An aftershave to day is ordinarily a lotion or gel that is used by men to prevent the skin from hardening due to shaving and as a freshener. In earlier days, alum was used as the most commonly used aftershave material but that has now been replaced with numerous qualitative lotions, gels, liquids, and pastes. Aftershave today is the combination of a moisturizer, a perfume, and an infection-preventive, all in one.

Aftershave - necessity

Men use aftershave as an antiseptic after the shaving is completed. Ordinarily an aftershave lotion contains some antiseptic elements like alcohol or such medicinal components that would prevent any infection occurring to a cut due to shaving. Most after shave lotions are scented too, adding to the fragrance and acting as a perfume in addition to having moisturizer contents to prevent skin from hardening due to regular shaving.

Very often we suffer a cut from shaving either due to our being unmindful or due to some other facts like the blade having lost the sharpness of its edges and likes. Since a bleeding from such cut can continue over ten to fifteen minutes, the best preventive is to rinse a cotton swab in alcohol and press the wound. This purpose is best served by an aftershave lotion that with the alcohol contents not only stops bleeding but also acts as excellent antiseptic materials for such cuts.

Learn about: Aftershave - a preventive for shaving cuts

Aftershave - as a perfume

Four components like essential oil, aroma compounds, solvents and fixatives are combined together for make a perfume. This produces a pleasant smell good both for the user and others around him. Aftershave serves this purpose extremely well since they have their own fragrance and exerts a pleasant smell all around which is more attractive as it covers the most sensitive part of the body for an onlooker, the face. Till today, Eau de Cologne is one of the most popular aftershaves and fragrance is one of the main reasons for it.

Aftershave - as a moisturizer

The main purpose that a moisturizer serves, is to soften the skin by increasing its hydration. Therefore we use artificial or natural oils and lubricants to moisturize the skin so that it does not loose the water components making it dry and unattractive. Aftershaves serve this purpose extremely well since they contain the components used in a commercial skin moisturizer though not to such large extent but enough not to allow the skin to dry up or shrink as a result of shaving.

Aftershave - an antiseptic material

Sometimes harmful microorganisms grow on and affect our skin adversely and an antiseptic prevents such infection. Such antiseptics may be true germicides or a preventive. Aftershave is a preventive that prevents the spread of the infection on our skin due to shaving to a large extent. Moreover, the freshness that it gives is also a great psychologically balancing factor.

Learn more at: How to Apply After Shave