We Tested More Than 150 Shaving Creams. Here Are 14 of Our Favorites (2024)

THERE'S A saying that I just made up: “Your shave is only as good as the cream you use.” It might not be age-old, but in my experience, it’s true. Shaving is not something that many of us particularly like to do, but almost all of us do it. Whether you’re shaving your whole face, detailing around a beard, or taking a razor to other parts of your body, using the best shaving creams for men can make all the difference.

A good shaving cream should work double duty to provide the best shaving experience. It needs to contain ingredients that protect and hydrate your skin (to cut down on irritation) and also make the less-than-exciting experience of shaving a little easier and more pleasurable. And it would always give you a close shave. We’ve tested hundreds of shaving creams and here are the best in 2023.

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Shaving gels are ideal if you have facial hair and want to keep the lines clean because it allows you to see exactly where you’re shaving so you can keep beard lines crisp. It’s also great if you just prefer a gel texture rather than a foam for easier cleanup or you just like the feel on your face. This hydrating lotion is slightly more watery than your average gel, making it easy to smooth over your face.

Packed with skin soothing ingredients like Vitamin E and chamomile, this rich foam comes out of the can like a thick mousse. It helps protect sensitive skin from that harsh razor you use to shave and instantly calms skin that’s prone to post-shave redness.

Sure you could use your regular old shaving cream on your head, but this clear formula is specifically designed for scalp shaving. It allows you to see exactly where you’re shaving and won’t leave a greasy or heavy feeling on your dome.

Not only is this luxe shave cream super rich and creamy, like the kind you’d find in a fancy barbershop, but the scent is fancy as all hell, in the way only cool-guy fragrance company Le Labo could pull off. If status shaving cream is a thing, this stuff is the top shelf.

Traveling with a huge can of shaving cream is a headache, especially if you’re a carry-on only person. This tube is TSA-friendly and fits easily in your dopp kit, but best of all the soothing cream inside is packed with aloe and Vitamin E to help keep you skin chill even when you’re on the go.

Sometimes you don’t want a heavily scented cream, especially if you have sensitive skin (added fragrance can sometimes cause irritation). This thick, luxurious cream has no scent whatsoever so your skin (and nose) can breathe easy.

If you’re going old school with your razor, go old school with your cream, too. A thicker cream will help protect your face from nicks and cuts. Proraso has been making shaving cream for around 70 years and it’s still one of the very best shaving creams on the market.

This transparent gel contains fatty acids to protect and strengthen your skin barrier, and it cuts down on the need to use a pre-shave oil. It doesn’t lather like a cream, but it still gives a top notch smooth shave.

This cream is surprisingly thick and creates a protective barrier between your skin and your razor. The cooling sensation comes from peppermint and menthol to help cut down on post-shave irritation.

Bevel products are designed for men who are prone to razor bumps and this ultra-moisturizing shave cream uses aloe vera to soothe skin on contact. The bottle is small, but the formula super-rich, so a little goes a long way.

A lather-free shave lotion like this will allow you to see your face better and get a more consistent shave without missing spots. It also contains essential oils to help moisturize and protect skin even after you’re done shaving.

This thick shaving cream is specifically designed to keep sensitive skin calm during and after you shave. There’s no alcohol, which could dry or irritate skin, and aloe which soothes skin and keep it hydrated during the shave.

The natural ingredients in this shaving cream help keep skin soothed and redness at bay, both during and after your shave. The lather is rich—you’re able to use less of it than you think you need, and yet still get a close, comfortable shave.

This super rich cream is packed with skin protecting African black soap and shea butter to help keep skin smooth and calm during the shave. It’s super thick, but that’s the point—to create a protective film that’s hydrating, yet still easy to rinse off.

For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's Grooming editors and writers on the top shaving creams for men. Experts including our Senior Commerce Editor Christian Gollayan and Grooming Editor Garrett Munce put hundreds of shaving creams to the test and evaluated their effectiveness and value. We also considered top-reviewed men's lotions that had at least 100 five-star customer ratings on e-commerce websites that we trust.