A smooth shave matters, but so does how your skin feels afterwards. During shaving, the blade passes over both the stubble and the skin’s surface, which can leave it feeling tender, dry or irritated.

An aftershave balm moisturises and soothes the skin, eases dryness and tightness, and helps it recover. An aftershave lotion is usually lighter in texture: it refreshes, helps cleanse the skin and reduce the risk of inflammation, and often leaves a scent that lingers on the skin. Alum is useful for minor shaving nicks, while powder helps keep the skin dry where moisture tends to build up.