Post-Shave Treatment

There are a few different types of aftershave products that can be used as part of your post-shave treatment. The three most common are alum blocks, an alcohol-based splash, and a balm. Some choose to stick with just one, while others, like myself, use all three.

Before using any of these, you should rinse your face thoroughly to remove any residual soap. I use warm water, which I feel does a better job of removing the soap, then I follow with cold water as it's refreshing and soothing.

Alum Block

An alum block is a natural mineral bar made of potassium alum and it is applied to the face directly after shaving. It has antiseptic and astringent properties, meaning that it helps fight any infection that might be caused by a nick or scrape. Additionally, it helps in closing pores and eases razor burn.

After rinsing off the residual shave soap, and while your face is still damp, gently wipe the wetted alum block along all the areas that were shaved. After about one minute, rinse your face with cool water. That's all there is to it.

As with an alcohol-based splash, an alum block will slightly sting while applying, although I find it stings less than an aftershave splash. You may feel it a bit more in areas where you applied too much pressure while shaving, so take that into account next time you shave.

Splash

Splashes tend to be alcohol-based and watery. They are splashed on the face and often give a sharp stinging feel. They tend to be very useful for those with oily skin, as they do not add a lot of moisturizer or other oils to the skin. They can also feel more comfortable in a humid climate. The stinging sensation might be an indication that you were a bit heavy-handed with the razor.

A splash works well for disinfecting small nicks and skin toning (much like an alum block) and adds a clean fragrance.

Balm

A balm is more like a lotion than a liquid. It restores hydration and soothes irritation. It tends to have a less bracing scent than splashes. Balm is great for people who have drier skin or are prone to razor burn as its key purpose is repairing rather than toning.

Which is For You?

So which one should you use? The answer to that question is the dreaded "it all depends."

Each one has its own purpose. Some people will decide which one of the three to use based on how their shave went (for example, did they rush though and get a bit more razor burn than other times), or whether it's hot and humid or cooler and dry where they're at. Others (myself included) will tend to use all three after each shave.

The alum block will stop bleeding from small nicks and excels at tightening the skin. Following with a splash is nice as the splash is a strong disinfectant and has a slightly hydrating quality to it. Following the splash with a balm gives you the best of all worlds as the balm does a great job of soothing razor burn, hydrating, and helping your skin rebuild its natural barrier after shaving.

You certainly don't need all three, but I would recommend at least trying each and deciding for yourself which you prefer, if not all of them.

I just want to end with some advice: take what others say about which to use with a grain of salt. There are people that absolutely love alum (or a splash or balm), and there are others that say that alum (or a splash or balm) is useless and they'll troll anyone that says otherwise. Ignore the naysayers and just try them all and use what your face says to use.