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Even when it's done right, shaving can be tough on the skin. You are, after all, dragging a blade (or five) across it; it’s not the most comfortable experience even for seasoned shavers. Common side effects include nicks, cuts, irritation, razor burn, and razor bumps (i.e., ingrown hairs), all of which can be a hassle to treat and even more annoying to try to prevent. Apart from making sure your razor is sharp and perfecting your shaving technique, your best best to avoiding these totally normal shaving aftereffects is to use a post-shave treatment.
Aftershave used to be considered more of a cologne-adjacent fragrance back in your grandfather’s day, but now aftershave products have more in common with your skincare. And a good aftershave will do two things to help reduce pesky post-shave problems: soothe and hydrate skin to help soothe potential irritation and gently exfoliate to help prevent ingrown hairs. How your chosen aftershave does this depends on the ingredients and ultimately comes down to your skin type: sensitive skin should avoid ingredients like alcohol that could give you a burning effect like Kevin McAlister in Home Alone, oily skin should avoid heavy creams, and those with coarse, curly beard hairs should look for extra exfoliation. But no matter what, to get the smoothest and most comfortable shave possible, don’t skip a post-shave product. Pick up any on this list of our favorite 12 aftershaves and you’re good to go.
If you’re a traditionalist who uses a straight razor and a shaving brush to froth up your own cream, complete the set with an old-school-but-effective alum block. Shavers have used them to stop nicks and cuts and calm irritation for generations.
If slathering on creams or gel isn’t your thing, you can still benefit from an aftershave. This mist refreshes skin without weighing it down and contains both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients to prevent razor burn and bumps.
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Proraso is a classic. It's probably what your dad (and your dad's dad) used a splash of every morning, and it still holds up.
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The reason old-school aftershaves can sting your face? Alcohol. This post-shave balm doesn’t contain any, which makes it soothing and gentle on your skin while still helping to get rid of the bumps you have and preventing new ones from popping up.
This tonic will help nourish your skin, and you can apply both before and after you shave to increase its effectiveness.
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If you often feel itchy or irritated after a shave, try a cooling gel. It feels cool to the touch, and it smells like lavender. Win-win.
This soothing cream contains aloe vera to help calm down angry skin and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and keep pores clear (which helps prevent ingrown hairs). Best of all, it’s hydrating but still lightweight enough to wear under your daily moisturizer.
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You can choose your own adventure with this cream. The coconut oil in it helps soften hairs, which means you'll be less prickly if you decide to keep your stubble. If you're still shaving, though, ingredients like tea tree oil and chamomile help keep your skin happy and ingrown hair-free.
A savior for sensitive, easily irritated skin, this super-light solution immediately reverses the razor-blade's drying effects, preventing breakouts and redness.
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While chamomile soothes the skin, glycolic and salicylic acid help exfoliate and vitamin B5 helps repair. The result is a cream that'll calm razor burn and prevent ingrown hairs.
This highly concentrated blend delivers a denser reparation than most lotions. Shea butter and glycerin soothe the skin, essential oils condition, and grape seed extract heals any damage from the blade.
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