The 9 Very Best Aftershaves

Skin-type compatibility: According to Dr. Anna Guanche, dermatologist and founder of Bella Skin Institute, the best aftershave for you depends on your particular skin type. “Everyone’s skin is different and will react and respond to different types of aftershaves,” she says. Whether you’re prone to dryness, razor burn, acne and ingrown hairs, or just want to maintain a healthy glow, there is an aftershave out there for you. Folks with dry and sensitive skin should look for soothing ingredients like aloe, vitamin E, and shea butter, and stay away from harsh ingredients like alcohol and menthol. But if you have a more oily complexion or tend to get a lot of ingrown hairs, a formula with astringent qualities could be very beneficial. Ingredients like witch hazel and eucalyptus oil are known to kill bacteria, tighten pores, and give you a more matte complexion. If you’re not sure what skin type you have, a quick trip to the barber or to see a dermatologist will help you gain a better understanding of what your skin needs to look and feel its best.

Moisturizing ingredients: Dr. Nikhil Dhingra of Spring Street Dermatology in New York says that moisturizing after shaving is “quite possibly the most critical step in post-shave care.” When you shave, he says, you’re stripping the skin of its natural oils. So if you don’t add any moisture back in, your skin is far more likely to feel uncomfortable after shaving, potentially leading to ingrown hairs, dryness, and razor burn. Regardless of your skin type, the aftershave you use should contain moisturizing ingredients. As with facial moisturizers, the dryer your skin is, the richer or thicker you’ll want your post-shave moisturizer to be. Ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil are good examples of rich, moisturizing ingredients. If you have trouble with frequent breakouts, you’d be better off using something more lightweight, like glycerin, that won’t clog pores.

Balm versus liquid versus gel: Mark Miguez of Friend of a Barber says that he can tell just by feeling the texture of an aftershave with his fingers whether he will like using it or not. He is strongly in favor of balms over liquids or gels because he finds they are the most moisturizing of the bunch. But others might find a balm-style aftershave too thick and prefer a cooling gel or liquid. Because you can’t feel each of the below products through your screen, we’ve noted whether each one is a balm, a liquid, or a gel.