As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links do not affect our ratings. Learn more.

Best Non-Toxic Aftershaves

We vetted aftershaves against the Welpr Standard and here are our top picks.

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Here's what we look for:

Formulas made with natural or synthetic ingredients that meet our standard
Free from parabens, PEGs, phthalates, harsh sulfates, BHA/BHT, artificial dyes, formaldehyde-releasing ingredients, and undisclosed fragrance
Minimal, well-chosen preservatives
Trusted third-party certifications when available
Transparent sourcing, ingredients, and manufacturing practices

Best Non-Toxic Aftershaves

On Welpr, terms like "non-toxic," "safer," "cleaner," "healthier," and "vetted" are editorial labels based on our own standard for product assessment. They are not guarantees, certifications, or medical claims. Learn more.

Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

Meets the Welpr Standard

Top Pick

Dickinson's

Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

Free From: Cruelty Free, Fragrance Free
Highlights: Vegan, Cruelty-free, Made in USA, Pregnancy safe, Breastfeeding safe, Hypoallergenic, Fragrance-free, No synthetic fragrance, Recyclable packaging, Toner

9.1

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Removes excess oil and leftover impurities effectively as a second-step cleanser, leaving skin feeling clean without tightness or dryness.
Absorbs quickly and feels lightweight on the skin with no sticky residue.
The 16 oz bottle lasts a long time, with multiple long-term users reporting consistent repurchases over years.
Pores appear smaller and skin tone looks more even after regular use over a few days to weeks.
Works well as a quick cotton-pad mask for a deeper cleanse when needed.

Cons

Has a noticeable alcohol smell on application that some people find unpleasant.
Didn't noticeably reduce breakouts for at least one long-term user, even though it controls oil well.

Witch hazel works as a natural astringent, helping to remove excess oil and tighten pores after cleansing. You apply it with a cotton pad to your face and neck; no rinsing needed.
Fragrance-free with a faint botanical scent that comes from the witch hazel itself, not added fragrance. The liquid feels light and watery, not sticky or filmy.
Marketed as a facial toner, but witch hazel has a long history of use as an aftershave to calm and tone skin post-shave. Among non-toxic aftershaves, it's one of the simplest formulas you'll find: just two ingredients.
Dickinson's harvests its witch hazel from 33,000 acres of New England forest (wild-harvested, not farmed) and uses a proprietary steam distillation process. The brand has been producing witch hazel since 1866.
The formula contains natural grain alcohol as a preservative, which keeps it shelf-stable without synthetic preservatives but may not suit very dry or irritation-prone skin.

Free email mini-course

Welpr Blueprint: Go Non-Toxic Mini-Course

The 80/20 guide to going non-toxic the easy way.

Meets the Welpr Standard

Brickell

Instant Relief Aftershave for Men

Free From: Cruelty Free
Highlights: Cruelty-free, Fragrance-free, Essential oil-free, Money-back guarantee, Balm, Alcohol-free

8.5

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Light lotion format that absorbs quickly rather than sitting on the skin. Unscented, so it won't compete with cologne or bother sensitive noses.
Botanical extracts do the soothing work here instead of alcohol, which is what most conventional aftershaves rely on to "cool" the skin (while actually drying it out and increasing irritation).
The formula includes mild fruit-derived acids from sugar cane, sugar maple, and citrus extracts, which gently help clear away dead skin cells from freshly shaved skin. That can reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs over time.
Works across skin types, but it's particularly relevant for men with sensitive or reactive skin who get redness, bumps, or dryness after shaving. Among non-toxic aftershaves, the combination of humectants and botanical soothers makes it function more like a post-shave treatment than a simple splash-on.
Brickell has been making men's skincare since 2014 and operates as an independent small business, not a subsidiary of a larger beauty conglomerate.

Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Leaf Juice)
Calendula Officinalis (Calendula Extract)
Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry Fruit Extract)
Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane Extract)
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil)
Emulsifying Wax
Glycerin
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender)
Acer Saccharinum (Sugar Maple)
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 Oil)
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid)
Lecithin
Xanthan Gum
Glycolic Acid
Tartaric Acid
Malic Acid

Meets the Welpr Standard

HygieneLab

After Shave

Free From: Cruelty Free
Highlights: Fragrance-free, No synthetic fragrance, Money-back guarantee, Balm

8.4

Performance score

Where to buy

HygieneLab
See price

Lotion-format after shave meant for both face and body. It absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy or sticky residue, so it doubles as a lightweight moisturizer you can use under other products or on its own.
Unscented and non-comedogenic, which makes it a practical option if you're shopping for non-toxic aftershaves that won't clash with a cologne or clog pores on breakout-prone skin.
Uses hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts to hydrate and calm irritation right after shaving. The formula is designed to reduce redness and razor bumps rather than just mask the sting.
HygieneLab started when the founder traced persistent breakouts to hidden ingredients in his own grooming products. The entire line is built around ingredient transparency, manufactured in California.
Suitable for sensitive, oily, dry, or combination skin. Most conventional after shaves rely on alcohol to create that cooling sensation; this one skips that approach in favor of hydration-first soothing.

Meets the Welpr Standard

Chagrin Valley

After Shave & Beard Balm Natural Scent

Free From: Cruelty Free, Non-GMO
Certified: USDA Organic
Highlights: Soothes shaved skin, Beard conditioner, Alcohol-free, No added scent, For sensitive skin, Tames flyaways, Made in Ohio

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Chagrin Valley
See price

With no added scent or alcohol, the creamy soft-solid balm readily absorbs to moisturize freshly shaved, sensitive facial skin.
Beyond post-shave care, it works as a leave-in conditioner for beard and mustache hair, moisturizing the skin beneath while softening hair and minimizing itchiness.
A smaller amount of beeswax than a typical beard balm helps smooth flyaways while supporting beard shaping and styling.
Jojoba oil has a makeup similar to skin sebum; in beard care, it softens and conditions unruly hair while adding a natural shine.

Meets the Welpr Standard

Sweetsation Therapy

Organic After Shave

Free From: Cruelty Free
Highlights: Splash

8.1

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Liquid splash format, not a balm or lotion. You pat it onto shaved skin and it absorbs quickly, leaving a light, non-greasy feel.
The formula leans heavily on fruit and plant extracts that act as mild natural exfoliants, which is unusual among non-toxic aftershaves. Willowbark extract provides gentle chemical exfoliation (it's a natural source of salicylic acid).
Scent is very subtle, mostly a faint minty coolness. If you're used to conventional aftershaves with a strong fragrance punch, this will feel almost unscented by comparison.
Lightweight enough that it works well in warm weather or on skin that doesn't need heavy moisture, but it's not doing much for anyone who wants a rich, hydrating post-shave product.
Sold by a small business through Amazon, not a major personal care brand. The 8 oz bottle is on the larger side for the category, though the price point reflects that.

How to Swap to Non-Toxic aftershaves:

Here's how to swap to non-toxic aftershaves:

What to know about aftershave

Aftershave is applied directly to freshly shaved skin, which is more absorbent than usual due to micro-cuts and open pores. This means ingredients absorb more easily, making the formulation especially important. Welpr focuses on what aftershave is made of — the base ingredients, how it's scented, and what preservatives are used.

Because aftershave sits on the face and neck without being rinsed off, it ranks high on Welpr's risk framework for skin contact and proximity.
Products used daily after shaving deserve more attention than ones used only occasionally.

Review what you already use

Check the aftershave products you currently own by scanning their ingredient labels with the Welpr Personal Care and Cosmetic Scanner. The scanner will flag ingredients that don't meet Welpr's standards, like synthetic fragrance, harsh preservatives, or endocrine disruptors.

Look for the word "fragrance" or "parfum" on the back label — these often indicate undisclosed synthetic scent blends.
If you use more than one post-shave product (balm, splash, and moisturizer), scan the one you use most often first.

Use your current aftershave more carefully

If you're not ready to replace your aftershave right away, a few small adjustments can reduce how much your skin absorbs. This is especially worth doing if your current product contains synthetic fragrance or ingredients that were flagged by the scanner.

Apply a smaller amount and avoid putting it on any nicks or irritated spots where absorption is highest.
Consider using it less frequently — for example, only on days when you need to look polished — while you transition to a cleaner option.

Choose a cleaner aftershave

Look for aftershaves with simple, short ingredient lists built around soothing plant-based ingredients like aloe, witch hazel, or natural oils. Fragrance-free is the best starting point, and if scented, it should use essential oils or plant extracts rather than synthetic fragrance.

Avoid products listing "fragrance," "parfum," parabens, phthalates, PEGs, or BHA/BHT — and look for certifications like EWG VERIFIED™ or MADE SAFE® as a helpful signal of quality.
Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved aftershave.

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Camille May is the co-creator of Welpr and a guide for clean living. After selling her last company in the health food space, she went non-toxic while working to heal an autoimmune condition....

View full profile

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology,...

View full profile