Aftershave: Everything You Need to Know
For men, shaving is a part of the grooming process, aside from getting a haircut. Depending on how thick their beards are, they might spend a long time in the bathroom shaving. Once that’s done, they apply aftershave.
Aftershave application has become some sort of a ritual for most men. As the name implies, it’s any kind of substance that’s applied to your beard area after you shave. There’s no harm in not using aftershave because it can only do good things for your skin. However, some aftershaves can be pretty harmful or toxic to your skin.
If you wish to know more about aftershaves, this article is here to shed some light on the subject. Read on below to learn more.
How to Use an Aftershave
To use aftershave, follow these steps:
- Do your usual shaving routine, be it for your face, legs, or anywhere else on your body.
- Once you’re done shaving, rinse the shaved area with cold water. Make sure that there’s no more leftover shaving cream.
- Get a clean towel and pat dry. You must not vigorously rub the towel since this can irritate your skin, which becomes a hindrance for the aftershave.
- Get your aftershave and put a small amount on your palm.
- Rub the aftershave with both of your hands to spread it evenly across your palm.
- Rub the aftershave onto the shaved area.
Ingredients of an Aftershave
There are two types of aftershaves: alcohol-based and natural.
Alcohol-based aftershave contains isopropyl and ethyl alcohol, similar to rubbing alcohol typically found at home. While beneficial, they can also damage your skin if you keep on using them over time. This is the reason why many guys tend to go for natural aftershaves.
Natural aftershaves may contain any of the following ingredients:
- Essential oils
- Shea butter
- Vitamin E oil
- Witch hazel
- Aloe vera
- Glycerin
- Chamomile extract
- Natural scents, such as green tea or lavender
The Benefits of Using Aftershave
The primary benefit of using aftershave is to act as a cleanser after you shave. Do you know how after you shave, you usually leave behind minor cuts and exposed skin? These cuts are likely to get infected with bacteria, which is cleaned off by an aftershave.
Other benefits of aftershaves include:
- Reduces itching and swelling from ingrown hairs and skin damage
- Heals cuts sustained from shaving quicker
- Closes pores to prevent bacteria, dirt, or chemical from getting into your skin
- Prevents inflammation of hair follicles
- Regrows skin tissue
- Adds a pleasant smell to your skin
Using Aftershave for Skincare
Many people are confused about whether they can use aftershave or not, even if they don’t shave. The fact of the matter is that you can do so. Regardless of whether you shave, it’s still a good part of a skincare routine since natural aftershaves contain ingredients such as shea butter and aloe vera, which can work wonders for your skin.
Conversely, aftershaves are also an excellent protective measure against acne. Alcohol-based aftershave can help, but their damaging effects will manifest because it makes the acne feel inflamed. Again, natural aftershaves are the way to go because they won’t irritate your skin.
Conclusion
While not necessarily required to be a part of your shaving routine, aftershave is recommended for use. The best aftershaves are the natural ones because they do nothing but good things for your skin!
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