Best non-alcohol based splash?

Does anyone out there have any suggestions for a good non-alcohol splash? Maybe something witch-hazel based? (Should I expect a bunch of responses that just say witch-hazel? )

I'd basically like something with alum-like qualities that tightens my face, but without the drying qualities of alcohol.

Provence Sante green tea (or verlaine) A/S, available from baudelairesoaps.com.

Or, for a cheap option, Thayers Rose witch hazel.

D.R. Harris Pink Splash

TimmyBoston said:

D.R. Harris Pink Splash

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Ditto...

Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner(in a blue bottle near you).


Marty

Technically the Pink has alcohol in it.... It is low enough concentration that it doesn't sting, though.

Another winner: The Cucumber Splash from Em's place

What about the Musgo Real splash?

Chris

but witch hazel does naturally contain alcohol....

rafikz said:

but witch hazel does naturally contain alcohol....

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I thought witch hazel was an extract from a shrub or plant or something (guess there's no reason why it couldn't contain alcohol, but not sure of the actual concentration.) I'm really just trying to find an alternative to my skin bracer/aqua velva (which I happen to like, but sometimes it seems like my skin needs a break. Especially in the winter.)

Scotto said:

Provence Sante green tea (or verlaine) A/S, available from baudelairesoaps.com.

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good stuff

Jack Bauer said:

What about the Musgo Real splash?

Chris

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I think the musgo splash has alcohol, but its rather soothing on my face...no burn.

Musgo has witch hazel but doesn't state alcohol as an ingredient. Its ingredients are (from lafcony): aloe extract, glycerin, sodium PCA, witch hazel extract, and echinacea extract.

Also, from wikipedia...

"Essential oil of Witch Hazel is not sold separately as a consumer product. The plant does not produce enough essential oil to make production viable. However, there are various distillates of Witch Hazel (called Hydrosols or Hydrolats) that are gentler than the "drug store" Witch Hazel which contains alcohol."

So witch hazel doesn't necessarily use alcohol just the drug store ones such as Thayer's and possibly Musgo but I don't know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_Hazel_%28astringent%29

"Drug store" witch hazel can contain more alcohol than witch hazel. If you get a commercial grade distilled witch hazel, it can still contain more alcohol than witch hazel percentage wise. I use a twice distilled witch hazel in my products that contains 85.5% witch hazel and 14.5% alcohol. This makes it more soothing than the version found in your local store, and lacks the alcohol sting and scent.

It is a wonderful product but it is of course more expensive than what you would find in a drug store.

Speick AS lotion does have alcohol, but harldy ever stings. Not too drying either.

I've been using the CVS brand of witch hazel and dont experience any sting.

If you want no alcohol, try hydrosols such as DaVinci water, or Thayer's witch hazels, many of which are alcohol free.

If you can tolerate a bit of it, Musgo Real is tough to beat (although D. R. Harris sandalwood a/s is even better).

This has been a huge help. I'm already a big fan of the musgo balsam (it's my everyday balm), so I probably owe it to Claus to try the splash. It also looks like the Thayers is relatively inexpensive, so I'll probably give them a try, too. I'm finding that shaving products are like ice cream - you don't have to have just ONE favorite.

The Musgo balm is great. The splash is even better.

Jack Bauer said:

Musgo has witch hazel but doesn't state alcohol as an ingredient. Its ingredients are (from lafcony): aloe extract, glycerin, sodium PCA, witch hazel extract, and echinacea extract.

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Their description on website is false (incomplete). I have the box from the bottle of splash....and alcohol is in fact an ingredient. One of the first ingredients.

I recall reading that the alcohol content of the Musgo splash was around 16%, or thereabouts.
It doesn't sting me, and I'm pretty sensitive to that sort of thing.