Nivea Aftershave Lotion. Hype or the real deal? My journey.....

Ever since I tried the Nivea 2in1 lotion splash, I have basically used it in practically every post shave routine regardless whether the shave was great or not. I believe my face has benefitted from consistently using this product religiously. On the days that irritation was had, this particular product came through in spades for me in reducing and practically nullifying the irritation, burning, redness and possible inflammation from just a bad shave day in the Den. It happens to us all whether it was poor technique, bad/used blade, eyes half closed wee hours of the morning or whatever reason, we all will have a bad shave now and then. The product I'm referring too here is this:




It has worked tremendously well for the past 6-7 months that I've had it. It's a two part aftershave splash/lotion that needs to be shaken to activate the ingredients. It provides a nice cooling sensation, no big time burn/quench that soothes and relieves razor burn. It feels like a traditional aftershave splash with a bit of an oily consistency that the skin almost absorbs instantaneously. No sticky residual after effect or oily feeling on the skin. The skin actually feels hydrated and protected with a nice moisterized feel.

Unfortunately, this particular item is not available stateside, and is either purchased through auction sites like eBay or etsy at a much higher price than retail. You can get lucky and find it on sites such as notino or jet, but they pop up very rarely.

So, I decided to purchase a few more of these Nivea aftershave lotion/splash products (4 different splashes/lotions) and do a comparative test and result experiment. Just to see if these other Nivea products perform better, equal to or less than the 2in1 product that I've been using. Here is a photo of those Nivea products:



I'll be using each product exclusively for 7 complete shaves. Once the first set of shaves is complete, I'll move on to the next product in line and do the same 7 shave test and so forth until I go through all four items. I'll post all the ingredients of each product once I begin each trial phase and any particular tidbits such as alcohol based or alcohol free and whatever else that might be pertinent to each item.

If anyone would like to post their thoughts and experience about these particular products, please do so. Positive or negative makes no difference. All input would be appreciated from new or old (newbies or vets in the wet shaving world).

I think that most Gents that have tried the Nivea product line have been limited to mostly the balms, as that is what is mostly available here in the US. The splashes are scarce in places like Walmart, Target, CVS and other retailers.

I'll be starting this trial run on the first day of the new week, Sunday the 25th of February. Better to keep track and stay focused starting fresh and run from the first day of the week to the last.

Like I said, posts, thoughts, opinions and experiences would be extremely helpful and informative for all. Post away Gents..

Shave on!!!!

Looking forward to reading about your findings. This thread could be very valuable in helping discern between the different Nivea products. (Recently, on another forum, there were a few who mentioned having an adverse reaction to a Nivea product, and I’m not sure which one it was.)

By the way, if I may, how did you originally come across the 2in1 you’ve been using?

Good information, Gus. I've always avoided Nivea, for the simple and stupid reason that my wife has used the brand. Perhaps it's as silly as wanting to pee on my own fire hydrant. I'll keep an open mind.

Looking forward to reading about your findings. This thread could be very valuable in helping discern between the different Nivea products. (Recently, on another forum, there were a few who mentioned having an adverse reaction to a Nivea product, and I’m not sure which one it was.)

By the way, if I may, how did you originally come across the 2in1 you’ve been using?

Thanks. I’ve had success with the 2in1 and just wanted to compare the other Nivea lotions to it. I actually decided on trying it out from a YouTube video from Kevvy Shaves. Had to try it out. No regrets. Unfortunately, since it’s not available here I had to acquire mine through the “bay” route. A few bucks more, but worth it in my estimation.

Good information, Gus. I've always avoided Nivea, for the simple and stupid reason that my wife has used the brand. Perhaps it's as silly as wanting to pee on my own fire hydrant. I'll keep an open mind.

If the fire hydrant is red, you’re in trouble....

To start it off, I used the Nivea Vitalizing Aftershave Lotion for this mornings shave.



I will be using a range of different razors from de’s to se’s and a couple of straights/shavettes to get a different feel on shave finishes and on how the splashes will work correspondingly to each post shave finalization. I’ll complete each shave and use each aftershave and will allow a minimum of a couple of hours to see how each splash will work short and long term on how it performs in a few categories. Real time instant effect, scent duration and long term post shave performance.

Today’s shave participants were the RR Mamba, Kai SS blade, LPL Oud-Santal soap and the Yaqi Tuxedo brush. Most of my shaves are 2 passes entailing a WTG & ATG pass with buffing and minor touch ups if necessary. At times I may make a 3rd pass XTG if the particular razor is more on the milder side as the Mamba is known to be and has proven to shave in my experience. But still a very capable shaving tool. I’ll always finish with a cold water face rinse and Humphreys Alcoholado Maravilla astringent followed by Manetti & Roberts Rose Water facial toner. Always finishing with the aftershave splash that is being tested.

I performed my shave today with a WTG, ATG and XTG 3 pass routine. Just a little bit of chin buffing to pick up a couple of stragglers and a BBS finish was attained. Very minor irritation on the chin as the alum pass proved, but everywhere else was spot on irritation free. Went through my normal post shave routine and applied the Nivea Vitalizing Aftershave Lotion. I don’t skimp on product use and always use perhaps more than most users would. But, I believe in protection, moisturizing and soothing when it comes to an aftershave splash, one shouldn’t be frugal with their face. Put a good amount into my hands and worked it into my face, neck and chin. The product was absorbed quickly and easily into my skin with out any oily, greasy or sticky after effect. The scent was nice but very subdued. No burn or bracing effect with this splash. The scent was rather short lived as it was gone in about 15-20 minutes. My face felt nicely moisterized and supple after a few minutes but the minor irritation on my chin did not subside as fast as I’m normally accustomed to with the Nivea 2in1 lotion. Probably lasted about an extra hour or so before it subsided. But after that, my skin felt very comfortable and healthy. No dryness or oily after effect. I used an edt about 20 minutes after applying the splash and it did not interfere with the scent in any way.

Not a bad start for this Nivea splash. Just thinking about the irritation on my chin and perhaps did not apply enough lotion in that area to help in soothing and relieving my irritated skin. Will keep that in mind and remember to use a better even measure of product to said areas. Will stick with this splash for this weeks shaves. Looking for better results down the road.

Here’s a pic of the ingredients list on the back label.

Got in a good shave today and put in a second use with the Nivea Vitalizing after shave lotion/splash. Decided to go with a more aggressive razor, the Parker Variant and start at a higher setting as I hadn’t shaved since Sunday. Also I was going on the 9th use of the Kai blade and was probably thinking that some irritation could be creeping up with the aggressive setting and a good used blade. Didn’t happen. Just a couple of weepers on one side of my Adam’s apple and very minor razor burn from buffing on both jawlines. I think if I would have used a lesser quality soap rather than the Grooming Dept. Voyage, it might have been a different story. Any how, went through my normal post shave routine with cold water rinse, alum pass that picked up on the jawline burn, Humphreys Alcoholado and the M&R rose water. Took a good amount of the Nivea Vitalizing lotion and went to town with it especially on both jawlines. Like I said on the first day, no burn or quench with this stuff, just a nice pleasant soothing effect with a very light scent that’s gone in less than 30 minutes. The burn subsided in about 15 minutes and my face felt soothed and moisterized after all was said and done. My skin really absorbs this stuff very quickly with no stickiness or oily feeling. So far, the Nivea Vitalizing lotion/splash has done its thing. Haven’t had any major shaving irritation or burn as of yet, but the week is still young. Next shave will be with a shavette and see how that goes.....

This was yesterday’s shave.....

Pulled out one of my straights and got an excellent shave in. Slight irritation on the jawline area but everywhere else was on point. Grabbed a good amount of the Nivea Vitalizing lotion and slapped it on making sure to get real good coverage on both jawlines. A very nice soothing and calming sensation and the irritation was pretty much gone in 15-20 minutes. An hour later I didn’t feel any discomfort and the scent was long gone from the aftershave. This stuff will not interfere with your preferred scent, cologne or edt/edp. My skin feels smooth, hydrated and healthy. Nivea Vitalizing is making a case to hang in the den with the rest of them.....

Sounds like this is great stuff, Gus. For reference, have you used any of the Chatillon Lux aftershaves? Those are my gold standard. I'd love to hear how they compare. If you haven't tried a CL aftershave, I might need to bring a bottle with me when we visit Stone Cottage in May...

I'm going to look for some of that next time I'm at the pharmacy. My use of Nivea has so far been the Sensitive Shave Cream - that stuff is awesome and its cheap cheap. Really mild scent would be my only complaint.

Sounds like this is great stuff, Gus. For reference, have you used any of the Chatillon Lux aftershaves? Those are my gold standard. I'd love to hear how they compare. If you haven't tried a CL aftershave, I might need to bring a bottle with me when we visit Stone Cottage in May...

Chatillon Lux post shave products are tops in my book.