Best shaving creams for a baby-faced glow (2024)

Kiehl’s Blue Eagle Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream is made up of all the ingredients needed for a seamless touch-up. Sodium PCA and sesame oil work together to moisturise and soften the skin while aloe vera does its soothing duties and Castilian olive oil beautifies with its powerhouse of polyphenols, tocopherols, antioxidants as well as vitamins A, B, E and K. With this cream thick in texture, your razor will take to your face like Torvill and Dean to ice.

This high-performance, richly concentrated formula is particularly good for men who suffer with sensitivity, but can be used by any skin type. Paraben and sulfate-free, it comes packaged in a retro tub so is especially well-suited to brush shaving: a ritual that will help to achieve an even thicker lather. Using mallow extract, aloe vera and borage, the ultra-hydrating solution forms a protective layer over the skin, prepping the surface for optimum razor glide. Made in England and developed via the expertise of Murdock’s in-house barbers, it offers a clean and close shave while helping to minimise nicks and irritation.

Who doesn’t love a 2-in-1? This dual-function daily face wash can also be used as an ultra-smooth and hydrating shaving mousse. Formulated with antioxidants, it offers a close shave with less irritation and is suited to normal, sensitive, combination and oily skin-types. When added to water, it creates a luxurious and protective lather that gives great razor glide and a clean and close shave. Made with apricot and macadamia oil, vitamin E, hydrolysed silk and panthenol for maximum comfort, it uses mushroom enzymes to expose and soften stubborn facial hair and is enriched with squalane, a naturally-occurring hydrocarbon component of olive oil to help you avoid redness or shaving rash. A little pricey, perhaps, but you get what you pay for: this is one of the best shaving creams on the market.

Horace men’s grooming gear has fast become our recommendation of choice across the board and its shaving salve is no exception. Made with shorea butter to protect the skin and kukui oil to protect from razor burn, it’s particularly perfect for those prone to irritation when shaving. The addition of shea butter goes the extra step to moisturise, too.

Bulldog’s new and improved duo of foaming shave gels prove that science can work hand-in-hand with nature. Available in “original” or “sensitive” formulas, with a cooling gel-to-foam consistency, both have been designed to offer a close and comfortable shave by delivering a well-cushioned and effortless razor glide while caring for your specific skin needs through the use of vitamin-rich plant-based ingredients. Both eco-conscious solutions are packaged in an innovative recyclable aluminium canister (the science bit) that is fully powered by air rather than volatile organic compounds. The fragrance-free sensitive formula is particularly good and includes a combination of baobab oil, willow herb and oat oil to take the sting out of your morning routine by actively calming inflammation, redness and irritation.

This richly-textured, dual-action formulation gives a close, comfortable shave and doubles as a deep-cleansing clay mask. Part of Espa’s new and improved men’s skincare range, it soothes, purifies and pampers with hydration and is compatible with all skin-types. Made with a blend of kaolin and bentonite clay, it uses shea butter and lipid-rich sweet almond and castor oils to nourish the skin and soften the bristles for a close and irritation-free shave. Infused with citrus essential oils to soothe the senses it can be used daily as a shaving prep and once or twice a week as a mask by leaving on the skin for 20 minutes before rinsing to help unblock decongest pores.

Using only 10 ingredients in its formulation, this uniquely liquid-textured prep enables a close and comfortable shave. Part of Nivea Men’s new Sensitive Pro Menmalist grooming collection, it essentially lubricates the skin to lower the risk of irritation and has been dermatologically-approved for sensitive skin. Containing 94 per cent natural origin ingredients, it is powered with glycerin, a stellar moisturising agent, to help relieve dryness and offer total skin comfort. Infused with a softening agent ideal for contour shaving, it's silicone oil free, 93 per cent biodegradable and micro-plastic-free, plus vegan-friendly and housed in a non-aerosol pump dispenser made with 100 per cent recycled materials.

A standout within Dior Homme’s extended line of grooming essentials, this soothing shave prep offers unrivalled sensory appeal. Good for men who suffer with sensitivity, it has been designed to help calm skin irritated by razor burn and ensures a smooth and effortless glide for the blade. Infused with a cotton extract, it has been formulated with 94 per cent natural-origin ingredients and leaves skin feeling refreshed and free from any discomfort. Applied to damp skin, the rich and creamy texture is non-greasy and softens stubble in preparation for the main event. Its biggest selling point, though, is that it's scented with Dior Homme’s signature masculine fragrance; a co*cktail of bergamot, vetiver and patchouli and an overdose of carnal woody notes.

Described as as “part ritual, part preparation” by this maker of fuss-free men’s grooming essentials out of New Zealand, Old Fashioned Shave Cream sits at the crossroads of contemporary (natural) science and old-school experience. Featuring a combination of glide-enhancing lanolin and coconut oil extract (which gives the solution its lather), it is made available in either a traditional jar (for use with a brush) or a more practical tube dispenser. Just a little of this richly textured cream-to-foam formulation goes a very long way: with more than 100 shaves in every jar it is ideally suited to sensitive skin-types (although not exclusively) as it contains none of the chemical nasties that are now frowned upon, such as denatured alcohol or concentrated menthols. It also boasts a bright, fresh citrus scent with a hint of a traditional Turkish barbershop.

The rich and refreshing texture of Acqua Di Parma’s “new look” Soft Shaving Cream with its iconic Colonia fragrance offers maximum hydration and helps lift whiskers to offer an excellent razor glide. Infused with pomegranate seed oil, basil extract, lemon oil and hyaluronic acid (to reduce razor burn and irritation) it is also comes with the option of a conveniently packaged 75ml tube, a no-brainer for frequent flyers.

A blend of nine different soft and hard soaps give this rich-textured hydrating shave-prep its unique and deeply nourishing characteristics. Particularly good for anyone who suffers from dry skin conditions, it is one of the bestsellers in this British brand’s repertoire of fuss-free products aimed at urban dwellers. Enriched with Tasmanian pepper berries — an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that has been shown to be three times more powerful than blueberries — and tea tree oil — which is both antibacterial and antiseptic — it effectively reduces sensitivity and redness and even boasts healing properties. Fucogel assists in giving a smooth, stress-free experience, leaving skin feeling deeply hydrated and with enhanced skin texture.

Requested by Soho House teams as a travel essential for its members, this unique head-to-toe shaving gel can be safely used anywhere that hair grows. Suitable for all skin-types, it reduces irritation and promotes a close and comfortable shave. Made with konjac mannan — a root extract which helps to cushion the skin and provide enhanced razor glide — it also features aloe vera and glycerine to hydrate and soothe. Because the thick gel formula is transparent, it means you can see what you're doing better, even helping to smooth rough skin. To finish things off, barley extract offers antioxidant properties, while prebiotics feed the skin’s ecosystem with healthy bacteria.

With more than 120 years of experience in men’s shaving, it would be fair to say that Gillette has always been ahead of the curve. Next on its list: pubic hair. After extensive research, the brand identified that almost a third of UK men who intimately shave use the same razor and shave cream for their down-there as they do for their face. This unsavoury statistic has led Gillette to launch a whole new category in shaving: Gillette Intimate, a range of shaving tools and a 2-in-1 shave cream & cleanser specifically designed for the pubic region. Powered with hydrating and comforting aloe vera, the shave cream has been created to soothe and protect coarse and curly pubic hair, and the thin, sensitive skin that surrounds it. Dermatologist-tested, this shave prep has a lower water content and higher lubrication than typical shave gels, foams and creams and is therefore ideally suited for sensitive skin.

Founded as a research laboratory producing high-end haircare solutions for a renowned network of cosmetics giants, Davines has successfully diversified to launch its own line of hair treatments, styling aids and shampoos. Pasta & Love — a trio of bristle-benefiting solutions — introduces shaving (for the first time) to the sustainably-focused Italian brand. The softening gel-to-foam shaving formula is a real treat; a luxurious prep that helps you achieve a professional, fast, close and gentle shave. Enriched with extracts of irritation-soothing and redness-fighting organic alchechengi (winter cherry), this is made for the man who loves to live well but take care of himself. All that and it's fragranced with a citrusy, Mediterranean-inspired barbershop scent, with notes of orange blossom, lemon, bergamot iris and patchouli.

This plant-based formula, made with sage (to tone), chamomile (to soothe) and coconut (to nourish), is one of the stand-out skews in Le Labo’s extended “grooming essentials” line. Scented with bergamot, lavender, violet and tonka bean, this New York barbershop-inspired classic cream has a silky texture (for effortless razor glide), is paraben-free and has retro swagger, all packaged in a cool aluminium tube.

Driven by the frustration of overpaying for over-designed razors, US-born Harry’s has always delivered on the promise to provide affordable products that perform at the top of their game without compromising on quality. Deeply conditioning and rich and creamy in texture, its shaving cream effectively cushions for a comfortable glide, and hydrates and softens the bristles with a blend of 12 natural oils and extracts. Enriched with marula oil to hydrate and feed the skin, essential oils of eucalyptus and mint help to refresh and release a cooling sensation, while aloe vera gets to work on calming down redness or irritation. A comforting experience, the cream (unlike the shaving foams of yesteryear that you could make a Santa beard out of) sits close to your skin so you can clearly see what you are doing and where you are going. Apply to a damp face and leave on for a couple of minutes before shaving for a more enhanced experience and to deeply hydrate the facial hair follicles.

Disillusioned by the products made available to help treat razor-burn, James Kenning set about creating a shave cream that would finally give shaving rash the elbow. The all-natural formula is now a bestseller (earning five-star ratings from its customers) and has been composed using a minimal number of ingredients but with maximum impact (hence the name Pure Shave); the less you add the slimmer the chance of any unnecessary irritation. Enriched with coconut and sweet almond oil, the silky-textured shave prep ensures blades glide smoothly and unimpeded over the skin. Suitable for all skin types (especially sensitive), it is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. A versatile grooming aid, it can be used either with or without water and takes the burn out of the morning scrape. Housed in Eco-friendly packaging, when the aluminium bottle is empty simply refill it with a refill pouch; each refill saves three further bottles heading to landfill.

This silky-textured Smooth Shave Foaming Gel from French plant-based skincare specialist ClarinsMen has built-in energising properties, so is a useful addition to any morning routine when you feel like you need a bit of a kickstart. Suitable for all skin types and one of the bestselling products in the ClarinsMen universe, it reduces irritation and razor burn with added relief to help protect from nicks and cuts. Powered by active ingredients soothing aloe vera, which encourages healing, and energising bison grass, its gel-to-foam formula smooths and softens skin and is kind to more sensitive areas.

Gillette’s heritage-inspired range of tools and solutions benefits from more than 100-years of shaving experience, expertise and prowess. Named after the brand’s founder King Camp Gillette, who created the world’s first ever safety razor in Boston in 1901, the line features everything a man should need (including some professional-grade hardware) to achieve a close, comfortable shave or tame unruly beards. The Transparent Shave Gel is a must for men with facial hair, as it allows you to see exactly where you are putting the razor and thus avoid shaving mishaps. Creating an anti-friction layer between razor and skin (to avoid razor burn), mild lubricants and glycerine are incorporated for an ultra-smooth razor glide. It's scented with a signature fragrance of citrus, ginger, lavender and tonka and soothing aloe vera and white tea extract, recognised to have anti-ageing properties, are among its roll call of skin-rejuvenating active ingredients.