Best for…
This lotion-gel hybrid feels refreshing and blankets skin with lightweight, soothing moisture. The scent, however, isn’t anything to write home about.
Harry’s Post-Shave Balm is a worthy blueprint for the modern aftershave. Affordably priced and gentle as a whisper, it cools on contact — without the sting.
With just a light squeeze, the lotion oozes from the tiny opening of its flip-cap top, making for the most controlled dispersion among all the aftershaves we tried. And thanks to the slightly gelatinous texture, this lotion goes only where you want it to; one tester described the consistency as “more cohesive” than the others he tried. Plus, Harry’s Post-Shave Balm takes minimal effort to rub in and leaves behind a featherlight blanket of moisture (it includes hydrating glycerin) that testers preferred to the Jack Black Post Shave Cooling Gel, which was thick and less cooperative.
Testers also liked this gel-cream’s brief, cooling sensation and calming aftereffects, which could be due to the inclusion of aloe vera, a well-known skin soother, and panthenol, an effective anti-inflammatory, according to cosmetic chemist Amanda Lam.
The aroma — like Barbicide with a hint of ginger and lemon — got mixed reviews from our panel, but it dissipates quickly, a bonus for those who wore cologne and didn’t want to worry about clashing scents.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- The cooling sensation is fleeting; some testers wished it lasted longer.
- The scent comes from a combination of essential oils and a synthetic fragrance blend, something to keep in mind if you have especially sensitive skin.
Key specs
Price: 3.4-ounce bottle for $8 (about $2.35 per ounce)
