It is usually found that most men shave at least a few times a week because they enjoy a smooth, clean look which adds to their smart appearance. However, once you shave, it leaves the surface of a man's skin sensitive and vulnerable. The pores are open and the skin has been roughed up due to dragging a sharp razor across the face. Right after shaving men will usually rinse off their face and then apply cold water in an attempt to close down the pores and then splash on some aftershave. That can be a shocking experience. Alcohol based aftershave will definitely close down those facial pores which is what causes the characteristic stinging. But this is actually quite inviting to men. Many men don't mind the sharp stinging sensation, rather they relish it because of the bracing, refreshing feeling they get. For other men, an aftershave balm, more like a lotion (in other words lotion based aftershave), is their preferred choice. Thus aftershave is a lotion, gel, or liquid -used mainly by men - after they have finished shaving. An antiseptic agent in after shave such as alcohol is used to prevent infection from cuts as well as numb damaged skin, a perfume to enhance scent, and a moisturizer to soften the skin.

It is also sometimes referred to as Eau de Cologne.

Noted brands of aftershave include Axe (also known as Lynx), Old Spice, Global Gillette, Crabtree & Evelyn, and Brut.

Many fashion designers lend their names to brands of aftershave. Popular examples of this include Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.

Things to Remember while buying an Aftershave-
If you are trying to decide what aftershave to buy for yourself then it is no doubt that you are confused with all those names and brands hanging around the shelves. The truth is that although all aftershaves are aimed at doing the same thing, they don’t! Some aftershaves will be incapable of correctly providing the most basic features while some others will more than take care of things you never (theoretically) asked and paid for.

Along those lines, you are given the chance to either buy some non-brand random aftershave for a very low price or to spend much more and buy the latest word of the ‘aftershave-technology’ with a fashion designers name on it. Of course, there still exists the medium range area which is located among those two extremes; this is suggested for those who simply want to get their job done without spending large amounts of time and money.

The first thing that you must really be careful about is how well the aftershave ‘cooperates’ with your skin. Will it leave you with a fresh, soft skin or it will irritate your face? This is the hardest thing to decide because it’s hard to judge without trying it. Nevertheless you can always ask for aftershaves that have passed a dermatological check for sensitive skin as this would be the easiest process to choose the aftershave of your choice.

Another thing that you should look while considering to buy an aftershave is whether it is alcohol based aftershave or lotion based aftershave. The major difference here is that an alcohol based aftershave will give you a mild scent for a very short period of time. This is because alcohol evaporates quite quickly from the skin. On the other hand, a lotion based aftershave will last longer but in turn, it will not give you the bracing effect that the majority of men prefer.

Other aspects of aftershaves include perfume and natural ingredients that will improve your skins look and feel. Aftershaves that ‘boast’ about such features are usually the most expensive ones and it’s not uncommon that they are highly overpriced.

Again, the whole choice is a matter of how much you are willing to pay for. It’s also a matter of a trial and error process where you simply try everything until you find the correct one for you. If you are really careful with your skin then you should seriously take the time and resources to find what’s best for you. Otherwise, you could simply stick with something cheap and popular. Nonetheless the general view about aftershaves would always remain as to sooth your skin and add a refreshing sensation to men after shaving.