# Men wearing aftershave / cologne, Y / N? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 16, 2022, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908 "2022-01-16T22:07:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908/81 "2022-01-20T22:37:11Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I use a blade. > > My skin never has an issue. I shave and get directly in the shower so maybe that mitigates the problems others have? I’ve always used blades too and never used after shave. I got some after shave lotion one time as a gift and used it sometimes, but only for the scent. My skin is quite forgiving if I don’t shave against the grain. THAT causes irritation. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908/82 "2022-01-20T22:44:34Z")
Oh yeah, that would do it. The idea is to reduce skin irritation and make sure any little nicks don’t get infected, so a hot shower and soap would do that. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908/83 "2022-01-20T22:44:38Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > My skin is quite forgiving if I don’t shave against the grain. THAT causes irritation. Same here. I go with the grain. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908/84 "2022-01-21T12:57:53Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > So we’re not acquiring unpleasant odors to the extent that people did in years past? My husband’s uncle used to use cologne to “cover up” his odor. Trust me, it doesn’t work. He smelled like he hadn’t bathed in a while and had sided himself with cologne. Not any attractive combination. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908/85 "2022-01-21T17:43:53Z")
Lilac Vegetal _Lime_? The original Lilac Vegetal smells like something they’d use on dead bodies in a funeral home. I can’t even imagine what a lime version of that would be like… Royall Lime sounds good though! I may have to check it out. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908/86 "2022-01-21T17:46:48Z")
I don’t _have_ to use it, but it definitely helps as far as comfort is concerned. In the summer, an alcohol or witch hazel based aftershave tends to calm down minor irritations and makes the skin feel nice. In the winter, an aftershave balm (essentially a manly-smelling lotion) keeps your face from feeling dry, and accomplishes the same soothing effects otherwise. Plus I smell nice afterward! ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908/87 "2022-01-21T17:50:38Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I shave in the shower and have never, ever used aftershave, Same here. Assume I have a soft/sparse beard combined w/ tough skin. Hell, in a pinch I’ll just splash some water on my face and drag the Trac2 across my skin. Never experienced any discomfort or ay other sensation that would suggest a need for aftershave. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908/88 "2022-01-21T18:35:23Z")
My Dad used to wear Old Spice (not sure how often) and he’s dead of old age. Please, please, don’t let any young person get into the habit of using this! ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2022, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908/89 "2022-01-26T23:31:43Z")
I vote no. Honestly, though, I’d be happy if no one wore scents. They almost all smell too strong. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2022, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908/90 "2022-01-26T23:39:17Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Honestly, though, I’d be happy if no one wore scents. They almost all smell too strong. I’m not particularly sensitive to or bothered by scents, but I would always _prefer_ no scents. Obviously, when done wrong, aftershave/cologne/perfume are disagreeable, or worse. But even when done right, (“just a hint”)I don’t think they improve anything. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-wearing-aftershave-cologne-y-n/957908.md?page=4)