# After shave balm for men? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 9, 2016, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613 "2016-04-09T00:28:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/1 "2016-04-09T00:28:28Z")
I use Nivea but I was wondering if anything is better? My skin is sensitive so I can use help. I would prefer something with no scent but that’s not critical. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/2 "2016-04-09T11:36:59Z")
I use Nivea (sensitive) too but also have L’Oreal 24-hour hydrating gel for men. I don’t have sensitive skin, though. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/3 "2016-04-09T13:33:11Z")
I realized I don’t mind using a womens product if it works well. Just don’t tell my governor! (live in NC) ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/4 "2016-04-09T13:53:23Z")
Typically common knowledge but just in case, rinsing with cold water after a shave closes up your pores which reduces skin sensitivity issues. Did for me anyways. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/5 "2016-04-09T15:39:40Z")
Witch Hazel. Like a chom, it voiks. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/6 "2016-04-09T16:57:28Z")
I just use aftershave and enjoy the burn. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/7 "2016-04-09T17:40:30Z")
I use a generic drug store product called “after sun lotion”, which contains a hefty dose of aloe. Works a treat for dry skin and irritations. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/8 "2016-04-09T18:18:56Z")
If you’re wet shaving, are you using foam/gel or soap? Because… don’t. Use hair conditioner in place of shaving foam, then rinse or wipe any remainder off afterwards. No need to moisturise, and never any rash. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/9 "2016-04-09T18:24:42Z")
I use Cetaphil ( the stuff which comes in a tub) because I have seriously dry skin in the winter. If I don’t use it on my hands, my knuckles soon look like tree bark. I have to use it after shaving else I’ll get all flaky. I tried Lubriderm once; worthless. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/10 "2016-04-10T02:08:08Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > I use Nivea but I was wondering if anything is better? My skin is sensitive so I can use help. I would prefer something with no scent but that’s not critical. I use Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer instead of any specialized product for after shaving. If you want better products than what you can find in your local drug store, then you can check out [Birch Box](https://www.birchbox.com/men/shave/aftershave). ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/11 "2016-04-10T04:42:26Z")
I use the Nivea occasionally, too. It’s very nice, but IMHO it’s not worth the price (and I bought it on sale). You could try mixing your own. Aloe vera gel, glycerine, witch hazel, whatever. There are lots of recipes out there, and it’ll be much cheaper. I happen to have a lot of rubbing alcohol on hand, so at the moment I mostly use a homemade aftershave that’s a mix of the alcohol and water and a little glycerine. ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/12 "2016-04-11T15:43:29Z")
Proraso Sensitive is my go-to these days. I have very sensitive skin and tended to get some kind of reaction from Nivea. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/13 "2016-04-11T16:06:38Z")
I have the world’s most sensitive skin so I can relate to this. I use Axe cooling gel and it has been the greatest after-shave balm I’ve ever had. You literally only need one pump of it (a little bit of gel goes a looooong way), so it lasts forever and feels great. I cannot recommend it enough ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/14 "2016-04-11T17:08:00Z")
If I have a some razor burn, I like Gillette after shave lotion: [Shaving Creams, Gels & Beard Conditioners | Gillette®](http://gillette.com/en-us/products/pre-and-post-shave/aftershave/sensitive-skin-after-shave-lotion) Otherwise, I use Old Spice Classic after shave. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/15 "2016-04-11T17:33:18Z")
I use Lubriderm, which is a general-purpose moisturizing lotion. I also use it on my hands in the winter. It’s not oily at all, comes in an unscented version, and isn’t expensive. I think spending a lot of money on big-name skin care is a waste (unless you’re talking about some kind of medical treatment). Witch hazel and aftershaves are astringents, not necessarily moisturizers. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/16 "2016-04-11T17:39:03Z")
[Badger After-Shave Face Tonic.](http://www.badgerbalm.com/p-541-after-shave-face-tonic-natural-organic.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-balm-for-men/751613/17 "2016-04-11T17:45:13Z")
> [@oft\_wears\_hats](#): > > Proraso Sensitive is my go-to these days. I have very sensitive skin and tended to get some kind of reaction from Nivea. Proraso is pretty good stuff, as is the Musgo Real balm. So is the Every Man Jack one that you can (or used to) get at Target. I want to try the Barrister and Mann balms, but I have too many aftershave balms and splashes already.