What Is After-Shave, and Do Men Really Need It?

Say Goodbye to Toilet Paper Dots for Good

By Sponsored Content Team On 6/18/22 at 9:00 AM EDT

The Art of Shaving shave balm

The Art of Shaving wants you to know that after-shave serves an essential purpose beyond just smelling good. The Art of Shaving wants you to know that after-shave serves an essential purpose beyond just smelling good. THE ART OF SHAVING

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When you were young and didn't have face stubble, your dad probably taught you how to shave, and he likely let you rub on some manly-smelling after-shave. You probably didn't understand why, but it's an essential last step during any shaving routine. The Art of Shaving wants to make it a pleasurable one, too.

Even with a quality shaving cream, many men experience cuts and skin irritation after shaving. Shaving can take more than just hair off your face and neck—it can remove the outer layer of skin and leave tiny cuts behind.

According to Healthline, when you shave, it opens the pores and often creates minor scratches, which could leave it susceptible to bacteria or other irritations. This discomfort can happen while using a sharp razor or a dull one.

Shaving doesn't have to be torturous and painful or leave you slapping little pieces of toilet paper on the cuts. However, that's often the case—luckily, there's a solution.

What Does After-Shave Do?

The Art of Shaving aftershave

THE ART OF SHAVING

Many think of after-shave as a scent or cologne, but it's actually an essential step in your shaving routine and can play a role in helping the skin recover after shaving. Two of the primary ingredients in many after-shaves are isopropyl alcohol and witch hazel, which calms irritation, stops bleeding and helps disinfect the skin. Like using sanitizer to keep your hands clean, after-shave can help cleanse and protect your face.

These minor abrasions are also why alcohol-based after-shaves typically sting when you slap them on. Alcohol-based after-shaves could eventually do more harm than good, especially over time, leaving your face dry and itchy and may cause dandruff.

Like the many options from the Art of Shaving, high-quality after-shaves use natural ingredients, including coconut oil, almond oil and jojoba oil; moisturizers like shea butter; and grapeseed extract. These formulas help protect your skin from bacteria, soothe minor cuts and deliver moisturizers to refresh and hydrate the skin.

Other Benefits From Using After-Shave

While using an after-shave with alcohol could help protect and sanitize your face, options with natural ingredients have several other benefits. Some of these include:

Reducing itching and swelling from skin damage
Helping limit ingrown hairs
Closing pores to prevent bacteria or chemicals from getting in
Helping minimize razor burn, razor bumps and cut down on acne
Aiding in the healing process from cuts while shaving
Helping prevent hair follicle inflammation (folliculitis) by protecting open pores and skin
Adding enjoyable scents

Try These Quality After-Shave Balms and Lotions

If you're looking for a high-quality after-shave, consider some options below from the Art of Shaving.

Bourbon After-Shave Balm

Olibanum and Pepper aftershave

THE ART OF SHAVING

The Art of Shaving offers several different after-shave balms and lotions, and the Bourbon After-Shave Balm is formulated to refresh, protect, hydrate and moisturize the skin. The large, 3.3-ounce bottle contains essential oils and extracts and features a Bourbon Amber Aroma inspired by cask-aged bourbon. This after-shave and daily moisturizer is also clinically tested, does not contain synthetic dyes or alcohol and is non-pore clogging.

Buy the Art of Shaving Bourbon After-Shave Balm for $55.

Unscented After-Shave Balm

The Art of Shaving unscented aftershave

THE ART OF SHAVING

Another option is the Unscented After-Shave Balm, which comes in a smaller, more affordable tube. According to the company, the balm's natural grape seed extract and shea butter compound naturally helps moisturize and revitalize your skin after shaving. Additional oils, including jojoba and Centella Asiatica extract, may help protect and condition the skin.

Buy the Art of Shaving Unscented After-Shave Balm for $15.

Lavender After-Shave Balm

The Art of Shaving lavender aftershave

THE ART OF SHAVING

Even the most careful shave can wreak havoc on the skin, which is why the Art of Shaving's Lavender After-Shave Balm is another good choice. The lavender essential oil may help soothe the skin while also helping provide a protective moisture barrier. Like many options from the Art of Shaving, its Lavender After-Shave Balm also includes shea butter, grape seed extract, jojoba oil and citrus lemon fruit extract. In addition, the company claims this after-shave may deliver all-day moisturizing that lasts up to eight hours.

Buy the Art of Shaving Lavender After-Shave Balm for $45.

Do You Need to Use After-Shave?

After-shave is especially helpful for men with sensitive skin, those dealing with acne or people who frequently experience skin irritation after shaving. If you often have dry and flaky skin after shaving, natural after-shave options with moisturizers may help.

Getting the perfect shave with silky smooth skin can sometimes be challenging. Adding an aftershave to your shaving routine could get you that luxury barbershop feel from home, leaving your skin feeling good, fresh and moisturized.

Try quality after-shave options from the Art of Shaving.

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