7 Best Vegan Aftershave Brands That Will Soothe Your Skin

But there are thankfully some fantastic options available and I’ll take you through the essentials so you can both smell good and be content at once!

Let’s discuss what you need to know about aftershaves, then I’ll show you some of the best ones out there.

In a Hurry? Here’s Our Quick List of Top Picks

• Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated Aftershave
• Billy Jealousy Shaved Ice After-Shave Balm
• Lather & Wood Aftershave Balm
• AHAVA Men’s Dead Sea Mineral Shaving Line
• Men’s Soap Company Lavender After Shave
• Herban Cowboy Aftershave Dusk
• Meet the Bull Dog Original Aftershave Balm

What is an Aftershave?

The word is quite tricky. “Aftershave” can mean different things to different people.

An aftershave is a product you apply on the skin right after shaving to help soothe or prevent irritation and to moisturize.

Choosing an aftershave depends on what your skin type is and what your skin needs.

Aftershaves can be divided into two broad types: splashes and balms.

Splashes are watery and made of a mixture of hydrosols, astringents, and toners that work as antibacterial or antiseptic solution and cleanse the skin.

They’re recommended for people with oily skin, especially in humid and hot climates.

Balms, on the other hand, are heavier and provide moisture on the skin, as well as irritation relief. They’re suitable for use in dry or cold climates.

Both splashes and balms contain humectants (a substance that avoids the loss of moisture) to improve the effectiveness of the product.

There are also products with cross-over ingredients used in both splashes or balms.

How to Choose a Vegan-Friendly Aftershave

Here’s the thing: when you shave, you’re literally scraping your skin with a razor blade.

Even if you used a moisturizer prior to shaving, you’re still causing stress to your complexion every time you use a razor.

This is the reason why you should do what you can in order to soothe and calm your skin after shaving.

Vegan aftershave products can help you achieve exactly that, and I’ll show you exactly what to look for.

Types of Aftershave

Aftershaves can either be a tonic or a gel. We’ll go over the types you can choose.

Balms

Balms are commonly made of oils to soften and moisturize the skin. They contain very little to no alcohol content.

Gels

Gels usually do not contain any oils although may sometimes contain small amounts of alcohol. They have soothing and cooling properties that help freshen you up after a shave.

Tonics

Tonics are the same as the splash barbers often use after a customer’s shave. They contain a lot of alcohol and their main purpose is to close the pores and disinfect the skin.

Lotions

Lotions are heavier than balms and are more oil-based. They soften and moisturize the skin.

Choosing an Aftershave Based on Skin Type

There has been a steady growth of vegan products in recent years and the choice of products is growing all the time so it can be quite challenging to choose an aftershave.

The trick is to find the right formula that matches your skin type.

Dry Skin

If your skin appears blotchy or flaky and feels rough or tight, then you definitely have dry skin.

Choose aftershave balms which are moisturizing and without alcohol as these are the best options for dry skin. They’ll significantly help keep your skin soft and supple.

Oily Skin

If you’re prone to pimple breakouts, have shiny skin and visible pores, then you have oily skin.

Aftershave gels work great for this application and won’t clog your pores or leave your skin greasy.

During summer months when the skin is the most oily, you can also use a lotion to help control oil production.

Sensitive Skin

If you always have some sort of reaction to skin care products such as burns, stings, or if your skin easily turns red and itchy, then you have sensitive skin.

Before testing out a new product, you may want to consult with your dermatologist first.

You should pick out balms without any alcohol. Since your skin irritates easily, choose products that are often labelled as hypoallergenic.

Sometimes they may also state the product is dermatologist approved.

Normal Skin

If none of the above conditions apply to you, then you’d be classed as having normal skin!

With normal skin, there are no special considerations you need to make and you’re free to choose any type of aftershave.

In most cases, none of them should cause any irritation, redness, dryness, or other skin issues.

But here are a few tips for best results:

• Always choose an aftershave with the lowest alcohol content. In the summer, use a gel to keep moisture levels up, and in the winter use a balm.
• When shopping for vegan aftershave brands, take note of the fragrance.
• Each product will have a proprietary scent or is otherwise unscented. If your skin is a little sensitive, always choose an unscented aftershave as fragrances can cause irritation.
• If you prefer to smell your cologne, a scented aftershave is of course the option to go with.

Choosing an Aftershave Based on the Concern

The ingredients in aftershaves can sometimes help specific skin conditions. Let’s go over a few.

Bumps and Prone to Ingrowing Hairs

Choose an aftershave with glycolic acid and salicylic acid to get rid of dead skin. Dead skin can trap in the pores and result in bumps.

Also, choose a product with antibacterial ingredients like tea tree oil to kill microbes.

Razor Burn

Choose an aftershave with mint, eucalyptus, or aloe vera to reduce redness, soothe inflammation, and calm the skin.

Nicks and Cuts

Choose a product with witch-hazel and alcohol to disinfect the skin and help keep the pores closed.

This’ll reduce bleeding and decrease the likelihood of getting an infection.

How to Use Aftershave

Although they’re described as gels, balms and so on, you use them all in a similar way.

After shaving and having wiped any residue from your shaving lubricant, get a small amount of aftershave and pat it onto the skin. Don’t rub as this may cause irritation.

The exceptions here, obviously, are gels and balms.

You can also apply aftershave balms and gels on your whole face and neck instead of just the area you shaved although keep away from the eyes.

This doesn’t apply to alcohol-based lotions which should be just applied to the shaved area.

If you haven’t shaved on a particular day, you can still use an aftershave to simply smell good or to act as a moisturizer.

Ingredients to Look for

• Aloe vera
• Calendula
• Chamomile
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Lavender
• Rose oil distillate
• Tea tree oil
• Witch hazel
• Jojoba oil
• Various vitamins

Ingredients to Avoid

• Eucalyptus or lemon oil for sensitive skin types
• Grapefruit for people always outdoors
• High concentrations of camphor or alcohol

7 Top Picks for Excellent Vegan Aftershaves

Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated Aftershave

As its name implies, Pacific Shaving Company’s aftershave balm has all the benefits of antioxidant-rich, naturally-derived caffeine.

It helps keep your skin looking good the whole day, reduces redness, and gives you that amazing post-shave glow. You only need to use a little to experience these benefits.

This caffeinated aftershave has been featured in Good Morning America, Men’s Health, Forbes, USAToday, and many more.

Billy Jealousy Shaved Ice After-Shave Balm

This aftershave from Billy Jealousy is perfect for hot weather conditions as it provides a cooling sensation. It instantly provides comfort and cools the kin.

It can restore pH balance and promote skin healing. This product can also moisturize and condition the beard and skin.

Use only a small amount over freshly shaven areas or in spots where there’s an irritation.

Lather & Wood Aftershave Balm

Lather & Wood Aftershave Balm provides all the benefits of traditional aftershaves without the burn.

Pairing the astringent effect of witch hazel with the soothing effect of aloe leaf, this balm clears out bacteria and seals pores while also nourishing and hydrating skin.

The light sandalwood fragrance provides a refreshing, but masculine scent without overwhelming the senses.

Sandalwood oil also has antiseptic, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties, add to this formula’s effectiveness.

Unlike most aftershave products, this balm comes in a spray bottle and allows you to carefully control how much you use at a time.

AHAVA Men’s Dead Sea Mineral Shaving Line

This aftershave lotion from AHAVA relieves, calms, and moisturizes after shaving. It’s made with a quick absorbing formula that cleanses the skin, leaving it free of bacteria for a fresh and soft feel.

This is an aftershave balm that can benefit minor cuts and nicks while providing a cooling effect. Use it on freshly shaven skin for relief of razor burns.

Men’s Soap Company Lavender After Shave

Infused with lavender, this after shave balm from Men’s Soap Company is soothing all the way down to the fragrance.

Men’s Soap Company is a small, 100% cruelty-free business proudly producing natural, vegan shaving products in the USA.

Their after-shave balm is handcrafted in small batches from organic, natural, plant-based ingredients.

Key ingredients in this formula include menthol to cool the skin, shea butter to moisturize and soften, and witch hazel to relieve irritation.

The lavender scent is pleasant and not overpowering. The balm soothes your skin and absorbs well to leave skin feeling silky and smooth.

Herban Cowboy Aftershave Dusk

This self-professed “healthiest skin conditioning lotion in the world” is made with shea butter, cucumber, and carrot in a rich, cream base.

Herban Cowbow’s aftershave dries matte and has a dusk scent, free of harsh chemicals, or dyes, and comes in recyclable packaging. It has all the good stuff that’ll benefit your skin, the environment, and animals, too.

Meet the Bull Dog Original Aftershave Balm

The Original Aftershave Balms boasts a unique blend of eight essential oils, rosehip oil, konjac mannan, green tea, and vitamin E.

It can help soothe discomfort and soreness from shaving, and at the same nourishes the skin.

Top Choice for the Best Vegan Aftershave

No matter your skin type or shaving preferences, there is a vegan, cruelty-free after shave option for you on this list.

But if you’re having trouble choosing just one, our top pick is Men’s Soap Company After Shave Balm.

We love this small business’s commitment to using cruelty-free, vegan ingredients and recyclable packaging. And their products are just as great as their ethics!

This after shave balm calms irritation, moisturizes and softens skin, and even smells amazing! With no drying alcohols or heavy oils, this formula works well for all skin types.

If lavender is not for you, this balm is also available in several other scents.