7 Best Shaving Creams for Men in 2025, According to a Grooming Expert

Jackfir The Classic checks every box I look for in a shaving cream. Its ingredients are clean, its scent soothing, and the formula protects the skin from irritation and cuts. Simply put, I got one of the closest, smoothest shaves I’ve ever had with this cream. The creamy lather cushions the razor perfectly while aloe, cucumber, and panthenol keep the skin calm and hydrated. The scent is invigorating and woodsy, thanks to natural oils like cedarwood, vetiver, and chamomile instead of synthetic fragrances. This also makes it safe for sensitive skin without being entirely scentless.

On top of its long list of at least 70 percent organic ingredients, it even comes in sustainable packaging made from recycled materials. I generally shave with a safety razor for my face and a cartridge razor for my body (or when traveling), and Jackfir was perfect for both. It’s slick enough that it never clogs up the blade, but thick enough to keep my skin protected. This is all on top of prepping the skin while also locking moisture in post-shave.

I have dry skin that’s prone to shaving irritation, but the combo of panthenol and bisabolol kept my face feeling calm before and after the session. You also don’t need to use much to cover your entire face; barely more than a nickel-sized amount will do the trick. The only downside to this stuff is that it’s over $35, but given how long it lasts and how great it performs, it’s well worth it.

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The razor you use isn’t solely responsible for shaving irritation. For many, simply switching to a gentler, more skin-friendly shaving cream will go a long way in preventing bumps and redness. You won’t find a better option than Harry’s Shave Cream, which is no surprise coming from what I dubbed the best skincare brand for clean-shaven men.

This cream packs powerful natural ingredients like eucalyptus oil, mint oil, and aloe vera, which work together to soothe skin and reduce irritation. It’s free of parabens, sulfates, or other common irritants, and its formula is equally thick and silky to protect and smooth skin. Best of all, it could double as the best value shaving cream at only $8 a container.

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Dr. Squatch’s shave butter feels more like a creamy lotion than shaving cream, allowing the razor to glide smoothly across the skin while it also moisturizes. Despite how that sounds, it never clogs up my blade—even when I use a safety razor. The trio of natural hero ingredients, shea butter, murumuru butter, and macadamia oil, is rich in vitamins and fatty acids that deeply hydrate, soften, and smooth the skin.

Together, they create a nourishing barrier that locks in moisture and helps reduce irritation for a more comfortable, soothing shave. The lotion-like texture takes a couple of shaves to get used to if you’ve traditionally used thicker shave creams or foams, but the feel of your skin during and after is immediately satisfying.

If you’re prone to razor bumps and burning like me, this cream will feel like a godsend thanks to its rich and smooth lather that’s packed with ingredients that care for skin. The aloe vera and shea butter deliver deep hydration, keeping your face calm and protected while helping to prevent razor bumps and irritation. The pair also works together to calm inflammation, moisturize, and create a protective barrier that helps prevent razor bumps and post-shave irritation. White tea extract then adds that clean, refreshing feel I always look for in a shaving cream. It’s soothing, nourishing, and bump-free.

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I don’t use cartridge razors too often, as safety and electric razors tend to leave my sensitive skin less irritated. But if I’m traveling or in a hurry, I’ll turn to them—and rarely without this shave gel from GilletteLabs. The rapid foaming is as advertised, thickening in seconds for quick application. It gives that fresh feeling once it hits your face before the razor even touches your skin. While it’s listed as having a cedar wood and orange peel scent, I rarely catch too much of it. But I prefer that, as I’d rather rely on my cologne for fragrance.

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I implore you to use a shave oil in addition to a cream to minimize irritation as much as possible; however, if you really don’t have the time or desire to, use this. Atwater’s shaving cream is designed to pull double duty, preparing the skin before the razor touches it and protecting it throughout the shave. As a pre-shave, its blend of hydrating oils helps soften stubble and create a smooth, conditioned surface.

During shaving, ingredients like vitamin B5, vitamin C, argan oil, and coconut oil work together to cushion the blade, reduce friction, and keep the skin nourished. This combination leaves my skin feeling as calm and moisturized as it’ll get without using a pre-shave oil. Plus, it’s completely unscented, so it’s safe for even the most sensitive skin.

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