Achieving the perfect shave every time is no mean feat – especially when it comes to wet shaving.
If, like me, you’ve experienced patchiness, irritation or a couple of nicks and scrapes at the hands of a poor pre-shave formula, a quality shaving cream could be the grooming essential you’re missing.
Paired with the right razor, a cream will not only deliver a closer cut, but will also limit the chances of inflammation afterwards. They work to soften your stubble while hydrating and protecting the skin, so you’ll be left feeling smooth and nourished without the trademark post-shave bumps, injuries or ingrown hairs.
Where foams and gels often contain drying and abrasive additives to achieve the ultra-lathery texture – namely alcohol or iso-butane – a cream tends to err on the side of natural with ingredients that deliver goodness to your skin, instead. Whether it’s aloe vera or shea butter, the actives to look out for should be nourishing and protecting.
The only downside compared to their foamy counterparts? There tends to be a little more shaving admin because they work best when they’re frothed with a brush. While this isn’t essential, it makes the blade glide more easily over the skin so there’s less chance of any irritation. If you don’t have the time, though, you could simply apply the cream directly to your face with a little water and create the froth with circular motions instead.
For those who exclusively use an electric razor to tidy up their neckline, the good news is that there are countless options which can be used for wet shaving with a cream – just make sure you check the specification before you buy. Our favourite? The Braun Series 5 Wet & Dry Electric Shaver 5s B1200s.
Keep scrolling for our top pick.
ESPA Dual Action Shavemud
Enriched with cleansing kaolin and bentonite clay, nourishing shea butter, sweet almond and canola oil and soothing citrus oils, ESPA’s Shavemud ticks all of the boxes. Better yet, it doubles up as a deep cleansing mask too.
Buy now £25.20, ESPA
Perricone MD Ultra-Smooth Shave Cream
If you suffer from sensitive skin, Perricone MD’s hypoallergenic Ultra-Smooth Shave Cream should be on your wishlist. It’s an ultra-gentle formula which helps with redness and dryness thanks to antioxidant-rich fermented rice water and naturally nourishing argan oil and aloe vera.
Buy now £15.00, Perricone MD
Murdock London Shaving Cream
Grooming expert Murdock London is one of the best in the shaving business – and this cream is no exception. A luxurious, thick texture, it provides a cushion for your razor while softening the skin with mallow extract.
Buy now £36.00, Face the Future
Daimon Barber Age Defence Shave Cream
Make shaving a part of your skincare regime with Daimon Barber’s Age Defence Shave Cream. Brimming with skin-loving actives, from coconut oil to yuzu oil to aloe vera, it’s a brightening and nourishing formula which will deliver a more youthful complexion that’s stubble-free.
Buy now £33.00, John Lewis
Neal’s Yard Remedies Close Shave Cream
In the market for natural, organic skincare? Neal’s Yard Remedies is your best bet. This non-lathering cream will soften your stubble while purifying the skin for an enjoyable experience through and through.
Buy now £15.20, Neal’s Yard Remedies
Horace Shave Cream
If you’re yet to be introduced to French grooming specialist Horace, you’re in for a treat. With a range of grooming essentials that are both effective and affordable, it’s fast becoming a bathroom staple for men everywhere. This Shave Cream, for example, is formulated with shoera butter, kukui oil, shea butter and allantoin for a soothing and protective result for every skin type.
Buy now £9.00, Horace
Dior Homme Soothing Shaving Cream
For luxurious men’s beauty, Dior Homme has you covered. Though we love this cream’s luxuriously milky texture and soothing credentials, it’s the addictive woody notes of Dior Homme that keep us coming back for more.
Buy now £54.00, Dior
The Body Shop Maca Root & Aloe Softening Shaving Cream For Men
The Body Shop is the high street hero of the grooming world – and there’s an entire range of shaving products from a brush to a post-shave gel. Start the process right with this maca root and aloe softening cream which is perfect for sensitive, rough or dry skin.
Buy now £12.00, The Body Shop
Harry’s Shave Cream
While Harry’s offers a comprehensive range of bodycare, haircare and skincare, shaving is where the brand’s expertise lies. So, naturally, this shave cream is one of the best. It’s a conditioning blend of essential oils and aloe vera which sits close to the skin so you never miss a spot.
Buy now £7.00, Harry’s
Davines Pasta & Love Softening Shaving Gel
Though Davines’ formula is billed as a gel rather than a cream, it’s one of our favourite pre-shave essentials so we couldn’t leave it out. Enriched with alchechengi, a plant native to Brazil which delivers soothing properties, it’s a formula which effectively fights signs of redness and shaving irritation. And once you’ve smelt the fresh citrusy fragrance, you’ll never look back.
Buy now £26.00, Cult Beauty
