15 Best Shaving Creams For Men In 2023

With shaving creams not only being for lumberjacks and hipster beards, creams are still relevant and fundamental for the average Joe in 2023.

Shaving creams provide a smooth, simple and comfortable shaving experience. Creams provide lubrication, hydration, skin protection and other essential benefits, offering convenient solutions for an overall sublime shaving session.

The following shaving creams are good for both your skin and the environment, containing ingredients that aren't harmful, which you’d likely find in lower-end products.

Let's dive into exploring what the 15 best shaving creams for men are in 2023.

1. Blu Atlas Shave Cream

Blu Atlas

Blu Atlas is the crème de la crème of shaving creams in 2023.

Reduce irritation, prevent cuts, and protect your skin with Blu Atlas natural shaving cream. The best shaving cream for men in 2023 contains natural ingredients, making the cream ideal for men with sensitive skin, avoiding harsh chemicals getting on their skin, and on the planet.

The cream contains glycerin, which is a humectant, allowing moisture to be held within the skin to reduce dryness and itching.

The ingredients in this Blu Atlas product are beneficial for the skin. Aloe barbadensis leaf helps soothe and hydrate the skin; tocopheryl acetate, a form of Vitamin E, is an antioxidant; and oat bran extract contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Blu Atlas products have no sulfates and no parabens, making this an excellent and healthy choice to keep your beard clean and soft in 2023.

This all-rounder cream is highly recommended if you care about the health of your body and the earth's environment (with 99% of the ingredients being natural; from plants, fruits and minerals). Furthermore, this Blu Atlas product is highly recommended on prestigious news sites, and the company strives to be sustainable and eco-friendly.

With a calm and soothing scent, and luxurious lather, it’s the cream of the crop in the world of shaving.

2. Barber Shop Co. Earnest Empire Shave Cream

Barber Shop Co.

For men looking for products with environmental and ethical origins, Earnest Empire Shaving Cream isn’t tested on animals and is 100% organic certified.

The product contains high quality shaving cream ingredients. This includes shea butter, and coconut oil. Shea butter is superb for the skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties reducing redness, and it being a good natural ingredient that provides an alternative to other synthetic ingredients. Furthermore, with it containing vitamins A, E and F, shea butter promotes healthy skin cell growth. Coconut oil brings excellent antimicrobial properties to the table, reducing the growth of unwanted bacteria.

The cream produces a rich lather, softening the beard and allowing for a clean and smooth shaving experience.

This product, from New Zealand, includes local foliage, including that of manuka honey and mamaku black fern extracts. Manuka honey is fantastic for wound healing and tissue regeneration (in the event of a shaving cut) and is more potent in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents than many other honeys.

Earnest Empire Shaving Cream has a citrus and spiced wood scent that provides a warm atmosphere. Commonly used in aromatherapy this scent invigorates the senses with its calm properties.

3. Supply Live Free Sandalwood & Cedar Ultra Lather Shaving Cream

Supply Live

Rated the “best shaving cream of 2021” by Men's Health, this plant based shaving cream is an excellent choice for men looking for a product with the bittersweet blend of cedar and sandalwood; a masculine fragrance that’s both warm and grounding.

The product contains both shea butter and coconut oil. Shea butter is an emollient, meaning it smooths the skin. It also reduces skin irritation and redness through its anti-inflammatory properties. Coconut oil has hydrating properties that help moisturize and nourish the skin and also promote skin health through preventing the growth of potentially harmful bacteria.

The Ultra Lather formula produces a rich creamy lather, which is excellent at protection and provides cushioning for the skin to prevent cuts and razor burn. Furthermore, products with Ultra Lather formulas help to lead the shavers razor smoothly over the skin, which then reduces friction, abrasion, and skin irritation.

From an ethical standpoint, products from Supply are never tested on animals. With an increasing number of people looking for cruelty-free products, Supply offers just this!

With over 500 reviews on its website, Supply Shaving Cream is still a winner in the year 2023.

4. Murdock Barbers of London Shaving Cream

Murdock

Are you a vegetarian or a vegan? Then check out Murdock Barbers of London's Shaving Cream. This cream cares about its men, and planet earth. It’s made from 100% recycled products and doesn’t contain harmful ingredients. Some of the damaging ingredients that the Murdock Barbers Shaving Cream do not exhibit are pParabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic dyes.

Parabens and phthalates are used to extend product shelf life and improve shaving products’ viscocity; however, studies have found that they have potentially harmful hormonal effects. Sulfates can affect and disrupt hair growth and cause skin irritation, and synthetic dyes can cause skin irritation and reactions after use. Therefore, it’s safe to ensure you use products that don’t use these ingredients.

The cream in this product provides a rich lather, lubricating the skin for a comfortable shaving session. Users have reviewed Murdock Barbers of London Shaving Cream and commented that the cream provides an irritation-free shave.

The cream moisturizes and softens the skin because it contains aloe vera, vitamin E, and coconut oil, which are all known to be good for keeping the skin soft and moisturized. The cream furthermore provides a protective barrier, enabling the skin to lock in the moisture and not allow it to escape.

5. The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Cream

Art of Shaving Sandalwood

Looking for a sandalwood therapeutic experience? Try out The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Cream.

Sandalwood is abundant in alpha-santalol and beta-santalol, which results in the product’s distinguishing bittersweet woody and delightful aroma, which can trigger pleasurable neurotransmitters in the brain. This makes the shaving experience with this cream all the more joyful due to sandalwood's calming properties. Furthermore the masculine scent is long lasting, providing men with a lingering scent post shave.

The rich lather cream can be applied without a brush and hydrates and lubricates men’s skin. Lather acts as a barrier between the skin and the razor, reducing friction and cuts. Furthermore, the lather lifts individual hair strands, making it easier to shave.

The product features glycerin and coconut acid. Glycerin has hygroscopic properties, allowing it to attract and withhold surrounding water molecules, maintaining skin hydration levels, which allows for hot water and soaps (present during the shaving process) to not strip away natural oils and cause dryness.

Coconut acid has the potential to act as a surfactant, reducing surface tension of liquids, and contributing to the creamy lather lubrication that few shaving creams provide. Furthermore, coconut acid can penetrate outer skin layers to provide nourishment and hydration. Coconut acid is also derived from plants and is biodegradable.

6. Le Labo Inc. Shaving Cream

Le Labo Inc.

Another all-natural shaving cream is Le Labo Inc. Shaving Cream. Similar to the number one shaving cream in 2023 (Blu Atlas) this classic product is also from New York.

The product is made with natural ingredients and doesn’t include harsh chemicals such as phthalates and parabens. Phthalates have been found to result in reproductive and hormone issues. Parabens have been found to also cause reproductive issues and furthermore developmental issues. Therefore, products that don’t include these ingredients are considered to be safer for use.

The cream also has sage as an ingredient, which is used for its skin soothing and antiseptic properties, reducing inflammation. Sage also has astringent properties to tighten and tone the skin. Furthermore the sage fragrance offers an earth-like smell that enhances the senses and invigorates the shaving experience. Chamomile, another natural ingredient, comprises terpenoids, coumarins, and flavonoids, which adds to the cream's calming effect. In addition, the chamomille plant reduces reactions and redness on the skin during and after shaving.

The coconut in Le Labo Inc. Shaving Cream has emollient properties, softening the skin. It also has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties; all of which are important when shaving with a razor.

7. Triumph & Disaster Old fashioned Shave Cream

Triumph & Disaster

Triumph & Disaster pride themselves on providing nostalgia to the shaving experiences, having emerged from traditional shaving ingredients and values. The second brand mentioned on this list that comes from the small island nation of New Zealand.

With the use of old school ingredients such as peru, spearmint, marjoram, grapefruit, orange and patchouli, this product takes you back in time with its old fashioned aroma notes.

The product contains lanolin, which is derived from sheep wool, which exhibits similar natural oils to that of human skin. This makes it an excellent ingredient to encourage hydration of the skin. It also produces a protective barrier between the razor and the skin, preventing razor burn and skin irritation, making Triumph & Disaster one of the best shaving creams for men in 2023.

The product has coconut oil extracts, which, being a natural emollient, encourages the softening and smoothing of skin, further contributing to a superior shaving experience. Coconut oil extracts also have anti-inflammatory properties, calming the skin and reducing potential discomfort.

With excellent reviews, and featuring in world class magazines, this shaving cream is definitely one to try out in 2023.

8. Pacific Shaving Co. Natural Shaving Cream

Pacific Shaving Co.

“A Little Goes a Long Way” is the motto that Pacific Shaving Co. pride themselves on, and this is nothing but 100% true. Being derived from plant ingredients, this shaving cream that has emerged from Western USA is a great one to use in 2023.

Aloe vera, coconut oil and shea butter are all ingredients that feature in the vegan product, with most ingredients being certified organic. Aloe vera is used to hydrate the skin, improve skin elasticity, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Coconut oil and shea butter also have beneficial skin nourishing properties.

Whether your preference is a manual or electric razor, Pacific Shaving Co.l makes your shaving experience enjoyable and hassle free.

The product isn’t tested on animals, showing the company’s compassion and committing to avoiding animal cruelty and inhumane practices. Cruelty-free products are beneficial for the environment because they generally contain eco-friendly and natural ingredients.

The product is also TSA friendly, meaning for men wanting to travel post Covid and experience other shaving cultures around the world, Pacific Co. Natural Shaving Cream can be brought on the trip without fear of it being confiscated or having to be packed onto their checked luggage.

For men looking to help preserve the planet, Pacific Co. Natural Shaving Cream comes in eco-friendly and sustainable packaging, beneficial to the planet and future generations!

9. Harry's Shave Cream With Eucalyptus

Harrys Shave

Harry's Shave Cream with Eucalyptus was without a doubt going to make the list of the 15 best shaving creams for men in 2023.

The product design features a mammoth, which symbolizes men’s strength and endurance, two powerful words that the product seeks to encourage beyond shaving. The business sets aside 1% of sales to contribute to non-profit organizations protecting and nurturing men’s (adults and youths) mental health. The company's goal is to help support 1.5 million men by the year 2024 and aims to reach this by connecting men with online tools to help improve their mental health. Furthermore, the company contributes to free and private psychological support via text in the UK. How awesome is that! Helping men keep both their beards and brains in shape!

The product also features the grand trio of eucalyptus, aloe vera and mint. Eucalyptus eradicates beardruff and refreshes the skin. Mint leaves a lingering cooling effect. Aloe vera provides essential minerals and vitamins, ensuring a smooth and pain-free shaving experience.

Harry’s claims that its shaving cream sits close to the skin, further making the shaving session a walk in the park.

For men looking for an environmental and ethical reason to purchase Harry’s, it’s paraben- and sulfate-free, and it isn’t used or tested on animals.

If none of the above points wins you over to Harry's shaving cream, we’re sure the cool and crisp bottle design featuring nothing other than a Mammoth will.

10. Proraso Shave Cream Tube

Proraso

In 10th place comes the Proraso Shave Cream Tube (Refreshing), originating from no place other than Italy! Proraso prides themselves on this cream that can be used on any beard on any man (a Jack of all trades cream).

Proraso Shave Cream is becoming a top choice for many discerning shaving aficionados, largely due to its thick lather and emollient properties. With the blend of eucalyptus oil, menthol, and glycerin, it offers men a silky smooth shaving experience. The resulting hydration and lubrication of the skin, due to the blend of these ingredients, minimizes irritation and redness and leaves the skin looking and feeling revitalized.

Proraso also keeps up with sustainable practices with the cream having 91% of its ingredients natural and it being cruelty-free (not tested on animals).

Whether you’re a seasoned barber, or maybe a home-grooming enthusiast, Proraso is a must try for anyone wanting an Italian shaving experience.

11. D.R. Harris and Co. Almond Luxury Lather Shaving Cream

D.R. Harris

With the beige shaving tube representing humbleness, D.R. Harris and Co. Almond Luxury Lather Shaving Cream has a lot to brag about with its simply divine formula.

The main difference of this shaving cream compared to other products on the market is the use of almond oil, which is a rich and nourishing oil that treats your skin like royalty. With its anti-inflammatory properties, almond oil is an all-round beneficial ingredient! Alongside almond oil, the product uses glycerin, an ingredient commonly used to keep the skin hydrated and forms a creamy and nourishing lather.

D.R. Harris Co. has been around for over two centuries making premium grooming products for men. With a commitment to quality and tradition, this cream is the epitome of old world charm and sophitication!

12. Taylor of Old Bond Street Tobacco Leaf Shaving Cream

Taylor

The Taylor of Old Bond Street Tobacco Leaf Shaving Cream is a must-try in the year 2023. First, the luxurious product comes packaged in a classic yet elegant bottle to prepare you for a nostalgic shaving experience.

The key ingredient of this cream is tobacco leaf, known for its calming properties. The leaf contains nicotine, which has antiseptic properties, reducing skin irritation and skin inflammation. It also has essential vitamins, fundamental for maintaining healthy skin. The fragrant tobacco leaf emits a worldly scent, great for men looking for tradition and elegance in their shaving creams.

Tobacco leaf combined with glycerin, a natural moisturizer, and coconut oil, creates a creamy nourishing lather that makes your skin feel dreamy.

Alongside the tobacco fragrance is the use of the citrus ingredients bergamot and grapefruit, which provide a refreshing distinctive addition to the scent.

With Taylor of Old Bond Street making premium grooming products for over 150 years, their commitment to quality and tradition is evident in their products. Therefore, this is a great choice for the twenty-first century man who values heritage and sophistication.

13. Bevel Shave Cream

Bevel

Bevel Shaving Cream is designed for men with sensitive skin, specially designed with gentle ingredients to reduce skin irritation.

Alongside aloe vera and shea butter, the product has white tea. White tea has high concentrations of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which help maintain healthy skin and act against wrinkles and dry skin.

Shea butter is rich in vitamins and minerals, moisturizing and nourishing men’s skin, in addition to its anti-inflammatory effects. Glycerin helps create the creamy and luxurious lather, holding onto moisture to keep the skin soft and smooth.

The slick purple and gray bottle offers insight to what you’ll find inside; a crisp cutting-edge shaving cream! In this case, by all means do judge the book by its cover.

14. Bee Bald Premium Shave Cream

Bee Bald

For men looking for an alternative shaving experience, check out Bee Bald Premium Shave Cream! The cream is developed and designed to be both used on the head and face, and is a good option for men who are going bald, with the designer himself being bald.

One notable ingredient in this product is bee pollen. This ingredient is rich in vitamins and minerals. It hydrates the skin, and reduces inflammation. It’s also a natural exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells and leave both the beard and head smooth, refreshed, and revitalized. Some studies have even suggested that it can help with hair regrowth.

Honey extract also features in Bee Bald Premium Shaving Cream. It’s a natural humectant, attracting and retaining moisture in the skin. Being rich in antioxidant and antibacterial compounds, honey also improves skin's health and protects it from damage.

15. Acqua Di Parma Men's Shaving Cream

Acqua Di Parma

Lastly, Acqua Di Parma Shaving Cream is among the best shaving creams for men in 2023. First, its bright yellow tube shouts the words “warm,” “vibrant” and “happy,” evoking a positive reaction in men looking for that ideal shaving product.

Acqua Di Parma Shaving Cream features the less common shaving cream ingredients of lemon seed oil, pomegranate seed oil, basil extract, and hyaluronic acid.

Lemon seed oil has rejuvenating properties, calming irritated skin. Furthermore, the oil acts as an astringent, tightening the skin post-shave, with its lingering scent providing a sense of refreshment.

Pomegranate seed oil, basil extract, and hyaluronic acid are all good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients that provide positive benefits when used in shaving creams.

This shaving cream is highly recommended if you’re in the market for a luxurious item!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are bad ingredients to watch out for in men's shaving creams in 2023?

When buying shaving creams, watch out for products that might contain ingredients harmful for you and the environment.

Alcohol dries out the skin, causing irritation and itchiness.
Parabens can be harmful to the skin and have been linked to hormonal imbalances and an increase in the risk of cancer.
Phthalates are plastic chemicals, which are also harmful to the skin and disrupt hormones.
Sulfates can strip away important natural oils and cause itchiness and redness post-shave.
Artificial colorings and fragrances can cause allergic reactions and further cause skin reactions.

Most shaving creams in this article don’t feature these ingredients in their products (including the number one shaving cream for men in 2023, Blu Atlas Shave Cream).

Instead, look for creams that have plant and botanical extracts, natural oils, and vitamins.

How can I be environmentally and ethically friendly when looking for shaving creams?

When buying shaving creams, look for ones that benefit the environment, yourself, and the planet.

Organic/natural ingredients are less harmful or toxic to your skin and the environment.

Cruelty-free products aren’t tested on animals and are considerably more ethical than products that aren’t cruelty-free.

Recycled materials and packaging minimize waste and help sustain the planet for future generations.

Do some research! Men are all unique with different skin types, whether that be dry, oily, sensitive, or normal. By doing research, you’ll understand what shaving cream best suits you. Also investigate which brands align with your morals if you prefer to buy products from companies that have ethical and environmentally friendly practices.

If you support fair Labour practices, search for companies who pay their employees a decent wage and provide them with a satisfactory and supportive working environment. This can be hard to do, but dig deep!

What ingredients should I look for in shaving creams to prevent irritation, redness, and razor burn?

When buying men’s shaving creams, it’s important to look for products that have certain ingredients to ensure the shaving experience goes smoothly. Although many ingredients have beneficial effects, we’ll name a select few here;

Glycerin, a humectant, helps retain moisture in the skin, reducing irration. It also provides a protective barrier between the razor and the skin.

Coconut oil is a natural lubricant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredient that reduces irritation and infections post-shave.

Shea butter moisturizes the skin and reduces inflammation. It also has the ability to help heal and repair damaged skin.

Aloe vera is an anti-inflammatory that also reduces irritation. In addition, it contains antioxidants, further protecting the skin. The texture of aloe vera (being gel-like) makes it a great moisturizer.

Other ingredients include white tea tree, sandalwood, and many other natural ingredients and aromas. These were mentioned in the above list of shaving cream products and are all excellent ingredients for a smooth shave. With the above creams featuring such top-end ingredients, no wonder they made the list of 15 best shaving creams for men in 2023.