Essential Guide to Men’s Aftershaves

Just as important as a spritz of your cologne or Eau De Toilette, aftershave is an essential step in your grooming regime. Typically soothing, hydrating, and all-round skin-pleasing, it’s the best way to round off your morning shave. Not only does men’s aftershave restore moisture and calm irritated post-shave skin, but it also leaves a subtle, fresh scent at the same time.

Whether you’re into zesty top notes of lemon and mandarin, prefer elegant, woody accords like sandalwood, vetiver, and cedarwood, or you’re after a spicier, leather accord, our huge range of men’s aftershave has something to suit. There’s plenty of top designer brands to choose from, including Northern Alchemist. The best part? You can even get aftershave lotions and balms to match that signature scent you return to time and time again. It’s the perfect way to avoid the dreaded fragrance clash!

A double-duty essential that helps your skin recover from existing irritation and makes you smell amazing for the rest of the day, too—what’s not to love? Find the men’s aftershave you always knew you needed right here at Northern Alchemist. Shaving can be a headache: Just a few nicks or cuts can leave the skin irritated and may lead to problems down the road like ingrown hairs and redness. Thankfully, all that’s keeping you from hydrated and moisturized skin is an all-star aftershave to round out your grooming routine. Nowadays, there are tons of aftershaves on the market—from gels to lotions, sprays to balms—that both smell amazing and are soothing for the skin. Ahead, get the lowdown on the post-shave step and check out some expert-approved picks.

Essential Guide to Men’s Aftershaves -What is aftershave?

Aftershaves are designed to calm the skin following a shave—let’s face it, taking a sharp blade to the face can cause pesky cuts or even wounds—and work to prevent potential problems down the line like ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

Whether you prefer a balm, gel, or lotion is an entirely personal choice. Those with dry skin may benefit from heavier moisturizers or creams while an oily complexion can keep it lightweight with gels and sprays. Our experts advise applying aftershave directly following your shaving routine and prior to other skincare, as the antibacterial properties will exfoliate and refresh the skin.

Essential Guide to Men’s Aftershaves – Is aftershave good for your skin?

Yes, and groomers consider it a vital step in any well-rounded grooming regimen. However, like any product used on the skin, it’s important to consider the specific ingredients that make up an aftershave. Alcohol-based aftershaves are the most widely used but can burn and severely irritate the skin in some cases. Those with sensitivities might find it best to avoid alcohol altogether in place of oil-based aftershaves and soothing ingredients.

Essential Guide to Men’s Aftershaves – Why does aftershave burn?

Typically, alcohol is the ingredient in aftershaves that cause a tingling or burning sensation due to the antibacterial properties. The skin is at its most sensitive post-shave, so slapping on aftershave can bring about that brief stinging sensation.

From fresh-smelling gels to multipurpose balms, check out the best aftershaves according to these grooming experts. After you mow over your facial hair with a bare blade or six, you need to calm things down. That’s where aftershave comes in. Its job is to soothe skin, restore moisture, neutralize bacteria, and keep pores clear, thus helping prevent bumps, ingrown hairs, and razor burns. It does so with a slew of common skincare ingredients, such as aloe vera, witch hazel, tea tree oil, and salicylic acid.

While I certainly hope you still use a pre-shave oil, an editor-approved shave cream, and, of course, a sharp, fresh razor, above all, I believe that you should use a post-shave product. That product gets bonus points if it has soothing, hydrating ingredients—and steers clear of skin-drying ones like alcohol.

However, because post-shave products meet many needs these days, it’s important to ensure that you’re matching your skin’s needs with the ingredients in a given bottle to get the best results. To help you decipher the dizzying variety of aftershave products out there, we’ve tested and tried loads. Following are the best of the best.

The Best Men’s Aftershaves

Best aftershave for sensitive skin: When choosing the best aftershave for sensitive skin, look for products that contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile.
How to apply perfume for long-lasting scent: To apply perfume for a long-lasting scent, focus on pulse points and avoid rubbing the fragrance into your skin.
Top aftershave application techniques: The top aftershave application techniques include using a small amount, patting it gently onto the skin, and allowing it to absorb completely.
Perfume layering tips for men: Perfume layering tips for men involve using matching scented body lotions or shower gels to build a more complex and enduring fragrance.
Best practices for storing perfumes and aftershaves: The best practices for storing perfumes and aftershaves include keeping them in a cool, dark place to maintain their potency.

By following these tips and choosing the right products, you can ensure your skin stays smooth, hydrated, and smelling great all day long. For the best range of men’s aftershaves, visit Northern Alchemist and find your perfect match.