Aftershave lotion vs. aftershave balm

[Alum of Potash]

I'm wondering what the differences are between an aftershave lotion and an aftershave balm. For example, one company, Weleda, markets both. Are they interchangeable or complementary? And if complementary, am I right to think that the aftershave lotion precedes the balm?

[gaj90027]

I'm wondering what the differences are between an aftershave lotion and an aftershave balm. For example, one company, Weleda, markets both. Are they interchangeable or complementary? And if complementary, am I right to think that the aftershave lotion precedes the balm?

In the aftershave world a lotion is actually the liquid version and a balm is what you would normally call a lotion. They can be complementary but on a regular basis I would never use the lotion and the balm at the same time as this would leave my skin too greasy. I mostly use aftershave lotions and only reach for an aftershave balm if I have a rough shave. They can also be interchangeable if you like the scent, get them both.

[dpmtherrien]

AS is good for everyday use, and balm can also be used the same way.

I like a balm on days when my face "just feels" like it needs to be soothed by a balm. Balm is really good for adding moisture to you face.

[Go West Young Man]

You have splashes - which are liquid - at one end of the spectrum, and balms - which are creams - at the other end, and a whole raft of products (lotions, milks etc) which fall at different points in the middle.

[saxog]

I thought basically lotion generally contains alcohol and balm not

[snip3r]

What if toner and moisturizer is used?

Can we skip the splash and lotion/balm combo

[Deacon Frank]

What if toner and moisturizer is used? Can we skip the splash and lotion/balm combo

You can do anything you want. You should do whatever works best for you, or whatever you enjoy most.

I think toner is basically an astringent, right? So that would have the same function as an aftershave splash. And the moisturizer has the same function as the aftershave lotion/balm.

[Modern Art]

I use toner/astringent and then a small bit of aftershave balm. I don't think I have anything in my cabinets that's labeled an aftershave lotion. I have a few that are labeled as "gels" and they do actually have the same consistency of hair gel.

[Alum of Potash]

Perhaps "lotion" was not the right word--maybe "aftershave splash" or just "aftershave" would be the better term in comparison with "aftershave (or post-shave) balm."

[plpenn]

You can do anything you want. You should do whatever works best for you, or whatever you enjoy most.

I think toner is basically an astringent, right? So that would have the same function as an aftershave splash. And the moisturizer has the same function as the aftershave lotion/balm.

+1

[Alec79]

I find that anything with alcohol dries my skin out something serious so I always use a balm.

[Spiffy202]

Whats the shelf life of the balms on average?
I ask this, as i have a couple of them that I've had for years, but just started using. They don't seem very good & they seem a bit thin & the scent isn't very strong. I have not used them before so have nothing to compare them too...

[Hex]

I thought basically lotion generally contains alcohol and balm not

That is my thinking and my face says the same thing.

[Alum of Potash]

Whats the shelf life of the balms on average?
I ask this, as i have a couple of them that I've had for years, but just started using. They don't seem very good & they seem a bit thin & the scent isn't very strong. I have not used them before so have nothing to compare them too...

The bottle of Weleda balm that I have gives an expiration date of 12/2012. I bought it around 2-3 weeks ago and it probably wasn't sitting on the shelf for more than 1-2 months. But since the expiration date may be a bit in advance, let's just call it around two years to round things off.

[TankCommander1554]

I would say based on my experience thus far, lotions and balms are pretty close. The balm might be a little thicker, but for the most part I see them as the same thing. The thinner version of lotion is the "Milk" products in my opinion.

[Go West Young Man]

I thought basically lotion generally contains alcohol and balm not


Nope, there are alcohol free splashes out there.

[Silver Badger]

Well, for example the Proraso aftershave calls itself a "lotion" and is a (green) liquid, whereas their balm is thick like skin lotion. Anyway, I personally always use both. I use a thin splash right after (Lucky Tiger), let is dry for 30 seconds or so, and then use a balm (D.R. Harris Milk). I have fairly dry skin so using both really helps me a lot, I gather people with normal and/or greasy skin probably do not want balms at all as the D.R. Harris for example is thick and very moisturizing.