The 12 Best Shaving Creams For Men To Keep Irritation-Free Skin

Shaving can be a hassle — from accidental nicks of the skin to aftershave discomfort, it’s far from the smooth process we all want 100% of the time. But aside from picking out a good-quality razor, the best shaving cream for men can help you avoid this nightmare, making a world of difference to your morning routine.

RELATED: Top Men’s Skincare Brands To Build An Age-Defying Routine In 2023

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BH Approved: Our Favourite Shaving Cream Right Now

Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream isn’t the cheapest shaving cream in the world, but if you’re keen for shaving to become an experience you look forward to, it’s well worth the price. This rich, luxurious cream whips up a thick lather for what should be a smooth, irritation-free shave every time.

Infused with the classic scent of sandalwood, it leaves your skin feeling refreshed and smelling great, as well as nicely softening your beard for a close, comfortable shave. Easy to use with a brush or your hands, this shaving cream is a must-have for anyone looking to upgrade their grooming game.

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The Shaving Creams Available In Australia (2024 Guide)

Gillette Labs Skincare “Quick Rinse Shave Foam” — Convenient For A Quick Shave

Another top shaving cream for men is Quick Rinse Shave Foam by Gillette Labs Skincare.

As the name suggests, this shaving cream comes with a quick rinse formula, allowing you to rinse it off your skin after shaving easily. The foam is ultra-lightweight, made from sea kelp, and unlike most shaving creams, it doesn’t take long to wash away. 

This product also features a rich and creamy lather that softens the hair and provides the much-needed lubrication for an effortless and smooth shaving experience. Besides the comfortable shave, Gillette Labs Skincare Quick Rinse Shave Foam is gentle on the skin, featuring Vitamin B3 to provide moisturising, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties.

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Bee Bald Shave Head & Face Premium Shaving Cream — Best for Versatility

While most men typically buy shaving creams on their faces, some may want a product they can use on their heads. Bee Bald Shave Head & Face Premium Shaving Cream is the best fit if you’re looking for shaving cream to maintain your bald style and keep your face smooth. 

What sets this product apart is its rich natural ingredients, and bee pollen is a standout component; packed with vitamins and minerals that help to moisturise the skin and reduce inflammation. It also acts as a natural exfoliator, removing dead skin cells and leaving the beard and/or head smooth, invigorated, and energised.

Another standout component of this product is honey extract, a natural humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin. Moreover, it contains high antioxidant and antibacterial properties, enhancing skin health.

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Claus Porto “Classic Scent Shaving Cream” — Best Masculine Scent

Our best shaving creams for men compilation wouldn’t be complete without Claus Porto Musgo Real Shaving Cream, a premium must-try product.

This shaving cream maintains Claus Porto’s stellar reputation, guaranteeing quality and efficiency. Claus Porto’s shaving cream has been meticulously developed to incorporate the best components that perform well for any skin type.

This shaving cream has a typical masculine scent that inventively combines sandalwood with vanilla and patchouli. Claus Porto Musgo Real Shaving Cream also features glycerin and lanolin, which are excellent moisturising components that contribute to a smooth shave. These ingredients gently soften your skin and hair, with soothing and healing properties.

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The Art of Shaving “Sandalwood Shave Cream”

We jumped onto the Art of Shaving craze bandwagon, and Sandalwood Shave Cream was the standout product from the brand.

This shaving cream’s lasting masculine scent swept us off the ground, leaving you with a lingering scent after shaving.

This product contains derivatives of sandalwood oil — alpha-santol and beta-santol — giving it a distinct bittersweet woody, delicious scent that can stimulate pleasure neurotransmitters in the brain. Thanks to the relaxing characteristics of sandalwood, this shaving cream makes shaving even more enjoyable.

The formulation features glycerin and coconut acid. Glycerin offers hygroscopic qualities, which allow it to draw in and retain moisture, keeping skin hydrated; coconut acid can serve as a surfactant, lowering liquid surface tension and adding to the creamy foam lubricating properties that few shaving creams give.

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Santa Maria Novella “Crema da Barba Shaving Cream”

Santa Maria Novella Shaving Cream is a smooth Italian shaving cream offering outstanding slickness and protection.

This product has a considerably denser texture than many shaving creams. Yet, it provides a rich, thick foam that readily coats the face for a remarkably protected shave. 

The quality of the ingredients in Crema da Barba shines through post-shave. This shaving cream nourishes and moisturises your skin excellently while the therapeutic ingredients soothe and calm your facial skin.

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Floris No. 89 Shaving Soap

A traditional approach to shaving cream that delivers a barbershop-quality shave at home, Floris No. 89 Shaving Soap whips up a rich, creamy lather that cushions and protects your skin, for a close, comfortable shave. Infused with the iconic No. 89 fragrance, it leaves a subtle, sophisticated scent of citrus and wood on your skin.

Perfect for all skin types, it softens your beard for a smooth shave and is housed in a sleek wooden bowl for a stylish addition to your grooming routine. The kind of shaving soap that makes you want to take your time and enjoy the process.

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Proraso Eucalyptus & Menthol Refresh Shaving Soap

Eucalyptus and menthol might not sound like a great shaving cream scent, however, Proraso Eucalyptus & Menthol Refresh Shaving Soap is a hugely popular option around the world. This classic Italian soap creates a rich, frothy lather that softens your beard and preps your skin for a super-smooth shave.

Infused with invigorating eucalyptus and menthol, rather than stinging or burning as you might imagine, it actually wakes you up and leaves your face feeling cool and refreshed. Ideal for all skin types, this soap also helps to prevent irritation and razor burn, and is housed in a convenient, easy-to-use tub, it’s perfect for daily use.

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Castle Forbes “Lime Shaving Cream”

Castle Forbes is a class leader in high-product grooming products, and the mammoth brand isn’t left behind in the best shaving creams for men with its Lime Shaving Cream. With its thick, creamy foam that protects and soothes the skin, this product delivers a delightful and refined shaving experience. The lubrication properties decrease inflammation and enable a close, pleasant shave while hydrating the skin. 

This shave cream is suitable for all skin and hair types thanks to the superior plant-based ingredients sourced from Scotland.

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Taylor of Old Bond Street Jermyn St Sensitive Shaving Cream

Getting Taylor of Old Bond Street Jermyn St Sensitive Shaving Cream is well-recommended if you have sensitive skin. This shaving cream is allergen-free and is carefully designed for men with very sensitive skin, with a soothing blend of protective aloe vera, hydrating cacao seed butter and coconut, complemented with allantoin that produces a sufficient lather for better shaving performance.

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Geo F. Trumper “Coconut Oil Shaving Cream”

Geo. F. Trumper’s Coconut Oil Shaving Cream is ideal for a relaxing and protective shaving experience. This fan-favourite glycerin-based shaving cream is infused with nourishing coconut oil, which lathers up effortlessly, creating a thick and protective lather. The lubricating lather offers the ultimate comfort and moisturising qualities to the skin and hair beneath, combating dryness.

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Pacific Shaving Company “All-Natural Shaving Cream”

We reserved the best shaving cream for last: Pacific Shaving Company All-Natural Shaving Cream. This product is the epitome of quality and efficiency, formulated from all-organic ingredients for a safe and smooth shaving experience.

While it’s a low-lather shaving cream, it doesn’t require much application; a modest quantity will get the job done. With such a tiny amount of the product, you don’t have to worry about clogged razors. 

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Things To Consider Before Buying Shaving Cream

While subpar shave cream or shave gel is rarely the only cause of a terrible shave, it can play a significant role in skin irritation and razor burn both during and after. Combined with dull razor blades and the wrong aftershave, you’ll probably want to grow a beard like Hagrid so you never have to do it again.

That’s why good shaving cream is essential in your grooming routine, and investing in the right one will save you from unpleasant nicks and razor bumps, as well as help your skin recover quicker post-shave.

There are several things to consider before choosing a new shaving cream. 

Skin Type

Your skin type is crucial when shopping for shaving cream, as different skin types react differently with various products. Once you find your favourite shaving cream, you’ll never do a close shave with anything else.

For instance, extremely sensitive skin or dry skin types may require extra moisture and hydration to minimise irritation, dryness, or flakiness. Moisturising elements in shaving creams formulated for dry skin types help keep the skin hydrated and balanced, lowering the likelihood of post-shave dryness and irritation.

Conversely, if you’ve oily or acne-prone skin, picking an oil-free shaving cream or a product with oil-controlling characteristics will help reduce excessive oil production and maintain your skin’s fresh, clean sensation after shaving. 

Using the right shaving cream for your skin type will help maintain its natural balance, reduce irritation, and foster a well-nourished complexion. 

Ingredients

When buying shaving cream, you should pay attention to the ingredients to find a product that works for you. Remember, everyone’s skin is unique, and some men can be more susceptible to itchiness or allergic responses than others. Natural ingredients such as shea butter, olive leaf extract, or olive oil can be soothing ingredients that relax your skin.

You should avoid allergens or potential irritants that might cause adverse effects (and are sometimes found in more traditional shaving creams), by reading the ingredients list. For sensitive skin, look for shaving creams with moderate, gentle, and hypoallergenic components.

Also look for antiseptic ingredients, such as tea tree oil or witch hazel, when shopping for the best shaving creams for men. These properties can help prevent infection by disinfecting minor cuts or nicks during shaving. An antiseptic shaving cream is recommended if you’re prone to small cuts or have delicate skin more vulnerable to infection. 

Finally, consider your tastes and preferences in the shaving cream ingredients. For instance, you may prefer cruelty-free or vegan ingredients, depending on your values. Reviewing the ingredient list helps you pick out the best shaving cream for you and educates you on the product if you don’t react well to it. match your shaving cream to your tastes and values.

Lubrication and Protection

Select a product that provides sufficient lubrication and formulates a protective skin barrier between both your skin and the razor. The lack of a protective layer could cause the blade to drag or pull on the skin, causing irritation irritation, which is why using a rich shaving cream has excellent lubricating capabilities is a must.

Proper lubrication is critical for avoiding cuts and nicks. There is a lower risk of unintentional cuts when the blade glides effortlessly over the skin, thanks to the lubricating characteristics of the shaving cream (and the quality of the razor). The protective layer helps the razor perform smoothly for a safer and more effective shaving experience.

Besides reducing irritation and the risk of ingrown hairs, shaving cream with sufficient lubrication means you can avoid razor burn. The smooth gliding action helps the blade to cut the hair more precisely and effectively, providing a closer shave with fewer strokes, as well as reducing the chance of ingrown hairs.

Consistency

Shaving creams exist in various forms, including creams, gels, and foams. The consistency of shaving cream influences the ease with which you can apply it to the skin, no matter if you use your hands or a shave brush. Thicker creams may give greater lubrication, while shaving gel or foams can have a lighter feel and be easier to apply. 

Also, the shaving cream’s consistency contributes to the creation of lather. Thicker shave creams will provide a richer, luxury shaving cream feeling foam, which may translate to a more comfortable shaving experience. Excellent lather hydrates, softens, and prepares the facial hair for a closer shave.

Scent

The scent of your shave cream is a question of personal taste, and selecting a product with the scent you fancy can improve your shaving experience and boost your confidence throughout the day.

Whether you enjoy a fresh, clean fragrance or a more subtle and revitalising scent, choosing the scent that suits you may render your shaving routine more pleasurable. Commonly found examples include the Proraso shaving cream which delivers a subtly smoky shea butter scent, as well as a sandalwood shaving cream that is typically a little more intense.

However, if you have fragrance allergies sensitivity, consider getting a shave soap or cream with mild or hypoallergenic scents, or just go scent-free. The best shaving soap will help you avoid any potential allergic responses or skin irritations induced by certain scent components.

Reviews

Reviews give essential insight into the experiences of other people who have used the shaving cream. Reading reviews helps you to gain from their experiences, such as how well the product worked, its usefulness, and any possible concerns or benefits they faced. This knowledge can help you make a well-informed decision and boost the probability of identifying a product that meets your requirements and expectations.

Price & Value

When choosing the best shaving cream for your needs, it’s critical to consider the price and value. Setting a budget allows you to narrow down the choices and pick a cream that matches your budget. 

Furthermore, evaluating the value guarantees that the cream provides a good return on investment by taking into account elements such as performance, lifespan, and any extra perks. Remember to balance pricing and quality, evaluating options to make a knowledgeable choice that fits your budget and needs.

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All of these products are selected independently by the Boss Hunting editorial team only after significant research and review. You can find out more about how we review products here.