Shaving Balm

Will Power

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
33,363
Good evening friends,

After a very close shave what do you like to apply to the skin?

Nothing?

Here in Scandinavia it's cold outside&dry and very hot indoors and dry, the skin usually needs something. I 've been using L'Occitane' CADE Shave Balm, I like it am pleased with the results and like the juniper smell. But, the tube is running low, is there anything else worth trying?
 
I use Nivea For Men Post Shave Balm. It has a nice feel, and it isn't very expensive. It is also scent-free. I like that as I use sandalwood shaving soap, and I don't want too many conflicting scents on my body.
 
I have oily skin and just the though of applying any "moisturizer" or "balm" makes me break out. Nope. For me, it's a cold water rinse and then a splash of rubbing alcohol.
 
My main concern is always with my skin getting infected and red (razor burn?). As an anti-septic, I used to just splash alcohol on my face, then I used tea-tree oil for a while. I ran out of the tea-tree oil so lately I've been applying one of those deodorant crystals to the most razor burn-prone areas of my neck (acts as an anti-bacterial and astringent), following up everywhere else with some alcohol, and finishing off with some plain moisturizing lotion.

Sounds like quite a bit of trouble, but I haven't gotten razor burn in a while.
 
I usually alternate between witch hazel and Proraso pre/post in the glass jar. Granted, the Proraso menthol smell isnt for everyone, I just happen to like it.

What you are using is good stuff btw. Out of my $ range tho heh.


Just realized this is a month old....
 
Last edited:
Eh a month old, so what. Isn't everything a month old in here?:)

Never needed the balm after shaving. Always used the good stuff for the lather. Or sometimes shaving oil for the shave. Nice heavy DE razor with the right lube and irritation has been a thing of the past for me.
 
I use TOBS and Proraso mainly(sometimes Col.Conk soap)it isn't a question of using the 'good'stuff for me,more that these creams/DE blades give a far closer shave than the modern equivalent.The closeness can give some reddish apearance,but that could be the harshness of the local climate too!
Gazz, what's that Proraso after cream like is it easy to find?
Thanks W
 
I went for many years without using any real after-shave lotion, or if I did use something, I used the horrible alcohol based "old school" after shaves (horrible idea). I always hated shaving and it too frequently left my face feeling raw or irritated.

Then, one day, I tried some Nivea For Men After Shave Balm, and it was like a door opened to a better place. My face felt refreshed, cool, and not raw or irritated. After that, I started experimenting with other modern after-shave products, and most of them are pretty decent. Alternately, there are many non-shaving related facial moisturizers that will also do a good job, although some of them have ingredients that are a little uncomfortable if you apply it immediately post shave (this is more common in lotions that aren't specifically intended for facial use).

I would definitely recommend finding something that you like, and avoid alcohol based after-shaves. Remember, when you shave, you're not just removing hair, you're also scraping and, to an extent, removing the top layer of skin. That leaves your face in a sensitive and disadvantaged state. Putting something to replenish the natural skin oils (and skin!) that you just scrubbed and scraped off is a very good thing. If you're worried about breaking out (acne), there are products that are noncomedogenic (don't block pores) that are often recommended as not increasing acne.

I've even picked up 100% Aloe Vera gel (such as the Fruit of the Earth brand) and used that as an after-shave lotion. It works pretty well.

Everyone's face is a little different, so what works for one person may not be ideal for another. Don't be afraid to try a couple of different things until you find something that works well for you.
 
I use Castle Forbes lime balm when I shave wit hthe CF lime cream. Otherwise I use 'Happy' for men by Clinique, Old Spice or any of the numerous ASB's from QED. One of my favorite scents is Ralph Lauren Blue ASB by Ralph Lauren. Truefitt and Hill makes some really nice balms too.

-Tye
 
I use a aloe-witch hazel mix after shaving. I rinse cold, apply my alum block, let that sit a minute, then warm rinse and a dab of the aloe balm. it gets mighty dry here in western Canada, and I straight shave.
 
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