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Redken Brews After Shave Balm
Redken

Redken Brews After Shave Balm

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Cetyl alcohol + 9 more
Works
What the product description says
“Just-shaven skin feels calm and hydrated without sticky residue.”
Source: Lookfantastic CA

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin, caprylyl glycol.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycine soja sterols, cetyl alcohol.

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.9–4.8%
Cetyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~0.75–1.1%
Glycine soja sterolsKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin~0.3–0.6%
Hydrogenated polyisobutene· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: LowUsed to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin~5.6–6.8%
Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~1.9–2.3%
Myristyl alcohol· EmollientEffect: LowHelps to stabilize the product formulation while softening the upper layer of the skin. Can be irritating~1.6–1.9%
Isopropyl palmitate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency~0.4–0.6%
Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.35–0.6%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~0.8–1.2%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~0.25–0.4%
AllantoinUnder-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.2–0.4%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
6 strong irritants: Parfum, Menthol + 4 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 15 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~3–3.6%est.
Myristyl alcoholHelps to stabilize the product formulation while softening the upper layer of the skin. Can be irritatingHigh~1.6–1.9%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.45–0.7%est.
Menthol—High~0.25–0.45%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.2–0.35%est.
Hexyl cinnamalA fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritantHigh~0.2–0.35%est.
CoumarinA fragrance. Is a likely skin allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.3%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.25%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.8–1.2%est.
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistencyMedium~0.4–0.6%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.35–0.6%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.25–0.45%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.2%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency3/5~0.4–0.6%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Hydrogenated polyisobutene~5.6–6.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrogenated polyisobutene
Glycerin~3.9–4.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Propylene glycol~3–3.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Peg-100 stearate~2.4–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture

More about Peg-100 stearate
Glyceryl stearate~1.9–2.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Myristyl alcohol~1.6–1.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to stabilize the product formulation while softening the upper layer of the skin. Can be irritating

More about Myristyl alcohol
Peg-5 pentaerythrityl ether~1.4–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Peg-5 pentaerythrityl ether
Ppg-5 pentaerythrityl ether~1.2–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ppg-5 pentaerythrityl ether
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.8–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialAnti-agingAnti-blemish

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Cetyl alcohol~0.75–1.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Parfum~0.45–0.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Stearyl alcohol~0.55–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Stearyl alcohol
Ozokerite~0.45–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken the product consistency

More about Ozokerite
Isopropyl palmitate~0.4–0.6%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency

More about Isopropyl palmitate
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Caprylyl glycol~0.35–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Glycine soja sterols~0.3–0.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Glycine soja sterols
Menthol~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Menthol
Disodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Argilla~0.35–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Argilla
Magnesium aluminum silicate~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-aging

Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Magnesium aluminum silicate
Allantoin~0.2–0.4%
Under-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryMoisturizingReduces rednessAnti-blemishReduces irritationExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Tocopherol~0.25–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Limonene~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Hexyl cinnamal~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritant

More about Hexyl cinnamal
Cedrus atlantica bark oil~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Cedrus atlantica bark oil
Coumarin~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Is a likely skin allergen and can be irritating

More about Coumarin
Linalool~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Citric acid~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Benzyl alcohol~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Ingredient list view

Water, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Glycerin, Propylene glycol, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Myristyl alcohol, Peg-5 pentaerythrityl ether, Ppg-5 pentaerythrityl ether, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Cetyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Stearyl alcohol, Ozokerite, Isopropyl palmitate, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl glycol, Glycine soja sterols, Menthol, Disodium edta, Argilla, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Limonene, Hexyl cinnamal, Cedrus atlantica bark oil, Coumarin, Linalool, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium benzoate

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
RedkenBrews After Shave BalmYOUR PRODUCTMALIN + GOETZVitamin E Shaving CreamCharles + LeeShave GelTaylor of Old Bond StreetOrganic Shave Cream Bowl
Match—34%34%32%
Price—$40.00$15.17$22.99
Shared key ingredients—3 of 42 of 42 of 4
Key difference—Salicylic AcidPanthenolJojoba Oil
Irritancy High Medium Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Final report of the cosmetic ingredient review expert panel on the safety assessment of Polyisobutene and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene as used in cosmeticssemanticscholar.org
  2. 2
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  6. 6
    Cosmetic allergy from myristyl alcoholncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Redken Brews After Shave Balm
RedkenBrews After Shave Balm
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.