Have you ever noticed that aftershaves burn your skin? Why does that happen?
Aftershaves are designed to give men a fresh scent after shaving. They contain alcohol, water, fragrance oils, and preservatives.
Though they smell sensational, the issue is that these ingredients can irritate the skin and cause redness or even burns.
If you are eager to discover why aftershave has a burning effect, we are here to provide answers.
What Is Aftershave?
Essentially, aftershave is a fragrant solution that is meant to be applied on the face to make it clean and fresh smelling.
The alcohol in the solution evaporates quickly leaving behind a pleasant aroma. The main purpose of using aftershave is to ensure that there is no unpleasant odor left behind after shaving. It also helps to soften the hair and moisturize the skin.
What Is Aftershave Made From?
The ingredients used will vary between different brands of aftershave. However, there are some common ingredients that are frequently found in these solutions. These ingredients include:
- Alcohol
- Water
- Fragrance Oils
- Preservatives
The most common ingredient found in aftershave solutions is ethanol (alcohol). Ethanol is used as an antiseptic agent, which makes it ideal for cleaning up cuts and abrasions.
However, when used alone, it can dry out the skin. To prevent this from happening, other ingredients are added to the solution. These include glycerin, aloe vera gel, propylene glycol, lactic acid, witch hazel, and essential oils.
The most common variety of these products is alcohol-based aftershaves.
However, you may be able to find some alcohol-free aftershaves.
In fact, many people prefer them because they don’t have the same drying effect. This often makes them more beneficial for sensitive skin.
Moreover, water is a key ingredient in aftershave solutions. It keeps the solution moist and prevents it from drying out. Plus, it waters down the alcohol.
The pleasing scent of aftershave is achieved by adding fragrance oils to the solution. Fragrance oils have a strong smell and are often made with natural scents like lavender, rosemary, orange blossom, or jasmine.
Finally, the last step in making an aftershave is to add preservatives to the solution so that it doesn’t spoil too quickly. Preservatives help maintain the quality of the product and keep it safe for use.
Why Does It Burn?
There are a couple of reasons why aftershave has a burning sensation when applied to the skin.
First, the alcohol in the solution evaporates quickly, leaving behind a residue that is irritating to the skin.
Second, the solution contains a number of chemicals that are harsh to the skin. When combined, these two factors can cause irritated skin.
Another reason why aftershave burns is because it is usually applied after shaving.
When you shave, you remove your hair follicles. This means that all the oil and dirt that was trapped inside the follicle gets released into the surrounding area.
As a result, the pores become blocked and the skin becomes oily. This causes irritation and leads to acne.
The skin will become sensitive after shaving, especially if you have managed to cut yourself.
If you already have sensitive or dry skin, it will become even worse after shaving.
Aftershave is antibacterial, meaning that it will kill the bacteria that could infect cuts. Though this is a great benefit, it can cause an aftershave sting.
Tips For Applying Aftershave
To help you to more effectively apply aftershave, follow these helpful tips:
- Use a clean towel to wipe off excess aftershave.
- Apply only enough aftershave to cover the area where you want to shave.
- Avoid applying aftershave directly onto open wounds.
- If you are using a razor blade, be sure to replace the blade frequently.
- Do not apply any lotion or cream before applying aftershave.
- If possible, wait until after you shower to apply aftershave. This way, you won’t need to worry about washing away the aftershave.
- The best places to apply aftershave are to your face and neck. However, there are some other areas that you can try adding it to. For instance, some people like putting it on their wrists or the back of their knees.
- Find the aftershave that works for you. Not only are there plenty of scents for you to try, but different aftershaves are designed for different skin types.
How To Prevent Aftershave Stings
Aftershave stings occur when you apply the solution too soon after shaving. The problem is that the skin is still very sensitive and can easily get irritated. To prevent aftershave stings, try waiting at least 10 minutes before applying the aftershave.
You should also avoid touching the area where you plan to apply aftershave right after removing your razor. Instead, wait until your skin has had time to recover.
What Are The Benefits Of Aftershave?
Though you can experience this unpleasant burning sensation, it is important to remember that there are lots of reasons why people use aftershave.
These reasons include the fact that it helps to keep the skin moisturized and protected from the environment. It also prevents ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and razor burn.
In addition, it keeps your skin looking healthy. Plus, aftershave has antiseptic properties. Essentially, this means that it can stop any blemishes from becoming infected.
Perhaps most importantly, it can help you smell good. This can help boost your confidence, especially once you have sourced your signature scent. Not only can you enjoy this smell, but it can appeal to other people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do All Aftershaves Contain Alcohol?
No, not every aftershave brand is made using alcohol.
In fact, you can invest in alcohol-free aftershave. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to use an aftershave that has been formulated with an alternative to alcohol.
How Long Does Aftershave Last?
This will vary between brands. On average, the scent of an aftershave product will last for approximately 3 hours. More concentrated ones will last for longer.
The fragrance will last for as long as 24 hours for some aftershave brands.
Final Thoughts
Aftershave can be an effective tool in keeping your skin looking fresh and healthy.
However, you should always take care when applying it. Though you may still feel a burning sensation, this will be limited by following our tips.
While you may love the smell of your aftershave, you may want to avoid it if you continue to experience dry skin.
Instead, you should find a bottle that is suited to your type of skin. After all, there are aftershaves out there for everyone.
Grooming should be encouraged and normalized for men as it is for women - why is there a stigma around a man who takes care of his appearance when women are expected to?
If a woman were to put as little effort into her appearance as men are supposed to, she would be called lazy or another harsher word. But men are expected to wash their face with body wash and call it a day.
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