Long before you first sported facial hair, it’s quite likely you tried to slap on some aftershave splash, à la Kevin McCallister from Home Alone. However, the importance of this closing step in a man’s shaving routine was likely lost on you at the time, given you couldn’t feel the oh-so-satisfying sting upon application.
Regardless of your shaving prowess (or lack thereof), shaving can be harsh on the skin; after all, you are dragging a blade – or five – across your face on an almost daily basis. Enter: aftershave.
What is aftershave?
Initially created as an alcohol-based antiseptic for disinfecting the cuts and nicks you can get from shaving, aftershave has evolved significantly over the years. While alcohol is effective at preventing infection, it can be drying on the skin and is what causes that ‘sting’ op application. Aftershaves of today utilise soothing, hydrating, refreshing ingredients designed to disinfect, exfoliate, hydrate, and tone the skin.
No longer relegated to a splash, aftershaves also come in gel, lotion, and balm formulas, meaning there’s something for everyone.
What does aftershave do?
Prevents the spread of bacteria
Aftershave acts as a disinfectant, preventing the spread of bacteria and the possibility of infection, ingrown hairs, and razor bumps. As most aftershaves of today aren’t focused on alcohol (due to its skin drying properties), they typically include natural antiseptics and antibacterial ingredients like witch hazel and tea tree oil.
Hydrates your skin
The lack of alcohol in contemporary aftershaves allows them to act as a hydrating moisturiser, forming a defensive layer over your skin. Aftershaves in balm or lotion form are particularly effective for nourishing dry skin.
Soothes and calms irritated skin
Even if you’re managed to stave off razor burn, shaving is still a form of exfoliation – while removing hair, shaving also removes dead skin cells – which leaves your skin sensitive and vulnerable. Aftershave aids in halting the burn, preventing potential irritation and redness. Ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile make the difference between your dad’s aftershave and the soothing iterations of today.
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The best aftershaves for men in 2024
Whether you have sensitive skin, want to prevent razor burn, are prone to ingrown hairs, or just want a good all-rounder, we’ve got you covered with the 12 best aftershaves for men. Find your shaving routine’s pièce de résistance here.
1. Baxter of California Shave Tonic
A dual-purpose tonic, Baxter of California Shave Tonic can be used pre-shave to open pores and lift facial hair as well as post-shaving to close pores and refresh skin. A blend of menthol, rosemary, eucalyptus, camphor, and spearmint essential oils combine to act as a skin toner, working synergistically with moisturising and soothing ingredients like aloe vera extract and vitamins A, D, and E.
Brand: Baxter of California
Key ingredients: menthol, rosemary, eucalyptus, menthol, spearmint, camphor, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, aloe vera, alcohol
2. Geo. F. Trumper Coral Skin Food
Featuring soothing glycerin and beautifully fragrant rose oil, Geo. F. Trumper Coral Skin Food is one of the best men’s aftershave gels on the market. Coral Skin Food acts to lift and soften facial hair pre-shave and soothe, seal, and nourish skin post-shave.
Brand: Geo. F. Trumper
Key ingredients: glycerin, rose oil, menthol, geraniol, alcohol, citronellol
3. Jack Black Post Shave Cooling Gel
Fragrance and alcohol-free, Jack Black Post Shave Cooling Gel is packed with soothing and nourishing ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile, making it an ideal aftershave gel for irritated skin. Witch hazel works to tone skin while sage, rosemary, and lavender act as antioxidants and antibacterials, preventing infection in any nicks and cuts. Plus, it smells like lavender.
Brand: Jack Black
Key ingredients: Witch hazel, aloe vera, glycerin, chamomile, rosemary, sage, lavender, balm mint
4. Proraso After Shave Lotion
Ok, so this one likely is your dad’s (and potentially your grandad’s) aftershave. Made with cooling eucalyptus oil, refreshing menthol, and witch hazel to tone your skin and prevent razor burn, Proraso After Shave Lotion feels distinctly Italian and remains a key player in the aftershave game to this day.
Brand: Proraso
Key ingredients: witch hazel, eucalyptus oil, menthol, glycerin
5. Kiehl’s Post Shave Repair Gel
A lightweight, mild formula, Kiehl’s Post Shave Repair Gel soothes the skin, targeting razor burn, ingrown hairs and razor bumps. Alcohol-free, Kiehl’s Post Shave Repair Gel contain aloe vera to nourish and soothe the skin and squalane to nourish the upper layers of the skin, leaving it soft, supple, and moisturised.
Brand: Kiehl’s
Key ingredients: aloe vera, squalane
6. Penhaligon’s Blenheim Bouquet Aftershave Balm
Beautifully nourishing and decidedly luxurious, Penhaligon’s Blenheim Bouquet Aftershave Balm is ideal for normal to dry skin, containing shea butter for lasting moisture. Originally created for the Duke of Malborough, it’s delicately scented with lemon, black pepper, and pine.
Brand: Penhaligon’s
Key ingredients: aloe vera, shea butter, oakmoss extract, treemoss extract, alcohol, citric acid
7. Santa Maria Novella Vetiver Aftershave Splash
Straight from the oldest pharmacy in the world, Italian made Santa Maria Novella Vetiver Aftershave contains menthol to refresh, witch hazel to tone, glycerin to moisturise and soothe, and lactic acid which provides gentle chemical exfoliation, it’s an ideal all-rounder aftershave splash. Scented with vetiver, it’s fresh, yet dry and earthy.
Brand: Santa Maria Novella
Key ingredients: witch hazel, glycerin, lactic acid, menthol, geraniol, oakmoss extract
8. Shaveworks The Cool Fix
Specifically formulated to target ingrown hairs, razor bumps, redness and razor burn, Shaveworks The Cool Fix is perfect for irritated skin. Shaveworks keeps the ingredients list simple, with salicylic and glycolic acid to exfoliate and boerhavia root to soothe the skin and provide relief from shaving gone awry.
Brand: Shaveworks
Key ingredients: glycolic acid, salicylic acid, phytic acid, boerhavia root
9. Floris Elite Aftershave
An astringent aftershave splash, Floris Elite Aftershave contains witch hazel to tone and glycerine to soothe and moisturise the skin. Like all products from the British perfume house, the Floris Elite aftershave smells amazing; mellow woody notes of patchouli and vetiver are uplifted by bergamot, lemon, and orange, reinforced with cedar leaf and juniper. Its astringent properties and presence of fragrance means its better suited for oily and combination skin types, and avoided by those with dry or sensitive skin.
Brand: Floris
Key ingredients: witch hazel, glycerin, fragrance
10. L’Occitane After Shave Balm
A lightweight balm formula, the L’Occitane After Shave Balm is soothing without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin. Its aromatic woody lavender scent is masculine without being overpowering, making for a sensorial addition to your grooming routine.
Brand: L’Occitane
Key ingredients: shea butter, birch sap, glycerin
11. Aesop Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion
Sensorial powerhouse Aesop puts its spin on the old-school aftershave with the Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion. Witch hazel tones freshly shaved skin while panthenol and glycerin provide a soothing effect in this lightweight lotion that’s best suited to normal or combination skin types. The subtle scent of sandalwood makes it a patently luxurious experience.
Brand: Aesop
Key ingredients: sandalwood, neroli blossom, panthenol, glycerin, witch hazel
12. Clarins After Shave Soothing Toner
A refreshing, toning post-shave tonic, the Clarins After Shave Soothing Toner helps reduce any irritation left behind by shaving while lightly hydrating the skin.
Brand: Clarins
Key ingredients: panthenol, glycerin, blackcurrant
Words by John Deckard
