Most pages that rank for best men's aftershave in Australia are cologne and perfume lists. This page is about what goes on your face after the razor: aftershave balms, lotions and splashes. We compared eight listings from seven brands by type, size, whether the listing says alcohol free, the scent notes it names and its rating with the count behind it. For a bottle of scent to wear all day, our men's cologne guide covers eau de toilette and cologne.
Best men's aftershave overall: NIVEA MEN Sensitive Post Shave Balm
Best men's aftershave overall: the NIVEA MEN Sensitive Post Shave Balm, because it is the most rated of the eight aftershaves here, alcohol free and made for men with sensitive skin, and it comes as a pack of three.
This is a pack of three bottles of about 98 ml each. The listing describes VitaminPro Complex with vitamin E, provitamin B5 and chamomile extract, a fast absorbing, non greasy balm with no drying alcohols that is suitable for daily use, and says it fights five signs of shaving irritation: burning, micro cuts, dryness, tightness and stubble itch. It holds 4.7 stars from 17,411 ratings, shared with the Sensitive Cool pack and the biggest count of any pick here.
It suits a man who shaves most days and finds his skin burns or feels tight afterwards. The honest catch: it is a pack of three, better for someone who already likes a balm than for a first try.
Best classic barbershop splash: Clubman Pinaud After Shave Lotion
Best classic barbershop splash: the Clubman Pinaud After Shave Lotion, because the listing describes vibrant citrus scents of bergamot, orange and hints of lemon, and more than seventeen thousand buyers rate it 4.6 stars.
This is the 177 ml bottle. The listing calls it a smooth masculine fragrance and a refreshing splash, and says it soothes tender skin and hydrates. It is rated 4.6 from 17,149 ratings, shared with the larger bottle and second only to the NIVEA pack here.
It suits a man who wants a citrus scent and a refreshing splash, as the listing puts it. The honest catch: it is a splash, not a balm, and the listing does not say alcohol free the way the NIVEA and Proraso balm listings do.
Best aftershave balm for sensitive skin: Proraso After Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin
Best aftershave balm for sensitive skin: the Proraso After Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin, because the listing describes an alcohol free formula with green tea and oatmeal extract to soothe, rated 4.6 stars by more than five thousand buyers.
This is the single 100 ml size. The listing says it gives immediate relief to irritated or sensitive skin, and that the alcohol free formula combines the benefits of a balsam and is enriched with vitamin E. It is rated 4.6 from 5,629 ratings.
It suits a man who wants a sensitive skin balm in one 100 ml size rather than a pack of three. The honest catch: a daily shaver empties 100 ml faster than three NIVEA bottles, and its 5,629 ratings are about a third of the NIVEA count.
Best value aftershave balm: Viking Revolution Luxury After Shave Balm
Best value aftershave balm: the Viking Revolution Luxury After Shave Balm, because it costs less than every other balm here, has a large rating count, and its title names a scent, sandalwood.
The listing says the balm is designed for all skin types, including sensitive skin, is formulated to soothe irritation, leaves skin feeling soft without drying out and provides hydration. Its specification gives a unit count of 60 ml. It is rated 4.3 from 8,827 ratings.
It suits a man who wants a scented balm on a budget. The honest catch: its 4.3 stars are the lowest rating of the eight picks, and at 60 ml it is the smallest bottle here.
Best refreshing aftershave lotion: Proraso Refreshing After Shave Lotion
Best refreshing aftershave lotion: the Proraso Refreshing After Shave Lotion, because its listing names eucalyptus oil and menthol, refreshing and invigorating, and it holds 4.6 stars from more than fourteen thousand ratings.
The listing title calls it a refreshing and invigorating after shave lotion with eucalyptus oil and menthol in a 100 ml bottle, and its short description pairs eucalyptus oil with purifying and menthol with revitalising. It is rated 4.6 from 14,511 ratings, the third largest count here.
It suits a man who likes the feel of menthol after a morning shave. The honest catch: the listing's bullet points mix in text for other products, so the facts here come from its title, and menthol is the whole point of it, so a man who wants something soothing on sensitive skin should look at the Proraso balm or the NIVEA pack instead.
Best classic scent aftershave: Old Spice Aftershave Lotion
Best classic scent aftershave: the Old Spice Aftershave Lotion, because the listing describes the cool, crisp and clean, unmistakably masculine scent of Old Spice, and it rates 4.5 stars from more than five thousand ratings.
This is the 125 ml bottle. The listing says it is for after shaving, for after showering and for whenever you want to feel cool and refreshed, and says nothing about skin type or alcohol content. It is rated 4.5 from 5,516 ratings.
It suits a man who already knows the Old Spice smell, and it is an easy gift for a dad who has used it for years. The honest catch: for 125 ml it costs more than most picks here, and the listing gives scent only, with no soothing claims.
Best budget aftershave splash: Adidas Ice Dive After Shave
Best budget aftershave splash: the Adidas Ice Dive After Shave, because the listing names notes of mint leaves, lavender, bergamot and geranium, and it rates 4.6 stars at one of the lowest prices on this page.
The listing describes a 100 ml after shave inspired by the strength and freshness of the ocean and files it as a personal fragrance. It is rated 4.6 from 1,053 ratings.
It suits a man buying his first aftershave, or a Christmas stocking. The honest catch: it has just over a thousand ratings, a thinner record than the big name picks, and the listing makes no soothing or skin claims.
Best aftershave for razor bumps: Bump Patrol Original Formula After Shave Intensive Treatment
Best aftershave for razor bumps: the Bump Patrol Original Formula After Shave Intensive Treatment, because the listing positions it for anyone prone to razor bumps, razor burn and ingrown hairs, and it rates 4.5 stars from more than three thousand ratings.
This is a bottle of about 118 ml. The listing says it is for anyone prone to razor bumps, razor burn, ingrown hairs and irritation while shaving, suits all skin types, and goes on everywhere you shaved after a normal shave. Its directions say to use a small amount after shaving your face and neck, once a day. It claims visible results for most people in as little as 48 hours and optimal results around 7 days, in its own words. It is rated 4.5 from 3,266 ratings.
It suits a man who gets razor bumps after shaving and cares more about that than scent. The honest catch: it is a treatment, not a scented aftershave, so its bullet points are about bumps and burn rather than fragrance, and its results claims are the listing's, not ours.
How to choose a men's aftershave
Balm, lotion or splash
A balm is a cream that absorbs: the NIVEA, Proraso and Viking Revolution balms. A lotion or splash is a liquid: the Clubman Pinaud, Old Spice, Proraso Refreshing and Adidas picks, whose listings talk mostly about fragrance. The Bump Patrol is a treatment, and its bullet points say nothing about scent. Decide whether you want to calm skin, smell good or deal with bumps, and the type follows.
Alcohol free or not
If you want an alcohol free aftershave, look for those words on the listing. The NIVEA listing says no drying alcohols and the Proraso balm listing says alcohol free formula. The Viking Revolution listing says all skin types including sensitive skin but not alcohol free. None of the splash listings here says alcohol free, although the Clubman listing says it soothes tender skin.
Scent, and how aftershave differs from cologne
Aftershave goes on the face after shaving and the scent is part of the shave. Cologne and eau de toilette are fragrance to wear all day, and our men's cologne guide covers them. The notes each listing names are in the table below.
Size and pack
Sizes come from the listings: NIVEA three bottles of about 98 ml each, Clubman Pinaud 177 ml, Old Spice 125 ml, Bump Patrol about 118 ml, 100 ml each for the two Proraso picks and the Adidas Ice Dive, and the Viking Revolution 60 ml. A daily shaver uses far more than a weekend shaver, so the NIVEA pack of three suits a daily routine and a single 100 ml bottle suits a first try.
Ratings and what the counts tell you
Every pick here is rated 4.3 or higher. The NIVEA pack and the Clubman Pinaud each carry more than seventeen thousand ratings, both shared across pack or bottle sizes. The Adidas Ice Dive has 1,053, so its 4.6 rests on far fewer buyers.
What each listing states
Not stated marks a figure the listing's bullet points leave out.
| Pick | Type | Size | Alcohol free | Scent the listing names | Rating |
|---|
| NIVEA MEN Sensitive balm | Balm | 3 bottles, about 98 ml each | Yes | Not stated | 4.7 from 17,411 |
| Clubman Pinaud lotion | Lotion, splash | 177 ml | Not stated | Citrus, bergamot, orange, hints of lemon | 4.6 from 17,149 |
| Proraso sensitive skin balm | Balm | 100 ml | Yes | Not stated | 4.6 from 5,629 |
| Viking Revolution balm | Balm | 60 ml | Not stated | Sandalwood | 4.3 from 8,827 |
| Proraso Refreshing lotion | Lotion | 100 ml | Not stated | Eucalyptus oil and menthol | 4.6 from 14,511 |
| Old Spice lotion | Lotion | 125 ml | Not stated | Cool, crisp and clean Old Spice scent | 4.5 from 5,516 |
| Adidas Ice Dive | After shave, personal fragrance | 100 ml | Not stated | Mint leaves, lavender, bergamot, geranium | 4.6 from 1,053 |
| Bump Patrol treatment | Treatment | About 118 ml | Not stated | Not stated | 4.5 from 3,266 |
The rest of the shave
An aftershave only finishes the job. For the cream that goes on first, read our shaving cream guide, and for the razor our safety razor guide. Nothing on this page is a shaving cream or a razor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an aftershave balm, lotion and splash?
A balm is a cream that absorbs into the skin: the NIVEA MEN Sensitive balm listing calls it fast absorbing and non greasy. A lotion or splash is a liquid, like the Clubman Pinaud, which its listing calls a refreshing splash. Balm listings here talk mostly about soothing skin, and splash listings mostly about scent.
Is aftershave the same as cologne?
No. Aftershave goes on the face after shaving, and the listings here describe soothing, like the NIVEA MEN Sensitive balm, or a scent, like the Clubman Pinaud citrus splash. Cologne and eau de toilette are fragrance made to be worn all day. Most pages that rank for this search are cologne lists, and our men's cologne guide covers those.
What is the most popular men's aftershave in Australia?
Of the eight aftershaves compared here, the NIVEA MEN Sensitive Post Shave Balm has the most ratings, 17,411 at 4.7 stars, shared with its Sensitive Cool pack. The Clubman Pinaud After Shave Lotion is close behind at 17,149 ratings and 4.6 stars, and the Proraso Refreshing lotion has 14,511. Those three are the popular choices on this page.
What is the best aftershave for young men?
For a first aftershave the Adidas Ice Dive After Shave is the easy pick: its listing names notes of mint leaves, lavender, bergamot and geranium, it rates 4.6 stars and costs less than most picks here. For skin that burns after a shave, the alcohol free NIVEA MEN Sensitive balm listing says it fights burning and stubble itch.
Is an expensive men's aftershave worth it?
This page compares everyday aftershaves, so it cannot say whether a designer or luxury bottle is worth more. Among these eight, the Clubman Pinaud, with 17,149 ratings, is one of the cheaper bottles, while the Old Spice Aftershave Lotion costs more than most picks for 125 ml and rates 4.5 stars. Compare type and scent first.
What is the best aftershave for sensitive skin?
The NIVEA MEN Sensitive Post Shave Balm: its listing says it is made for men with sensitive skin, contains no drying alcohols and fights burning, micro cuts, dryness, tightness and stubble itch. The Proraso After Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin is the single 100 ml alternative, with an alcohol free formula and green tea and oatmeal extract to soothe.
Which aftershave helps with razor bumps?
The Bump Patrol Original Formula After Shave Intensive Treatment is the pick made for it. Its listing says it is for anyone prone to razor bumps, razor burn, ingrown hairs and irritation while shaving, that it suits all skin types, and that you apply it everywhere you shaved. Its results claims are the listing's own, not ours.
Can you use aftershave every day?
The NIVEA MEN Sensitive balm listing says it is suitable for daily use, and the Bump Patrol directions say a small amount after shaving your face and neck, once a day. The Old Spice listing says it is for after shaving, after showering and whenever you want to feel cool. The other listings give no frequency, so follow the bottle.
Which men's aftershave smells the best?
Go by the notes each listing names. Clubman Pinaud lists citrus with bergamot, orange and hints of lemon. Adidas Ice Dive lists mint leaves, lavender, bergamot and geranium. Viking Revolution names sandalwood, Proraso Refreshing eucalyptus and menthol, and Old Spice its cool, crisp and clean scent. The NIVEA and Proraso balm bullet points describe soothing, not scent.
