The Right Shaving Cream Will Make You Look Forward to Busting Out the Razor (2024)

There are two kinds of dudes: those who shave a whole lot, and those that don't. Either way, with too much scruff or scruff you adamantly maintain, you may look in the mirror and think: goddamn, I need to shave.

When that moment comes, you're going to want a good shaving cream on hand. Because the right shaving cream can be a game-changer, transforming a ritual you used to put off for as long as possible into one that leaves your skin feeling refreshed and reinvigorated. With a really good shaving cream, you might even start looking forward to it.

So whether you've sworn off shaving for the foreseeable future or are more committed to the grind than ever before, we've rounded up some of the best options available, from the real fancy shit to the trusty go-to options you can pick up at your local drugstore in a pinch. Trust us: your face will thank you for it.

Want essential shopping tips on the regular? Sign up for Esquire Select.

It should come as no surprise that the grooming gods at Le Labo are also responsible for one of the best-smelling shaving creams on the market. The perfumery of choice for aspiring aesthetes of a certain type makes a plant-based cream that incorporates chamomile and sage for a calming, creamy lather complete with mild hints of lavender. Shaving never smelled so luxe.

Proraso is legendary among barbers and amateur grooming enthusiasts alike (that's you!) for its 100-plus years of shaving expertise. The Italian brand has been in the game for a minute, and its signature shaving cream, featuring a mix of ingredients like glycerin and lactic acid, is still a perennial fan favorite—and the gold-standard—after all these years.

Bevel's rich shave cream is heavy on aloe vera, shea butter, and comfrey extract—all ingredients designed to moisturize and protect your skin. That layer of protection means you'll be safe from cuts and razor bumps, which is a huge thing. And, bonus: It also ensures your face will feel great after your shave.

Bulldog's shaving cream helps prevent razor burn and reduce the chances of irritation through a carefully-selected mix of natural ingredients—including aloe and camelina oil—that help to soothe the skin pre-shave.

Gillette didn't become one of the biggest names in the grooming game overnight. The brand slowly built out its empire by consistently providing products that check all the boxes without breaking the bank. Its aloe-infused Pure shaving cream is completely paraben-free and is specially designed to protect sensitive skin against irritation, leaving your face feeling super soft post-shave.

We love this shaving cream so much, we named it the Best Shaving Cream in our 2023 Grooming Awards. Unlike many shaving creams, this one goes on clear, so you can actually see the hair that you're cleaning up underneath.

Mario Badescu's shaving cream comes infused with a nourishing splash of vitamin E to help ensure a smooth shave, along with a much-needed dose of lavender oil to soothe your skin once you're done cleaning up.

Clinique is one of the biggest beauty brands in the world for a reason—their products do the damn job. You've probably seen your wife or girlfriend's makeup kit littered with their products, and it's time to add one to your arsenal, too. This shave cream is rich and soothing, and moisturizes your skin during your shave.

Kiehl's has become a grooming go-to for savvy guys relatively new to the game, but the brand has been around for well over a century and its expertise shows. Its unscented shaving cream was specifically designed for dudes with sensitive skin in mind, and it delivers as smooth a shave as possible sans any unnecessary irritation.

If you're looking for a shaving cream that's going to be widely available wherever you are, Cremo's variety of options are a good place to start. At this point the brand sells more than a few different types, each incorporating slightly different ingredients, but the OG formula is still one of the best.

It's no exaggeration to say Barbasol is a bona fide American icon. It's right there in the brand's bold, unabashed red, white, and blue branding, and in its legacy as a go-to shaving label for generations of newly hirsute men. Your father probably used Barbasol's shaving cream at some point, as did his father before him. Sure, the brand's products might not be the fanciest out there, but they're still here, still made in the USA, and still unfuckwittable.

Jack Black's shaving cream guarantees your skin some much-needed cushioning to minimize irritation and reduce any accidental nicks and cuts mid-shave. The brand's blend of natural oils helps keep your skin hydrated and soothed while you shave, all while locking in moisture for optimal results.

The aptly named Art of Shaving elevates the everyday grooming regimens of guys around the world to an art form, and it's shaving cream is no exception. This one is slightly pricier than others included on the list, but it'll last—it's super thick and lathers easily, so you should be set using a small amount each time you shave. It also incorporates a mix of ingredients like glycerin and coconut acid to hydrate the skin (and the subtle scent of sandalwood for good measure).

Unsure of whether to spring for a shaving cream or invest in its slightly lesser-known cousin, the shaving gel? Boy, have I got the product for you. Vaughn splits the difference in the form of a gel/cream hybrid that incorporates the best of both worlds to great effect. Its Hydrating Gel Cream provides a rich lather and a comfortable shave by nourishing your skin with vitamin E and your nostrils with the refreshing scent of basil, lime, and eucalyptus.