Best post shave balm/oil/cream

**macaulaygreg** · 05-15-2012, 04:10 AM

Hey, i'm just starting my journey to real shaving after years of using gillette mach 7's or whatever the new blade is they have out. I've opted for a Merkur Barber pole 38C razor and TOBS Sandalwood cream to start with but i'm not sure what is best to use post shave to stop ingrown hairs and bumps etc.... What are peoples favorites? i've read a lot of good thiings about Geo F Trumper skin food.

**DukeGrad** · 05-15-2012, 05:11 AM

Hi

You are going to get a thousand hits on this one here my friend.
I am a 60 yo gentleman who prefers Thayers aloe with witch hazel, rose scent. Then my post shave lotion is Kiehls.
The creme de corps, have 2 types, the light and the normal lotion.
I use kiehls as a body lotion as well.That way, no need to buy a balm, which basically is a lotion.
The Thayers BTW is a nice application. The aloe is very, very effective. Thayers with hazel, is really not a hazel per say.
Acts like a very good post shave!
Then my cologne.

Good luck
Jimmy

**jpipes3** · 05-15-2012, 07:49 AM

I came here looking for help for the same thing. What I have discovered is that the best thing for stopping ingrown hairs and bumps is razor technique and direction. That will take a little bit of time to perfect. Even the greatest balm in the world can only do so much if your technique is poor.

As far as balms, it really depends on your budget. Best bang for your buck in my opinion is Every Man Jack (available at Target). I have tried a whole bunch of balms at various price ranges, and I can't say that any are really that much better than the EMJ. They have mint and unscented. The mint is pretty much unscented after a minute or two. I like unscented balms because I can use a splash over the top of them.

If you want scented balms and are willing to spend a little money, then my standard recommendations are Crabtree & Evelyn or L'Occitane.

**petr** · 05-15-2012, 09:28 AM

clinique is good to put out the fires and aloe based.

hydrolast is terrific also with the tonic.

tend skin for spot treatment of the bumps.

**Champion of Capua** · 05-15-2012, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by jpipes3

I came here looking for help for the same thing. What I have discovered is that the best thing for stopping ingrown hairs and bumps is razor technique and direction. That will take a little bit of time to perfect. Even the greatest balm in the world can only do so much if your technique is poor.

As far as balms, it really depends on your budget. Best bang for your buck in my opinion is Every Man Jack (available at Target). I have tried a whole bunch of balms at various price ranges, and I can't say that any are really that much better than the EMJ. They have mint and unscented. The mint is pretty much unscented after a minute or two. I like unscented balms because I can use a splash over the top of them.

If you want scented balms and are willing to spend a little money, then my standard recommendations are Crabtree & Evelyn or L'Occitane.

+1, its all about technique for burn and bumps. Like Duke says, witch hazel then a balm of your choice, my favorite is Cade.

**timj219** · 05-15-2012, 09:47 AM

Nivea sensitive post shave balm is a good place to start IMO.
Cheap, widely available, no alcohol or scent.

**Oblique Human** · 05-15-2012, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by jpipes3

What I have discovered is that the best thing for stopping ingrown hairs and bumps is razor technique and direction. That will take a little bit of time to perfect. Even the greatest balm in the world can only do so much if your technique is poor.

+1

**pipskicks** · 05-15-2012, 05:53 PM

A little bit of Witch Hazel then a balm, I haven't really noticed a huge difference between the balms I've tried...

**eizan70** · 05-15-2012, 09:04 PM

I love the GFT skin food. It absorbs very quickly and feels great but does not leave me with the protected feel. I apply it following my shave to dried face. Two undiluted drops completely cover my face. I let it absorb completely while I clean my shaving brush then apply either Kanwa by Feather or Castle Forbes aftershave balm. It may sound strange, but if I don't use it I notice. I really like how the skin food feels, but need something on top. I like the CF balm and Kanwa because the don't have a greasy or tacky feel but still feel as though they are coating/protecting/healing.

**pipskicks** · 05-15-2012, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by eizan70

I love the GFT skin food. It absorbs very quickly and feels great but does not leave me with the protected feel. I apply it following my shave to dried face. Two undiluted drops completely cover my face. I let it absorb completely while I clean my shaving brush then apply either Kanwa by Feather or Castle Forbes aftershave balm. It may sound strange, but if I don't use it I notice. I really like how the skin food feels, but need something on top. I like the CF balm and Kanwa because the don't have a greasy or tacky feel but still feel as though they are coating/protecting/healing.

+1
I have been waiting for someone else who felt the same lol. I feel like it may make a good pre-shave oil, but they say it can be used as pre/post shave and I think that's a way to better market it, I think it's a terrible post-shave, Nivea feels better...

**DukeGrad** · 05-17-2012, 11:06 AM

My friend,
Saw you get bumps on face, my remarks are a good start. 9/10 people get bumps, pustules and redness which is usually technique.
Also seen in black males mainley is called PFB , common skin problem. Whites can get this .
Pseudofolliculitis barbae. I doubt this the problem.
I agree with technique
NICE DAY
Jim

**Amir** · 06-09-2012, 06:37 PM

Right after a shave, I do a liberal application of the Thayer's Witch Hazel Lemon w/alcohol - then before I suit up to head out for the day, do a squirt of KAWA balm.

**sir-nix-alot** · 06-09-2012, 09:01 PM

L'Occitane After Shave Balms.

**Joejitsu** · 06-09-2012, 10:38 PM

I agree it's mostly technique. For me trying to achieve a BBS on the neck by going ATG or XTG causes some irritation or bumps. After an aftershave splash I use Neutrogena Post Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin. I find this helps.

**Gordy2** · 06-10-2012, 09:49 AM

After rince I use WH for a good final rince. Then I use an AS usually a splash type followed by a balm. I have many, but my number 1 is PS by Paul Sebastian as far as scent, face relief and dry time. The others in order of like would be AOS and QCS tied for second, RazoRocks, T&H, Mama Bear and St Charles tied. I have more but that's the main lot. They are actually all very very good. Another, TOBS sandalwood is suppose to be a balm. I love the smell and it dries to a great powdery feel but in between it's kinda' sticky and feels funny.

**njpaddy** · 06-10-2012, 10:00 AM

Dickinson Witch Hazel after every shave. If I feel like an aftershave splash, I apply it after the WH dries. Balms tend to give me bumps so I stopped using them.

**Triad** · 06-10-2012, 10:00 AM

Alum then AOS balm

**nortac** · 06-10-2012, 10:07 AM

Use an Alum block after a cold water rinse. If it stings, your technique is off. Use witch hazel after the alum, it is soothing to irritation. +1 on Nivea For Sensitive Skin ASB.

**BigBull** · 06-10-2012, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by jpipes3

What I have discovered is that the best thing for stopping ingrown hairs and bumps is razor technique and direction. That will take a little bit of time to perfect. Even the greatest balm in the world can only do so much if your technique is poor.

+2 This is very well stated. Whatever you decide, look at the ingredients and try to determine whether alcohol dries your skin out or not. Then you can really get down to what you want to spend your "hard earned" on. Good Luck!