference between these is the strength of the fragrance. A eau de parfum has a concentration of 10-20% fragrance. A eau de toilette has a concentration of 5-10% fragrance. A eau de cologne has a concentration of 2-3% fragrance. And a aftershave contains a concentration of 2-4% fragrance.
