Is aftershave bad for your skin?

What should you use after shaving?

Choose a gentle moisturizing product rather than an alcohol based splash. Moisturizers hold water in the skin; alcohol based aftershaves work against that by drying it out. If you prefer an aftershave, check that the formula avoids alcohol and fragrance rather than choosing by the product name alone.1

Look for fragrance free, not just unscented. Unscented products can contain fragrance that masks the smell of other ingredients. Fragrance is a common cause of contact dermatitis, an itchy or painful rash caused by something touching the skin. If you already know an ingredient triggers your skin, check the ingredient list and avoid it.34

How to shave and moisturize with less irritation

1. 1Soften your hair with warm water before shaving, such as after a shower. Use a gentle shaving cream or gel instead of shaving dry.
2. 2Use a sharp blade and shave in the direction of hair growth. Make light, short strokes, avoid repeatedly shaving the same patch, and rinse the blade every few strokes.
3. 3Rinse your skin with cool water after shaving. Pat rather than rub it dry, leaving the skin slightly damp.
4. 4Apply a gentle moisturizer after shaving. Moisturizing morning and evening also helps maintain hydration; aftershave does not need to be a separate step.
5. 5Clean and dry your razor before storing it somewhere dry. Replace the blade after five to seven uses.

What if aftershave burns or leaves a rash?

Do not treat burning as a benefit. Shaving can create tiny cracks in the outer skin layer, cause inflammation and reduce hydration, while alcohol based products can add irritation. If an aftershave causes burning, itching or a rash, stop using it. For suspected contact with an irritant, rinse the affected skin with warm water and an emollient, a moisturizer that helps prevent dryness.345

For razor burn, use a cool washcloth and a fragrance free moisturizer, and pause shaving or waxing until the skin clears. Aloe vera gel can ease discomfort but does not cure razor burn. Avoid trying apple cider vinegar or witch hazel on irritated skin because they can sting. Razor burn usually settles within a few hours to a few days.25

A reaction does not have to be immediate: contact dermatitis can appear hours or days after exposure. It can cause itching, blistering, dryness and cracking, with red, dark brown, purple or grey discoloration. Seek medical advice for persistent, recurring or severe symptoms, or a shaving rash that worsens, looks infected or fails to clear within a few days.45

Can aftershave cause breakouts?

Some aftershaves contain oils that can clog pores and contribute to acne. If breakouts follow a product, consider stopping it and choosing one labeled oil free or noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. Product related acne can take four to six weeks to clear after the culprit is removed. See a dermatologist if it has not cleared by six weeks. Small bumps after shaving can also be ingrown hairs, so bumps alone do not identify the cause.56

Is aftershave bad for you?

Cosmetic fragrance ingredients must be safe for their intended use, but some people still develop allergies or sensitivities. In the US, cosmetics do not require FDA approval before sale, so a place on the shelf is not a personal invitation to your bathroom. Fragrance mixtures can appear simply as "Fragrance" on an ingredient list rather than naming every component. If you have a known fragrance sensitivity and need more detail, contact the manufacturer.7