What Does Aftershave Do?

Shaving irritation, ranging from razor bumps and ingrown hairs to itching and redness, doesn't have to be an everyday issue. With the right products and a consistent routine, you'll make the difference between raw, irritated skin and a smooth, calm face - even if you have dry skin or sensitive skin.

A good aftershave is much more than a finishing touch. It's a key piece of the puzzle in protecting your skin while also providing the right amount of moisture. Whether you shave daily or every once in a while, aftershave is a must.

But what does aftershave do exactly? Why use aftershave at all instead of just cold water?

What Is Aftershave?

Shaving inevitably scrapes away tiny bits of the top layer of your skin, leaving your face vulnerable to irritation and bacteria. That tight, raw feeling after a shave is none other than your sensitive skin asking for support—and that's where aftershave steps in.

In essence, aftershave is a post-shaving skincare product designed to soothe, disinfect, protect, and hydrate your skin.

It acts as a barrier and a balm, simultaneously sealing micro-cuts and replenishing lost moisture. Aftershave leaves your skin feeling smooth instead of scorched, and calm instead of inflamed.

Historically, aftershave involved copious amounts of alcohol that never failed to deliver bracing slaps to your face. The concept was simple enough: Alcohol could immediately disinfect any nicks caused by the razor. But that came at the cost of dry skin, flaking, and skin irritation, as alcohol harshly removes the skin's natural oils.

Today's natural aftershave products, such as our own Instant Relief Aftershave, take a more advanced approach. Instead of an alcohol-based aftershave, we use gentler, natural antiseptic ingredients and anti-inflammatories. Namely, our scientifically formulated aftershave revolves around three key ingredients: aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and coconut.

Aftershave is not just a perfumed add-on to your shaving routine: it's a functional product that accelerates and supports the skin's natural healing process.

Is Aftershave Necessary?

Yes, despite common belief, aftershave is necessary to keep healthy skin in the long run.

We get it, though; aftershave balm can feel like an old-school ritual more than anything else. Most guys think that a thorough rinsing is enough, but even the most careful shave needs some aftercare.

Even with a fresh blade and proper preparation, shaving always causes micro-trauma to the skin. We can't usually see these invisible nicks and abrasions, but they absolutely compromise your skin's protective barrier. In other words, that hot, itchy sensation is the entry point for bacteria.

When left free to wreak havoc, these bacteria can quickly lead to, for example, folliculitis - a skin condition where hair follicles become infected. Although folliculitis isn't usually serious and goes away on its own, it can cause uncomfortable, visible, and even painful pustules. folliculitis

The best aftershave offers protection against those bacteria, while also hydrating and calming the skin to avoid razor burn.

Key Ingredients in Aftershave

Most guys' first memory of aftershave is one of sharp stings and overpowering perfumes. And for years, that was the norm for everyone and the mark of a finished shave.

Those kinds of aftershave balm and alcohol-based aftershave formulas (the ones that were based on alcohol) worked, but also often caused more harm than good. Alcohol is too harsh for freshly shaven skin, and it strips it of its natural oils. The result? Dry, irritated skin that, while disinfected, ends up being painful and annoying.

Our Instant Relief Aftershave relies on gentle, moisturizing ingredients instead of alcohol to prevent razor burn. Not because we want to go against the grain, but because we firmly believe that alcohol doesn't belong in your aftershave. Here's what we use instead:

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is widely praised for its anti-inflammatory benefits. It has been used since ancient times as a natural soothing agent, so including it in our aftershave was a no-brainer.

Aloe calms irritation almost instantly, while also providing a cool and fresh sensation to your skin. It contains compounds like acemannan that support skin repair and provide protection against bacteria and swelling - perfect for a soothing aftershave balm.

You'll also quickly notice that aloe vera leaves behind a thin, almost gel-like protective layer on your skin that supports your moisture barrier. This helps retain moisture, and it shields your skin from environmental stressors.

Hyaluronic Acid

It's hard to grasp how much moisture shaving actually removes from your skin—but we'd rather be safe than sorry.

Hyaluronic acid is a natural compound that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it one of the most powerful moisturizing agents available. It quickly draws water into the skin and binds it there, promoting a plumper and smoother appearance.

However (and unlike most heavy creams), hyaluronic acid is pretty much invisible. It's one of the main reasons why our natural aftershave doesn't leave your skin feeling coated or greasy.

Coconut

Many people naturally associate coconut oils and extracts with moisturizing. And while that's certainly true, we actually decided to add it to our Instant Relief Aftershave because of its skin-strengthening properties.

Besides moisturizing and protecting against microbes, coconut can speed up wound healing. It also works as an antioxidant, and it increases collagen levels—a protein heavily involved in making your skin look plump and young. speed up wound healing

In essence, coconut works as a holistic agent, rounding off all the benefits of aftershave.

Other Natural Ingredients

Once the big three were in place, our expert team added other natural ingredients to the formula to ensure the highest quality aftershave and facial moisturizer a man can put on his face. These include:

• Sugar cane extract
• Lavender
• Sugar maple
• Jojoba oil
• Vitamin E
• Tea tree oil and other essential oils

All of these compounds work together to create a powerful synergy that promotes post-shave care and reinforces your skin's natural defenses.

Our Instant Relief Aftershave is built from the ground up to be a skin-first solution for your grooming routine: no ingrown hairs, no burning, and absolutely no alcohol. The result is the best natural aftershave for men who won't settle for doing good at the cost of pain and irritation and want non-alcohol-based products made with the best skin care ingredients.

How To Use Aftershave

When used correctly, aftershave does a lot more than just provide a fleeting flash of coolness. It actively supports skin recovery, reduces irritation, locks in moisture, and forms a barrier against environmental stressors.

Luckily, using it right is far from rocket science—but as with all things skincare, it's best to get it right rather than meet it halfway.

Step 1: Rinse With Cool Water

After you've finished a shaving session with your razor blade of choice (maybe a straight razor), resist the urge to reach for your towel. Your skin has gone through a rather rough exfoliation session, involving shaving cream, hair, microscopic cuts, and post-shave irritation all around.

Rinse your face thoroughly with cool water to wash away any shaving products debris, close pores, and prevent skin concerns. Don't be too rough with your hands—your facial skin is very sensitive at this stage. The colder the water, the better.

Stay away from hot water, as it can worsen redness and dryness.

Step 2: Dry Thoroughly

Once all debris is gone, gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. You want to remove excess moisture without causing additional irritation or encouraging bacterial growth, so take your time and use the softest towel you can get.

Never, never, never rub your face dry. Rubbing or any other kind of aggressive movement can leave your skin parched and irritated.

Step 3: Apply Aftershave

Now it's time for the main event.

Pour a small amount of aftershave into your hand, just enough to coat the areas you've shaved. You're not trying to drown your face—a good rule of thumb is that the right amount should absorb within a few minutes of application.

Rub your palms together to warm the product a bit and gently press it into your skin. Again, don't rub, and pay special attention to areas where you felt more irritation than usual while shaving.

Don't wipe it off or rinse afterward. A quality natural aftershave like our Instant Relief Aftershave is designed to sink in quickly without leaving residue behind.

Better Skin Starts With Better Habits

Using a quality aftershave is an excellent start, but by no means should it be the end of your skincare routine. Consistency and care are just as important as the shaving products themselves!

For example, make sure you always cleanse your face regularly before shaving to remove dirt from your skin. Use a high-quality shave cream to ensure a smooth glide without friction. And, to follow up the aftershave, use a lightweight moisturizer to support long-term hydration.

Everyone's skin responds best when treated with intention. A streamlined, natural routine will work wonders in preventing issues such as razor bumps, persistent dryness, and dreaded bacterial infections.

If you're not sure where to start, our collection of products contains pre-made routines that make for simple yet effective skincare systems.

Instant Relief, Without the Burn

A great shave should never come with redness, bumps, irritation, stings, flaky skin… You get the point. By swapping alcohol-based formulas for a natural aftershave, you'll be protecting your face for the day ahead.

Our Instant Relief Aftershave delivers hydration and a clean recovery without the burn. It only takes a few minutes after shaving to completely change the health and appearance of your skin.

And the best part? We specifically designed it to work on all skin types while catering to your own personal preferences.