6. Sensitive: “Look for ingredients such as aloe or chamomile as they will help calm the skin of irritation and redness,” says Bachowski. A lot of your best work can be done before the shave, adds Hughes: “Sensitive skin needs proper preparation pre-shave to reduce razor irritation as well as calming aftershave to help keep redness at bay.”
The Best Ingredients
Both barbers mentioned a few key ingredients above, which can play pivotal roles in preventing redness, razor burn, bumps, ingrown hairs, etc. Here’s a deeper dive into the best active ingredients you can find in an aftershave. (In general, that is.)
1. Witch Hazel: “Witch hazel is a natural astringent that helps cleanse skin post-shave without the sting of alcohol,” says Hughes.
2. Vitamin E: “Vitamin E helps hydrate the skin to replenish its barrier after having a razor pulled across it, while also having healing and anti-inflammatory properties,” they add.
3. Bisabolol: “Bisabolol is an essential oil that helps calm skin and reduce redness,” Hughes explains. “It’s especially helpful for people with sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea.”
4. Aloe: “Aloe helps repair the damaged skin after shaving as well as alleviates irritation and redness,” says Bachowski.
5. Chamomile: “Chamomile soothes the skin and leaves the skin feeling soft,” she adds.
The Not-So-Good Ingredients
Here are the ingredients both barbers suggest avoiding or at least being cautious of.
1. Alcohol: “Alcohol has an unpleasant sting on freshly shaved skin, and it also can be harshly drying when what the skin needs is hydration,” says Hughes. They suggest prioritizing witch hazel or aloe for the same purifying aim, minus any pain.
2. Artificial fragrance: Lots of aftershaves carry a fragrance, and it’s best when these are naturally derived scents as opposed to synthetic perfumes, says Bachowski. “Artificial fragrances can cause irritation to the skin or an allergic reaction.”
3. Pore-clogging ingredients: While some denser balms rely on nourishing, heavy ingredients like coconut oil or cocoa butter, these can easily clog pores (which are especially open and susceptible post-shave). “Shaving takes off your skin’s natural moisture barrier, leaving your pores open and more sensitive,” Hughes reiterates. Stick with the lightweight, oil-free hydrators if you are especially pimple-prone.
How We Tested
There are a whole lotta shaves behind these picks—11 years’ worth. OK, maybe I alternate between facial hair and freshly shorn, but I’ve been writing about grooming (and thus testing the best men’s aftershaves) for over a decade. These products are a reflection of my favorites over time, as well as some of the best new ones, too. And, just to be sure I’m not alone in my picks, I also make sure they’re generally well-reviewed across the core retail sites.
Your Aftershave FAQs, Answered
What is the difference between aftershave balm and lotion?
The skin care and shave industries have come to refer to all post-shave products as “aftershave balms,” even if they don’t have a dense, balm-like consistency. So, assuming a balm and a lotion are both properly labeled, the balm will have a heftier concentration of nourishing and occlusive ingredients, while the lotion will be lightweight (almost watery). You can also use an aftershave cream as a midpoint or an aftershave splash/tonic as a purely liquid solution.
Why is aftershave-based alcohol bad?
While alcohol can purify skin and prevent any infections in your freshly shorn skin, it is an extremely drying astringent ingredient. This can yield other skin care problems down the road, like redness and breakouts. (Not to mention, it can be extremely painful.) Instead, choose an aftershave with witch hazel or aloe.
About Our Experts
Alex Hughes and Alyssa Bachowski are both senior barbers at Fellow Barber in NYC. Hughes cuts at Fellow Barber Seaport in south Manhattan, while Bachowski cuts at the brand’s Williamsburg barbershop.
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