Glycolic Is the Fastest Acid. That's Its Design Flaw.
The smallest AHA gets deepest and shows results soonest — which is precisely why routines built around it overshoot, and why the people who do best with it use it least.
Avoid for Sensitivity
What Makes This Different
It's a sensibly-built aftershave: alcohol-free to avoid the sting and dryness of traditional aftershaves, with soothing aloe, real hyaluronic acid, and gentle AHAs that genuinely help prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs. Its thoughtful anti-ingrown approach sets it apart, though the citrus-lavender oils are a caveat on freshly-shaved skin.
Brickell
Brickell Instant Relief Aftershave for Men Review
Alcohol-Free, Anti-Bump
treatment lotion clean beauty Paraben Free Cruelty Free Vegan
Brickell's aftershave is one of the smarter, better-value products in the line: alcohol-free, so it soothes freshly-shaved skin instead of stinging it, with calming aloe and calendula, real hyaluronic acid, and a genuinely sensible touch of gentle AHAs (glycolic, malic, tartaric) that target razor bumps and ingrown hairs. At $13 it's affordable, too. The main caveat is the citrus and lavender essential oils, which can irritate freshly-shaved, more-permeable skin — but the unscented version drops them, and it's the safer pick for sensitive skin. A thoughtful, functional, well-priced aftershave, especially unscented.
Made in United States Launched 2014 All-year use PAO: 12 months
Run it through our tools Clashes with my routine? Pregnancy-safe? Find a cheaper dupe Patch-test it first
Verdicts All sensitivity products →All rough texture products →All blackheads products →
How well it fits each concern
Verdict by concern tap a concern for the case
Avoidfor SensitivityIn your profileYou chose · This formula carries fragrance — the kind of thing reactive skin flags first.
The case for it
- Aloe & Calendula has no evidence row yet for this concern — it is in the research queue.
- The formula carries a known trigger for this concern, which decides the verdict before any efficacy question.
What would change this: Removing the trigger named above would let the actives be judged on their own.
Same rule for everyone. “Avoid” is the verdict on 1,909 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule F1 decided 605 of them. Unchanged since September 5, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
Show the work
- Rule
- F1 — Sensitivity has no efficacy claim; the verdict is tolerability. · the full register
- Carrying active
- Aloe & Calendula
- Standing
- not assessed
- Form
- plausible
- Tolerability
- harsh — fragrance load
Good choicefor Rough TextureIn your profileYou chose · Glycolic Acid is a reference standard by mechanism for rough texture; this lotion carries it.
The case for it
- Gentle AHA / Fruit-Acid Complex has trial-supported standing for this concern.
- It is plausibly present at a working level, though the concentration is not declared.
- The formula carries no trigger this concern is sensitive to, with the cautions noted.
What would change this: A declared concentration would move this to a firmer reading of the dose.
Same rule for everyone. “Good choice” is the verdict on 9,564 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule R5 decided 9,072 of them. Unchanged since September 5, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
Show the work
- Rule
- R5 — Trial-supported or guideline-supported active, adequately or plausibly dosed. · the full register
- Carrying active
- Gentle AHA / Fruit-Acid Complex
- Standing
- supported — its mechanism is established
- Form
- plausible — studied range 4–10%, from the trials on the row; needs leave-on contact; judge it after ~8 weeks
- Tolerability
- standard
- Row checked
- against its sources on July 17, 2026 (evidence table ev-2026.09-r228)
The studies behind the evidence row
- International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook — declared function — Personal Care Products Council
- Harry's Cosmeticology / Baran & Maibach Textbook of Cosmetic Dermatology — humectant, emollient and occlusive classification — standard reference text
Promisingfor BlackheadsIn your profileYou chose · Glycolic Acid has trial-level evidence for blackheads but no guideline or regulatory standing yet — promising, short of a recommendation; the other actives here are not yet assessed for it.
The case for it
- Gentle AHA / Fruit-Acid Complex has trial-level evidence for this concern but no guideline or regulatory standing yet.
- It is plausibly present at a working level, though the concentration is not declared.
- The formula carries no trigger this concern is sensitive to, with the cautions noted.
Cautions: fungal-acne triggers.
What would change this: A declared concentration would move this to a firmer reading of the dose.
Same rule for everyone. “Promising” is the verdict on 7,858 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule R9p decided 7,858 of them. Unchanged since September 5, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
Show the work
- Rule
- R9p — 0.5.0: 'Unproven' beside three filled dots read as one question answered twice with opposite words (7,018 rows). The chip measures standing, the dots measure trial volume; where the row carries at least one RCT or a tier-2 source (moderate dots) and the active is present at a working level, the honest word is Promising. Unproven is reserved for plausible-standing rows with limited or weak evidence, or an under-dosed form. Same rank as Unproven — a bet either way; the dots order them. · the full register
- Carrying active
- Gentle AHA / Fruit-Acid Complex
- Standing
- plausible — trials support it
- Form
- plausible — studied range 5–10%, from the OTC monograph or label; needs leave-on contact; judge it after ~8 weeks
- Tolerability
- standard — fungal triggers
- Row checked
- against its sources on July 17, 2026 (evidence table ev-2026.09-r228)
The studies behind the evidence row
- Clinical evaluation of glycolic acid chemical peeling in patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face comparative study — Dermatologic Surgery (2014), opened July 16, 2026
- Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials — BMJ Open — systematic review, NOT meta-analysed (heterogeneity); no GRADE (2018), opened July 16, 2026
- Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD clinical guideline, GRADE-based) — cited as evidence that glycolic acid appears in NONE of its 18 recommendations (2024), opened July 16, 2026
- The effect of physically applied alpha hydroxyl acids on the skin pore and comedone — International Journal of Cosmetic Science — EXCLUDED from rct_count: both arms received AHA (the randomised contrast is negative pressure, not the acid) (2015), opened July 16, 2026
Also listed for Excess Oiliness — the actives here (Aloe Vera, Essential Oils, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycolic Acid) are in our research queue for that concern; there is no verdict until their evidence rows are written. That is a gap in our table, not a mark against the product.
A verdict is DermApproved’s assessment of how well a product’s ingredients fit a concern — never a claim about what the product treats. Evidence dots and collected reviews sit beside it and are never blended in. Rules 0.5.1 · evidence table ev-2026.09-r228 · how we decide
Assessment
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Alcohol-free — soothes instead of stinging shaved skin
- ✓ Aloe and calendula calm razor burn on contact
- ✓ Gentle AHAs genuinely help prevent ingrown hairs and bumps
- ✓ Contains real hyaluronic acid for post-shave hydration
- ✓ Affordable and available in an unscented version
- ✓ Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- ✗ Citrus and lavender oils can irritate freshly-shaved skin
- ✗ Coconut oil is comedogenic for breakout-prone skin
- ✗ Contains pointless DMAE and MSM filler
- ✗ AHAs mean you should wear sunscreen after
- ✗ Scented version photosensitizing from citrus oils
Review
Full Review
The traditional aftershave is one of grooming's great misunderstandings. Generations of men have splashed on an alcohol-heavy tonic, felt the sharp burn, and taken that burn as proof it was working. It wasn't — the sting is simply irritation, alcohol stripping skin that's just been scraped raw by a razor. Brickell's Instant Relief Aftershave is built on the opposite, and correct, premise: that freshly-shaved skin needs soothing and hydration, not a chemical slap. It's a modern take on the category, and a genuinely sensible one.
The foundation is being alcohol-free, and it matters more than it sounds. Shaving leaves the skin barrier temporarily compromised, and dousing it in astringent alcohol tends to worsen the redness, tightness, and razor burn you're trying to avoid. This balm instead leads with aloe and calendula, two of the more reliable soothing botanicals, to calm irritation on contact — the 'instant relief' is real, and it comes without the burn. For anyone who associates aftershave with stinging, this is a quietly better experience and a healthier one for your skin.
Where it gets genuinely clever is the anti-ingrown approach. Razor bumps and ingrown hairs — the bane of men with coarse or curly facial hair — happen when hairs curl back or get trapped under the skin surface, and gentle exfoliation is the evidence-based way to keep that surface clear so hairs grow out properly. This aftershave includes a mild blend of AHAs — glycolic, malic, and tartaric acids — which is a thoughtful, functional inclusion aimed squarely at that problem. It won't clear ingrowns overnight, but used consistently, it can genuinely reduce their frequency, which is more than most aftershaves even attempt. Add real sodium hyaluronate — actual hyaluronic acid, a credit given the tara-gum 'HA' elsewhere in Brickell's line — for post-shave hydration, and the functional core of this product is legitimately well-conceived.
The honest caveat is the scent, and it's specific to where this product goes. The scented version is fragranced with orange, lemon, and lavender essential oils, which smell fresh and pleasant but are potential irritants — and they're being applied to freshly-shaved skin, which is more permeable and reactive than usual. Citrus oils can also be photosensitizing. On resilient skin, most people tolerate them fine; on sensitive skin, or skin you've just nicked, they can sting and irritate. The good news is that Brickell offers an unscented version that drops the essential oils entirely, and for anyone with sensitive or reactive skin, that's the version to buy. Given that this goes on just-shaved skin, unscented is the sensible default for most people who care about irritation.
A few smaller notes round out the picture. The formula includes the now-familiar Brickell filler — DMAE and MSM — which do nothing meaningful here and are just marketing carryovers; ignore them, since the aloe, acids, and HA do the real work. It also contains coconut oil, which is comedogenic for some, a minor consideration on breakout-prone skin. And because of the AHAs, you should wear sunscreen afterward, as acids increase sun sensitivity. None of these undercut the product; they're the fine print on an otherwise smart formula.
It's worth dwelling on the ingrown-hair problem for a moment, because it's genuinely one of the most common and under-addressed complaints in men's grooming, and it explains why the AHA inclusion here is more than a gimmick. Pseudofolliculitis barbae — the technical name for the chronic razor bumps that plague many men, disproportionately those with tightly curled facial hair — is fundamentally a problem of hairs re-entering the skin, and its most effective everyday management combines two things: shaving technique that stops cutting hairs below the skin surface, and gentle, consistent exfoliation that keeps follicular openings clear. Most aftershaves address neither; they scent and sting and call it a day. By building mild acids into a product you'll apply after every shave anyway, this one folds the exfoliation half of the solution into an existing habit, which is exactly the kind of low-friction approach that actually gets used. It's the same design logic that makes an SPF lip balm smart: the best functional ingredient is the one delivered through a routine you already have. On value, this is another of Brickell's genuinely affordable, sensible products, in welcome contrast to its premium face line. At $13 for 2 ounces, you're getting an alcohol-free, soothing aftershave with real hyaluronic acid and functional exfoliating acids — a more thoughtful formulation than many basic aftershaves at a comparable or lower price. A bottle lasts two to three months. Who should buy it? Men who want a modern, non-stinging aftershave that soothes razor burn and actually helps with bumps and ingrown hairs, especially those with coarse or curly facial hair — and, for sensitive skin, the unscented version specifically. Who should skip it? Anyone who genuinely wants a traditional bracing alcohol aftershave for the ritual (this isn't that), sensitive skin that should choose the unscented over the scented, and body-acne or breakout-prone skin wary of the coconut oil. Judged honestly — an alcohol-free, soothing, anti-ingrown aftershave with real actives at an affordable price, with the essential-oil scent as its one real caveat — it's one of the smarter, better-value products Brickell makes, and a genuine upgrade over the old sting-and-hope approach. Buy the unscented if your skin is at all sensitive, and enjoy an aftershave that treats your skin well instead of punishing it.
Formula
Key Ingredients
The hero actives that drive this product's performance.
| Ingredient | Function | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aloe & Calendula (Soothing Base) | Aloe leads the formula with calendula to calm and soothe freshly-shaved skin, reducing the redness and irritation of razor burn — the 'instant relief' at the heart of the balm. | Not yet assessed |
| Gentle AHA / Fruit-Acid Complex (Glycolic, Malic, Tartaric) | A mild blend of alpha-hydroxy and fruit acids that gently exfoliates — genuinely sensible in an aftershave, since keeping the skin surface clear helps prevent the trapped hairs behind ingrown hairs and razor bumps. | Established mechanism for Rough Texture · established mechanism |
| Sodium Hyaluronate (Real Hyaluronic Acid) | Genuine hyaluronic acid — a credit versus the tara/cassia 'HA' elsewhere in the line — that hydrates the just-shaved skin, helping it recover and feel comfortable rather than tight. | Not yet assessed |
| Citrus & Lavender Oils | Orange, lemon, and lavender oils give the scented version its fresh smell — but on freshly-shaved, more-permeable skin they're the formula's main irritation risk, and citrus oils can be photosensitizing. | Not yet assessed |
Ingredient standings describe the active at treatment-level doses and vehicles; this product's own condition grades weigh its actual formula.
Full INCI List
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Emulsifying Wax, Glycerin, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Acer Saccharinum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Stearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Glycolic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid
✓ Pregnancy Safe ✗ Fragrance Free✓ Alcohol Free✗ Oil Free✓ Silicone Free✓ Paraben Free✓ Sulfate Free✓ Cruelty Free✓ Vegan✗ Fungal Acne Safe
coconut oil
lavender oilorange peel oillemon peel oilglycolic acid
lavender oilorange oillemon oil
Compatibility
Skin Match
Best For
Works For
Routine Step
treatment
Time of Day
AM & PM
Layering Tips
Smooth a small amount over clean, just-shaved skin to soothe and hydrate; it absorbs without the sting of an alcohol aftershave. Because it contains gentle AHAs, wear sunscreen afterward, especially with the citrus oils. If your skin is sensitive or reactive, choose the unscented version, which drops the essential oils — freshly-shaved skin is more permeable and reacts more easily. Follow with moisturizer if your skin is dry.
Results Timeline
Immediate soothing and hydration post-shave; consistent use may reduce razor bumps and ingrown hairs over a few weeks via the gentle exfoliation.
moisturizerniacinamidesunscreenhyaluronic-acid
Planning a combo? Check it against what you already use
Sample AM Routine
- Cleanse/Shave
- Brickell Instant Relief Aftershave for Men
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
Sample PM Routine
- Cleanse/Shave
- Brickell Instant Relief Aftershave for Men
- Moisturizer
Evidence
Science & Expert Perspective
The Science
This is a sensibly-formulated post-shave product. Being alcohol-free is a genuine advantage: freshly-shaved skin has a transiently compromised barrier, and astringent alcohol exacerbates irritation and transepidermal water loss, so a soothing, humectant approach is preferable. Aloe and calendula provide anti-inflammatory soothing, and sodium hyaluronate (genuine hyaluronic acid, unlike the tara/cassia substitutes used elsewhere in the brand) supplies humectant hydration to support barrier recovery. The inclusion of mild alpha-hydroxy and fruit acids (glycolic, malic, tartaric, plus fruit-derived acids) is mechanistically appropriate for pseudofolliculitis barbae: gentle exfoliation reduces follicular hyperkeratinization and surface obstruction that contribute to ingrown hairs and razor bumps, a recognized management strategy. The principal caveat is the fragrance system — orange, lemon, and lavender essential oils — applied to post-shave skin of increased permeability; these are recognized sensitizers, and citrus peel oils can be phototoxic, making the scented version less suitable for sensitive skin and mandating sun protection (also warranted by the AHAs). The unscented variant omits these oils and is preferable for reactive skin. Coconut oil is comedogenic for some. DMAE and MSM are inert marketing inclusions. Net: a well-conceived, alcohol-free soothing-and-anti-ingrown aftershave with genuine actives, with the essential-oil content the main tolerability consideration.
Dermatologist Perspective
Clinically, this is a well-conceived aftershave. The alcohol-free approach is preferable dermatologically: post-shave skin has a compromised barrier, and astringent alcohol worsens irritation, whereas soothing agents (aloe, calendula) and humectant sodium hyaluronate — genuine hyaluronic acid here — support recovery and comfort. The mild alpha-hydroxy and fruit acids are a mechanistically sound inclusion for pseudofolliculitis barbae: gentle chemical exfoliation reduces the follicular obstruction driving razor bumps and ingrown hairs, particularly valuable for coarse or curly beard hair, and is a recognized management approach alongside proper shaving technique. The key dermatological caution is the essential-oil fragrance (orange, lemon, lavender) applied to newly-shaved, more-permeable skin: these are recognized sensitizers and citrus oils are potentially phototoxic, so sensitive skin should choose the unscented version, and sun protection is advisable given both the citrus oils and the AHAs. Coconut oil may be comedogenic for some, and DMAE/MSM are inconsequential. Overall, a gentle, functional, alcohol-free aftershave that genuinely addresses razor burn and ingrown hairs, best used in its fragrance-free form for reactive skin.
Guidance
Usage & Recommendations
How to Use
Smooth a small amount over clean, freshly-shaved skin to soothe and hydrate — it absorbs quickly without an alcohol sting. Use it right after every shave. Because it contains gentle AHAs, wear sunscreen afterward, especially with the citrus oils, since acids increase sun sensitivity. If your skin is sensitive or you've nicked yourself, choose the unscented version, which drops the essential oils. Follow with a moisturizer if your skin is dry. For the anti-ingrown benefit, use it consistently and pair it with good shaving technique — a sharp blade and shaving with the grain.
Value Assessment
At $13 for 2 oz (with a 4 oz size available), this is affordable and good value — a welcome contrast to Brickell's premium face products. For that modest price you get a genuinely thoughtful aftershave: alcohol-free and soothing, with real hyaluronic acid and functional AHAs that target razor bumps and ingrown hairs, which is more considered than many basic aftershaves at similar prices. The DMAE and MSM filler and comedogenic coconut oil are minor drawbacks that don't undermine the core value, and the useful unscented version costs the same. A 2 oz bottle lasts two to three months with regular use. For a soothing, non-stinging, anti-ingrown aftershave at a reasonable price, it's an easy recommendation and one of the better-value products in the range — the rare Brickell item where the formulation is both genuinely good and fairly priced. The unscented, in particular, is a smart buy for sensitive skin.
Who Should Buy
Men who want a modern, non-stinging aftershave that soothes razor burn and genuinely helps with bumps and ingrown hairs — especially those with coarse or curly facial hair prone to them. For sensitive skin, the unscented version specifically is a smart, affordable, well-formulated choice.
Who Should Skip
Anyone who genuinely wants a traditional bracing alcohol aftershave for the ritual should skip it, since this is the gentle opposite. Sensitive skin should choose the unscented over the scented to avoid the citrus and lavender oils, and breakout-prone skin should note the comedogenic coconut oil.
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Product Details
Texture
A light, fast-absorbing lotion-balm.
Scent
A fresh citrus-lavender scent, with an unscented version also sold.
Packaging
A 2 oz pump bottle.
soothinglightweightnon-greasy
What to Expect on First Use
Goes on as a light, cooling lotion that soothes just-shaved skin immediately — no alcohol sting, just calm and hydration. The scented version has a fresh citrus-lavender smell; the unscented has none. On sensitive or nicked skin, the essential oils and gentle acids can tingle, so the unscented is the safer bet for reactive skin. It absorbs cleanly without greasiness.
How Long It Lasts
A 2 oz bottle lasts two to three months with regular post-shave use.
Best Season
All Year
Background
The Story Behind This Product
Brickell built this as a modern alternative to old-school alcohol aftershaves, swapping the burn for a soothing, hydrating balm with gentle exfoliating acids aimed at the real post-shave problems: redness, razor burn, bumps, and ingrown hairs.
About Brickell Established Brand (5–20 years)
Brickell is a premium US men's grooming brand (founded 2014). This is a genuinely well-conceived, affordable aftershave — alcohol-free (a real plus over stinging traditional aftershaves), with soothing aloe, real hyaluronic acid, and gentle AHAs that sensibly target razor bumps and ingrown hairs. The main caveat is the citrus and lavender essential oils on freshly-shaved, more-permeable skin; the unscented version is the safer choice for sensitive skin.
Brand founded: 2014 · Product launched: 2014
Myth vs. Reality
Common Myths
Myth
A good aftershave should sting — that's how you know it's working.
Reality
That sting is irritation, not efficacy, and it's a myth worth retiring. Traditional aftershaves are loaded with alcohol, which creates that sharp burning sensation and does act as a quick antiseptic — but it also dries out and irritates skin that's just been scraped by a razor, which can worsen redness and razor burn rather than help. Freshly-shaved skin has a compromised barrier and doesn't need to be stripped with alcohol. A soothing, alcohol-free aftershave like this one calms and hydrates instead, which is genuinely better for preventing razor burn and keeping skin comfortable. The burn of a classic aftershave feels bracing, but it's your skin being irritated, not healed. Alcohol-free is the smarter, gentler modern approach, and it's one of this product's real strengths.
Myth
Aftershave can't do anything about ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Reality
A well-formulated one genuinely can help. Razor bumps and ingrown hairs happen when hairs curl back or get trapped under the skin surface, and gentle exfoliation keeps that surface clear so hairs can grow out properly. This aftershave includes mild AHAs — glycolic, malic, and tartaric acids — which is a sensible, evidence-based way to reduce ingrowns and bumps over time, alongside the soothing aloe that calms immediate irritation. It won't work overnight, but with consistent use it can genuinely reduce the frequency of bumps and ingrowns, especially for men with coarse or curly facial hair who are prone to them. Pair it with a good shaving technique (sharp blade, shave with the grain). The gentle acids here are a thoughtful, functional inclusion, not just marketing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Brickell Aftershave good?
Yes — it's a genuinely well-conceived, affordable aftershave. It's alcohol-free, so it soothes freshly-shaved skin without the sting and dryness of traditional aftershaves, and it combines calming aloe and calendula with real hyaluronic acid and gentle AHAs (glycolic, malic, tartaric) that sensibly target razor bumps and ingrown hairs. That anti-ingrown approach is thoughtful and functional. At $13 it's also affordable. The main caveat is that it's scented with citrus and lavender essential oils, which can irritate freshly-shaved, more-sensitive skin — but there's an unscented version that drops them. So for a soothing, non-stinging aftershave that also helps with bumps, it's a smart, reasonably-priced choice, especially the unscented for sensitive skin.
Is it really alcohol-free and non-stinging?
Yes — and that's one of its best features. Unlike traditional aftershaves built on drying, stinging alcohol, this one is alcohol-free (the only 'alcohol' is cetearyl alcohol, a non-drying fatty emulsifier, not the astringent type). So instead of the sharp burn, it soothes and hydrates just-shaved skin with aloe, calendula, and hyaluronic acid. That's genuinely better for your skin: the barrier is compromised right after shaving, and stripping it with alcohol tends to worsen razor burn. The gentle AHAs can give a very mild tingle, and the citrus-lavender oils can irritate sensitive skin, but there's no alcohol sting. For a calming, modern aftershave experience, it's a clear improvement over old-school alcohol formulas.
Does it help with razor bumps and ingrown hairs?
Yes, sensibly. It contains mild AHAs — glycolic, malic, and tartaric acids — which gently exfoliate to keep the skin surface clear, helping hairs grow out properly instead of curling back into bumps and ingrowns, plus soothing aloe for immediate irritation. That's an evidence-based approach to a common problem, especially for men with coarse or curly facial hair. It won't fix ingrowns overnight, but with consistent use it can genuinely reduce their frequency. Pair it with good shaving technique — a sharp blade, shaving with the grain, not too close — for the best results. The gentle acids are a thoughtful, functional inclusion. Wear sunscreen afterward, since AHAs increase sun sensitivity.
Should I get scented or unscented?
It depends on your skin. The scented version has a fresh citrus-lavender smell from orange, lemon, and lavender oils, which many men enjoy — but those essential oils are the formula's main irritation risk, and freshly-shaved skin is more permeable and reactive, so they can sting or irritate sensitive skin. If your skin is sensitive, reactive, prone to nicks, or you just prefer fragrance-free, the unscented version — which drops the essential oils — is the safer, smarter choice. If your skin is resilient and you like the scent, the scented is fine. Given that this goes on skin you've just shaved, the unscented is the sensible default for most people concerned about irritation. Both share the same soothing, functional base.
Is it worth it and how much does it cost?
At $13 for 2 oz (with a larger 4 oz size available), it's affordable and good value — a refreshing contrast to Brickell's pricey face line. For that price you get an alcohol-free, soothing aftershave with real hyaluronic acid and functional AHAs, which is more thoughtfully formulated than many basic aftershaves. It does contain some marketing filler (DMAE, MSM) and comedogenic coconut oil, but those don't undermine the core value. A 2 oz bottle lasts two to three months with regular use. For a genuinely soothing, anti-bump, alcohol-free aftershave at a reasonable price, it's an easy recommendation, and one of the better-value products in the Brickell range. The unscented version is the same price.
How should I use it?
Smooth a small amount over clean, freshly-shaved skin to soothe and hydrate — it absorbs quickly without the sting of an alcohol aftershave. Use it right after every shave. Because it contains gentle AHAs, wear sunscreen afterward, especially with the citrus oils, since acids increase sun sensitivity. If your skin is sensitive or you nicked yourself, the unscented version is gentler. Follow with a moisturizer if your skin is dry. For the anti-ingrown benefit, use it consistently and pair it with good shaving technique — a sharp blade and shaving with the grain. A little goes a long way, so you don't need much per shave.
Reviews
What Reviewers Tend to Say
Recurring themes our editors read across retailer reviews of this product — summaries in our words, not quotations, and not a substitute for your own patch test.
Soothes razor burn without stinging
Helps with ingrown hairs and bumps
Alcohol-free, non-drying
Affordable
Citrus/lavender oils can irritate shaved skin
Coconut oil can clog pores
Contains DMAE/MSM filler
Scent too strong for some
Alcohol-free formulaReal hyaluronic acid and AHAsVegan and cruelty-free