After shave

Under the term After shave This summarizes means that can be applied to the skin after a wet or dry shave in order to counteract skin irritation, razor burn or other minor injuries and to keep the skin supple and possibly give it a special fragrance.

The products on offer usually have a liquid, gel-like or balm-like consistency with a wide range of ingredients.

What is an aftershave?

Aftershave only refers to products that are applied after shaving. In contrast, preshave products are also available that are applied before shaving, e.g. B. exert a firming and straightening effect on the whiskers so that the subsequent dry shave is as effective and thorough as possible.

With aftershave products, other goals are pursued, minor injuries and microcracks should heal as quickly as possible. Any small bleeding caused by a wet shave should be stopped as quickly as possible in order to remove small blood stains e.g. B. to avoid the collar of the shirt. This is why most aftershaves contain astringent substances that cause cuts to contract and promote rapid blood clotting.

In order to prophylactically prevent infections and inflammations that can occur in microcracks or cuts in the skin as a result of germs penetrating, bactericidal substances are usually incorporated into aftershaves.Depending on the skin type, it contains other lipid replenishing, healing-promoting substances and possibly essential oils that give the skin an impression of freshness. Many aftershaves are also perfumed to give the skin a pleasant, fragrant scent, depending on the taste.

Shapes, types & types

A large variety of aftershave products is available in stores. In principle, you can differentiate between classic aftershave gel and aftershave balm or balm. The shaving foam, which can actually be counted among the preshave products, mostly contains nourishing substances that penetrate the skin and still work after shaving.

The classic aftershave consists of a high proportion of denatured alcohol and water. In addition, some other active ingredients such as perfume oils are incorporated into these products. After shave is usually offered in small bottles, flacons. Aftershave gels focus on the nourishing and refreshing effect on the skin. Aftershave gel is offered in flexible containers - mostly plastic tubes - so that the gel can be dosed well for application to the skin. The third group of aftershaves is the aftershave balm, also called aftershave balm. It is a moisturizing lotion in which nourishing substances play a major role in keeping the skin firm and healthy. Aftershave balm is often offered without alcohol in order to avoid the drying effect of alcohol on the skin. In this case, natural herbal ingredients are used.

Structure & functionality

The exact recipes of the various aftershaves are of course kept secret by the manufacturers. Nevertheless, the respective mixture can be roughly estimated if the manufacturers advertise certain properties of the aftershave. Since many people shy away from the denatured alcohol in aftershave, aftershaves that explicitly do not contain alcohol are also offered. The alcohol in aftershave has an antiseptic and bactericidal effect per se, so that infections on the skin are prevented. The alcohol has a refreshing effect on the skin, especially because of the cooling effect that is due to its strong evaporation. One disadvantage is that the alcohol dries out the skin a little and with constant use could make it look older.

This is why some manufacturers mix certain plant extracts in their aftershaves as alcohol substitutes. Most of the alcohol-free products contain extracts from American witch hazel, from aloe vera or from certain algae. The main purpose of the substances is to disinfect the skin. Some alcohol-free aftershaves also contain tannins or other plant extracts with an astringent effect in order to avoid the annoying bleeding after shaving. Some manufacturers of aftershave products add essential oils and fragrances that develop individual fragrances in conjunction with the user's skin.

Aftershave balm or aftershave balm consists of a mostly milky, cloudy lotion that is offered with and without alcohol. Skin care and moisturizing ingredients such as glycerine are the focus of the balm products. People with sensitive and sensitive skin like to fall back on such aftershave products.

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Medical & health benefits

The medical benefits of shaving itself are debatable. Men who shave on a daily basis are most likely to follow social beliefs about beauty. After shaving and using an aftershave product, most men feel fresh, comfortable as preparation for the daily requirements. Immediately shaving - especially wet shaving - can cause minor skin damage and irritation. A suitable aftershave can provide health benefits by preventing pathogenic germs from penetrating the skin and helping to calm the skin and improve skin care.

The creeping process of drying out and aging of the skin can, at best, be delayed a little by using moisturizing substances in a suitable aftershave, so that in this case too, a slight medical benefit can arise. The fragrances and fragrance oils contained are more likely to be assigned to the area of ​​communication via the sense of smell without any measurable medical benefit being discernible. Aftershave products are also offered without scent additives, as some men prefer the natural and barely perceptible scent of their freshly shaved skin.

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