To refresh freshly shaved skin
Among the splashes and toners are formulas with witch hazel, a natural astringent. Elite Dopobarba Splash and N.89 Dopobarba Splash by Floris contain witch hazel plus glycerin for hydration, and for N.89 Floris states the aim of closing the pores and reinvigorating freshly shaved skin. The Toning After-Shave Lotion by Issey Miyake is a fresh, toning lotion with naturally derived bisabolol, which helps soothe the skin after shaving.
For its splashes, Floris recommends pouring a small amount into your palm, warming it between your hands and applying it to the face and neck with downward strokes.
To soften and nourish the skin
To bring softness back to the skin after shaving, you can choose a product that softens or nourishes it. Antica Barbieria Colla offers the Latte Dopobarba Olio di Mandorla, with almond, which the house describes as softening and soothing. The Classic Scent Balsamo Dopobarba by Musgo Real combines almond oil, jojoba and shea butter, and the Pour Homme After Shave Lotion by Versace soothes and nourishes the skin after shaving.
For burning, sensitive or dry skin
For razor burn there are formulas designed to calm it. Anti Feu du Rasoir by Biotherm, in the version for normal skin, has hydrating agents and safflower oil to calm the burning sensation. Jean Paul Gaultier also describes the Le Male aftershave as a soothing balm, scented with the fragrance of the same name.
For sensitive skin, some houses offer formulas made specifically for this need. Cellsplash by Cellcosmet is a cellular toner used both after shaving and after cleansing, which the house recommends for sensitive skin. From Geo. F. Trumper come Eucris and Coral in alcohol-free versions, glycerin-based, light and non-greasy, which the house also suggests as a pre-shave, massaged against the grain to soften the beard before the blade.
If you have dry skin or want an alcohol-free option, there are emulsions, balms and milks. The After Shave Emulsion by Biotherm is alcohol-free and formulated for skin that is dry or dried out by shaving. Also alcohol-free are the N.89 Balsamo Dopobarba by Floris, with British willow, hop and oat extracts and blackcurrant and rapeseed oils, and the Dopobarba Mallo di Albicocche by Antica Barbieria Colla.
For anti-aging care
Some products pair post-shave care with anti-aging action. The After Shave Emulsione Anti-Età from the Mazzolari line is soothing and also hydrates and tones. Sisleÿum for Men by Sisley is a revitalizing global anti-aging treatment, designed to strengthen the skin's resistance to daily aggressions such as shaving, cold and stress.
An aftershave that echoes a fragrance
Many of these products echo one of the house's fragrances, so you can also choose by scent. Among the Floris options, Elite is woody and fresh, while N.89 has the profile of a classic cologne, with orange, bergamot, lavender, neroli and nutmeg. Hermès presents the Lozione Après-Rasage Terre d'Hermès as a different way to wear Terre d'Hermès, and the lotion is meant to be sprayed on generously.
Milks and balms have their own scent too. The Latte Dopobarba Tabacco Verde by Antica Barbieria Colla has a warm, intense aroma of fermented tobacco leaves, and the Latte Dopobarba Sandalo Rosso from the same house has a rich, full-bodied woody fragrance extracted from sandalwood. The Le Male Balsamo Dopobarba by Jean Paul Gaultier is a fluid, fresh emulsion, delicately scented with the notes of Le Male.
Other lotions and balms accompany different fragrances. Versace has a Pour Homme Dylan Blue lotion, which echoes an aromatic fougère scent, and Eternity for Men by Calvin Klein has green and woody notes. The Carthusia balm accompanies the Carthusia Uomo fragrance, fresh and marine, with fruit and leather.
For the steps before the blade, there are pre-shave and shaving products, and in the barbershop section you'll also find oils such as Extract of Limes by Geo. F. Trumper, with jojoba and sunflower.
Frequently asked questions
What does aftershave do?
It soothes and refreshes the skin right after shaving, when, as Floris points out, the skin is at its most vulnerable. The Floris witch hazel splashes act as an astringent, the Musgo Real balm softens the skin with almond and jojoba oils, and Biotherm's Anti Feu du Rasoir calms the burning sensation.
How do you apply aftershave?
It depends on the format and on the house's directions. For its splashes, Floris recommends pouring a small amount into your hands, rubbing them together and smoothing them over the face and neck with downward strokes. The Terre d'Hermès lotion, by contrast, is sprayed on generously, while the Floris Elite balm goes on dry skin after shaving.
Which post-shave product is right for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin there are formulas recommended specifically for this need. Cellcosmet presents its Cellsplash for sensitive skin, and the Musgo Real Classic Scent balm brings softness especially to this skin type. Antica Barbieria Colla offers Mallo di Albicocche, alcohol-free and designed for more delicate skin.
What is an alcohol-free post-shave?
It's a product that refreshes without the alcohol typical of classic lotions, and it's usually based on glycerin, oils or plant extracts. Eucris and Coral by Geo. F. Trumper, for example, use glycerin, while the Floris Balsamo Dopobarba Elite contains borage oil, aloe vera and menthol.
What helps with razor burn after shaving?
For razor burn there is Biotherm's Anti Feu du Rasoir, designed specifically to calm this sensation, with safflower oil. Also presented as soothing are the Le Male balm by Jean Paul Gaultier and the Latte Dopobarba Olio di Mandorla by Antica Barbieria Colla, where the house describes almond as softening.
Can you use it as a pre-shave too?
Some, yes. Geo. F. Trumper recommends its glycerin-based products, such as Coral, Eucris and Sandalwood, before shaving as well: massaged against the grain, they lift and soften the beard and help the razor glide. Floris, on the other hand, presents its witch hazel splashes as products to use after shaving.
Can you wear it with cologne or perfume?
Yes, and many of these products echo one of the house's fragrances. Hermès presents the Terre d'Hermès lotion and balm as a different way to wear Terre d'Hermès, the Le Male balm carries the notes of Le Male, and the Eternity for Men lotion by Calvin Klein echoes the fragrance of the same name.
Should you use it with an electric razor?
Yes, there are formulas designed for electric shavers too. CBN offers its Emulsion Régénérante Après Rasage Homme for skin stressed by a manual or electric razor: it's a cream treatment that, according to the house, hydrates and calms the burning sensation.
