Men can debate whether or not to use shaving creams and shaving soaps but they will agree that aftershaves are an important part of their shaving routine. In fact most men use their aftershaves as colognes and sometimes mistakenly refer to it as Eau de Cologne. Let's differentiate between an aftershave a men's cologne.
An aftershave is a lotion, gel, or liquid used mainly by men after they have finished shaving. It may contain an antiseptic agent like alcohol to prevent infection from cuts as well as numb damaged skin, a perfume to enhance scent, and a moisturizer to soften the skin. Sometimes an alcohol-based, fragrance-free astringent can be used as an aftershave. Aftershaves are traditionally used to close the pores on the skin after a shave, cooling and smoothing the skin which has become sensitive by the shave. This prevents irritation and razor burns. An interesting fact about aftershaves - they were used in the Egyptian times to clean and deodorize a dead body before it was soaked in natron and wrapped in linen bandages.
Alcohol-based aftershaves tend to have a stinging effect. If you have dry skin or don't like the stinging effect one gets when putting on an aftershave, you should avoid alcohol based aftershaves and go for either lotion based aftershaves or aftershave balms. Both types of aftershaves do not sting. A major difference between alcohol based aftershaves and lotion based aftershaves is that the former will give you a mild scent for a short period of time because alcohol evaporates quickly. The latter's scent will last longer and it won't have the crisp stinging effect on your skin also. Aftershave balms have an even milder scent and does not feel as severe on the skin as aftershave. It has a soothing effect and comforting feeling because most have botanical ingredients unlike most commercial aftershaves.
Here are some noted brands of aftershaves - Acqua di Parma, Brut, Global Gillette, Crabtree & Evelyn and Old Spice. It is inetersting to note that many fashion designer houses have lent their names to brands of aftershave, including Hugo Boss, Comme des Garçons, Tommy Hilfiger, Mark Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Jil Sander, and Vera Wang. Whichever brand you eventually choose and if you get an alcohol based or lotion based aftershave or aftershave balm, the number one consideration should be whether the product agrees with your skin and does not irritate it.
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