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Best Shaving Cream for Men

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Cream
The Art of Shaving
Sandalwood Shaving Cream
Luxury Option

A luxurious formula for those with sensitive skin and anyone who wants to be pampered.

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Luxury Option
Bottom Line

A luxurious formula for those with sensitive skin and anyone who wants to be pampered.

Pros

Creates a thick and foamy lather that protects the skin from razor burns. Amazing fragrance. Can be used in the company's 4-step process or alone. Softens hair and renders a smooth shave. Ideal for sensitive skin.

Cons

Expensive. Some buyers say the quality has gone down over time.

Best Bang for the Buck
Cremo Barber Grade Cooling Shave Cream
Cremo
Barber Grade Cooling Shave Cream
Minty Fresh

This concentrated product allows for a close and comfortable shave, leaving you with smooth, soft skin.

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Minty Fresh
Bottom Line

This concentrated product allows for a close and comfortable shave, leaving you with smooth, soft skin.

Pros

Has a thin, foam-free consistency that becomes slick when mixed with water, allowing your blade to glide effortlessly over your skin. Prevents nicks, irritation, and razor burns. Comes with a refreshing mint scent.

Cons

Some users may not enjoy the foam-free texture.

MARLOWE. M BLEND No. 141 Men's Shave Cream
MARLOWE. M BLEND
No. 141 Men's Shave Cream
Concentrated Formula

Just a dab creates a lathery barrier that gives you a smooth shave, moisturized skin, and a clean, earthy scent.

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Concentrated Formula
Bottom Line

Just a dab creates a lathery barrier that gives you a smooth shave, moisturized skin, and a clean, earthy scent.

Pros

Creates a barrier using soothing coconut oil and shea butter so you can get a closer shave. Clean, pleasant woody scent mixed with aloe and citrus. Paraben-, phthalate-, and cruelty-free. Leaves skin smooth and moist. Doesn't irritate sensitive skin.

Cons

Formula is thinner than some prefer.

Gillette Soothing Shave Cream
Gillette
Soothing Shave Cream
Trusted Brand

Aloe-infused with a cooling sensation that soothes the skin during and after a shave.

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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Aloe-infused with a cooling sensation that soothes the skin during and after a shave.

Pros

A new and pure formula free from alcohol, dyes, parabens, and sulfates. Contains skin-soothing aloe vera that helps your razor glide smoothly to reveal baby-soft skin. Comes in a pack of 3 bottles. Ideal for sensitive skin.

Cons

Consistency is very thin and does not provide any lather.

Shiseido Shaving Cream for Men
Shiseido
Shaving Cream for Men
Prevents Irritation

Unique formula prevents irritation and offers a smooth and comfortable shaving experience.

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Prevents Irritation
Bottom Line

Unique formula prevents irritation and offers a smooth and comfortable shaving experience.

Pros

Softens even the thickest beards. Moisturizes dry skin. Reduces irritation and redness caused by razor burns. Easy to wash off. Also works as a pre-shave oil.

Cons

You need to use a lot of cream for a close shave.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
December 31, 2021
38
Models
considered
8
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for Best shaving cream for men

Melissa Nott
Written by Melissa Nott

Updated January 2023

If shaving is part of your daily routine, you already know how great it feels to get a good, clean shave. To keep irritation at bay and achieve the cleanest shave possible, you should invest in the right shaving cream for your skin.

Shaving cream creates a smooth, rich lather that makes it easy for razor blades to glide over regrowth. Many formulas include skin-soothing ingredients like jojoba oil or aloe to calm skin and minimize post-shave razor burn. In fact, men with sensitive or acne-prone skin often benefit from switching from shaving foam or gel to shaving cream.

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Some brands offer the same shaving cream in several fragrances. Try more than one to see which fragrance suits your style. Some men purchase more than one scent so they can alternate scents for different occasions.

Key considerations

Cream, foam, and gel

When comparing shaving cream, foam, and gel, bear in mind that the main difference between these formulas is how they respond to water.

  • Shaving cream must be mixed with the right amount of water to achieve an optimal lather.
  • Shaving gel also requires water to transform it into a foamy, spreadable formula.
  • Shaving foam is dispensed and applied directly to wet skin. While it doesn’t have to be mixed with water the same way cream and gel do, the skin must be damp or moist to avoid irritation. 
     

Most shaving cream is somewhat runny with a consistency similar to that of lotion. As a result, shaving cream is usually packaged in squeeze bottles or tubes rather than aerosol cans. This packaging makes them more suitable for travel.

Another key difference that makes shaving cream stand out: alcohol is not usually part of the ingredient list. (Shaving gels and foams often do contain alcohol.) Without alcohol, shaving cream is less drying to the skin than gel and foam. Therefore, when you use shaving cream, you may not need a pore-clogging post-shave moisturizer to help rehydrate your skin.

Balancing shaving cream and water

Because shaving cream creates a lather, you’ll need to mix it with the right amount of water to achieve the ideal consistency. Too little or too much shaving cream can make your razor come into direct contact with your skin, causing irritation and possibly cutting your face.

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Expert Tip
Always make sure your shaving cream container snaps closed. Otherwise, you could lose some product and end up with a big mess in the sink or shower.
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Features

Popular ingredients

Shaving cream is often chosen over foam and gel because it lacks alcohol. Most shaving creams are water-based, making them easy to spread and rinse away. Other ingredients may include jojoba, calendula, rosemary, and coconut oil, all of which aid in calming the skin during and after your shave. These ingredients may also contribute to the fragrance of the formula. Some shaving creams include other types of fragrances as well.

Containers

The vast majority of men’s shaving creams come in tapered squeeze bottles, though there are some that come in tubs. Both delivery methods make it easy to dispense the cream, especially given its runny consistency.

Another perk of bottles and tubs is that they’re often easier to recycle. What’s more, some eco-friendly manufacturers use recycled plastics and biodegradable packing materials.

Sensitive skin formulas

If you have sensitive skin, rest assured there are plenty of shaving cream formulas to accommodate you. These formulas typically focus on preventing ingrown hairs, razor burn, and breakouts by using ingredients that soothe skin, such as aloe and cucumber extract.

Other skin-sensitive formulas minimize the use of oils, dyes, fragrances, parabens, and SLS (sodium lauryl sulfates). These formulas have simple ingredient lists replete with naturally derived ingredients.

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Expert Tip
Most shaving creams with mint or peppermint have a tingling effect. Some people find it refreshing and invigorating; others find that it irritates their skin.
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Accessories

Razor: Gillette Fusion5 Men’s Razor
To get the most out of your shaving cream, invest in a top-notch razor. We like this one from Gillette, which features five anti-friction blades with lubrication strips. The ergonomic handle helps you navigate hard-to-reach areas.

Aftershave care:  The Art of Shaving Sandalwood After-Shave Balm and Daily Moisturizer
To keep your skin smooth after every shave, apply an aftershave balm. We like this one from The Art of Shaving; the light, musky sandalwood scent is neutral enough for casual, professional, and formal wear. Free from synthetic dyes and alcohol, it’s also safe for sensitive skin.
 

Badger brush: Perfecto 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush
If you’d like to give yourself the full barbershop experience at home, lather up and apply shaving cream with a badger brush. We like this one from Perfecto, whose handcrafted wood base stands upright on counters and fits most shave stands. Its all-natural bristles gently exfoliate your skin to provide the closest shave possible.

Prices

You can expect to pay between $5 and $40 for a man’s shaving cream. While container size factors into the price, formula quality and brand name affect the cost even more.

Inexpensive: If you’re on a budget, stick to drugstore shaving creams priced between $5 and $12. There aren’t too many sensitive skin formulas in this category, but you can find a few organic ones.

Mid-range: Specialty shaving creams cost anywhere from $12 to $18. These formulas use better-quality ingredients that may help calm and soothe the skin. A wide variety of organic and cruelty-free shaving cream products exist in this range.

Expensive: Premium shaving creams run as much as $40 per container. They’re mostly sold by high-end retailers. They’re quite pricey given their formulas, but the cost is sometimes offset by the inclusion of free gifts or travel-size containers.

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Expert Tip
Love your cologne? The manufacturer may have matching shaving cream. If that’s the case, you can use them together to promote a longer weartime.
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Tips

  • Take your time shaving. Even if you invest in top-notch shaving cream, you won’t get a good shave if you rush. In fact, you could end up with nicks and redness if your work is hasty.
  • Read the ingredients list. If you have sensitive skin, make sure the shaving cream you choose doesn’t include ingredients that irritate your skin. Some manufacturers write ingredients out in plain English, whereas others stick to chemical or compound names— in which case you may need to do research to figure out exactly what they are.
  • Stick with a fragrance you like. Fragrances have a tendency to linger after your shave. If the scent is a bit overwhelming, or if it doesn’t match your cologne or aftershave, consider an unscented shaving cream instead.
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If you find yourself considering a premium shaving cream, pick up a travel or trial size first. In the event it’s not a product you’d like to use, you won’t be out big bucks.

FAQ

Q. How do I know if I used too much water to lather up my shaving cream?
A.
If you oversaturate your shaving cream with water, you will end up with a very liquid consistency. This ends up dripping all over the place and might be too thin for your razor to glide across your face.
 

Q. Is shaving cream available in travel-size squeeze bottles?
A.
Yes, though your preferred shaving cream may not be manufactured in a travel-size bottle. You could try a different brand when you travel, or you could invest in TSA-approved travel bottles. Unlike foam and gel, shaving cream’s consistency makes it easy to pour — or squirt — into travel-size bottles.
 

Q. Is there a big difference between premium shaving cream and drugstore shaving cream?
A.
It depends on who you ask. Some people feel you get a better formula with premium ingredients, leading to a closer shave and minimizing razor burn. Other people say drugstore shaving creams can be equally effective, as the main attribute of the product is consistency.

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