Best Shaving Cream for Men in 2023: Reviews and Ultimate Guide

Best Shaving Cream for Men

There’s something very satisfying about a quality old-fashioned shave with a razor, brush, and a good shaving cream.

Whether you’re enamoured with the ritual of a manual shave, or you simply prefer it to the electric razor, you’re going to need the right equipment to get the results you’re looking for.

While a good razor is obviously important, you’ll struggle to get the closest and most comfortable shave unless you have a decent cream to use with it.

Shaving creams come in many ways, and each will be better suited for a certain face type, skin sensitivity, and general preferences.

Let’s dive into our top picks for men’s shaving cream. Here they are…

👑 Our Pick for Best Overall

⭐ Our Other Picks for Best Shaving Cream

• Best of the Best: Jack Black Beard Lube Conditioning Shave
• Runner Up: BillyJealousy Hydroplane Shaving Cream
• Best Organic: The Body Shop Maca Root and Aloe
• Best on a Budget: Cremo Barber Grade Original Shave Cream 

Best Shaving Cream for Men Reviews

Jack Black Beard Lube Conditioning Shave (👑 Best of the Best)

We believe that the best shaving cream for men on the market is the Jack Black Beard Lube conditioning cream.

The skincare company has earned its reputation as a top brand with many excellent products, and this shaving cream is no exception. First things first, this shaving cream is available in 3 different sizes for your convenience. There’s a small 3 fl oz tube, a medium-sized 6 fl oz tube, and then a large 16oz dispenser, which is ideal for easy application. The scent of this shaving cream is a pleasant mix of eucalyptus and peppermint which is both fresh and invigorating, perfect for the early morning shave.

The best part about this shaving cream from Jack Black is that, unlike many other creams for men, it is a conditioning product which ensures the skin stays hydrated and smooth throughout the shaving process. Oftentimes when you use shaving cream you’ll find that your skin tends to dry out afterwards and feel rough or irritated to the touch. You can avoid this issue with a shaving cream like this one, which features great moisturising ingredients like jojoba oil which ensure that your skin is soft and supple and retains as much moisture as possible.

The other ingredients in this conditioning shave cream that we have yet to mention are macadamia nut oil and menthol. As you can imagine, the combination of these ingredients with the peppermint, eucalyptus, and macadamia nut oil make for a rich aroma but more importantly the smoothest shave of your life. These are exactly the kind of moisturizing ingredients you want in a shaving cream, and since they are natural they aren’t likely to cause any issues with your skin. This makes it suitable for all skin types.

This shave cream also doesn’t lather up, but rather spreads across the skin smoothly and seeps into it without any issues. It also won’t cause your razor blade to clog, which can sometimes prove to be a problem with over creams. 

Past customers of Jack Black’s conditioning shave cream love how smooth it is to apply to the skin, and how easily the razor glides across the surface of your skin without any hitches. There’s also plenty of praise for the versatility of the product, with some users claiming that it combines the best of a pre-shave oil with a good shaving cream, saving you money on buying both.

BillyJealousy Hydroplane Shaving Cream (🥈 Runner Up)

This shaving cream from award-winning men’s grooming brand BillyJealousy is a hit with many men, and for good reason.

This shaving cream from BillyJealousy is available as an 8 fl oz container and has a refreshing citrus scent. More specifically, you should expect an invigorating aroma consisting of peppermint, grapefruit, orange, lime, bergamot, and ginger oils. This makes it ideal for the morning or afternoon shave when you’re needing a little pick-me-up as you go about your grooming routine. It’s also suitable for all skin types, which is good news if you struggle to find grooming products for your sensitive or oily skin.

Much like our top pick from Jack Black, this shaving cream from BillyJealousy believes in moisturising the skin as much as possible during the shaving process. To achieve this goal, there’s a water-activated formula which keeps the razor lubricated and makes the shave smoother as you go through the motions. There’s also fruit oils in this shaving cream which add much-needed moisture to the skin, and help keep it soft and hydrated at all stages during the shaving process. The moisture also helps the razor glide across the skin for minimal irritation and razor bumps. There’s no alcohol either, which is more great news for skin that’s prone to irritation and redness.

The manufacturer claims that this is a 3-in-1 shaving cream which provides a pre-shave oil, shave cream, and skin conditioner all in a single convenient product. As a result, your bathroom cupboard doesn’t need to be full to the brim with all kinds of shaving products, just the one. It’s also a product that’s free from a lot of the bad stuff that’s commonly associated with shaving creams. There are no colorants, artificial fragrances, harsh chemical propellants, or any benzocaine. This shaving cream is certified by PETA and cruelty-free, too.

What past customers seem to enjoy most about this shaving cream for men is how well it lubricates the skin, which makes for a comfortable shave every time. Many speak of the high quality of this product compared to others on the market, and claim that it can work wonders on rough and sensitive skin.

Features:

•  Available as a 8 fl oz container
•  Citrus scent 
•  Conditioning ingredients
•  Suitable for all skin types
•  Free from colorants, artificial fragrances, harsh chemicals, and benzocaine
•  PETA Certified and cruelty-free

The Body Shop Maca Root and Aloe (🌱 Best Organic)

If the factor you value more than anything else in your grooming or skincare products is that they are organic, then The Body Shop’s Maca Root and Aloe should be a strong contender for your next shaving cream.

This softening shaving cream from the huge skincare brand is enjoyed by many, and this is primarily due to the incredible organic Community Trade ingredient at the core of its formula. The star ingredients are of course the Maca Root and Aloe Vera, the former from Peru and the latter being organically sourced from Mexico. The product is also 100% vegetarian. It comes in a 6.3oz container which should last you a long time.

This shaving cream is specifically geared towards men with rough skin, so if this describes you, then you’re in luck. The benefit of using a shaving cream like this one is that it will leave your skin feeling hydrated and smooth, regardless of how rough it feels pre-shave. The cream works up into a gentle lather as you rub it into the skin, which softens up the hair and helps prepare the skin for a comfortable and nourishing shave. It’s good to know that this product has been tested on men not animals too, which tells you that it’s proven to be effective for moisturising rough skin.

Customers who use this shaving cream from The Body Shop love how it moisturiser without irritating the skin. Some say that the scent is heavenly, and many claim that it’s well worth the investment, even if it is a little steep.

Features:

•  6.3oz container
•  Made with Community Trade organic aloe vera and maca root
•  100% vegetarian
•  Cruelty-free
•  Best for rough skin

Cremo Barber Grade Original Shave Cream (💸 Best on a Budget)

If you’re on a budget but you don’t want to compromise on quality, you could do a lot worse than this barber grade shave cream from Cremo.

This is hands-down one of the best shaving cream options for anyone on a budget, and it comes with a variety of scents so you can pick the best option for you. We’re going to look at the original product in this review, but in case you’re interested in what else Cremo offers, there’s a cooling shaving cream, a sage and citrus one, a silver water and birch one, and a sandalwood one. Each will have its own bold aroma, so you can choose accordingly based on your preferences. With each pack you’ll get a couple of 1, 3, or 6 fl oz tubes. The largest size , according to Cremo, will last you for 90 days, or 3 months which makes them excellent value for your money.

This budget-friendly shaving cream utilises only the best natural ingredients to create a nourishing shave. These ingredients range from the hydrating macadamia nut oil and aloe, to a variety of extracts such as lemon, calendula, and olive leaf. The product is free from the parabens which can be harmful to the skin, and isn’t tested on animals.

The main standout feature of this shaving cream is that it uses ultra-slick molecules which contribute to a rich and concentrated formula. This makes it different from other shaving cream products which are filled with air.  What this means for you is minimal razor burn, and a smooth and close shave every time. 

Past customers have plenty of good things to say about this shaving cream from Cremo, such as how slick a shave it provides. Many point to how effective it is, which is extra impressive given that it’s a very affordable grooming product.

Features:

•  Available as a couple of 1, 3, or 6 fl oz tubes
•  Available in 5 scents
•  Includes macadamia nut oil, aloe, calendula extract, lemon extract, papaya extract, and olive leaf extract
•  Free from parabens
•  Cruelty free

Ultimate Guide

Selecting the perfect men’s shaving cream can be a headache sometimes, just as choosing any skincare or grooming product can be.

It’s hard to know where to start, with every product claiming that it can provide the ultra smooth shave that you’re looking for.

To best understand what shaving cream will best suit you, you’ll need to take more into account than what the brand has to say about its product.

Important factors include what type of skin you have, what scents you enjoy, and what type of razor you have.

You also might like to know what some of the best and worst ingredients are before making an investment, since this can help you pick the best shaving cream just by looking at the label.

Skin Type

One of the first things you’ll need to figure out, before you concern yourself with which shaving cream is best, is your skin type.

Knowing your skin type puts you in a much better position to know what will and won’t work well for you.

If you go into the decision-making process without this knowledge, you could likely end up disappointed with a product due to irritation, redness, or just general unsuitability.

There are a few key skin types to be aware of, so see if you can work out which one best describes your skin.

Sensitive

If you have sensitive skin then you need to be extra careful when looking at buying a shaving cream.

The way you will know that you have sensitive skin is if you constantly find that you have outbreaks or irritation while using various skincare products.

You’ll be more prone to razor burns and bumps if you have sensitive skin, so if this sounds like you then you probably have it.

While it certainly isn’t impossible to find a good shaving cream if you have sensitive skin, it can be a challenge.

The best way to ensure that you have a comfortable shave is to first find a sensitive skin-friendly razor, and then find a shaving cream that is suitable for all skin types or which specifically states that it works well with sensitive skin.

Oily

Chances are, if you have oily skin, you’re already aware of it.

Oily skin is the result of an overproduction of the body’s natural oils, which leads to shiny, oily skin on the face.

Fortunately, while this may make it difficult to find some skincare products, oily skin is actually ideal for shaving.

Due to the abundance of naturally-occuring lubricant in the form of oil, you should be able to achieve a smooth shave easily.

The thing to be careful with if you do have oily skin though is investing in a shaving cream that has too many hydrating oils and ingredients, since you already have this in abundance.

Dry

Dry skin is the kind of skin which easily flakes or peels, and can easily become irritated while shaving or applying certain skincare products.

The key for dry skin is to find a moisturising shaving cream, and ideally, one which conditions the skin to leave it smooth and soft afterwards.

A good example of a shaving cream that does both is our top pick, Jack Black’s Beard Lube conditioning cream.

Normal

If you have normal skin, then you’re one of the lucky ones.

To have normal skin means to have skin that isn’t either oily nor sensitive, but rather perfectly elastic and suitable for most skincare products.

This means you have free rein to pick just about any shaving cream you like the look of, since you aren’t likely to experience any irritation due to certain ingredients, nor will you need to ensure that you get a special hydrating product.

Lather vs Latherless Shaving Cream

One important thing to bear in mind when looking for a good shaving cream is whether you want a lather or latherless shaving cream.

This can otherwise be described as traditional vs modern shaving cream, with the former creating a rich lather and the latter relying on a latherless approach to shaving.

Let’s take a brief look at the pros and cons of each type of shaving cream, so you can make an informed decision which is best for your shaving routine.

Lather

The traditional shaving cream is for those who use straight or double edge safety razors, and oftentimes provides a rich lather to work with.

This is more often than not the more affordable option, and works well for many skin types.

The main downside to lather-generating shaving creams is that they can require equipment like a good shaving brush and a scuttle.

Latherless

The latherless, or modern, shaving cream doesn’t rely on generating lather but instead provides a slick layer of moisture through which the shave can glide through for a smooth shave.

These products tend to feature natural ingredients, including all kinds of carrier oils from jojoba to peppermint.

The downside for some is that it can be hard to know where you’ve already shaved due to the translucent nature of the cream, and may require you use more product.

Type of Razor

Believe it or not, the type of razor you own will affect your decision-making process as far as shaving creams go.

Different shaving creams work best with different razors, so it’s really worth taking into account if you already own a razor and aren’t looking to invest in a new one anytime soon.

Straight

The straight razor is best for shave soap or a more traditional shave cream.

The idea is you’ll want a product which can produce a lather for the best results when shaving with this type of razor.

Cartridge

The cartridge, or disposable, razor is best when used with either a shaving foam or gel, but it also works very well with latherless shaving cream.

There are many good latherless shaving creams that won’t lather up when you use them, such as Jack Black’s Beard Lube or BillyJealousy’s Hydroplane cream.

Double Edge

The double edge razor works best with traditional shave cream and shave soap.

This is another type of razor which you’ll want to create a lather for.

Best Ingredients

These are the ingredients that you want to find in your shaving cream, due to their benefits for the skin, usually in terms of hydration or protection.

Carrier Oils

More often than not you’ll find that men’s shaving creams will have some kind of carrier oil in them which allows for better hydration of the skin during and after the shaving process.

One great example of a popular shaving cream carrier oil is jojoba oil, but you can find many others.

An ingredient you’ll find in several of our picks for the best shaving creams, such as Jack Black’s Beard Lube and Cremo’s shaving cream, jojoba oils imitates the sebum oil produced by your body.

This will help keep your skin looking healthy and hydrated, as well as soft and supple.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a fantastic ingredient which both moisturises and nourishes hair follicles, which is ideal for a smooth shave.

If you’re looking for healthy skin that retains its youthful look and even glows, then this is a great ingredient to look out for on the label of a shaving cream.

Worst Ingredients

As you can imagine, the worst ingredients are more often than not the artificial ones.

Certain chemicals can cause issues with the skin, so it’s best to steer clear of them if you can.

Fragrance

You may be wondering what’s wrong with fragrance in a shaving cream. Well, it isn’t necessarily the fragrance itself you need to be concerned with, so much as it is the source of the fragrance.

If you ever see a shaving cream listing ‘fragrance’ on the label, then you can be pretty sure that it is coming from an artificial source.

As opposed to naturally-occuring scents that can come from ingredients like peppermint oil or eucalyptus, artificially-created fragrances can be made from any combination of potentially harmful chemicals.

As a result, it’s best to opt for either a scentless shaving cream, or one which you know only has a naturally-occuring scent.

Parabens

Parabens are often mentioned as one of the worst artificial ingredients to see on the label of any skincare product.

While in some cases they aren’t harmful, it’s probably best not to take the risk, particularly if you have sensitive skin as they could cause a reaction.

As a preservative, parabens are widely used in many cosmetic products so to some extent you will have used them in the past.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shaving Cream for Men

Who makes the best shaving cream?

We think that the best shaving cream is made by top skincare brand Jack Black.

Jack Black’s Beard Lube conditioning shaving cream is our top pick for men’s shaving creams, for a variety of reasons.

This shaving cream is latherless, and provides a hydrating shave for all skin types. It provides a 2-in-1 shaving experience, combining pre-shave oil with shaving cream, reducing the amount of grooming products you need taking up space in the bathroom.

Can you use men’s shaving cream on your pubic area?

It’s possible to use a men’s shaving cream on your pubic area, but make sure you know what you’re doing before you attempt to do so yourself.

Look for a shaving cream that has a soothing, hydrating ingredient in it like aloe vera, as this will ensure that things go as smoothly as possibly.

Also try to avoid shaving creams that have certain harmful ingredients in them like parabens, since this can cause irritation and redness.

Which is it better to shave with soap or shaving cream?

Both shaving creams and soaps have their pros and cons, so it largely depends on your personal preferences as to which you use.

While shaving creams might be better for the beginner or the man who favors convenience, soaps can be good for the quality shaving experience complete with rich aromas and excellent post-shave skin hydration.

To give you a simplified, short answer to this question, it can all come down to whether you prefer to have convenience or quality,

A Final Word From The Trending Man

Selecting the right shaving cream for your skin is imperative if you want a smooth and comfortable shaving experience every time.

As well as your skin type, you should also factor in a number of other things such as the quality of the ingredients used and the scent of the shaving cream.