We Alpha men are not averse to a competition between certain products. In addition, we are always very pleased with the feedback we receive from you when our brands cross swords.
This time we put the Aftershave Lotion and the Aftershave Balm against each other. What are the differences and similarities? And which aftershave is most suitable for your skin? Follow me.
Why an Aftershave Lotion or Aftershave Balm?
There are plenty of men who shave optimally with the right safety razor and the best shaving soap , but who take aftercare less seriously. That's because quite a few gentlemen are still not aware of the invigorating and caring effect of an aftershave lotion or aftershave balm.
The smell can of course be very pleasant, but the purpose of a good after shave lotion or an after shave balm is correct to take perfect care of the skin after handling the razor .
When we shave, the pores open and you run the risk of developing bacterial infections. That is exactly why we need an aftershave balm or lotion because it disinfects and soothes the skin.
What is Aftershave Balm?
An aftershave balm is a creamy somewhat semi-solid matter that is more lumpy than an aftershave lotion. This is due to a combination of the various ingredients in the balm. For example, you will find natural ingredients such as aloe vera, glycerin and allantoin in balms. The best aftershave balm also often contains a variety of carrier oils such as the famous jojoba oil. In addition to moisturizing the skin, this nourishing oil also supports the production of natural sebum in the skin.
The castor avocado and coconut oil are also regularly used ingredients that not only have a nurturing but also soothing effect on the skin.
What is After Shave Lotion?
A quality aftershave lotion is often clear and is in terms of substance between an aftershave balm and an aftershave (splash). An aftershave lotion is usually creamy in consistency but less thick than the balm variant. It is slightly milder than an aftershave splash because it contains less or no alcohol.
A good aftershave lotion usually contains the following ingredients:
- glycerin
- Aluminum starch
- Water
- Myristyl propionate
- Alcohol
An aftershave lotion aims to disinfect, soothe, hydrate and prevent dehydration by closing the pores after shaving. The aftershave lotion types with alcohol often provide a (quite) invigorating experience after shaving. It therefore has a less emollient character than the balm aftershaves.
What are the differences?
In terms of compound, we already indicated that an aftershave balm has a thicker substance. The lotion variant is a lot thinner in texture and often consists of other ingredients. But let's lay out the differences between the two clearly:
After Shave Lotion
- Fluid and clear with a slightly creamy consistency but less lumpy than a balm.
- Often provided with disinfectant alcohol so that you can experience a tingling feeling when applying.
- Stronger scent than with the balm variant.
- Less suitable for men with acne due to the amount of glycerin present.
- Generally disinfects better than a balm variant
- Any alcohol present can dry out the skin
Note: An aftershave lotion is generally milder than the average aftershave.
After Shave Balm
- Lobbier than the aftershave lotion
- Best suited for soothing the skin, soothing burning and shaving irritation
- Fast absorption, illuminates even better and leaves the skin silky smooth
- Better suited for dry skin and sensitive skin than the lotion version
- Better suited when there isacne
- Subtle fragrance experience
- When alcohol is present then usually in a much lower percentage than in a lotion
- Moisturizes and cares for better than the lotion
- Slightly less suitable for oily skin than the lotion
How do you use Aftershave Balm?
After shaving and patting the skin dry, apply the balm liberally to the areas of skin where the razor has passed. Rub it in with your fingers and palms until completely absorbed. You will see that the cream will quickly absorb into the skin and you will immediately experience a soothing and supple feeling. So very simple and immediately a nice skin care .
How do you use After Shave Lotion?
After shaving and patting your face dry, you can pour a few drops of the aftershave lotion into your hands and spread it over your face. You can also 'splash' it as an aftershave .
Lotion is more liquid than a balm and therefore absorbs quickly. Aftershave lotions are often well scented, so a perfume is no longer necessary.
The winner?
It's easier to pick a winner between a cartridge or a safety razor. But with these products it's all about preference and above all: what type of skin you have. When you are equipped with sensitive and dry skin, it is easy to designate a winner. That would easily be the aftershave balm with natural ingredients, such as jojoba oil and aloe vera.
This variant simply has more nourishing, moisturizing and softening properties than the highly liquid and often more strongly perfumed aftershave lotion. The latter is also more often provided with alcohol. Although there are now also alcohol- and perfume-free versions on the market that have a soothing and nourishing effect.
Do you find an aftershave (with alcohol) just too much but you still want that invigorating experience after shaving? Then the aftershave lotion is your match winner. Provided your skin reacts well to this, otherwise you will make a covenant with the balm. Check out our top 10 with the best aftershave lotion .
Conclusion
The aftershave balm is particularly suitable aftershaving sensitive skin due to its nourishing and soothing character. If you just want more tingling after shaving, an aftershave lotion is your friend in the bathroom.
Tip: To perfect your shaving routine and better prepare the skin for the razor, we recommend that you also add a good pre-shave to your shaving routine. Then you make sure that the skin is perfectly prepared for the water, the shaving soap and the knife!
Call or email us if you have any questions. We really like that!
Good luck!
Your friends, The Alpha Men.