Are your legs or any part of your body irritated after you shave? Do you experience that stinging sensation whenever you apply soap to your freshly shaven skin? It might be because you haven’t used an aftershave. Although aftershave might seem like a “man thing,” women can benefit from using it too.
Aftershave helps close the pores that have been opened as a result of shaving the hair that was previously in that pore. Aftershave also helps prevent infections and calms irritated skin. If you happen to experience tiny red, irritating bumps after you shaved, then an aftershave might be the best option for you.
How to Make Your Own Aftershave
If you’ve been to the store to purchase an aftershave for the man in your life, more often than not, the ones you’ve found were heavily filled with perfume. And, did you know that additives like synthetic fragrances can do damage to your skin? In addition to synthetic fragrances, most store-bought aftershaves also contain propylene glycol, benzyl acetate and ethyl acetate, which have all been linked to respiratory issues.
The great news is, you can easily make your own with just five simple ingredients that are way cheaper and naturally soothe the skin.
Made with ingredients like witch hazel and apple cider vinegar, they both offer natural astringent properties that help cleanse the skin while soothing the cuts from shaving. This recipe also calls for aloe vera gel, a natural moisturizer that also helps soothes the skin and gets rid of razor bumps.
Essential oils like lavender and tea tree also are also used in this recipe for fragrance and for their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that help reduce the swelling caused by razor bumps and prevent your skin from infections. Mix all these ingredients together and you have the perfect aftershave that can soothe and heal your sensitive skin.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of witch hazel
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 2 teaspoons of vegetable glycerin
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of distilled water
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
- 5 drops of tea tree essential oil
- 5 drops of sage essential oil
Instructions:
- Gather the ingredients together and in a small bowl add in the aloe vera gel.
- Next, add in the witch hazel, apple cider vinegar and vegetable glycerin into the bowl and mix together.
- Add in the essential oils and then add in your water.
- Thoroughly mix everything together and pour your mixture into a glass spray bottle.
- Voilá! Your aftershave is ready to use.
Make sure you shave the bottle before every use. This recipe makes enough for about a 4 to 5-ounce bottle and if it is kept in a safe and cool place, the shelf life can last for up to three weeks.
Recipe inspired by Pronounce Skincare and Don’t Mess With Mama.
