The 5 Best Shaving Creams for Men
Many men these days overlook the importance of a quality shaving cream. While opinions over the best type of razor run wild, we often forget that a smooth shave depends on a smooth, lubricating cream. These simple formulas contain the essential components for a quick and clean shave, and often include elements that cool and relax the skin. Shaving cream has been around for centuries, so the abundance of options can be quite overwhelming. That's why we've done the research and whittled down the list to the best of the best. Here, we list our top five favorite shaving creams, from the best scented option to the premium pick.
Cremo Original Shave Cream, Astonishingly Superior Smooth Shaving Cream Fights Nicks, Cuts and Razor Burn, 6 Ounces
Cremo is a dream-o
What comes in a tube, rather than a can, and one almond-sized dollop is all you need for a complete shave? The answer is Cremo’s Classic Shave Cream. This concentrated cream has boomed in popularity in recent years due to its superior formula and affordable price. The all-natural ingredients include macadamia seed oil, calendula extract, papaya, and olive leaf extract. It also contains aloe vera to sooth the skin. Although it doesn’t foam, this option spreads easily and allows the razor to glide over your skin with insane smoothness. It’s even a popular pick among professional barbers, so you know you’re getting the good stuff when you go with Cremo.
Pros
- Super-slick formula
- Natural ingredients
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Doesn’t lather or foam
NIVEA Men Sensitive Shaving Foam, Soothes Sensitive Skin from Shave Irritation, 7 oz. Cans, Pack of 6
That classic Kssssshht sound
Just like middle schoolers, shaving creams go through different phases as the years go by. In days of yore, shaving creams were whipped into a lather using a shaving brush and bowl. Then, aerosolized cans became a staple of the “modern man”. These days, lather-less shaving creams have slowly become the popular pick, but there are still plenty of foaming options for those that like a classic shave. That’s why we recommend NIVEA Men’s Sensitive Shave Foam, which sports a modern formula in a classic can. Costing little more than two bucks per can, this 6-pack contains a powerfully protective cream that’s enriched with Vitamin E and soothing chamomile. It makes for an awesomely smooth shave, and spreading it onto your face is as easy as the push of a button.
Pros
- Vitamin-enriched
- Highly affordable
- Designed for sensitive skin
Cons
- Light fragrance dissipates quickly
The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream, Sandalwood, 5 Fl Oz
The crème de la cream
Those willing to pay a few extra bucks to elevate their shaving ritual into an art form would be well-advised to invest in this sandalwood shaving cream. We call it an investment because, although the price is high, a little goes quite a long way and one five-ounce tub can last several months. Plus, it delivers the smoothest shave that money can buy, with a formula that softens the hairs and lubricates the skin. It can be spread onto your face right out of the tub or worked into a lather with a traditional shaving bowl and brush. As an added bonus, the sandalwood scent is subtle, but it’s a manly reminder that you shave with the best of the best.
Pros
- Lathers
- Subtle fragrance
- Softens the skin and hair
Cons
- Expensive, but a little goes a long way
Pacific Shaving Company Natural Shave Cream, Safe Natural, and Plant-Derived Ingredients, Made in USA, 3.4 Oz
Mother Nature approves
For many of us, ingredients matter. And when it comes to what we put on our skin, all-natural ingredients are almost always preferable. That’s one of the reasons why we love the Pacific Shaving Company’s Natural Shaving Cream, which is derived from vegan, organic, and plant-based components. Paraben-free, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free, this cream is good for your skin and good for the planet. It also contains shea butter and aloe for post-shave hydration. Work it into a lather or apply it right out of the bottle, it spreads easily and rinses off easily. Best of all, with a super-concentrated formula, the 3.4-ounce tube has enough shaving cream to last up to 100 shaves, so a 3-pack is more than enough for a full year of manscaping.
Pros
- Silky texture
- Long-lasting
- Plant-based ingredients
Cons
- Small quantity
Vikings Blade Luxury Foaming Shaving Cream, Sandalwood & Western Red Cedar, Surfactant Base
The manliest scent in the land
Those that want a subtle scent in their shaving cream walk a precarious road. Many scented shaving creams smell too strongly, while others seem to think that “chemical factory” is a pleasing aroma. Fortunately, there are shaving creams out there that boast a subtle, desirable scent, such as this option from Vikings Blade. A rich mixture of sandalwood and red cedar, this one won’t choke the senses. Instead, it’s a subtle fragrance that serves as a pleasant reminder of your last camping trip. Of course, we wouldn’t pick a shaving cream based on the scent alone. Vikings Blade has blown up in popularity in recent years due to their high-quality ingredients and moisturizing formula. This pick is a super-slick, foaming shaving cream that delivers a supremely-satisfying shave and a sophisticated scent.
Pros
- Easy to lather
- Fresh, manly scent
Cons
- Pricey
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best shaving cream for sensitive skin?
Although all of the options on our list are effective for sensitive skin, those with hyper-sensitive skin should consider carefully. For those that suffer from severe razor burn or skin irritation, we recommend the NIVEA Men Foaming Shaving Cream for a number of reasons. For one, you won’t have to go through the trial-and-error of working this pick into a lather, since the foam is easy to spread and consistent. Also, the non-drying formula is ideal for those that want a slowly-paced grooming session. And, of course, this particular product is specifically formulated with ingredients to soothe sensitive skin, such as chamomile and Vitamin E.
What’s the difference between a shave cream and a shaving foam?
There are actually three different types of shaving cream: Aerosolized shaving foam, latherless shaving cream, and lathered shaving cream. Although the formulas for all three are similar, they differ in their individual delivery systems. Aerosolized shaving foam comes in that classic can that sprays out a uniform foam. They’re the easiest to apply and often the most inexpensive type of shaving cream.
Non-aerosolized shaving creams are either latherless or lathered. The latter can be worked into a foamy lather using a shaving brush. These types of shaving creams have had a resurgence in popularity in recent years due to their highly-concentrated formulas and slick, silk-like consistency. With these, a lil-dab’ll-do-ya and users often require no more than an almond-sized amount for a full shave.
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