alcohol based aftershaves.

I'm sure many of us here are habitual users of alcohol based aftershaves after a good shave but i'm sure you've heard about the drying/aging effects of alcohol.
I usually follow my alcohol a/s with a balm so I believe this cancels out and balances it.

How about you guys? Have you heard about the alcohol a/s effects? If so, do you ignore it and still use it, avoid it and use alcohol-free, or like me follow up an alcohol a/s with some kind of balm?

Would love to get your feedback.

Thanks!

I usually apply after shave last, after I use witch hazel I apply my balm to moisturize, then my after shave on top of that. This works well for me and I don't have a drying problem on my face.

I finish off with witch hazel that has some alcohol in it and follow up with a balm. After that I will use an EdT but even though it has alcohol, it is just a spray for scent so I am not concerned.

I use witch hazel, the with and without alcohol varieties. Then an alcohol based aftershave. Always followed by Soap Commander Integrity aftershave balm. The SC absorbs into my skin quickly leaving my face feeling soft and moisturized and doesn't mask the scent of the day's aftershave at all. Great stuff and I recommend it to anyone.

I use witch hazel, the with and without alcohol varieties.  Then an alcohol based aftershave.  Always followed by Soap Commander Integrity aftershave balm.  The SC absorbs into my skin quickly leaving my face feeling soft and moisturized and doesn't mask the scent of the day's aftershave at all.  Great stuff and I recommend it to anyone.

i've heard really good things about soap commander as well, when my current soap stock starts to run low, I'm definitely checking them out (but I still have a lot of soap so that may take a while lol)

I really think this falls into the category like so many things we do today; OVERTHINKING! Men like my father have used alcohol based aftershaves for years and years.  I would argue that "old men" age better than women because they exfoliate daily via the process of shaving and then seal the pores with a good old fashioned alcohol rub.  The reason many of us wet shave is because the "progress" of cartridge blades is not only expensive it's not a better end result.  I'll pass on balms and creams. Give me that burn in the morning only an alcohol splash provides.

Nothing but an aftershave here as well. Most (not all) alcohol based aftershaves have something in there in addition to alcohol and fragrance. For me that's usually enough. I don't think it damages the skin at all, as the surface of the skin is dead cells to begin with. Unless you are bleeding, or seeping other fluids from the skin you don't have any exposed live cells.

My after-shave routine: lukewarm water rinse, cold water rinse, alum, cold water rinse, pat drying, aftershave balm, and after 5-10 minutes I finally apply the alcohol-based lotion.

I use alcohol based aftershaves almost exclusively. I started using them in the 70s, and they are what I am used to. I like the burn, and don't have any concerns about premature aging related to their use. They leave my face feeling great, and I have no worries.
I don't have an aversion to non alcohol AS, and if I find one or two I like, I'll use them, too.

I have oily skin and much prefer an alcohol based splash to a balm. The only balm that I will use is Soap Commander. Even then, I can usually only use it in the cooler, drier months.

I do like my alcohol splashes to have something nice in them for my skin. Even Aqua Velva isn't bad with all of the glycerin in it. The basic splashes like Fine, Floïd, and even Myrsol don't leave my face feeling that great. Give me some Country Club for Men aftershave any day of the week though. This juice has allantoin in it which my skin absolutely adores.

Finally, there is an in between area as well. The non-alcohol splashes like that from Barrister & Mann. The Latha splash is aloe based if I recall correctly. This works well for me all throughout the year. However, I must be honest that I do miss the slight alcohol burn when I use this.