The Ultimate Guide To After The Shave

After shaving, your skin can be left vulnerable and exposed and it is important to treat it properly to keep it comfortable during the day. The first thing to do is to rinse your face thoroughly with warm water to clean any remaining shaving lather from the skin. When the skin is completely clean you should then rinse your face with very cold water. The cold water will help to constrict the open pores, stop any minor nicks you might have picked up and it will begin to calm the skin. It is very important to dry your face by patting with a towel, rather than rubbing it, as rubbing with the towel could cause irritation.

If you have any spots of bleeding from a nick or a cut then you can apply a styptic pencil or an alum block to quickly stop the bleeding. Some people like to use an alum block over the entire beard area after every shave as it is antiseptic and slightly astringent. If you do apply an alum block then give it a moment to dry slightly and then rinse again with cold water.

Aftershave splash

An aftershave splash is a liquid, often alchohol based, that has antiseptic, astringent and toner properties to calm and nourish the skin after shaving. Splashes are popular with men who have oily skin or who live in warm countries. They are usually heavily fragranced.

Aftershave balms

An aftershave balm has a thicker consistency than a splash. They are more moisturising than a splash and offer greater irritation relief. Aftershave balms are especially good for winter months when the cold air can dry out the skin.