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What does aftershave do, exactly? Originally created as an alcohol-based antiseptic for disinfecting the little nicks and cuts you can get from shaving, traditional aftershaves tend to be very drying, and splashing it on freshly shaved skin can really burn. But the right aftershave can quench dry skin, and soothe post-shaving redness.
Depending on your skin and facial-hair type, you can pick from cooling gels, soothing balms, and refreshing liquids that disinfect as well as hydrate, exfoliate, and tone skin — many of which are alcohol-free and actually feel good going on. Because everyone has a different set of post-shave skin needs, I interviewed 15 dermatologists and grooming experts about their favorite aftershaves. I asked them about the best aftershave to soothe specific skin complaints, like razor burn and pesky ingrown hairs, and then cross-referenced their picks against factors such as skin type, formula and scent, to find the best picks for all men. As I don’t shave my face, I enlisted my flatmate to test out their picks too.
What we’re looking for
Recommended skin type
According to Dr. Anna Guanche, dermatologist and founder of Bella Skin Institute, the best aftershave for you depends on your particular skin type. “Everyone’s skin is different and will react and respond to different types of aftershaves,” she says. Whether you’re prone to dryness, razor burn, acne and ingrown hairs, or just want to maintain a healthy glow, there is an aftershave out there for you. Folks with dry and sensitive skin, for example, should look for soothing ingredients like aloe, vitamin E, and shea butter, and stay away from harsh ingredients like alcohol and menthol. If you’re not sure what skin type you have, a quick trip to the barber or to see a dermatologist will help you gain a better understanding of what your skin needs to look and feel its best.
Notable ingredients
Dr. Nikhil Dhingra of Spring Street Dermatology in New York says that moisturizing after shaving is “quite possibly the most critical step in post-shave care.” When you shave, he says, you’re stripping the skin of its natural oils. So if you don’t add any moisture back in, your skin is far more likely to feel uncomfortable after shaving, potentially leading to ingrown hairs, dryness, and razor burn. Regardless of your skin type, the aftershave you use should contain moisturizing ingredients. As with facial moisturizers, the dryer your skin is, the richer or thicker you’ll want your post-shave moisturizer to be. Ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil are good examples of rich, moisturizing ingredients. If you have trouble with frequent breakouts, you’d be better off using something more lightweight, like glycerin, that won’t clog pores. As mentioned above, other ingredients in your aftershave should correspond to your skin type. If you have a more oily complexion or tend to get a lot of ingrown hairs, a formula with astringent qualities could be very beneficial. Ingredients like witch hazel and eucalyptus oil are known to kill bacteria, tighten pores, and give you a more matte complexion.
Formula
Mark Miguez of Friend of a Barber says that he can tell just by feeling the texture of an aftershave with his fingers whether he will like using it or not. He is strongly in favor of balms over liquids or gels because he finds they are the most moisturizing of the bunch. But others might find a balm-style aftershave too thick and prefer a cooling gel or liquid. Because you can’t feel each of the below products through your screen, I’ve noted whether each one is a balm, a liquid, or a gel.
Best aftershave overall
Recommended skin type: Sensitive | Notable ingredients: Vitamin E, chamomile, witch hazel extract | Formula: Creamy liquid
This alcohol-free soothing aftershave was recommended by six of the experts I talked to and more often than any other product. Dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse says that people with sensitive skin should not only avoid alcohol-based formulas that can dry out their skin, but also stay away from fragrances and irritants like menthol and lemon oil, which can cause breakouts and redness. Dr. Erum Ilyas of Schweiger Dermatology Group gives Nivea’s Post Shave Balm top marks for its hydrating and soothing vitamin E. Dermatologists Bruce Robinson, Dr. Michele Green, and Dr. Shari Sperling, as well as barber Mansour Smaini of Epic Barber Shop in NYC, also like Nivea’s post-shave balm for its moisturizing formula that’s alcohol-free.
My flatmate tested this balm out. He has thick, coarse hair that he shaves regularly into a neat beard, but his skin is also sensitive, meaning he can suffer from itching, burning, and small breakouts if he picks the wrong product. He’s also — because of this sensitivity — usually reluctant to try new aftershaves and products but felt comfortable as Nivea is a brand he’s familiar with. Robinson says that’s a good call: The bigger brand name means you’re getting a product that has had plenty of research baked into its development process. “I think they nailed it on this one,” he says. My flatmate is also a fan: After four weeks of consistent use, he tells me he’s going to keep the balm as part of his routine. After shaving, he slathers it on, paying particular attention to his neck, where his breakouts and itching usually occur. He likes that the balm leaves his skin “feeling quenched” and has a “light refreshing smell” that lingers on the skin.
Best vegan and paraben-free aftershave
Recommended skin types: Dry, sensitive | Notable ingredients: Avocado oil, squalane, niacinamide | Formula: Balm
Aside from texture, Miguez’s top criteria for aftershave is that it’s made with clean ingredients. His favorite aftershave is this creamy balm from Le Labo. In addition to ultra-hydrating avocado oil, squalane, and niacinamide, it has the slightly floral scent of bergamot. “The smell reminds me of the south of Italy. It’s really soothing, doesn’t dry you out, and there’s no waxy residue to it,” he says.
Best aftershave for oily or acne-prone skin
Recommended skin type: Oily | Notable ingredients: Witch hazel, eucalyptus oil, menthol | Formula: Liquid
Though alcohol-based formulas can be overly drying for many skin types, they are helpful for reducing shine and grease if you have oiler skin. The goal is to avoid any potentially pore-clogging ingredients like coconut oil or cocoa butter, says dermatologist David Lortscher.
Elle Medico, men’s grooming expert at Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa, and dermatologist Samer Jaber both mentioned this tried-and-true liquid aftershave from Italian brand Proraso. Jaber says it’s gentle enough to use every day, and Medico says it’s easy to find in any drugstore and great for closing the pores and making the skin look tight and fresh. If the astringent effect of this aftershave is a little too intense for you, Medico recommends putting some of it on a washcloth and diluting it with a touch of water before applying to the skin.
Best aftershave for preventing and treating razor burn
Recommended skin type: Easily irritated | Notable ingredients: Aloe, glycerin, chamomile, lavender | Formula: Gel
If post-shave irritation is your gripe, you might want to seek out an aftershave with skin soothers that will help prevent and treat razor burn. Sperling, Lortscher, and grooming expert Laurent DeLouya of La Boîte a Coupe suggest Jack Black’s Post Shave Cooling Gel for its blend of botanicals, like bacteria-fighting lavender, plus calming aloe and chamomile. Sperling also points out that it’s alcohol-free, so it won’t dry out or irritate your skin.
This is another pick that I’ve had my flatmate test for me. As mentioned, he has sensitive skin and often notices razor rashes and bumps after shaving. The main thing that he emphasized to me was the “non-stinging, instant cooling” sensation he feels after applying the gel — which he really appreciates, as his skin often feels tender and hot to the touch after shaving. He also enjoys how little of the gel he needs to use to cover his face, and that it absorbs well without leaving a greasy residue behind. Of the two aftershaves I had him test, he finds he reaches for the cooling gel more — and one bottle has lasted him almost three months.
Best oil-based aftershave
Recommended skin type: Easily irritated | Notable ingredients: Castor oil | Formula: Liquid
“My best-kept secret for aftershave is castor oil,” says celebrity stylist Yvey Valcin. “Anytime we’re using razors it can mess with the first layer of the skin, so castor oil helps rejuvenate the skin.” His castor oil of choice comes from Kreyòl; it’s 100 percent pure and intensely hydrating, which Valcin says makes it a soothing choice for skin that’s prone to irritation and razor bumps. The oil doubles as a conditioner, so it can be used to add some shine to your freshly shaped beard.
Best aftershave for preventing and treating ingrown hairs
Recommended skin type: Skin prone to ingrown hairs | Notable ingredients: Alcohol, aspirin, glycerin | Formula: Liquid
According to Ilyas, washing with an antibacterial soap and changing your razors routinely to avoid bacteria from building up around hair follicles, nicks, or cuts can help prevent ingrown hairs. But if you already have one (or a few), Tend Skin Solution comes recommended by two of our experts. Jaber describes it as soothing and calming for skin; it also has acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) to help exfoliate and decrease skin irritation. Green says it’s a tried-and-true treatment for ingrown hairs that’s been around for a long time. “It’s the original,” she says, noting that both men and women have had success using it for years. While Tend Skin is very popular and effective at preventing ingrown hairs, it can also be drying because of the alcohol in it. So our experts advise using it sparingly at first.
Best moisturizing aftershave
Recommended skin type: Dry | Notable ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, birch sap extract | Formula: Balm
The added shea butter in this L’Occitane shave balm is why Jaber recommends it as a moisturizing option for people with drier skin. Shea butter is a superhero when it comes to moisturizing dry skin (and we think it feels luxurious, too). It also has a blend of anti-inflammatory and antiseptic essential oils, like birchwood sap and rosemary, that will kill bacteria and soothe your skin.
Best 2-in-1 aftershave and moisturizer
Recommended skin type: Dry | Notable ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, grapeseed extract | Formula: Thin balm
At just over $15 per ounce, this Art of Shaving Balm is slightly more expensive than the L’Occitane one above (which costs $14.40 per ounce). But it’s also a 2-in-1 product that cancels out the need for an additional layer of moisturizer. It’s a favorite of both Sperling and cosmetic dermatologic surgeon Howard Sobel, since it’s alcohol free and contains skin-plumping shea butter and essential oils.
Best aftershave for aging skin
Recommended skin types: Dry, aging | Notable ingredients: Eucalyptus, arnica, vitamin C | Formula: Liquid
When it comes to aging skin, Dhingra says you may need to amp things up with more than one product — think layering. “Your skin dries out as you get older, and that dryness may set you up for inflammation after shaving,” says Dhingra, who recommends starting your post-shave routine with this soothing anti-inflammatory tonic from Fellow Barber. It contains cooling eucalyptus as well as arnica, which decreases inflammation, and skin-brightening vitamin C.
Some more Strategist-approved men’s grooming products
Our experts:
• Laurent DeLouya, grooming expert at La Boîte à Coupe
• Dr. Nikhil Dhingra of Spring Street Dermatology
• Michele Green, dermatologist
• Dr. Anna Guanche, dermatologist and founder of Bella Skin Institute
• Dr. Erum Ilyas of Schweiger Dermatology Group
• Elle Medico, men’s grooming expert at Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa
• Mark Miguez of Friend of a Barber
• Samer Jaber, dermatologist
• David Lortscher, dermatologist
• Bruce Robinson, dermatologist
• Tsippora Shainhouse, dermatologist at SkinSafe
• Mansour Smaini of Epic Barber Shop in NYC
• Howard Sobel, cosmetic dermatologic surgeon
• Shari Sperling, dermatologist
• Yvey Valcin, master stylist and founder of Yvey Salon
Additional reporting by Liza Corsillo.
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