# After Shave Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 28, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920 "2013-04-28T17:46:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/1 "2013-04-28T17:46:06Z")
Well, now that I’ve been shaving for several decades, someone tell me what exactly after shave lotion is supposed to do, other than sting and make me smell pretty? Secondly, what’s the difference between after shave and cologne? I just ran out of the former, but have a few bottles (gifts) of the latter. If I use colgne instead of after shave will something bad happen to me? ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/2 "2013-04-28T17:56:17Z")
I was to understand that aftershave’s main non-cosmetic purpose is as an astringent, which helps tighten up pores after shaving opens them up, and as an antiseptic, so any little cuts you get while shaving don’t get infected. Cologne would not necessarily have these qualities. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/3 "2013-04-28T19:24:36Z")
I use Witch Hazel. A natural astringent made from the plant. Doesn’t sting like after shave. I noticed years ago that the bottle indicated it could be used as after shave. Gave it a try and liked it. $1.50 bottle lasts a couple years. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/4 "2013-04-28T19:29:45Z")
The alcohol in after-shave also has a cooling effect on the face, which may need it after being scraped raw. Check the ingredients in the cologne. If there is alcohol in it, use it as after-shave as well. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/5 "2013-04-28T20:04:36Z")
The amount of fragrance in cologne is much greater than what you will get in after shave. ---
**Author:** ![sidecar\_jon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@sidecar\_jon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sidecar_jon)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/6 "2013-04-28T20:09:13Z")
“After shave” is just a marketing victory to sell perfume to men, the reason it hurts was deliberately made that way to boost a macho element… your not covering yourself in perfume if it hurts! ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/7 "2013-04-29T03:56:44Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The alcohol in after-shave also has a cooling effect on the face, which may need it after being scraped raw. Check the ingredients in the cologne. If there is alcohol in it, use it as after-shave as well. If skin has been scraped raw, alcohol is one of the last things it needs to get better. Cold water provides more cooling than evaporating room temperature alcohol and doesn’t damage living cells like alcohol does. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/8 "2013-04-29T14:18:53Z")
Aftershave is an _eau de toilette_, a lightly scented cologne. I think aftershave lotions are recommended now, because the alcohol in regular aftershave dries out and damages your face. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/9 "2013-04-29T14:41:11Z")
> [@sidecar\_jon](#): > > “After shave” is just a marketing victory to sell perfume to men, the reason it hurts was deliberately made that way to boost a macho element… your not covering yourself in perfume if it hurts! LOL. I like this. I usually can’t wait to put on the AS, mainly because the stinging helps me take my mind off of the itching! ---
**Author:** ![mantic59](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@mantic59](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mantic59)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/10 "2013-04-29T15:02:18Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > I was to understand that aftershave’s main non-cosmetic purpose is as an astringent, which helps tighten up pores after shaving opens them up, and as an antiseptic, so any little cuts you get while shaving don’t get infected. > > Cologne would not necessarily have these qualities. [HERE](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5bgmuUw7fA) is a video that helps explain things. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/11 "2013-04-29T15:27:48Z")
> [@mantic59](#): > > [HERE](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5bgmuUw7fA) is a video that helps explain things. Dude!! I’ve been a fan of your shaving videos for a while now and have recommended them to others. You are a shaving legend! ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/12 "2013-04-29T15:49:30Z")
> [@SanDiegoTim](#): > > Well, now that I’ve been shaving for several decades, someone tell me what exactly after shave lotion is supposed to do, other than sting and make me smell pretty? Ideally, it’s supposed to treat your skin and reduce any irritation that occurred during shaving. Alcohol is supposed to work as an astringent and antiseptic but as already pointed out, it’s really the last thing your face needs at that point. Menthol is sometimes used as a numbing agent. Fragrance is supposed to make you smell pretty. I just rinse my face with cold water to close the pores opened from the hot, wet shave and then I apply a unscented moisturizing balm such as [Nivea](http://www.niveausa.com/products/mens-care/product-type/after-shave-balm). > [@](#): > > Secondly, what’s the difference between after shave and cologne? I just ran out of the former, but have a few bottles (gifts) of the latter. If I use colgne instead of after shave will something bad happen to me? If I want to smell pretty in addition to smelling clean, I will apply a little cologne (Quorum by Puig) behind my ears. But unless, you’re very close to me, you will never smell it. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/13 "2013-04-29T22:28:46Z")
I shave with lotion for a really smooth and easy yet close shave then don’t use anything else afterward. I don’t know anything about pores but I have no irritation, dryness or itchiness and I’m as handsome as they come! (no cite available on that last part but I swear I saw it on Mythbusters). ---
**Author:** ![fstbk1968](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3bc359/32.png) [@fstbk1968](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fstbk1968)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/14 "2013-04-30T18:04:15Z")
My barber told me that aftershave is used to prevent itching. Old fashioned shaving cream was (is?) essentially soap. Shaving leaves a residue of soap behind which can cause itching. Aftershave (alcohol) removes the soap film & thus makes you itch-free. I have no idea if that is true but it seems plausible to me. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/15 "2013-04-30T18:11:48Z")
> [@moriah](#): > > If skin has been scraped raw… …you need to learn how to shave properly. As few men are ever taught much of anything in this regard, it explains the endless market for shaving crap like 5-bladed razor systems, expensive shaving cream, after shave etc. Learn how to shave correctly and you can cut the cost by a factor of ten or more, get a better result and never, ever have a raw, stinging face. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-shave-questions/656920/16 "2013-04-30T22:12:20Z")
I just use a facial moisturizer for the skin. I don’t see any point in aftershave/perfumes. I might splash some hydrogen peroxide, but rarely.