Make your Own Aftershave ?

Homemade Aftershave Lotion and How to Apply it Correctly

Facial skin is more sensitive than the skin of the rest of the body. Hence whether you are a man or a woman, always be very careful about what you are applying on your facial skin. Especially for men, it becomes more difficult as they have to shave. Shaving makes the skin rough and it may even cause skin breakouts and rashes. Using an aftershave lotion is hence important. While shaving, mostly people use warm water as it opens the pores and hence the hair is removed from deep within. Post shaving, it is important to close the pores. Open pores may cause excessive sweating, oil secretion and dirt accumulation. There also remains a chance of getting an infection if one gets a cut while shaving. Aftershave lotion not only reduces the risk of infection caused due to shaving-cuts, but it also hydrates the skin, preventing problems like rough skin and dryness. Besides it leaves a nice fragrance on the skin.

Commercial aftershave lotion may contain certain ingredients that will end up causing rash and skin irritation. But one can easily manufacture aftershave at home. Home made aftershave lotion is not only eco- friendly, but it is also skin-friendly. One gets to know what all ingredients are going into the aftershave and hence one can easily avoid elements that one is allergic to. In commercial aftershaves , one of the main ingredients that go in is the alcohol. Alcohol acts as an antiseptic. Besides it also contains perfuming and moisturizing agents.

Making Aftershave Yourself:

Making aftershave lotion at home is not a difficult task. It's a simple procedure and the ingredients required are easily available at one's vicinity.

To make aftershave lotion, you need, astringent, glycerin, alum and perfuming agents. The astringent closes the pore and cleans the skin post shaving. Glycerin moisturizes and hydrates the skin. The alum stops bleeding from cuts and also acts as an antiseptic. And then there are the perfuming agents that give a nice scented skin. To make aftershave, blend all the aforementioned ingredients together. For the perfume, use any fragrant kitchen spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger or herbs like sage and basil. You might also use fragrant oils that are easily available at the craft stores. Just make sure that the oil is of a cosmetic blend.

Remember to avoid ingredients that you are allergic to. Once you have made the lotion, do a spot testing to avoid any allergic reaction later. Apply a drop of the aftershave near your neck and see if it is causing any irritation. Also you need to test whether the amount of the perfuming agent is correct. To do that, spray a bit of the aftershave into air and then sniff it to smell the perfume. Then take a small portion and apply it on your skin to know how the perfume will smell on you.

The Right Way to Applying Aftershave

Men mostly shave three to five times a week. And it is important to apply aftershave lotion post every shaving. It is also extremely important to know how to apply aftershave properly as improper application may cause skin problems like rashes, post-shave bumps and other skin irritations. To apply the aftershave properly, wet a small cotton ball with water. Pour out the required amount of the lotion on the cotton and dab it on you skin in gentle circular motion. It might cause a slight tingling sensation, especially if you have a cut. But that is not something to worry about as it is only the antiseptic that is working on your skin. Remember, normal antiseptic also burns a bit if you put it on a cut.

So, go ahead, make your own aftershave and enjoy a smooth and fragrant skin year after year.