Thread: What should be a good post shave treatment ?

I have read alot on that topic and now i am confused. This thing is all new to me. I was shaving with an electric razor and not applying anything after the shave. Now that i am using a manual razor i know that this step is very important.

May you guys explain me all the important point? I read about Wich Hazel, Alum block, splash, after shave balm, after shave with alcool ... I am confuse now.

Also, why is it important to rinse with cold water after robbing the face with the alum block?

I start very far away and i dont have the knowledge you guys have.

What would be a good post shaving treatment? What kind of product should i use? Witch one should i start and finish with?

For now i use only proraso balm and sometime my alum block.

I think that is enough questions for now :P

Thanks

What's good is what works for you. For me it's: Cold water, witch hazel, alcohol based AS of my choice. No balms, skin foods or other oil water emulsion stuff. No splash (like my sig says).

Originally Posted by MasterRolf

What's good is what works for you. For me it's: Cold water, witch hazel, alcohol based AS of my choice. No balms, skin foods or other oil water emulsion stuff. No splash (like my sig says).

I mean i don't have knowledge about post shaving treatment. I don't understand what an alum block is suppose to do to your skin, why or why not use alcool, why use wich hazel, what is an astringent ... I don't know what those product is suppose to do to your skin.

Like I said, I dont really understand all that stuff.

it's all about what's going to work for you and what your skin is going to need.. some people simply rinse with water and done.. others go on to perform about 6 or 7 different steps.. i've tried what is probably everything and ended up with a simple method of shaving, then a thorough rinse with warm water to remove any left over lather or other residue.. then a few "splashes" of cold water to close down the pores.. then an alcohol based aftershave "splash".. such as old spice or one of pinaud's offerings.. my face is mostly very moisturized anyway.. so an alcohol based aftershave doesn't dry anything.. and a more moisturizing balm isn't needed..

in all my trials.. my most complex method.. was a shave, then a warm rinse.. then the alum block, a cold rinse, witch hazel, nivea balm, then finally an alcohol based aftershave.. that just seemed like overkill for me.. but it works wonders for a lot of the guys at srp..

just try different stuff till you find a method that works for you.

macpowa,

The alum contains aluminium, and the solution of alum in water is acidic (from MSDS: ca PH 3.3 for 0.2M solution).

Some people have a reaction to exposure to alum solution (skin reddening etc).

After the alum has done it's job, there is no need to leave it on the skin (and possibly suffer adverse reactions), so a good rinse is the way to go !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

I personally like Trumpers sandalwood skin food, thats great stuff.

The treatment you give yourself after your shaves should be what you find nice and appealing to you. There are several choices, and I'm sure you'll find many that will do just fine. As for the ingredients, here's a couple of the common:

Alcohol - this helps disinfect your face and reduce the chance for infections in the very small cuts and abrasions your knife leaves on your skin. They probably are there after your shave, whether you actually bleed or not. It also works as an astringent. Alcohol does dry your skin out.

Witch hazel: This works as an astringent. It helps close the pores after the warm water and tones the skin.

Certain oils, like tea tree and a number of others are used to aid in disinfecting, reducing bacteria, promoting healing of any minor nicks and cuts, etc.

Oils and butters: help moisturize your skin after the stress that the shaving and all our shaving paraphernalia actually puts on it. (soaps can dry your skin, razor may nick, etc.)

Vitamins, proteins and whatnot are also sometimes added to after shave treatments, to help your skin stay healthy.

Personally, I just use a high alcohol % splash to disinfect, and a shea butter moisturizer to counteract any drying. Works fine for me - ymmv

Originally Posted by str8fencer

The treatment you give yourself after your shaves should be what you find nice and appealing to you. There are several choices, and I'm sure you'll find many that will do just fine. As for the ingredients, here's a couple of the common:

Alcohol - this helps disinfect your face and reduce the chance for infections in the very small cuts and abrasions your knife leaves on your skin. They probably are there after your shave, whether you actually bleed or not. It also works as an astringent. Alcohol does dry your skin out.

Witch hazel: This works as an astringent. It helps close the pores after the warm water and tones the skin.

Certain oils, like tea tree and a number of others are used to aid in disinfecting, reducing bacteria, promoting healing of any minor nicks and cuts, etc.

Oils and butters: help moisturize your skin after the stress that the shaving and all our shaving paraphernalia actually puts on it. (soaps can dry your skin, razor may nick, etc.)

Vitamins, proteins and whatnot are also sometimes added to after shave treatments, to help your skin stay healthy.

Personally, I just use a high alcohol % splash to disinfect, and a shea butter moisturizer to counteract any drying. Works fine for me - ymmv

Thanks alot, you awnsered all my questions! What % alcohol do you use ?

I use 60% alcohol, or 120 proof, but only because that's the strongest I can get my hands on in my country. I'd use perfumer's alcohol if I could. The stronger the alcohol is, the more essential oils it can hold before going cloudy. (cloudy means it has been saturated and can contain no more oil). For splashes and colognes, 60% is fine, and perhaps even 40%/80 proof could be used. I did not try, but it may be more cost efficient. Oh, also a point - cloudiness doesn't really matter much at all, it only means that the solution is not stable and will split - so it must be thoroughly mixed shaken before application. I do this by shaking vigorously for 2 seconds

A good post shave treatment is one that keeps your skin feeling soft and nourished like a baby's butt. You will have to find out what works for you by trial and error with products. I have a review up in the post-shave section if you want to read it:

Aftershaves Lotions/Balms Reviews - Straight Razor Place Forums