The Best Shaving Cream: My Ultimate Guide - New Complete Man
You are here: Home / Grooming / The Best Shaving Cream: My Ultimate Guide
I Believe This Is The Best….
The term “best” is subjective at best (no pun intended). So while you’re reading this entire write-up I am going to be plenty transparent with you on every front.
Many, if not most, of the online reviews you’ll read on “the best shaving cream” on most websites are simply getting referral fees or are being PAID for their “opinions.”
While there is nothing inherently wrong with this, it can sway some folks opinions greatly, rather than giving you an honest insight into what constitutes as the best shaving cream you can get.
The fact is, I even promote things that I love on this website as well. The main difference between this site and many others is that I put my knowledge to the test and it usually involves hundreds of hours of research and/or testing. For instance, after researching the best shaving creams on the market I found that I could personally create something better.
The result is this brand and it’s the only shaving cream that I use!
So while you’re free to shop for any shaving cream on the planet you want I am going to show you why you need to try the only one I’ll ever use again.
This is my personal opinion on what I’ve personally put together from hours of research.
Below I am going to explain what makes one shaving cream better than the next, what to look out for and what your shaving cream SHOULD have in it.
I’m going to discuss the following areas that create the best shaving cream a man can use. These areas are as follows:
Ingredients: In the section, I’ll cover what ingredients make a great shaving cream and what ones to avoid.
Scent: In this segment, I’ll discuss what most men prefer as their top scent.
Lather/Coverage/Consistency: In this segment, I discuss what consistency a shaving cream should have to get great coverage, comfort, and glide.
Worst Ingredients In A Shaving Cream
Best Ingredients In Shaving Cream and What They Do
Shaving Cream Scenting Should Be Natural Or As Close To It
Why Essential Oils Are Important In Shaving Cream
Shaving Cream Consistency
Conclusion Of My Guide On The Best Shaving Cream
Let me break down some ingredients that should NOT be in your shaving cream, ever.
Parabens: Parabens are used in numerous cosmetic products, unfortunately. I ultimately feel like they should not be even though the FDA does allow certain amounts into products that we, as consumers use. Parabens are most often used to preserve products which keep them on store shelves longer. However, many studies show them to be potentially harmful, though I will note those studies have also been extremely limited. Therefore I am not making any claims, I, however, try to avoid widespread use for myself.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): This is an additive which makes the shaving cream foamier. However, it has been shown to be harsh on your skin and body. SLS basically act as a gimmick to make the product simply “lather up” more. You do not need this and it should be avoided in products whenever possible. In fact, I stress in my guide to Facecare for men that you actually don’t want to fully cover up your hairs while your shaving. Sadly, this item is in many top shaving cream brands included some of those super-expensive ones!
Triethanolamine (TEA): This substance is easily absorbed into the skin. Many folks believe it to be unsafe and in fact, studies have shown this substance to cause health issues. Basically, it should be avoided if possible. Keep in mind that TEA is not the same thing as if you have a green tea or white tea in a product; they are not similar.
Some of these will sound odd but they provide important functions to a shaving cream. I won’t go through all the hundreds of good ingredients to use in a shaving cream but I’ll explain a great handful of them. I’ll make sure to explain what they do and why they should be in your shaving cream
Potassium Myristate: Potassium Myristate is a potassium salt of Myristic Acid. It’s a safe ingredient and it helps the shaving cream hold together nicely. This agent is also used in various food products and is considered safe for consumption. Other similar agents are Sodium Myristate and Sodium Stearate and Potassium Stearate. Again, all of these helps thicken and create a cream that does not separate and glides on smoothly.
Glycerin: This agent is a natural way to help create a good lather as well as a way to protect the skin. This also prevents the cream from become extremely dry and hard to shave.
Sunflower Seed Oil: This oil is a natural antioxidant that is good for your skin. It’s rich in vitamin e which helps nourish, moisturize and heal the skin. Other oils are great as well; i.e. jojoba oil, vegetable oil, sweet almond oil and various essential oils. These types of oils are great for your skin and help keep your skin smooth and hydrated.
Shea Butter: This helps moisturize, reduce inflammation and redness, reduce wrinkles over a prolonged use and smooth the skin. Sounds great eh? It is. This is one thing that people that have skin irritation issues use on their skin because of the aforementioned properties.
White Tea and Green Tea: These are not to be confused with TEA which should NOT be in your shaving cream. Green tea has a hint of natural caffeine to it which is great for your skin. It helps to rejuvenate skin cells that are close to the end of their life cycle.
Because of this, it will help renew and restore the skin for a healthier, glowing look. White tea carries less caffeine than green tea but carries some fantastic moisturizing properties which help hydrate the skin.
If you’ve ever used cheap shaving creams before you may have noticed a slight or even intense dryness afterward; white tea helps prevent this feeling. White tea is also a great anti-inflammatory and helps skin cells remove toxins which will strengthen a man’s complexion. If you’re looking to get the best shaving cream you need something that in some way includes green or white tea in it.
Some perfumes that are added to skin care products, including shaving cream can cause major skin irritation for some folks. I typically suggest that any type of shaving cream you use should be light on perfumes or naturally scented. Take my Artius Man Shaving Cream, for example, it’s scented naturally with essential oils.
Essential oils, unlike many perfumes, are created from a natural process. Whereas many perfumes that are added to shaving creams are actually synthetically made. The more chemicals in a product, the worse it is likely to be for your skin and body. This is where essential oils come in handy because they are derived naturally from various natural plants. The essential oils themselves play a healthy role in moisturizing your skin, adding antiseptic, antioxidant and healing properties and overall do good things for your skin.
This is where essential oils come in handy because they are derived naturally from various natural plants. The essential oils themselves play a healthy role in moisturizing your skin, adding antiseptic, antioxidant and healing properties and overall do good things for your skin.
I’m not going to cover every single essential oil that is good for shaving cream but I am going to cover a few that I personally wanted in the blend I created. These oils help create what I feel is the best shaving cream a man can get based on the properties within and feedback.
Bergamot: This is a nature citrusy deodorizer. Not only does it smell great it also has several benefits for your skin. Bergamot helps heal damaged or cracked skin. It also helps to ease pain and tension which is especially handy when you’re shaving. If you happen to get a small nick or cut it will help to ease the pain and reduce the damage from the cut.
Grapefruit: This is a natural disinfectant which will help fight off germs and bacteria while working as an antioxidant. Grapefruit essential oil will also help reduce swelling and inflammation in the skin. If you’ve ever shaved and had that irritated skin feeling –this helps improve that! Grapefruit is also a proven stress reliever and has been shown to improve mood.
Mandarin: This essential oil not only smells great but it has been shown to fight acne, heal scars and combat fine lines and wrinkles in the skin.
Cedarwood: This essential oil is actually derived from cedar wood through distillation. It’s used to help heal skin irritations, prevent fungal infections and fight skin disorders such as chronic dryness and eczema. Cedarwood has a very manly outdoorsy scent and is a favorite of men. Like the previous essential oils, Cedarwood is a natural deodorizer.
Patchouli: This manly smelling essential oil helps fight skin dandruff and eczema. Patchouli comes packing a sweet, spicy and musky aroma.
As you see the above essential oils add some additional benefits that you simply won’t find in most shaving creams today. This blend also gives the shaving cream a natural and light citrus scent which smells amazing. A light citrus scent has been shown to be a favorite scent of both men and woman alike. Basically, with a citrus hint that has many skin benefits, it’s hard to go wrong.
Almost any essential oil inside of a shaving cream will be fine and will help it smell great. The essential oils that offer skin benefits are even better, but not 100% necessary. You can find essential oils on a label usually near the bottom by looking for the name of the oil i.e. Artius Man Shaving Cream lists this at the bottom as: Cedarwood (cedrus atlantica), Bergamot (citrus bergamia),Patchouli (pogostemon cablin), Grapefruit (citrus x paradisi), Mandarin (citrus reticulata) and earlier in the label in this form: lavandula angustifolia (lavender). The name of the oil is what is denoted.
Another important aspect of a shaving cream is the consistency of the formula. A shaving cream should be slightly sticky to the skin but also not overly thick so that a razor cannot glide through.
This eliminates shaving creams that are extremely thick like a heavy paste and in my personal opinion, gels. Aside from the unnatural makeup of gels they simply do not work as well as shaving creams.
A cream also shouldn’t be so thick that it’s impossible to put on a thin coat so that the hair is still visible. As noted in my walk-through of how to avoid shaving cuts the cream should be on just thick enough to cover the skin but still expose the hair.
The unfortunate issue with this is that usually, you’ll need to test a shaving cream first before you’ll be able to determine if you like the thickness of the cream or not. Sometimes that means you’ll need to order the smallest size first and testing from there.
So through-out I hope you appreciate my full transparency. While I believe this best shaving cream you can get is this one: RIGHT HERE if you want to shop around a place like Amazon feel free! Just make sure you use my notes and hours of research that will help you find one you like.
So to conclude I made a little checklist for you.
A shaving cream should be naturally scented if possible (essential oils) – avoid perfumes for the most part
A shaving cream should be thick but not as thick as a clay formula
A shaving cream should not contain TEAs, Parabens or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
A mildly scented shaving cream is commonly perceived as smelling better
The Best Shaving Cream: My Ultimate Guide - New Complete Man
You are here: Home / Grooming / The Best Shaving Cream: My Ultimate Guide
I Believe This Is The Best….
The term “best” is subjective at best (no pun intended). So while you’re reading this entire write-up I am going to be plenty transparent with you on every front.
Many, if not most, of the online reviews you’ll read on “the best shaving cream” on most websites are simply getting referral fees or are being PAID for their “opinions.”
While there is nothing inherently wrong with this, it can sway some folks opinions greatly, rather than giving you an honest insight into what constitutes as the best shaving cream you can get.
The fact is, I even promote things that I love on this website as well. The main difference between this site and many others is that I put my knowledge to the test and it usually involves hundreds of hours of research and/or testing. For instance, after researching the best shaving creams on the market I found that I could personally create something better.
The result is this brand and it’s the only shaving cream that I use!
So while you’re free to shop for any shaving cream on the planet you want I am going to show you why you need to try the only one I’ll ever use again.
This is my personal opinion on what I’ve personally put together from hours of research.
Below I am going to explain what makes one shaving cream better than the next, what to look out for and what your shaving cream SHOULD have in it.
I’m going to discuss the following areas that create the best shaving cream a man can use. These areas are as follows:
Ingredients: In the section, I’ll cover what ingredients make a great shaving cream and what ones to avoid.
Scent: In this segment, I’ll discuss what most men prefer as their top scent.
Lather/Coverage/Consistency: In this segment, I discuss what consistency a shaving cream should have to get great coverage, comfort, and glide.
Worst Ingredients In A Shaving Cream
Best Ingredients In Shaving Cream and What They Do
Shaving Cream Scenting Should Be Natural Or As Close To It
Why Essential Oils Are Important In Shaving Cream
Shaving Cream Consistency
Conclusion Of My Guide On The Best Shaving Cream
Let me break down some ingredients that should NOT be in your shaving cream, ever.
Parabens: Parabens are used in numerous cosmetic products, unfortunately. I ultimately feel like they should not be even though the FDA does allow certain amounts into products that we, as consumers use. Parabens are most often used to preserve products which keep them on store shelves longer. However, many studies show them to be potentially harmful, though I will note those studies have also been extremely limited. Therefore I am not making any claims, I, however, try to avoid widespread use for myself.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): This is an additive which makes the shaving cream foamier. However, it has been shown to be harsh on your skin and body. SLS basically act as a gimmick to make the product simply “lather up” more. You do not need this and it should be avoided in products whenever possible. In fact, I stress in my guide to Facecare for men that you actually don’t want to fully cover up your hairs while your shaving. Sadly, this item is in many top shaving cream brands included some of those super-expensive ones!
Triethanolamine (TEA): This substance is easily absorbed into the skin. Many folks believe it to be unsafe and in fact, studies have shown this substance to cause health issues. Basically, it should be avoided if possible. Keep in mind that TEA is not the same thing as if you have a green tea or white tea in a product; they are not similar.
Some of these will sound odd but they provide important functions to a shaving cream. I won’t go through all the hundreds of good ingredients to use in a shaving cream but I’ll explain a great handful of them. I’ll make sure to explain what they do and why they should be in your shaving cream
Potassium Myristate: Potassium Myristate is a potassium salt of Myristic Acid. It’s a safe ingredient and it helps the shaving cream hold together nicely. This agent is also used in various food products and is considered safe for consumption. Other similar agents are Sodium Myristate and Sodium Stearate and Potassium Stearate. Again, all of these helps thicken and create a cream that does not separate and glides on smoothly.
Glycerin: This agent is a natural way to help create a good lather as well as a way to protect the skin. This also prevents the cream from become extremely dry and hard to shave.
Sunflower Seed Oil: This oil is a natural antioxidant that is good for your skin. It’s rich in vitamin e which helps nourish, moisturize and heal the skin. Other oils are great as well; i.e. jojoba oil, vegetable oil, sweet almond oil and various essential oils. These types of oils are great for your skin and help keep your skin smooth and hydrated.
Shea Butter: This helps moisturize, reduce inflammation and redness, reduce wrinkles over a prolonged use and smooth the skin. Sounds great eh? It is. This is one thing that people that have skin irritation issues use on their skin because of the aforementioned properties.
White Tea and Green Tea: These are not to be confused with TEA which should NOT be in your shaving cream. Green tea has a hint of natural caffeine to it which is great for your skin. It helps to rejuvenate skin cells that are close to the end of their life cycle.
Because of this, it will help renew and restore the skin for a healthier, glowing look. White tea carries less caffeine than green tea but carries some fantastic moisturizing properties which help hydrate the skin.
If you’ve ever 
used cheap shaving creams before you may have noticed a slight or even intense dryness afterward; white tea helps prevent this feeling. White tea is also a great anti-inflammatory and helps skin cells remove toxins which will strengthen a man’s complexion. If you’re looking to get the best shaving cream you need something that in some way includes green or white tea in it.
Some perfumes that are added to skin care products, including shaving cream can cause major skin irritation for some folks. I typically suggest that any type of shaving cream you use should be light on perfumes or naturally scented. Take my Artius Man Shaving Cream, for example, it’s scented naturally with essential oils.
Essential oils, unlike many perfumes, are created from a natural process. Whereas many perfumes that are added to shaving creams are actually synthetically made. The more chemicals in a product, the worse it is likely to be for your skin and body. This is where essential oils come in handy because they are derived naturally from various natural plants. The essential oils themselves play a healthy role in moisturizing your skin, adding antiseptic, antioxidant and healing properties and overall do good things for your skin.
This is where essential oils come in handy because they are derived naturally from various natural plants. The essential oils themselves play a healthy role in moisturizing your skin, adding antiseptic, antioxidant and healing properties and overall do good things for your skin.
I’m not going to cover every single essential oil that is good for shaving cream but I am going to cover a few that I personally wanted in the blend I created. These oils help create what I feel is the best shaving cream a man can get based on the properties within and feedback.
Bergamot: This is a nature citrusy deodorizer. Not only does it smell great it also has several benefits for your skin. Bergamot helps heal damaged or cracked skin. It also helps to ease pain and tension which is especially handy when you’re shaving. If you happen to get a small nick or cut it will help to ease the pain and reduce the damage from the cut.
Grapefruit: This is a natural disinfectant which will help fight off germs and bacteria while working as an antioxidant. Grapefruit essential oil will also help reduce swelling and inflammation in the skin. If you’ve ever shaved and had that irritated skin feeling –this helps improve that! Grapefruit is also a proven stress reliever and has been shown to improve mood.
Mandarin: This essential oil not only smells great but it has been shown to fight acne, heal scars and combat fine lines and wrinkles in the skin.
Cedarwood: This essential oil is actually derived from cedar wood through distillation. It’s used to help heal skin irritations, prevent fungal infections and fight skin disorders such as chronic dryness and eczema. Cedarwood has a very manly outdoorsy scent and is a favorite of men. Like the previous essential oils, Cedarwood is a natural deodorizer.
Patchouli: This manly smelling essential oil helps fight skin dandruff and eczema. Patchouli comes packing a sweet, spicy and musky aroma.
As you see the above essential oils add some additional benefits that you simply won’t find in most shaving creams today. This blend also gives the shaving cream a natural and light citrus scent which smells amazing. A light citrus scent has been shown to be a favorite scent of both men and woman alike. Basically, with a citrus hint that has many skin benefits, it’s hard to go wrong.
Almost any essential oil inside of a shaving cream will be fine and will help it smell great. The essential oils that offer skin benefits are even better, but not 100% necessary. You can find essential oils on a label usually near the bottom by looking for the name of the oil i.e. Artius Man Shaving Cream lists this at the bottom as: Cedarwood (cedrus atlantica), Bergamot (citrus bergamia),Patchouli (pogostemon cablin), Grapefruit (citrus x paradisi), Mandarin (citrus reticulata) and earlier in the label in this form: lavandula angustifolia (lavender). The name of the oil is what is denoted.
Another important aspect of a shaving cream is the consistency of the formula. A shaving cream should be slightly sticky to the skin but also not overly thick so that a razor cannot glide through.
This eliminates shaving creams that are extremely thick like a heavy paste and in my personal opinion, gels. Aside from the unnatural makeup of gels they simply do not work as well as shaving creams.
A cream also shouldn’t be so thick that it’s impossible to put on a thin coat so that the hair is still visible. As noted in my walk-through of how to avoid shaving cuts the cream should be on just thick enough to cover the skin but still expose the hair.
The unfortunate issue with this is that usually, you’ll need to test a shaving cream first before you’ll be able to determine if you like the thickness of the cream or not. Sometimes that means you’ll need to order the smallest size first and testing from there.
So through-out I hope you appreciate my full transparency. While I believe this best shaving cream you can get is this one: RIGHT HERE if you want to shop around a place like Amazon feel free! Just make sure you use my notes and hours of research that will help you find one you like.
So to conclude I made a little checklist for you.
A shaving cream should be naturally scented if possible (essential oils) – avoid perfumes for the most part
A shaving cream should be thick but not as thick as a clay formula
A shaving cream should not contain TEAs, Parabens or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
A mildly scented shaving cream is commonly perceived as smelling better