I wonder when aftershave balms first appeared?

ChrisW · Post by **ChrisW** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 4:50 am

It seems like all 'old-school' aftershaves were alcohol-based (Skin Food being the exception, I think). Does anyone know when the first moisturizing aftershave balms started appearing?

95% · Post by **95%** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:54 pm

I'm sure the old-timers on this board will have a better idea, but I first became aware of aftershave creams sometime in the 1990's, when one or two of them started appearing on drugstore shelves. Skin Food, Harris' Aftershave Milk, and similar English products may have been available long before that.

For much of my shaving career, I used Noxzema following the shave, and I seem to recall it worked well as a balm.

Squire · Post by **Squire** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 6:41 pm

Ancient Egypt would be a place to start. Royalty, aristocracy, government officials, and anyone in the established pecking order who was allowed, all wore wigs over a shaved head. The shaving balm for face and head was olive oil infused with herbs, spices and other exotic stuff.

F.W. Fitch · Post by **F.W. Fitch** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 6:58 pm

I'm not sure if places such as Caswell Massey, C.O. Bigelow or Kiehl's would've had something 'in-shop' way back when. The first mass commercial one that comes to mind is "Afta" introduced by Mennen of N. Jersey in '60,'61 something like that. I have seen vintage ads from the turn of the 20th Cen. for Mentholatum ,that suggest, it's beneficial for use after shaving.

Best,
Fitch

KAV · Post by **KAV** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:55 pm

Upper Paleolithic, red ochre