Latest revelation: not rinsing helps with irritation.

So in the quest to minimise irritation after shaving, I have discovered that the post shave rinse aggravates my skin quite a bit more than I would like. I don't know if it's bacteria in the water or something else, but I found that using a clean, dry towel to remove the leftover lather from my face once I'm done has yielded better results. I essentially just wipe it off and apply aftershave. Much reduced AS burn.

Is there anyone else out there who skips the rinse in favour of a towel?

I can only surmise that the film of leftover soap/lather on your skin is acting like a lubricant. Maybe as a last step, try using a skin moisturizer or AS balm to moisturize and hydrate the dry skin, post shave and alleviate any irritation.

Do you use an alum block?

Unless you have well water I would be hard pressed to believe there is any bacteria in the water. My friend worked at the water treatment plant for over a decade. Nothing, around here at least, lives through their treatment process.

If you're looking to cut down on irritation and razor bumps, do yourself a favour and splurge on some Trumper Skin Food... For pre/post shaves.

BRITD said:

I can only surmise that the film of leftover soap/lather on your skin is acting like a lubricant. Maybe as a last step, try using a skin moisturizer or AS balm to moisturize and hydrate the dry skin, post shave and alleviate any irritation.

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It's worth trying, but I would still skip the rinse - it just seems to exacerbate the irritation.

ColtRevolver said:

Do you use an alum block?

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Yes, I have one and have used it. It's the rinse before the alum that kicks off the irritation. Understand that it's not severe irritation, but it's noticeable. One thing I might try is to apply wet alum to my face first and then do the rinse after.

Weird. I find the total opposite. If I leave any residue on my face problems happen. Best for me is a semi cool rinse to get rid of the soap, alum block, wait, cold rinse.

BlueLineWarrior said:

Unless you have well water I would be hard pressed to believe there is any bacteria in the water. My friend worked at the water treatment plant for over a decade. Nothing, around here at least, lives through their treatment process.

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It's good to know that. But I also wonder what goes on between the WTP and my tap.

dwsteen said:

If you're looking to cut down on irritation and razor bumps, do yourself a favour and splurge on some Trumper Skin Food... For pre/post shaves.

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I've only heard good things about this product. Perhaps it's time to give it a try.

N1CK said:

Weird. I find the total opposite. If I leave any residue on my face problems happen. Best for me is a semi cool rinse to get rid of the soap, alum block, wait, cold rinse.

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Well, I absolutely don't leave any residue on my face. Instead of rinsing it off though, I use a towel to remove it.

Thank you Gents for your inputs. I have some variations to test here and will keep track of the progress.

Bossies said:

It's good to know that. But I also wonder what goes on between the WTP and my tap.

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Generally speaking, there is not a whole lot going on in someones pipes. It is not a very good environment for organisms.

Try not using the Alum.

dwsteen said:

If you're looking to cut down on irritation and razor bumps, do yourself a favour and splurge on some Trumper Skin Food... For pre/post shaves.

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My only recommend on this would be: maybe not the best for oily/acne prone skin. Tried TSF when I began, and instantly broke me out and left my face over moisturized. The tiniest bit would do this. However, I could seed this working on just about every other skin type. My 2 cents.

Ryan

c5ryan312 said:

My only recommend on this would be: maybe not the best for oily/acne prone skin. Tried TSF when I began, and instantly broke me out and left my face over moisturized. The tiniest bit would do this. However, I could seed this working on just about every other skin type. My 2 cents.

Ryan

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Well there goes that thought. My face is right on the edge of being too oily.

Bossies said:

Well there goes that thought. My face is right on the edge of being too oily.

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Yeah, we oily bunch get it rough. May I ask, are you using creams, soaps, both? Going away from creams and using strictly soaps has helped me a bunch. There is, "too moisturizing," imho.

Mike, have you ever tried unrefined shea butter? It seems to work with all skin types. Good luck.

c5ryan312 said:

Yeah, we oily bunch get it rough. May I ask, are you using creams, soaps, both? Going away from creams and using strictly soaps has helped me a bunch. There is, "too moisturizing," imho.

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I'm using creams and soaps. I find them to be about the same regarding my skin oiliness afterward. It was never bad to start with, but with aftershave balms it becomes a bit of a sticky/tacky and shiny mess. My skin feels nice and dry and clean when I use just aftershave - even better than my forehead for example. Maybe I should shave that too. . .

celestino said:

Mike, have you ever tried unrefined shea butter? It seems to work with all skin types. Good luck.

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I haven't. Is this good as a preshave, or at which point does one use it?