# Is it alright to use cologne as aftershave?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-alright-to-use-cologne-as-aftershave/276899>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 27, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-alright-to-use-cologne-as-aftershave/276899 "2004-11-27T17:46:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chefIL11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chefIL11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chefIL11)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-alright-to-use-cologne-as-aftershave/276899/1 "2004-11-27T17:46:44Z")

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I know Cecil touched on shaving on Straight Dope, but I wanted some advice here… Is there really any difference between cologne and aftershave? What about just a face washing astringent? That seems to close up pores and has the same feel as aftershave.

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**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-alright-to-use-cologne-as-aftershave/276899/2 "2004-11-27T17:57:29Z")

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I don’t know the exact difference, but after shave may sting for a minute, but cologne will burn a razor nick all day. There is usually less fragrance in after shave.

Put your cologne on your chest, where the motion of your breathing will puff out a little whiff with every breath. The moisture of your chest sweat will mix with the cologne, and by afternoon, you’ll have a blend of Aramis and you

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**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-alright-to-use-cologne-as-aftershave/276899/3 "2004-11-27T19:43:12Z")

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> [@chefIL11](#):
>
> I know Cecil touched on shaving on Straight Dope, but I wanted some advice here… Is there really any difference between cologne and aftershave? What about just a face washing astringent? That seems to close up pores and has the same feel as aftershave.

Cologne has more alcohol generally. Aftershave has something to soothe the skin. I used to use witchhazel.

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**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-alright-to-use-cologne-as-aftershave/276899/4 "2004-11-27T21:23:05Z")

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**Moderator’s Note:** Moving to IMHO.