Best Overall
PRORASO AFTERSHAVE LOTION
Proraso PRORASO AFTERSHAVE LOTION

Name a more iconic combo than a good shave and Proraso aftershave — we’ll wait! This classic choice has been a barbershop favorite for decades for keeping your skin clear and hydrated with stellar ingredients like eucalyptus.

Best Budget Buy
Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm
Nivea Men Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm

It’s the brand you trust for seriously smooth skin at an affordable price! The alcohol-free formula with witch hazel and chamomile is enhanced with vitamin E to make your skin feel soft, and guys can’t seem to get enough.

Best for Smooth Skin
Baxter of California Aftershave Balm
Baxter of California Baxter of California Aftershave Balm

Say bye to razor bumps and irritated skin with this alcohol-free balm that works wonders with killer ingredients such as tea tree oil and aloe to soothe skin immediately post shave.

Best Splurge
Lab Series 3-in-1 Post-Shave
Lab Series Lab Series 3-in-1 Post-Shave

Make your skin feel oh-so-smooth and refine your facial hair over time? Yes, please! With its plant-derived ingredients, you won’t believe the change this aftershave will make.

Best Scented Aftershave
Lather & Wood Shaving Co. Sandalwood Aftershave Balm
Lather & Wood Shaving Co. Lather & Wood Shaving Co. Sandalwood Aftershave Balm

Free of harsh chemicals and alcohol, this long-lasting masculine-scented aftershave is life changing, with ingredients like aloe, jojoba seed oil, coconut oil, and witch hazel.

Feeling the burn every time you shave? There's nothing worse than trying to clean up that scruff for a sharp look only to suffer from red, irritated skin and bumps. Aftershave to the rescue! With key ingredients like witch hazel and aloe, your skin will be free of irritation and infection, and it'll be oh, so smooth. Rub on these aftershave balms for a clean cut with clear skin.

Learn More About Our Top Five Picks:

Best Overall

Proraso Aftershave Lotion

Proraso Aftershave Lotion

Pro: It works like a dream, and it'll make you feel like you're at an old-school barber shop
Con: It contains alcohol, which can irritate and dry out sensitive skin

Bottom Line: This lotion is one of the most trusted aftershaves, thanks to ingredients like witch hazel and eucalyptus, and it comes at a good price, too.

Ever see one of those obnoxious "Italians Do It Better" shirts? After trying this liquid lotion aftershave, we finally get it. There's a cult-like following for Proraso aftershave balms, and with good reason. Witch hazel and eucalyptus work to reduce inflammation, tone your skin, and clear your pores of dirt and bacteria. When a brand has been trusted and loved by men since the '40s for that perfect shave, you know you have to try it.

Best Budget Buy

Nivea For Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm

Nivea For Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm

Pro: It gets the job done at a great affordable price
Con: Users with oily skin may experience excess oil and breakouts

Bottom Line: One of the best options you can get, at a low-price that won’t make you think twice.

The never-ending search for an aftershave to help your irritated sensitive skin is over. While it may be a common thought that the best grooming and beauty products have to be expensive, this non-greasy aftershave balm proves otherwise with a stellar trio of witch hazel, chamomile, and vitamin E. Keep your post-shaving routine simple with this aftershave that moisturizes with a cooling sensation, and it's packed with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties. Cue the slow clap for this all-star balm.

Looking for more awesome affordable aftershaves? We have you (and your skin) covered.

Every Man Jack Post Shave Face Lotion
Every Man Jack Post Shave Face Lotion

$5.20

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Every Man Jack
Harry’s Post-Shave Balm for Men
Harry’s Post-Shave Balm for Men

$7.99

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Harry’s
Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated Aftershave for Men
Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated Aftershave for Men

$5.22

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Pacific Shaving Company
Product, Skin care, Cream, Material property, Hand, Sunscreen, Cosmetics, Lotion,
L'Oréal Paris Men Expert Hydra Energetic After Shave Balm

$6.17

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tk
Product, Water, Liquid, Lotion, Personal care, Fluid, Skin care, Hair care, Plastic bottle, Cosmetics,
Tend Skin Solution Aftershave for Men

$14.29

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tk
Product, Cosmetics, Material property, Cream, Skin care, Personal care,
Burt's Bees Natural Skin Care for Men Aftershave

$6.99

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tk


Best for Smooth Skin

Baxter of California Aftershave Balm

Baxter of California Aftershave Balm

Pro: It helps put an end to razor bumps
Con: Expensive

Bottom Line: The high-quality ingredients in this pick make a big difference in the battle against irritation.

Baxter of California packs the dream team of ingredients to prevent razor bumps and irritation in this alcohol-free aftershave formula. While you might be familiar with aloe if you've ever had a gnarly sunburn, another ingredient in this product is tea tree oil, which works like witch hazel to prevent acne, lighten skin scarring, and seriously soothe your skin after cleaning up your mug.

Add glycerin (great for combating acne and redness while hydrating skin) and allantoin (fights irritation and stimulates healthy tissue growth), and there's no razor that can stop you from having perfect skin after a close shave. While there are slightly more affordable options on the market, this aftershave has the great quality Baxter of California is known for, and that’s what makes it a men’s grooming go-to.

Best Splurge

Lab Series 3-in-1 Post Shavepinterest
Lab Series

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Pro: It does more than just clear your skin
Con: It’s expensive for such a small amount

Bottom Line: If you can afford it, this aftershave will go from being a luxury to a necessity.

When you're having a rough morning, shaving can feel like a chore that you don't want to deal with, especially if you often get razor burn. This post-shave is a winner! Not only will it give you smooth skin without burn or bumps, but you'll also notice your facial hair growing slower and softer with a finer texture (aka less shaving!). This one is good for all skin types, but men who are acne-prone will be happy to know this formula includes saw palmetto, which works as an anti-inflammatory. Sea whip extract is another winning ingredient that comes from Caribbean gorgonian coral (where it lives under extreme conditions) to calm and heal skin while fighting aging. There's a reason this post-shave is a best-seller!

Best Scented Aftershave

Lather & Wood Shaving Co. Sandalwood Aftershave Balm

Lather & Wood Shaving Co. Sandalwood Aftershave Balm

Pro: Stellar ingredients, without harmful chemicals
Con: The smell isn’t for everyone

Bottom Line: While some aftershave scents barely last, this one lingers longer than the rest.

While you’ll see that most aftershaves have some sort of fragrance in their ingredients lists, most don’t last long or are strong enough to be noticed. However, this winning option holds its woodsy smell all day long. Along with witch hazel, aloe, and vitamin E, this balm also has coconut oil for extra smooth and soft skin. Plus, reviewers say the company has excellent customer service, and a representative of the brand reaches out for feedback with every purchase. No wonder this aftershave is a hit on Amazon!


More of Our Top Picks:

Looking for more? Check out these other aftershaves that'll turn you into a smooth operator in no time.

Best Unscented Aftershave

The Art of Shaving Unscented Aftershave Balm

The Art of Shaving Unscented Aftershave Balm

Pro: A little dab goes a long way
Con: It’s not as cheap as its competitors

Bottom Line: Keep your manly scent with a seriously smooth and sharp look.

Guys who want to keep their manly natural scent will be happy to discover this aftershave from The Art of Shaving. The effective formula has shea butter to moisturize your skin, and it works as an anti-inflammatory that's known to help minimize certain skin conditions, like blemishes and irritation. Plus, this unscented balm has vitamin C to give your skin a bright, healthy glow. While the price tag might look high, you get way more balm for your money over our splurge option, and it only requires a small amount per shave.

Here are a few more unscented aftershave options if you prefer the fragrance-free life!

Brickell Men’s Instant Relief Aftershave for Men
Brickell Men’s Instant Relief Aftershave for Men

$13.00

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Brickell
Product, Liquid, Bottle, Plant, Skin care, Fluid, Personal care,
Lather & Wood Unscented Aftershave Balm for Men

$16.97

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TK
thayers witch hazel
Thayers Men’s Alcohol-Free Unscented Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Formula Aftershave

$10.95

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TK
Brown, Bottle, Liquid, Drink, Hair coloring,
Thrive Men’s Restoring Face Aftershave Balm for Sensitive Skin

$16.10

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tk
Zirh Soothe Gel Post-Shave Solution for Men
Zirh Soothe Gel Post-Shave Solution for Men

$16.87

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Zirh
Lubriderm Men's 3-In-1 Fragrance-Free Aftershave
Lubriderm Men's 3-In-1 Fragrance-Free Aftershave

$6.96

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Lubriderm

Best Aftershave Splash

Prospector Co. KC Atwood Aftershave Splash

Prospector Co. KC Atwood Aftershave Splash

Pro: A citrus- and sandalwood-scented splash, without the alcohol sting
Con: The scent doesn’t last

Bottom Line: The bottle and brand has a charming look with an awesome citrus smell.

This small American business has made a big splash with its great-smelling aftershave. From the cool-yet-simple packaging to the story behind the name of this aftershave (named after the citrus pioneer with the world's largest grapefruit grove), this post-shave product is as charming as it is effective. With witch hazel (which has astringent properties) instead of alcohol, the splash won’t give your mug a harsh sting you’d expect, while organic aloe works as an anti-inflammatory to soothe the skin.

Read More:

Get a Whiff of the Best Men's Colognes

The 8 Men's Body Washes You'll Want to Rinse and Repeat

The Best Men's Dopp Kits to Organize Your Gear in Style

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Headshot of Adam Mansuroglu
Adam Mansuroglu
Senior Style and Gear Editor
Adam is the Senior Style and Gear Editor, overseeing grooming, gear, and fashion content on menshealth.com. In previous roles, the Brooklyn native was Senior Style and Gear Editor for Hearst Digital Media’s BestProducts.com and Fashion Editor for Cosmopolitan magazine (and also starred in the E! Network reality show So Cosmo). In his free time, he tests countless anti-aging skincare products, tries the latest men's fashion trends, and plays with crazy-cool gadgets.