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Best Aftershave for Men for a Healthy Skin In 2023

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The process of shaving does not just end the moment you finish shaving. In order to have healthy and smooth skin, you should consider using an aftershave. 

Keep reading our complete guide, and by the end of it, the process of finding the best aftershave will be very easy. 

But before we go through the most recommended aftershave, let’s talk about the history of aftershaves and what you should consider before you make the decision to buy one.

​A Quick Glance At The Top 3 Aftershaves

Lather And Wood Shaving Sandalwood Aftershave Balm

Lather and Wood Shaving Sandalwood Aftershave Balm

Lather and Wood’s aftershave balm is our first choice for many reasons. It is alcohol-free and made from 100% natural ingredients. It does not grease and will leave your skin smooth.


​LOreal Paris Men Expert Comfort Max

L’Oreal Paris Men Expert Comfort Max

L’oreal Paris is a brand that needs no introduction. Their aftershave balm is suitable for all skin types; it will leave your skin smooth and hydrated for 24 hours.


Baxter of California aftershave Balm

Baxter of California Aftershave Balm

Baxter of California is a well-known brand in the grooming space. Their aftershave balm contains zero alcohol making it a good choice for sensitive skin. It will refresh you, prevent ingrown hair and leave your skin smooth.


The History of Aftershaves

Aftershaves were first used in barbershops. Those were the days when barbers relied on aftershaves to prevent disease transmission and infection.

The use of aftershaves evolved later, and everyone liked the effect they left on the skin. Apart from the irritating effect of alcohol content in many aftershaves those days, every man liked the refreshing sensation after using them.

Using an aftershave is one of the most important parts of shaving; nowadays, almost everyone uses an aftershave.

These days, aftershaves are used not only to prevent infections but also to take care of burns, hairs that grow under the skin and to reduce the pain caused by razor cuts.

The Benefits of Using an Aftershave

Applying an aftershave after you shave helps the skin remain hydrated, smooth, healthy, and free of irritating agents.

It’s not advisable to just splash water over the shaved skin and go on with your day.

You should always apply aftershave if you are serious about maintaining healthy, smooth, and soft skin.

Here is a list of the core advantages of applying aftershave after you’ve finished shaving.

  • It helps the skin regenerate fast after shaving.
  • It stops bleeding caused by razor cuts.
  • It leaves the skin smooth and soft.
  • It prevents the skin from bacterial infections and keeps pores clean.
  • It raises the confidence of a man.

These and many more are the benefits you get by using aftershave. No matter what aftershave product you choose, make sure it benefits your skin and keeps it healthy. If you don’t know how to choose an aftershave, don’t worry; just keep reading.

How to Choose an Aftershave

How to Choose an Aftershave?

You should make sure the aftershave you will buy smells good. But a good aftershave does a lot more than smell good.

So, how an aftershave smells should not be the first thing to consider.

It should have a positive impact when you apply it. When shaving, it’s normal to get cuts, and these cuts sometimes lead to infections if you do not use a good aftershave.

Apart from the antiseptic element, which helps prevent infections, a good aftershave should also be able to moisturize your skin. It should also lead to a cooling effect that will make you feel fresh after shaving.

Always remember to go for an aftershave that nourishes, moisturizes, and soothes the skin. Gels and balms are the best options because they can help you maintain healthy skin and also promote cell regeneration that helps hair growth.

Before adding an aftershave to your cart, make sure you’ve checked the label and the list of the ingredients. Avoid buying aftershave products that will irritate your skin and lead to allergic reactions. Go for products that have natural ingredients and work well with your body.

If it is possible, before buying, try the aftershave on your skin to see how your skin reacts to it. Aftershaves that contain ingredients like coconut, macadamia, jojoba, grape seed, and avocado are good for your skin.

You should also keep in mind that there is a difference between an aftershave and perfume or cologne.

An aftershave is mainly focused on protecting the area that has been shaved against infections. On the other hand, cologne or perfume will leave you smelling good but won’t protect or nourish your skin.

Time needed: 15 minutes

How to Use An Aftershave?

  1. When you’re done shaving, rinse using cold water before you apply the aftershave.

    This is important because it ensures there is no hair or shaving cream* On your skin. The cold water closes your skin’s pores and prepares it for an aftershave.

  2. Pat dry your face using a towel.

    Do this gently and avoid rubbing the shaved area because you risk irritating it.

  3. Use witch hazel and rub your skin.

    However, this is not a must-do. To apply witch hazel, you can use a clean cotton pad and wipe the area that has been shaved. This should also be done gently.

  4. Apply the aftershave to your hands and rub them.

    Doing that will make applying the product to the shaved area easy.

  5. Wait for a couple of seconds with your hands open.

    By doing this, the amount of alcohol in the product decreases, and it will reduce the chance of irritation or pain after application.

  6. Start applying it to the shaved area.

    Spread it evenly, making sure you rub your skin, including the areas around your neck.

  7. How does your skin feel?

    If your skin still feels dry after applying the aftershave, you should add an extra layer just to ensure that every part of the skin is covered.

You should avoid over-applying the product. When applying a second layer of the product, try to use less than the first time. There you go. That’s the simplest way to apply your favorite aftershave for a smooth and cool shave.

*If you want to know more about shaving creams and other options, read the following articles:

The Best Shaving Gel for Men

The Best Shaving Cream for your Daily Routine

The Best Shaving Soap for a Manly Shave

Top Aftershaves

1Nivea For Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm

​Nivea for Men Sensitive Post shave balm

Nivea products are globally known for their effectiveness, especially in skincare.

Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm is one of the few aftershave products available in the market that come with anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents.

It contains no alcohol – which can be bad and dry out your skin and leave it irritated.

Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave balm comes loaded with ingredients such as chamomile, witch hazel, and Vitamin E, which are beneficial for your skin.

Witch hazel is a known astringent that can reduce skin puffiness, while chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties.

Vitamin E, while moisturizing, can also help skin heal and recover from the trauma caused by shaving.

It’s a great way to soothe the skin if you feel that it’s irritated. It moisturizes the skin and boosts your skin’s defense against bacterial infections.

Generally, this product is suitable for men who are looking for an aftershave that will help avoid skin irritation which is very common after shaving, especially if you have sensitive skin.

You will help your skin restore its smoothness and moisture by applying Nivea for men’s Sensitive post-shave balm.

Pros

  • Good for sensitive skin
  • It comes with natural ingredients
  • Boosts skin’s natural defense against infections
  • It contains no alcohol

Cons

  • Some men may become allergic to the scent
  • Not suitable for men who have acne issues

2. L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Comfort Max

​LOreal Paris Men Expert Comfort Max

L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Comfort Max was made for men of all skin types. It does not matter whether your skin is sensitive, dry, or normal.

L’Oreal Paris Men’s expert comfort max can help you fight dryness, burns, razor cuts, redness, and irritation.

You might sometimes experience razor burns and cuts after shaving. Well, this is the end because this aftershave product by L’Oreal Paris comes with ingredients that will help restore your skin’s natural defense, moisturize and soothe it.

If you are an outdoor guy exposing your skin to the sun, you need to give L’Oreal Paris expert comfort Max a shot as it has UVA protection properties.

This brand has formed a cult-like group of followers who are enthusiastic about its skin-nourishing effects. When they produce an aftershave like this, you definitely have to try it.

On the other hand, it contains fragrance, and some people have got allergic reactions after using it, so be extra careful, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Pros

  • Leaves the skin hydrated for 24 hours
  • Smooth skin
  • It can be used in all types of skins
  • The best answer to dryness, irritation, burns, and cuts
  • Protects against UVA rays

Cons

  • It can cause stains
  • It can cause greasiness
  • Poor invigorating effect

3. Lather And Wood Shaving Sandalwood Aftershave Balm

Lather And Wood Shaving Sandalwood Aftershave Balm

A great shave always requires a cool and nourishing aftershave like Lather and wood aftershave balm. This aftershave soothes and leaves your skin looking healthy.

Once you apply it, your skin will absorb it very fast, leaving it smooth. It’s great to get rid of irritation and pain caused by razor burns. It will leave you feeling refreshed and comfortable all day long.

It does not have alcohol, so you won’t get irritated after using it.

This product contains natural ingredients like Coconut oil, Jojoba oil, Vitamin E, aloe, and hazel.

Coconut oil is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Jojoba oil is rich in Vitamin E and B-complex and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Aloe vera has antioxidants, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-itch, and wound healing properties. It is known to reduce scarring and renew skin.

Hazel soothes irritated skin, tightens pores, and reduces redness.

The only downside is that the smell is overwhelmingly masculine, and a lot of guys don’t like it.

You should also be careful if you have sensitive skin because it might not contain fragrance, but it contains a small amount of alcohol as a preservative that can irritate your skin.

Pros

  • It comes with natural ingredients that are not harmful to the body
  • Relieves pain and irritation caused by razor burns
  • Does not leave grease or residue after application
  • Zero alcohol content
  • Ideal for men with sensitive and normal skin

Cons

  • It does not moisturize or hydrate the skin very well
  • The scent is not as good as other rival products

4. Baxter of California Aftershave Balm

Baxter of California aftershave Balm

Some aftershave products claim to possess the trick of preventing infections, ingrown hair, and razor burns, but Baxter of California aftershave balm does more than this.

This is a go-to option because of the ingredients that revitalize and soothe the skin. It’s a therapeutic agent that contains natural elements ideal for skin health.

Some of its main ingredients include allantoin, aloe vera, glycerin, and essential natural oils.

At this point, we have to mention that apart from the natural ingredients, the balm also contains alcohol and fragrance. While these two ingredients have some positive properties for the skin, e.g., helping to tighten pores and make your face feel more refreshed, they also have a downside: some people might experience irritation from them.

We were really skeptical before adding Baxter of California Aftershave Balm to our top list, but after trying it out (on non-sensitive skin) for a while, we were completely sold.

The balm was a pleasant surprise in terms of performance because it helped to effectively moisturize the skin without adding the shiny layer you often get with other products.  

Pros

  • Zero alcohol
  • Cools your skin
  • The best skin renewal aftershave product
  • Good hydrating agent
  • The best shield against irritation and razor burns

Cons

  • Some men complain about its ability to stop razor bumps
  • Not ideal for use if your skin is oily

5. L’Occitane Moisturizing Aftershave Balm

L’Occitane Moisturizing Aftershave Balm

Prevent your skin from developing shaving signs by applying L’Occitane Moisturizing Aftershave balm. It’s really good when it comes to preventing skin dryness and irritation.

So what are the benefits of this product? Once you’re done shaving, you must apply it gently all over the shaved area.

Your skin will absorb it without leaving any residue or grease. If you believe that your skin is tight and dehydrated, you should consider using L’Occitane Moisturizing Aftershave balm.

The natural ingredients in this aftershave will leave the skin healed and hydrated the whole day.

Shea butter is a moisturizing ingredient, soothing for your skin. Soothing bisabolol is derived from chamomile and helps reduce redness after shaving. Hydrating vegetable-based glycerin helps give more moisture to dry or damaged skin cells by trapping water inside the cells. Birch sap extract is a mild astringent that can help clean away any residue after you’ve cleaned your face.

All these ingredients make for a great moisturizing aftershave, and you’ll love how it leaves your face feeling smooth and refreshed.

The only downside is that lately, people have complained about a change in the scent of the after-shave balm. We tried it a while ago, and it smelled nice and natural. We can’t confirm whether the scent changed or not, but we had to mention it.

Pros

  • A good hydrating agent for dry and tight skins
  • Leaves no residue behind
  • Stops skin irritation
  • The best skin conditioner for men
  • It leaves you with a L’Occitane cologne scent

Cons

  • If your skin type is darker, then this would not be a good option for you

Winner for best aftershave

Aftershave FAQs

What Kind Of Aftershave Should I Buy Based On My Skin Type?

Our skin reacts differently after applying aftershave.

What type of skin do you have? Do you have sensitive, oily, normal, or dry skin? 

Which type of aftershave is good for your skin?

Is it balm, splash, gel, or lotion?

In order to find the aftershave that suits you best, you should know the type of your skin.

Dry skin

Weather conditions can affect our skin and leave it dry. If your skin is dry, then you should consider using balm aftershave.

This is the best type of aftershave to use if you have dry skin, as it will hydrate and moisturize your skin.

Normal skin

Normal skin appears healthy, clear, and smooth. If you have this type of skin, the best aftershave to use is mild aftershave balm or splash.

Oily Skin

This type of skin gets oily when you touch it, is very shiny, especially near the chin or nose, and has slightly visible pores.

The best aftershave for oily skin is a splash aftershave.

The oilier your skin is, the more dust it attracts, so using a facial cleanser on a regular basis could help.

If you use a moisturizer, it should be oil-free.

Sensitive skin

It is better to use an aftershave that is not scented if your skin is sensitive. 

Sensitive skin is itchy and irritating most of the time. It develops a rash after shaving, especially if you do not use the right type of aftershave.

If you have sensitive skin, you should choose an alcohol-free aftershave.

Sensitive skin always calls for additional skin products that will help reduce irritation.

What Kind of Ingredients Should An Aftershave Include?

Different aftershaves come with different types of ingredients, so it’s very important to know the ingredients your aftershave contains. 

Here is what to look for:

  • Vitamins
  •  Aloe vera
  • Chamomile
  • Tea tree
  • Calendula
  • Witch hazel
  • Jojoba oil
  • Lavender

Avoid using aftershaves that contain high percentages of camphor and alcohol. If you like staying most of the day outdoors, you should avoid using aftershaves containing grapefruit.

What are the different Aftershave types?

There are different types of aftershaves, including creams, lotions, and gels. All of them are important when it comes to skin maintenance and care. Their main role is to prevent infections, soothe, moisturize and help the skin regenerate.

Once you apply aftershave, it will last for a lot of hours, protecting your skin throughout the day. Aftershave products contain scent, oil components, alcohol, and herb extracts.

There are also some products that do not have the above ingredients. As we saw earlier, you should go for an aftershave that’s suitable for your skin type.

Aftershave Balms

Even though balms are sometimes marketed as products that are used when shaving, they really are care products used in maintaining skin health and smoothness. The best balms should not contain alcohol. Alcohol-free balms, in some cases, substitute it with other ingredients that can be herbal or oil-based.

If you are a man with sensitive skin or if your skin is always dry, you can use balms to moisturize and smooth your skin.

Aftershave Gels

Gels are another type of aftershave. The alcohol content in gels is fairly lower compared to lotions. In fact, there are alcohol-free. Gels are good for the skin since they make it smooth and soothing. They are not so good at moisturizing the skin compared to other types of aftershaves. They are well-suited for people with sensitive skin.

Aftershave Lotions

Lotion aftershaves have the highest alcohol content compared to the rest. This is why you feel pain when you apply lotion aftershave on your skin after you have shaved.

It is not recommended to use aftershave lotions if you have sensitive skin because they leave the skin irritated and dry after application. Lotions are also known to lead to ingrown hair because once you apply them, the pores become tight, making it difficult for the hair to grow.

In order to avoid regrets, it’s advisable to use gel or balm aftershaves because of their moisturizing and refreshing effects.

And the winner is…

Leather and wood-shaving sandalwood aftershave balm is our top choice.

It does not contain alcohol, so it will not dehydrate the skin. It’s an excellent pick if you have sensitive skin.

The smell is great and long-lasting, making it one of the best options out there.

It will definitely leave your skin smooth, glowing, and healthy cause It’s formulated with natural and beneficial skin ingredients.

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