One of the most common practices that men do to enhance their appearance and look beautiful is to shave their facial hair. The hair is removed by first scrubbing some shaving gel or cream and then using a sharp razor to remove the hair from the face. All over, there is a noticeable trend of men growing beards, but there are many men who still like to shave facial hair.
Men most commonly shave for certain purposes and occasions such as job interviews, weddings, holidays, birthdays, and office work. Shaving helps remove the excessive or unnecessary hair from the face and leaves the facial skin dry and prickly. The dry and prickly sensation is caused by a lack of moisture in the skin.
The best solution to rehydrate the skin is to use aftershave, a kind of liquid or gel that can be applied to the face after Aftershave. Most men all over the world follow the practice of applying Aftershave every time they shave to soothe the skin and also disinfect it. In old times, most men would apply cologne on the face, but it can be quite discomforting as alcohol present in the cologne further dries the skin.
What is the difference between using an Aftershave or Cologne?
One of the noticeable differences between an aftershave and cologne is the fragrance. A cologne is heavily scented and used for exuding a nice fragrance, while Aftershave is more of a skincare product. But most of the aftershaves do smell wonderful due to the combination of skincare ingredients and a fragrance. If you are conscious about your facial skin, then Aftershave is the best option as it hydrates and soothes the skin.
Why use Aftershave
Well, the reason lies in the name ‘aftershave’ itself as you have to apply a liquid or gel after shaving your facial hair. The traditional Aftershave serves as a sanitizer and disinfects the skin apart from moisturizing it.
The razor mostly used for shaving is quite sharp, and there are many chances of tiny cuts that expose the skin. The tiny, exposed pores are susceptible to bacteria and infection. The Aftershave mostly contains ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol, eliminating the bacteria and toxins that can stick to your face after shaving. But the chemically made Aftershave is not good for the skin if you frequently use an aftershave.
You can use Aftershave made from natural sources such as coconut or jojoba oil and herbs such as Aloe Vera, which eliminates bacteria and moisturizes the skin. The benefits of using Aftershave made from natural ingredients are
- Minimize the itching and swelling that one can feel after shaving
- Close the tiny skin pores that prevent bacteria from creeping in and causing infection
- Heal the skin quickly after razor cuts
- Reducing the chance of hair follicle inflammation due to a layer of moisturizing oil
- Allowing the regrowth of skin tissue
- Emanating a nice fragrance
What is an Aftershave Balm?
An aftershave balm is one of the best products to ensure smooth and soft facial skin. An aftershave balm usually contains Aloe Vera along with Camelina Oil, Omega-3, and green tea extract that acts on free radical damage. The aftershave balm also consists of oat oil to soften the skin and baobab oil, which moistens sensitive skin.
Many people think that they always have to shave first and then use Aftershave, but on the contrary, you can easily use the Aftershave as a moisturizer. The Aftershave has all the ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, and Vitamin E that prevents dryness and keep the skin soft and smooth.
You can make an aftershave at Home
We live in technologically advanced times where a person only needs a constant internet connection to resolve common household problems at home, whether it is fixing the kitchen drain pipe, power washing, or making the best steak. The trend of DIY (Do It Yourself) projects and tasks is increasing every day.
Many people also try to make and often use aftershave balm as it mostly consists of natural ingredients and does not have any side effects. Some of the ingredients you need to look for in homemade aftershave balm are
- Aloe Vera; soothes the skin
- Glycerin; moisturizes the skin
- Witch hazel; used an alternative to alcohol
- Essential oils; such as eucalyptus, lavender, or rosemary for Increased blood flow
- Shea butter; anti-inflammatory and soothes the skin
- Green tea and oatmeal for scents
- Coconut or olive oil
How to use Aftershave Balm
It is better to use Aftershave after shaving your facial hair, but it is not obligatory to do it after every shave. If you have sensitive skin and are worried about skin irritation, it is best to use an aftershave balm. Some of the things to consider when using an aftershave are
- Simply follow your regular shaving routine
- Apply the shaving cream or gel properly and then shave it off with a razor
- Wash your face with water and remove any remaining shaving cream from your face
- Use a clean towel to dry your skin but do not rub the towel across your face
- Pour a small amount of Aftershave on the palm of your hand
- Then rub the Aftershave with both hands and then rub it evenly on your face
Aftershave is an essential accessory that many men buy and use all across the world. If you are looking to buy an aftershave balm, you should look for natural, organic, and plant-based ingredients known to moisturize, soothe, and heal the facial skin.
Most of the Aftershaves have a splendid and wonderful aroma that entirely refreshes the person and leaves a good impression on other people. As aftershave balm contains natural ingredients, so men with a different types of skin can easily use them without the worry of any side effects. It would be best if you try aftershave balm for healthy and smooth skin.