Aftershave and cologne are two such products. They carry significant differences between them and are used for very different purposes.
Key Takeaways
- Aftershave is applied post-shaving to soothe and disinfect the skin, while cologne is a fragranced product for general use.
- Aftershave contains lower fragrance concentrations than cologne, resulting in a subtler scent.
- Aftershave includes astringent and moisturizing ingredients, while cologne focuses on fragrance.
Aftershave vs Cologne
The difference between aftershave and cologne is that aftershave is applied to the skin after shaving the area to prevent any infections, whereas Cologne is a Germany-based perfume that carries historical significance and is widely produced as one of the oldest perfumes in the world.
Even though the product is in the form of a water-like liquid, it is also available in the form of gel, paste, or lotion. Aftershave contains antiseptic agents including denatured alcohol, stearate citrate, or witch hazel.
Cologne is composed of essential oils, a blend of extracts, water, and alcohol. Cologne also has various citrus oils, including lemon, tangerine, and blood orange, depending on Cologne’s type and scent.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Aftershave | Cologne |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It is a disinfectant. | It is a perfume. |
| Ingredients | Mostly alcohol. | Citrus oils, fruit extracts, and alcohol. |
| Purpose | To avoid skin infection. | To provide fragrance. |
| Availability | Liquid, gel, paste, or lotion. | Liquid only. |
| Significance | It has no historical significance. | It has historical significance. |
What is Aftershave?
Aftershave is a liquid-based product applied to the skin after shaving the area. It got its name from its practical use, applied after shaving.
Aftershave products are alcohol-based. However, some of the aftershave products are not chemical-based and do not contain alcohol.
An alcoholic aftershave causes minor stinging on the skin immediately after use and can even last for a few minutes. Such products do not suit people with sensitive skin, and only non-alcoholic aftershave products are recommended for them.
The brands providing fragranced aftershave marketed it as more than just a regular aftershave, which led to confusion.
What is Cologne?
Cologne is composed of essential oils, a blend of extracts, water, and alcohol. Cologne also has various citrus oils, including lemon, tangerine, and blood orange, depending on Cologne’s type and scent.
Cologne was originally named Eau de Cologne, a French term meaning ‘water from cologne’. At the time of its origin, it was only used by the royal families of all over Europe.
Nevertheless, all the scents are very light, fresh, and fruity. Cologne is highly popular, especially in Cologne, Germany, and the place is renowned for it.
Main Differences Between Aftershave and Cologne
- Aftershave helps prevent skin infection, whereas cologne provides fragrance.
- Aftershave includes mostly alcohol, whereas Cologne is comprised of many ingredients for its odour.
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15563659208994451
- http://www.cashareinc.com/index.php/pt/article/view/423
Last Updated : 21 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
I can’t believe some people are still confused about this. It seems like common sense!
This is a great piece of writing. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Though informative, I think the end of the article is quite subjective.
I think it’s quite alright, it’s important to understand the impact of marketing on these products as well.
I am a passionate collector of cologne and this post explains the history and the differences perfectly.
Totally, I didn’t realize how deep their histories went. Thank you for the detailed writeup.
It’s amusing how something so simple can have such a rich history, wouldn’t you agree?
This a well-explained post, the differences are very clear now.
Absolutely, I’ve learned a lot from this article. Thanks for sharing!
I still think these products are too overpriced, regardless of their differences.
That can sometimes be the case, but the article is about their differences, not their price. Nevertheless, understanding the differences can help make a more informed decision before purchasing.