If you have ever shaved and been left with skin that looks like it is scorched and feels as if it is burning you are in fact a victim of shaving. Eczema is a big problem and so is finding the right aftershave for sensitive skin. Commercial aftershaves found in stores are made with alcohol, synthetic smells that worsen the skin and are sensitive. The solution? DIY natural aftershave balms! Do you know that these balms can be gentle and soothing, and all the ingredients are easily available at home? Now it is high time that you take a look at how you can prepare a natural aftershave balm at home to ensure that your skin is smooth and does not itch.
Why Use DIY Aftershave Balm?
Now that we have touched on what makes your own balm fun, let’s take a look at why you want to bother. Sure, it might be easier to grab something from the store, but here are some key reasons to switch to a homemade, natural alternative:
1. Gentle on Skin
Most of the aftershaves being sold in stores contain alcohol and other chemicals that can make your skin dry, resulting to razor burn, irritation, and occasional breakouts. Natural is less invasive, skin friendly and appropriate for everyone including those with sensitive skin.
2. No Unwanted Chemicals
This way you are fully aware of what you are putting on your skin and are not exposing your skin to parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances found in most commercial products. Also, you can adjust the ingredients to your skin type.
3. Cost-Effective
Afterward, although one can buy rather posh aftershave balms that can be extremely costly, making one on your own isn’t very much expensive. Everything from the base oil to butters and essential oils can be used in most recipes for other DIY products.
4. Customizable
Feeling a bit rugged and needing some lotion after a shave? Perhaps a lavender scented aftershave balm sounds appealing? Or perhaps something a bit more stimulating such as minty fresh? When it come to the ingredients of your aftershave balm you get to choose what goes into it to sooth your skin and to your scent.
5. Reduces Irritation
Some of the natural components such as aloe vera, chamomile and shea butter have special characteristics of reducing inflammation
Natural DIY Aftershave Balm in Shower Benefits
Here’s what makes natural aftershave balms awesome for sensitive skin:
Moisturizes and hydrates: Proper use of product leaves skin soft and smooth because coconut oil and shea butter are natural moisturizers.
Soothes irritation: : Aloe vera and witch hazel are very helpful in reducing inflammation and redness and give a soothing effect.
Reduces razor burn: The essential oils and butters used in homemade balms lock the skin and act as a barrier to prevent razor burn.
Antimicrobial protection: Natural remedies such as Tea tree oil contain antibacterial properties and can hence prevent body infections and ingrown hairs.
What not to do in Aftershaves for Sensitive Skin
Before moving towards the recipes, let me share with you the list of ingredients that should not be used if you have sensitive skin. These are commonly found in many store-bought aftershaves and could be irritating for you:
Alcohol (denatured alcohol or SD alcohol): Alcohol alleviates the danger of an infection and evaporates on our skin but it is very damaging for sensitive skin.
Fragrance (synthetic): One of the most common sulfates that many people experience as an irritant is artificial fragrances. Inquire for products which contain no oils or minimal oils.
Parabens: Those that have a hormonal disrupting effect and can lead to skin irritation.
Sulfates: These are normally destructive to the skin and more so to the skins of those who shave.
As you have established what mainly terrific regarding aftershave balm and the components to prevent implementing, it is time to learn how to develop your aftershave balm.
Recipe 1: Veil of Fragrance Mild Aloe aftershave balm
Perfect for: Sensitive skin with tendency towards dry skin and skin that becomes red easily.
Aloe vera has been conquered the world when it comes to healing the skin. In this recipe it is incorporated with really hydrating oils and skin calming essential oils and it turned into an aftershave balm which is equivalent to a warm hug for my skin.
Ingredients:
Aloe vera gel – 2 tbsp of fresh aloe vera gel Facing hydration related problems, you have to make aloe vera facial.
1 tbsp organic extra virgin coconut oil
1 tbsp sweet almond oil; you can try using jojoba oil instead.
It also helps by doing the following: 5 drops lavender essential oil.
Energetically, 5 drops of chamomile essential oil
Instructions:
In another bowl, whisk the aloe vera gel and coconut oil until they combine well.
Finally add in the sweet almond oil and mix the ingredients well.
Add the essential oils, and stir the mixture slowly.
Pour it into a small jar or container that has a lid before you start using it.
Store in a cool, dry place. You can also cool it up in the refrigerator, chilled will help you to take it easy.
How to Use:
Scoop a pinch of balm and warm it between your hand after you have shaved.
Sparingly apply the balm on your skin after using a shaving cream, and then rub it in.
it can simply be allowed to soak for a while before dressing.
Benefits:
Aloe vera on the skin causes it to cool, which helps to reduce the inflammation of skin problems.
Coconut oil provides moisture and can create a layer upon the skin thus providing shield.
Sweet almond oil helps the skin to be moisturised and replenished.
Lavender and chamomile oils soothe the skin from redness and inflammation.
Recipe 2: I present the Shea Butter & Witch Hazel Balm.
Perfect for: Razor burn-prone skin
Shea butter is a wonderful emollient that can benefit your skin well without it becoming oily Shea butter also helps to soothe the skin where razor burn has occurred, and witch hazel soothes any inflammation and redness.
Ingredients:
200 g shea butter, choose unrefined if possible
1 tbsp jojoba oil
Witch hazel – 1 tablespoon, but preferably that which does not contain alcohol.
In this bath, you will need 5 drops tea tree essential oil.
10 droppers of water followed by 5 drops of peppermint essential oil.
Instructions:
To prepare it, you need to melt the shea butter over a double boiler range until it becomes fully liquid.
Take the mix off the heat and add the jojoba oil into the mix.
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties, making it great for preventing ingrown hairs and irritation.
Recipe 3: Coconut Oil & Chamomile Balm
Perfect for: Skin which reacts to irritants and is easily inflamed
The idea of this balm is extremely easy and yet very effective. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and has an anti-inflammatory quality; chamomile is calming.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp coconut oil – organic, extra virgin, unrefined.
1 tbsp beeswax pellets (optional if wanting a thicker texture to the balms).
1 tablespoon chamomile olive oil
5 drops frakincense essential oil
Instructions:
With adult supervision, combine your coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler and melt the mixture.
After doing so, remove from heat and mix in the olive oil which has been infused with chamomile.
Finally include the frankincense essential oil and stir well.
Transfer to a small jar and allow to set.
How to Use:
Shave then apply a small amount of it to your skin by gently rubbing.
This balm will not only restore the shine of your skin but will not make the skin oily at all.
Benefits:
Coconut oil is useful for decreasing inflammation and increasing the moisture of the skin.
Chamomile has a calming effect for the skin and is beneficial in ridding the skin of redness.
Frankincense essential oil has also benefits for skin, particularly after shaving, when the skin needs time to recover.
What You Need to Know When Making DIY Aftershave Balms
While DIY aftershave balms are generally safe and effective, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
1. Patch Test
When using any new product make sure to do a patch test on a small area of the skin first. You can get reactions to natural products as well if you are sensitive to some oils or plants for instance.
2. Fresh Ingredients
A lot of factors go into making a quality gel, ranging from the quality of aloe that is used to that of the oils and other ingredients that need to be of top quality and processed freshly. Oils that are either rancid or expired can lead to skin irritation and / or breakouts.
3. Storage
Since these DIY balms don’t contain any preservatives, it’s best if you keep them in a cool, dry, and dark area. Chamomile infusion, fresh aloe vera or anything that you add to your balm may allow it to last a little longer, if refrigerated.
4. Customize to Your Needs
Feel free to experiment with essential oils and base oils to suit your skin type. If you have acne-prone skin, consider using tea tree oil. If you’re sensitive to fragrances, stick with fragrance-free versions of the recipe.