Aftershave: which one is really good for men's skin?

The most important points in brief

• It's not just dry air and too much sun that is unhealthy for men's skin.
• Even constant shaving can seriously damage the skin over time.
• The aftershave advertising suggests that every product in question is good for the skin - but that is not entirely true.
• The question remains, which aftershave varieties are actually good for men's skin.

If men didn't have their wives, then they probably wouldn't be too concerned about the health of their skin. Because hints like "creamy yourself, also on your face" or "don't stay too long in the sun" would simply be missing, men tend to ignore or at least forget things like this for granted. But men's skin also remembers everything, and the same applies to facial skin. But what about the shave?

Shaving leads to skin irritation

The skin is almost always irritated when the stubble on the face and neck has been removed, regardless of whether it is a dry or wet shave. Now you can well imagine what it would mean for men's skin if you didn't care for it every single time after shaving. Redness would be the least of all, permanent irritation and even drying out, on the other hand, would have significantly worse consequences. Unfortunately, diseased skin does not regenerate that quickly.

At least the care of the facial skin after the shave is a male trait for which the partner does not require approval. The lords of creation know from their own (and often painful) experience that the right aftershave is worth its weight in gold. The name aftershave is actually a bit misleading, as it implies that the shave is already over. However, the use of a balm, gel, shaving cream, lotion, fluid or aftershave is still part of shaving.

Which aftershave is the right one for freshly shaved facial skin?

Of course, there is no general answer to this question, because it always depends on the skin type and how the skin reacts to the shave. You can't even say that an aftershave that doesn't contain alcohol is better - because some men get razor bumps, which an aftershave with alcohol tends to fight well. However, if you have dry skin, you should avoid alcoholic aftershave, as it removes even more moisture from the skin.

Anyone who suffers from dry or sensitive skin from the outset is well advised not to use classic aftershave. Rather oily, oily skin tolerates aftershave much better. Fluids and lotions that cool and absorb quickly after shaving are also suitable for oily skin. Of course, they also release moisture to the skin of the face.

Cream and gel as well as balm for drier facial skin

Many men, however, have less to contend with oily than with dry facial skin, which is additionally stressed after shaving. Aftershave gel or cream are the right choice if your face stings a little after shaving. Soon after application, the skin calms down as it quickly absorbs the fats and moisture it contains.

Men with very sensitive, dry skin, on the other hand, are well advised to use an aftershave balm. These products not only provide the face with a sufficient amount of moisture for a short time, but also contain lipids that replenish the empty moisture stores of the top skin layer.