After Shaving routines

[jackfrost]

I've been reading a ton of threads and responses on this subject and want to find out specifically what others do. When I first started here, the consensus I got was "no alcohol". After further enquiries, I determined splash followed by balm. So now my daily routine, regardless of whether I have razor burn or not, is Clubman splash followed a few minutes later by Nivea balm. Today, I bought some witch hazel and some cocoa butter from the drugstore, and will try them out tomorrow. So again, the question is: What do you do on a day when your shave is trouble free and what do you do on the days when you get razorburn? I'm also curious as to what particular brands of witch hazel folks recommend, as this stuff is made by many companies and varies in price.

[htownmmm]

For me, there is no difference. I rarely have razor burn days since going to DE shaving.( The last time I had burn was when I used my VISION loaded with a Feather blade and did 3 passes-face was lightbulb smooth, but I felt it.)

I normally use either Dickinson's witch hazel or Neutrogena alcohol free toner(after the alum block), followed by either Nivea sensitive asb,proraso asb, or SCS Lavender after shave milk.


Marty

[battleboar]

I am a fan of alcohol-based after shaves, and I don't find it necessary to follow them with a balm. Believe it or not, the aftershave that I find the most soothing after any shave is Aqua Velva. For some reason, it has always done right by my skin (even when I haven't), and I find myself reaching for it as one of my primary aftershaves. Fantastic stuff in my book.

I don't usually experience razor burn, as I don't often go for a true BBS. That, and I am a traitorous Sensor user :001_tt2: . But on the rare occasions when it does strike, I have found that a good old alcohol splash does the trick for me.

It isn't very often that I use a balm, unless my skin feels particularly dried out, but when I do it is the Proraso A/S balm. Nice, light, and thoroughly inoffensive.

I do use witch hazel (Original Thayer's) on occasion as an after-shave, but generally I just use it as a toner after I wash my face at night. I find that this aids in the repair of any mishaps I might have had during the morning shave.

[jackfrost]

Okay so I've read both the replies on this. For what it's worth, I don't get razorburn all that much anymore, either, but it does happen sometimes.

Marty, if I get this right, you rub the alum on first, before anything else. As I understand it, alum will help close the pores and occasional nicks... but isn't that what the witch hazel is for? Or do you use the witch hazel strictly as a toner? I understand that toner is different than moisturizer, but I don't know exactly what toner does. Skin care is a new thing to me. That's why I started this thread. I don't know the differences between toners, astringents, moisturizers, and the like - nor why all are needed at different times.

Brian, why do you wash your face at night? I've read that washing your face 2-3 times a day is good for you, but why exactly? When you do wash your face at night, what do you use besides water and a toner? Should I be applying toner to the T-zone, as this is an oily place that I need to address.

Up until I started wetshaving a few weeks ago, my face hasn't had any sort of skin care whatsoever in 36 years and I want to get started in the right direction.

[TimmyBoston]

After I'm done shaving, I rinse and slap on some more coral skin food to seal my skin. Then I use an Alum block, let it dry use some Da Vinci Water from QED, let it dry. Then I use an alcohol based splash. I really love these! In the summer I quit there, in the winter I put on a balm and if it still doesn't feel right, I put on my splash after my balm.

[surprisingly]

When I'm done shaving I rub on some Proraso ASB, then about a drop of Tea Tree oil (major burn) and recently, I've been adding a drop of wintergreen oil (rediculous burn.) The wintergreen smells awesome when coupled with my C&E Nomad cologne. After that, I use Neutrogena hand cream on my T-zone to fight the peeling I get on my nose and forehead. If you decide to try an essential oil on your face, do a patch test first as it can cause serious irritation or even allergic reaction.

[Edcculus]

I've done several different things, but I've started falling into a regualr cycle now. I'm definately becoming a fan of alcohol based after shaves. Usually, I rinse my face then use the alum. Then I splash a little more water on my face and use a splash (aqua velva or clubman bay rum lately). I let that dry for a little while and finish up with Proraso asb. Seems to be doing the trick

[GeeQue]

My after shave routine now consists of just applying after shave lotion or splash. No more alum...no more syptic...no more witch hazel...no more burn so no more aloe. I guess I found that "sweet angle" for all of my razors now ! ...one main pass against the grain and touch up...true bbs !

[SofaKing]

Lately I have setteled into the following routine that is yielding outstanding shaves.

1) Night before wash face with Cetaphil then moisturize with Borghese cream I bought at Costco. This has I think has made the biggest improvement.
2) Shower/Lather/Shave/Lather/Shave/Lather/Shave
3) Rinse with cold water.
4) Rub alum block on face, paying close attention to any weapers.
5) Touch up with styptic pencil if necessary.
6) Let dry.
7) Wash face with Men-U soap. I really/really/really like this soap after I shave.
8) Dry face.
9) Spritz face with Thayers witch hazel with some tea tree oil mixed in. I tried the straight oil and it was way to hot on my face.
10) Let air dry and apply Men-U after shave moisturizer.

As always YMMV :thumbup1:

[Tinzien]

7) Wash face with Men-U soap. I really/really/really like this soap after I shave.



I 100% agree with you on #7. I used to use it a lot more when I was just starting wet-shaving than I do now, but it would zap my sore, heated face back into a good comfort zone within minutes of using the product.

[battleboar]

Brian, why do you wash your face at night? I've read that washing your face 2-3 times a day is good for you, but why exactly? When you do wash your face at night, what do you use besides water and a toner? Should I be applying toner to the T-zone, as this is an oily place that I need to address.

Up until I started wetshaving a few weeks ago, my face hasn't had any sort of skin care whatsoever in 36 years and I want to get started in the right direction.


I wash my face at night mainly because its something I have always done since I was a little kid. I just like to get any dirt that migh have accumulated throughout the day off my skin before I turn in. I wash my face with williams mug soap (which just happens to be what I use in the shower, but I would use any soap if necessary). After I rinse, I just splash some witch hazel on, let it dry and turn in.

This is the routine that works well for me, but I don't have particulary sensitive skin either; I am sure many people would follow the witch hazel with some kind of mouisturizer to help prevent drying. For some time I was looking for the ultimate face-care regimen. I had tried everything from organic lotions to complicated, 5 part "systems." In the end, I found that simple is best for me. I would recommend that everyone start simple, and work around from there.

[galpman]

Where is the best place and brand to purchase Alum Block?

Thanks

[EL Alamein]

My routine is to rinse my face then apply a cologne or alcoholic aftershave. Very rarely anymore do I put a balm on. Hope this helps.

Chris

[Edcculus]

Where is the best place and brand to purchase Alum Block?

Thanks

Try Mama Bear (http://bear-haven.com/Page3.html). She sells Shavex alum blocks singly.