Top 5 Aftershave Balms
This video will feature my top 5 aftershave balms. Balms are a part of my post shave routine from most of the year. My routine is to use a balm about 30 minutes after my shave, once my aftershave splash has dried down and my skin can use the additional hydration.
Coming in at the fifth position is the only non-artisan balm on this list. Aqua Velva Sensitive 5 in 1 After Shave Balm is far and away the best “commercial” calm that I have tried. It is very affordable (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Velva-Sensitive-5-in-1-After-Shave-Balm-3-3-Ounce/111836950), about $5.00 and really protects and moisturizes your skin. The scent is very light and does not interfere with a fragrance outside of 15 minutes after application.
Fourth on the list is Soap Commander Integrity (https://soapcommander.com/). This balm provides a nice protective layer with good moisturizing properties and enhances the experience with a kiss of menthol. It is scent free so there is no interference with other post shave fragrances or your daily fragrance. Integrity absorbs quickly and does not feel greasy in the least.
Third in the top five aftershave balms is Stirling Soap Co. Unscented (https://www.stirlingsoap.com/). This one feels nearly identical to the Soap Commander offering, but with a touch more luxurious feel. The addition of witch hazel acts as an astringent to sanitize your freshly shaven skin and the vitamin E amps up the skin feel. The balm is entirely unscented and offers zero interference with other fragrances.
The second place finisher in this list is Dapper Dragon Sensitive Scale Polish (http://www.dapperdragon.com/). This is a unique product, which might not even be technically a balm. For me though, I use it like a balm and have experienced great benefits from it. It absorbs into my skin more easily than the previous in the top five and yet still provides the same protection and moisturizing. Like most of the featured products, this is scent free in its entirety.
The best aftershave balm comes from Arianna & Evans Post Shave Serum (https://shavingshopclub.com/). Like the scale polish, this is unique and may not be technically classified as a balm. I use it like one and it is amazing. The product blends the ease of absorption found in scale polish with all of the protection and moisturizing from the traditional balms to really make the complete product. A&E is so proud of this formulation that they offer a money back guarantee. It can be purchase with a light Creed Aventus type scent or entirely scent free.
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I hate balms!! Who ever invented it should be beaten silly.
Thanks, Ruds! I think you should definitely make more videos with Bentley! I’ve only tried SoapCommander "Love" (for my rose fixation) and Nivea Sensitive. I just picked up the Wholly Kaw "King of Oud" last week and started using it over the weekend. So far, it is my favorite but I only use that when I use the King of Oud soap, splash and toner as well. Good luck to your Pats in the big game! (not that they seem to need it)
I always use two balms after I shave because I have sensitive skin and course facial hair and also because I live in cold windy Chicago. First is the Art of Shaving Unscented which is without question the single best balm I’ve found for my particular skin. It does such a good job healing and calming that I can then apply another balm to to moisturize and for scent. The best second balm I’ve found is Crabtree and Evelyn West Indian Lime. Great complex fresh scent and moisturizing properties. I’ve just put in an order for the new One Blade After shave Balm and am excited to try that one since it sounds like they put a lot of thought and testing into it. I Hope to try A&E serum eventually.
Excusmi, where is nivea men sensitive balm? Is the best.or Gillette balm sensitive skin?
It seems the Aqua Velva 5 in 1 has been discontinued. I checked multiple Walmarts and Walgreens both with the same story. No reason that I can tell.
I’ve heard good things of all you have listed. I’ve only ever used Nivea cool kick AS balm and it does a good job for my face and head. Great video as always and thanks for the list!
Great choices, I use Aqua velva 5/1, feels nice in my face
First off. EEEEeeeeeeeeee! Puppy!
Great review.
I’d suggest you try the Van Yulay balm- like the sops, they come in a ton of scents (or the Pure & Simple for no scent at all) and can be had in sample sizes.
The A&E post-shave will be a part of my next order.
I feel the dog could have delivered a more engaging commentary.
Maybe it’s a Texas issue but all Walmarts, Walgreens, CVS and HEB a major chain grocery store all show the same discontinuation.
Great list, this just pushed me to finally order some of that Dapper Dragon Scale Polish! Other balms I have in the mix are Nivea, Stirling, and L’Occitane.
Love all of your reviews, your objectivity is the best. As for Balms, have you tried Jack Blacks Post Shave Cooling Gel with Aloe, Sage & Lavender. I have tried many aftershave balms, and nothing else comes close to this one, in my opinion. But for reasons beyond my understanding, nothing that Jack Black produces gets much love among YouTube Shavers. What are your thoughts?
These video is the bomb as always !! Keep um coming brother 😁👍🏻
I’ve been wanting to try the Stray Whisker After Balm recently. I keep hearing how good it is. I’ll have to import it to Canada since no company sells it here.
Thanks for doing this vid, good to know about these products, cheers
so glad you did this video and appropriate for the colder weather!
I need to try the A&E serum. My favorite is stray whiskers balm.
I’d have liked this video twice if I could have just for Bentley.
Does this list still hold up or do you prefer something else now?
Nice review Jason.
-Brandon
Very Nice Smiley….. Very Nice !!!!!
This is another great review topic from Ruds. I especially like the fact that the video concerns unscented balms, which is what I typically reach for!
I love Soap Commander. Check out New York shaving co balm
Terrific review, as always. I have a strong recommendation, with one weird twist. My wife uses Aveda shampoo, and she got me a sample of their "Pure-Formance Dual Action Aftershave" balm. [ http://tinyurl.com/y8a5bzxf ]Terrific stuff – the company is known to use outstanding ingredients, and this soothes and moisturizes without leaving a trace of oil. Like you, I shave face and head, and the look and feel of the scalp afterward is about the best I’ve experienced. Here’s the weird part: I don’t recommend buying it. The stuff is stupid expensive – 2.5 ounces for $35. But next time you’re passing an Aveda shop, ask for a sample. Worth the time, as the sample is .85 oz. I really enjoy your work, Ruds, thanks!
Still experimenting with balms bro…. 5 in 1 works well and Stirling menthol…Neither has helped me eliminate ingrown hairs on the back of my head.(Head Shaver) HELP Smiley HELP..! 😕😕
Try Bee-bald “Heal” for your head, amazing stuff I am a balm snob it’s outstanding.
Way to go BU Terriers!
What after shave Balm will you recommend for sensitive skin? After a day of shaving, I always get ingrown Hairs.
I would add an excellent balm from Germany, Weleda.
You must get some, good stuff. Just read the ingredients list Ruds!
Good list. I can vouch for 3-5-all things I use after every shave. 1 & 2 will be purchased soon!
Bentley is awesome!
Great information on some balms I have been on the fence about. I currently only have two balms in my rotation Proraso blue and Pacific Shaving peppermint. Both are great, but need to try the 5 in 1 and soap commander.
Have you ever tried Lather Bros balm?
I found one on Maggards for 6.50$ . Really cheap. The ingredients list seems good.
The question is how long will Amazon carry it? I wonder if the manufacturer is stopping production of perhaps it is being repackaged?
nice review Ruds. i typically have found balms to either burn my skin or give me pimples so I tend to avoid them but your comment about waiting about a half hour or so after a shave before applying, i’ve never tried that. maybe that’s all i need to do and my skin won’t disagree so much with the balm. so far only 2 balms have been low enough on the stinging feeling and didn’t make me break out in pimples, that’s Prep from Italy, and Proraso blue the Italian formulation(apparently it’s different to the American formulation. so i’m told anyway.) i’ll give the 30 minute cooldown thing a try and hopefully balms will start working for me. if not, i’m a happy guy just using alcohol based splashes and witch hazel based splashes. cheers buddy, have a good one.
I’m surprised the Stray Whisker balm didn’t make the list!
Great list! I use all except A&E, but I love The Cool Fix!!
Thanks for this.
Nice list.
A few of my favorites balms are missing but there are so many that we can’t have them all.
Nivea is still my almost daily go-to along with AV and ZIRH.
It’s about time you feature Bentley!
I usually use Neutrogena or Nivea shave balm.
Excellent choices! Thanks for the info!
New to wet shaving. Really liking your videos, especially your soap reviews.
interested in this one. it’s listed as a toner. the scent is wonderful. http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/chatillon-lux-gratiot-league-square-post-shave-toner-2oz-btl/