What is aftershave all about anyway?  Is it just an effort to smell a bit better?  To give off those notorious pheromones that reportedly sends the women over the top?  Well perhaps, but there are other issues at play here, including cleanliness and skin health, appearance and “feel”.

Cleanliness and Skin Health

Two issues here.  The act of shaving with warm water opens the pores of the skin.  Overall this is a good thing since it allows more of the whisker to be exposed to the blade, helps prevent nicks and serves to clean out the accumulated dead skin, oils and debris from the affected area.  But after the shaving process is complete you want to close them back up again to inhibit the re-accumulation of the same grit and grim.  The astringent nature of most aftershaves does just that, close those pores back up.  Nicking eventually becomes a problem for everyone.  I’m not only talking about the bloody ones but those that cut the skin but not deep enough to draw blood.  Everyone gets them.  Since many if not most aftershaves have antiseptic properties, they help protect those areas from infection.  A bit of a rarity but it does happen.

Skin Appearance and “Feel”

The antiseptic properties of an aftershave also help accomplish two other tasks.  It generates that “tangy snap” feeling you get upon applications and gives you skin a bit of a “glow”.  While both are short-lived and don’t  effect any concrete benefit, it is a fitting end to the shaving ritual which provides a bit of a boost, energizing  and helping prepare one to meet the awaiting challenges of the day.

Other Aftershave Issues

Most aftershaves are alcohol based which provides some of its antiseptic properties.  But it also dries out the skin.  If you have a problem with dry, flakey skin, it’s best to select an aftershave product composed of predominately moisturizing ingredients.  There are many available so read the labels.  An alcohol based product may not be the best for those that have sensitive skin or suffer from acne.

Aftershaves come in many forms and formats: liquids, gels, creams and balms.  As a side note, I’m continually confused about the differences between the last three.  IMHO it’s more or a marketing distinction than one of any real substance.  After you’ve resolved any ingredient issues you may have, the form that the aftershave takes is completely one of personal preference.  I’ve yet to be able to determine any difference between a liquid or “semi-solid” aftershave regarding their performance or durability.  If someone has a different opinion or experience, love to hear from you.

The next issue is fragrance.  Here we have an extremely subjective and contentious issue.  From my personal experience it’s best to let the person who has to smell the fragrance pick it out.  Namely your significant other.  My taste in fragrance often doesn’t mesh well with others’, so I typically don’t pick out my aftershave.  Due to the fact that a few minutes after you apply an aftershave you’ll no long be able to detect its’ presence, the particular fragrance really shouldn’t be a big concern of yours.

Finally is more expensive, better? Not really. It might give you some sense of pride or accomplishment to wear a $100 a bottle aftershave but it only meaningful to you. With the exceptions of a few “experts” with an exceptionally keen sense of smell, will ever know.

One Last Note: No matter who picks out the fragrance, not matter how good it may smell or how may compliments your get, please, please use it sparingly.  A little bit goes a long, long way.  Too heavy an application can make you a social pariah in quick order as well as trigger coughing and sneezing fits from those around you.

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