All the different types of products we’ve tested here have very much the same purpose in the post-shave scenario: calming and moisturising skin that has been aggravated by shaving, dealing with resulting problems such as rashes, itching, redness and burning, all described by various members of our panel.

This product has a lower concentration of perfume oils, around 5%. It usually lasts three or four hours and can be reapplied if necessary, but won't deliver the same effects of an eau de parfum or eau de toilette. Aftershave As our lifestyles continue to become more conscious towards the planet and personal wellbeing, you can learn a lot from taking a moment to read through and understand the formulas and ethics behind your grooming products. In the case of aftershave balm, look out for key ingredients that are renowned for their skin-nurturing qualities: aloe vera is well know for soothing skin and repairing damage; calendula has anti-inflammatory qualities that can help to calm rashes; shea butter helps keep skin smooth and hydrated; while oils like jojoba or argan can further soothe and soften skin without stinging or leaving a greasy residue. A high quality aftershave balm will sign off your clean shave with the assurance that your skin is being revived to full strength. It will cool and calm any immediate soreness while relieving any dryness with a hefty does of moisture. Nurturing ingredients will then get to work treating any lingering irritation, redness and sensitivity. Allow us to introduce you to four of our favourite Aesop hand soaps: { Aesop Resurrection Hand Wash}

What sets Aesop apart from other brands is that their focus isn’t on anything ‘anti’, so you won’t find any products promising anti-ageing or anti-acne. Instead, this forward-thinking beauty brand strives to complement a balanced lifestyle, helping you to grow old gracefully and love the skin you’re in. Armani’s Acqua di Gio (launched in 1996) defined a generation by being one of the first and subsequently one of the most successful aquatic masculine fragrances. This new interpretation, in an intensified eau de parfum concentration, shows the Italian designer’s commitment to sustainability; eco-conceived, refillable and composed of consciously-sourced ingredients. Aromatic and luminous, it ingeniously captures the original fragrance’s marine signature with a new molecule that allows its freshness to last infinitely. Master perfumer, Alberto Morillas, who has shaped all of the Acqua di Gio fragrances chose natural and sustainably-sourced sparkling green mandarin from Calabria, radiant and reminiscent of the designer’s Mediterranean roots, to open the crystalline scent. Clary sage heart from Provence (aromatic, warm and mineral), lavender and geranium bourbon heart from Madagascar, give it a masculine-floral facet. Patchouli Guatemala essence, with woody, balsamic and earthy qualities, cedarwood Atlas essence, vetiver heart (sustainably sourced in Haiti) complete this brave and evocative edp. Crafted from the Crown Perfumery Company archives from 1925 to join Clive Christian’s Crown Collection in 2023, Town & Country pays pays tribute to the contrasting quiet, rejuvenating freshness of the countryside and the sophisticated elegance of London Town. The Crown Collection, first launched in 2020 has risen to become one of the leading collections under the Clive Christian perfume house. Each signature red bottle tells a story from the past, a secret formula from the brand's archives in the storied Crown Perfumery Company, re-imagined for the modern day connoisseur of this stealth-luxury British perfume house. First crafted in 1925, Town & Country was said to have been worn by Winston Churchill and was a defining scent for the house loved by British and global royalty, celebrities and influencers of the day. The remake takes the signature herbaceous blend referenced from the old formula books with clary sage and juniper in its top. Given a citrus twist with lemon and bergamot, the heart of the fragrance sings with cardamom, white tea, olibanum and sandalwood, finishing with notes of grey amber, base of kashmir fusion, patchouli and cedarwood. Generally the most expensive of the group, eau de parfum can last up to eight hours and contains a concentration of between 15 and 20 per cent perfume oils. It's the most common dilution on the market and is the best option if you're looking for richer, deeper notes. Less is always more. Eau de Toilette

Fusing the spontaneity of a cologne with the sophistication of a perfume, LV’s collection of Cologne Parfums is an odyssey of scent inspired by the dramatic landscape, light and beauty of America’s Pacific Coast; a truly Californian adventure. The latest addition to the collection, Pacific Chill, is Inspired by L.A’s renowned health and wellness culture. Characterised by an ethereal, fruity mist and floral depth, it tells a tale of vitality and the pleasures that come from the light of a new day warming the skin; a kind of cool, purifying vibe. All of Goldfield & Banks artisan fragrances pay tribute to the lush, aromatic and botanical landscape of Australia. From its dramatic sweeping plains to the turquoise fringed coast, this luxurious collection of gender-free scents are unique in their use of rare indigenous ingredients, unexplored in modern perfumery. Founded by artistic director, Dimitri Weber, all of the fragrances have a rich concentration of 20 per cent + essences and are tested under extreme humid weather conditions. The latest addition to its botanical series is based around lavender from Tasmania; a sweet and clean cultivar of the highly fragrant lavendula angustifolia species which was introduced a century ago to the continent. Harvested and steam distilled into an essential oil, it has a personality which is slightly woody, floral and herbaceous. Opening with pink pepper before exploring precious woods, spices and luxurious leather, its baseline features a heady blend of oud, amber and patchouli from Indonesia. Most aftershave balms are handily created to care for all skin types. But it should be considered a must-have product for men who have particularly sensitive skin and are susceptible to experiencing any degree of irritation after shaving. The last thing you want to be leaving the house with is a face that looks red or sore and feels tight. Your aftershave balm should be kind to your skin, fast-absorbing for comfort, and don’t go overlooking the value of an attractive scent. This updated concentration of the internationally acclaimed, original Elysium parfum cologne (2017), opens a new and exciting chapter for this iconic scent. A stepped-up and enriched experience in comparison to the founding fragrance, this new Eau Intense reimagines the original by increasing its three defining signatures: fresh, woody and sensual characteristics. The freshness of the top becomes even brighter and more succulent, the woodiness of the base becomes even dryer, warmer and more rounded and the musks become more sensual, bringing an extra depth which runs throughout the fragrance; weightless and luminescent in the top and animalic in the base.Inspired by a very old collection of seeds and seedlings gathered by 18th century botanists, Buly’s new Les Jardins Français collection of scents brings to life an intoxicating and unique palette of garden-influenced fragrances. The best of nature transformed into expertly-refined and surprising scents, the collection harvests vegetable-based notes, which have been largely forgotten in perfumery, with aromatic finesse. Like a morning stroll through the vegetable garden and orchard, Iraqi Beetroot And Egyptian Rhubarb is an earthy yet bright genderless fragrance with a subtle but tangy twang. Crisp, exhilarating, untamed, fresh and aromatic, the latest addition to Molton Brown’s stable of signature, genderless fragrances is actually a contemporary twist on a classic (fern-like) fougère. Composed by MB’s senior perfumer, Nathalie Koobus, it contrasts both stimulating and soothing: the exploration of a cool forest with its shady banks of shrubs, stalks and bushes, against the freedom and adventure of going off-grid. Le Labo — the NYC-based artisanal perfume house founded by Fabrice Penot and Edouard Roschi — has carved out a niche and earned a loyal following with its luxurious and unconventional hand-blended scents. Thé Matcha 26 is the first new addition to the brand’s Classic Collection of fine fragrances for quite some time; an ode to Japan, composed of 26 raw ingredients. Post-shave aggravation can be relatively mild for a lot of guys, but things can soon become very painful and severe if you suffer from the likes of razor burn or ingrown hairs. These are issues you really want to be as prepared for as possible, particularly if you like to shave just before heading out the door and find yourself requiring some urgent relief. What does aftershave balm do?