The Art Of Shaving: Aftershave Lotion

Charday Penn

You’ve used the proper pre-shave gel, razor blade, and aftershave so that must mean you’re done with the whole shaving process, right? Not necessarily. If you have skin prone to blemishes or just want a nice smelling face, then you might want to add an aftershave lotion to your shaving routine. 

An aftershave lotion has the same benefits as aftershave gel, but aftershave lotion usually contains alcohol so that your skin will stay smooth, and your pores will stay closed. According to Men’s Journal, aftershave lotion tends to be light, easily absorbed, and water-based, so it’s perfect for oily skin or for skin that is sensitive to heavy products. 

To apply aftershave lotion, just gently spread it on after you use an aftershave gel. It’s the after-after product. 

There are multiple aftershave lotions on the market. However, many of these products contain unnecessary ingredients that can actually harm your face. Therefore, to help you out, I found two of the best, most affordable aftershave lotions currently on the market. 

Dior’s Sauvage ($60) after-shave lotion not only helps to smooth your skin after shaving but also leaves your face smelling fresh. The lotion is said to clean and protect your skin after shaving. It’s also made sustainably due to Dior’s sustainable development initiative, so no pollution occurred during the production of this product. 

As I mentioned in my aftershave column, it’s important to pay attention to the ingredients of the lotions and balms you use. For Dior’s Sauvage, the main ingredients include water, flower extracts, and alcohol. Therefore, if you have dry skin, you should be wary of using this lotion since alcohol dries out the skin. Although the water in the lotion will help to counteract some of the alcohol’s dehydrating tendencies, so it wouldn’t harm partially dry skin. 

Another aftershave lotion you should check out is Chanel’s Platinum Egoiste ($65). While it’s expensive, it’s well worth your money. Much like Dior’s aftershave lotion, Chanel’s lotion contains alcohol and water as its main ingredients. It also is scented to smell like a mix of lavender and rosemary. According to the product reviews, the lotion doesn’t dry out skin despite containing alcohol and the scent is pleasant and not overwhelming. 

So, there you have it, the complete guide to the shaving products you need in your bathroom. Whether you decide to purchase any of the products I mentioned throughout this series or not, I hope you gained some shaving knowledge and are ready to enjoy a perfectly groomed face.