No Aftershave For Me

**LiveOak** · 06-13-2011, 07:48 AM

I believe my shaving technique has progressed to a very capable level. I shouldn't feel the burn I do with aftershave, yet no matter what I do it feels like someone took a creme brule torch to my face. That little kid in Home Alone has nothing on me.

I'm not a wimpy person who can't take a momentary sting, but feeling like the Vietnamese jungle after a napalm drop is just too much

.

As a result, I do not use aftershave.

**WrenNH** · 06-13-2011, 07:55 AM

You should try Pinaud Bay Rum aftershave. It's hardly burn-y at all. Pretty much. For the most part. Yeah....

Actually don't do that.

If your experience is like mine, you'll find that as your technique improves, and your skin gets used to wet shaving, the burn of aftershaves won't bother you as much, even fusion reaction aftershaves like Pinaud Bay Rum.

**aggieoutlaw** · 06-13-2011, 07:55 AM

I also stopped using aftershave. I think the fragrances are irritating to my skin. If that makes me a wimp, so be it! The wounds/scars from my daily battles with a DE razor say otherwise...JK!

I also tried a sunscreen lotion without fragrance after 10 mins and don't suffer.

**LiveOak** · 06-13-2011, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by WrenNH

You should try Pinaud Bay Rum aftershave. It's hardly burn-y at all. Pretty much. For the most part. Yeah....

Actually don't do that.

If your experience is like mine, you'll find that as your technique improves, and your skin gets used to wet shaving, the burn of aftershaves won't bother you as much, even fusion reaction aftershaves like Pinaud Bay Rum.

I'm almost two years in to wet shaving exclusively, so I think my technique is down. I can't say I've tried many different aftershaves, but the ones I have have been horrendous. Aqua Velva kills me.

Does anyone even produce an alcohol free aftershave?

BTW, I guess Bay Rum has a reputation. The little smiley I used in my post was actually call bayrum.

**WrenNH** · 06-13-2011, 08:02 AM

Maybe try one of the witch hazel brands without alcohol? Thayers?

**BlackBard** · 06-13-2011, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by LiveOak

I believe my shaving technique has progressed to a very capable level. I shouldn't feel the burn I do with aftershave, yet no matter what I do it feels like someone took a creme brule torch to my face. That little kid in Home Alone has nothing on me.

I'm not a wimpy person who can't take a momentary sting, but feeling like the Vietnamese jungle after a napalm drop is just too much

.

As a result, I do not use aftershave.

Do you think the burn is due to the alcohol in the AS or irritation resulting from your shave? There is a way to find out.

Wash your face with mild soap and warm water. DON'T shave. Apply the usual AS and see how your face reacts to it. Burn, then it's the AS. No burn, then it's your shave.

You might want to consider using a non-alcohol based balm, such as Nivea Sensitive. Use just a small amount after shaving. Your skin will like it and there is no burn. Of course, YMMV, and all that.

**srjohnnie** · 06-13-2011, 08:13 AM

I use the Thayer's alcohol-free witchhazel toner and some Cetaphil moisturizer as my post-shave and that seems to be enough to keep my face pretty happy

**aggieoutlaw** · 06-13-2011, 08:19 AM

This is the best I've found...no (or little) alcohol + SPF + little fragrance

http://www.amazon.com/LOreal-Paris-C.../dp/B0013NHSEO

It smells clean but very subtle.

**Greyfox** · 06-13-2011, 08:19 AM

I love that alcohol burn after a shave.

**Sledgehammer39** · 06-13-2011, 08:23 AM

Another vote for using witch hazel.

**JohnnyDemonic** · 06-13-2011, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by LiveOak

Aqua Velva kills me.

Aqua Velva is one of the most brutal aftershaves I've ever tried. I hate harsh aftershaves--types that burn bad or smell obnoxious.
4711, it smells good and has a little sting to it. Reminds me of Fruity Pebbles cereal. LOL
Captains Choice BR, Capt's a member here and made a great Bay Rum that's some seriously good stuff. Look in the aftershave forum.
St. Lucia West Indies Bay Rum, another great Bay Rum that's light.
Thayers is good and doesn't have any burn juice, but it's too sticky for me. It might be worth a try.

To add to BlackBard's reply... You can also wash you face with soap and water after you shave, if it burns, then AS isn't your problem. You might be taking too many passes. I think if AS was your problem you would have a rash or very irritated skin. Like I said, Aqua Velva is brutal, I can't even use it. I think they put menthol and alcohol in that stuff. It will certainly wake you up in the morning. LOL

**finotti** · 06-13-2011, 09:12 AM

Have you tried balms? I strongly recommend EJ ASB. (I've tried this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...K7EGW9GM5HR11P. Not crazy about the scent, but it works great! They do have two other scents that I haven't tried.)

**npsarros** · 06-13-2011, 09:15 AM

Another vote for 4711. It is great smelling and not as brutal as Aqua Velva or CLubman

**Brian-M** · 06-13-2011, 09:22 AM

Musgo splash is pretty good, it's not too burny.

+1 on the 4711, it's pretty mild.

**joch3** · 06-13-2011, 09:36 AM

I don't get the stinging sensation, even with alcohol based AS. Maybe my skin is thick? When I do cut myself (rarely), I feel the stinging though. Maybe I'm not shaving close enough? I do WTG, XTG (x2).

**The Mick** · 06-13-2011, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by aggieoutlaw

I also stopped using aftershave. I think the fragrances are irritating to my skin.

This has been my experience as well. I use witch hazel and then unscented AS balm.

**LiveOak** · 06-13-2011, 11:24 AM

Thanks for all of the ideas! I do use an aftershave balm...The Real Shaving Co., and that has been nice. I would like something with a slight fragrance.

**mandoman** · 06-13-2011, 12:05 PM

what about balms no burn at all that's what i use

**chuckr9** · 06-13-2011, 12:18 PM

I agree - better with no alcohol AS's for me - I use DE & STR8 razors to feel good - not burn!

**Quintar** · 06-13-2011, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by LiveOak

Thanks for all of the ideas! I do use an aftershave balm...The Real Shaving Co., and that has been nice. I would like something with a slight fragrance.

A lot of the splashes that have fragrance also have a balm: musgo real, la toja, etc. Also since everyone is scared of alcohol these days almost all the new aftershaves come in balm even the designer cologne ones. They probably all get the same generic nivea-ish balm and add their scent to it.