Whatever your beard style, every so often, you’ll need to tidy up your edges and remove facial hair to get those clean lines and edges. The best way to do this is with a safety razor, as you’ll be able to get a real definition, but don’t be fooled by the name - using a safety razor isn’t without its risks.
Cuts, razor burn, and skin irritation are all a possibility when you’re shaving with a safety razor. However, the chances of developing any of these can be drastically reduced when you use a good quality shaving cream.
Your skin doesn’t only need to be protected from the sharpness of the razor, though. It also needs to be kept nourished and moisturized during the shaving process. This is again where a good shaving cream can save the day!
But, when it comes to finding a shaving cream that will deliver all of the above and work well with a safety razor, things can become a little unclear. With so many products available, and with all of them claiming to do something different, just how can you tell which is the best?
Don’t panic! We’ve done the hard work for you. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best shaving creams for safety razors available, each of which is specially formulated to give you the most comfortable shave of your life without causing any irritation.
We’ve also put together a super useful buying guide that is packed with information on what to keep an eye out for when you’re shopping around for your shaving cream. In turn, this will make sure you get the best shaving cream for your individual needs.
Grab a seat, make yourself comfortable, and join us on our journey through the best shaving creams for safety razors.
Top 5 Best Shaving Creams for Safety Razors
OUR TOP PICK
The smooth, creamy texture of this sandalwood shaving cream from Taylor of Bond Street gives you that luxury feeling as you shave. Cleverly designed to mix inside the bowl-container, it lathers up beautifully and will help to speed up your mornings.
The consistency of the lather isn’t too thick either, so you’ll be able to get close contact without applying too much pressure as your safety razor glides effortlessly across your skin.
A blend of traditionally masculine scents, including rosemary, sandalwood, and orange blossom, works together to give this shaving cream a beautiful fragrance.
This shaving cream also has fantastic moisturizing properties and will help to reduce irritation and keep your skin hydrated while you shave.
Pros
- Mixes inside the bowl for quick and easy preparation
- The consistency of the lather is luxurious and not too thick, allowing you to get good skin contact without needing to apply much pressure with your razor
- Beautifully fragranced with a mixture of scents including sandalwood, rosemary and orange blossom
- Moisturizes during the shaving process, reducing irritation and hydrating the skin
Cons
- The fragrance is designed to stay with you after shaving, so isn’t the best choice for anybody looking for a neutral-smelling shaving cream
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Specially formulated to give you a luxurious lather and protect your skin at the same time, this Sensitive 2-in-1 Shave Gel from Gillette Fusion is the perfect choice for matching with a safety razor.
What makes it so special is that it has been created to soften the hair upon application and improve razor glide. This, in turn, provides you with a super-close shave without risking any skin irritation.
It’s an excellent choice for anybody that has sensitive skin as well and will leave your skin feeling fresh, smooth, and hydrated after shaving.
The container has been innovatively designed to save you from wasting any product. A gel-gauge window allows you to use the perfect amount for your needs, while the no-mess actuator cap prevents any foam from escaping the canister after use.
Pros
- A 2-in-1 formula that gives you a perfect lather whilst protecting your skin
- Specially designed to soften the hair and improve razor glide
- Ideal for anybody with sensitive skin
- Features a gel-gauge for accurate application and an actuator cap that helps prevent product wastage
Cons
- Some people found that figuring out the ‘twist to apply’ action of the can was a little tricky at first
BEST VALUE
If you’re looking for a shaving cream that will last you a long time, then the Original Shave Cream from Cremo could be just what you’re looking for. A tiny sized amount will lather up to cover your entire face, and one bottle will last you 90 days even if you shave every day!
It has also been specially formulated to work with oily-type skin and will give you a close shave without leaving behind any excess oil or clogging your pores.
Concentrated with unique molecules, this shave cream acts as a fantastic lubricant when using a safety razor and dramatically reduces the chances of nicks, cuts, and razor burn.
Amongst the ingredients, you’ll find macadamia seed oil, aloe, lemon, and papaya extracts, all of which work together to nourish your skin during your shave. This blend of ingredients also leaves behind a delicate fragrance that isn’t overpowering.
Pros
- Lasts a really long time, with 90 days of use from a single bottle even when used daily
- Perfect for anybody with an oily skin type
- Unique molecules in the formula reduce cuts, razor burn, and skin irritation
- A blend of ingredients including aloe, macadamia seed, and lemon extract nourish and hydrate the skin whilst you shave
Cons
- Can leave a slight oily-feeling on the skin after use which can take a couple of washes to get rid of
RUNNER UP
This Shaving Cream from Proraso has been created to produce a low-lather and prevent your safety razor from clogging up during shaving. This gives you a super-close shave while still ensuring your razor glides effortlessly across your skin.
Enriched with soothing botanical extracts and natural oils, this shaving cream also nourishes your skin during the shaving process and continues to do so afterward.
This mixture of oils also ensures that the skin is well lubricated and prevents the risk of cuts, and reduces the chances of razor burn or irritation.
It’s also ideal for anybody that has sensitive skin and contains no parabens, silicon, or artificial colors. Formulated using 95% natural ingredients, your skin will stay protected, hydrated, and be super smooth following the most comfortable shave you’ve ever had.
Pros
- Produces a low-lather that prevents your razor from clogging up while you shave
- Is enriched with soothing botanical extracts and essential oils
- Perfect for sensitive skin, and prevents cuts, razor burn, and skin irritation
- Formulated using 95% natural ingredients, and contains no parabens, silicon, or artificial colors
Cons
- Requires mixing in a bowl with a barber brush, and cannot be applied directly from the tube
RUNNER UP
Made using 100% natural ingredients, this Himalaya Shaving Soap from Henry Cavendish is the perfect choice for anybody with a sensitive skin type. Not only will it give you a super close, comfortable shave, but it will moisturize and nourish your skin at the same time.
The rich, creamy lather is reminiscent of traditional barbershop shaving and will soften the hairs prior to shaving, allowing the razor to glide smoothly over your skin. There’s also no risk of this thick lather drying out or being absorbed into the skin as you shave.
Added shea butter in the formula leaves your skin feeling super smooth and hydrated after your shave without feeling oily. It also leaves behind a gorgeous fragrance that will give you a fresh and clean feeling all day long.
It’s also designed to last for a really long time, with one tub giving you between three and six months of use depending on how often you shave.
Pros
- The 100% natural formula makes this the ideal choice for anybody with sensitive skin
- Produces a thick, luxurious lather that softens the hairs and allows the razor to glide effortlessly across the skin
- Contains super moisturizing shea butter that hydrates the skin during shaving and leaves it feeling hydrated and beautifully fragranced
- One tub will last between three and six months
Cons
- Needs to be mixed up in a bowl to get the lather to the right consistency
Best Shaving Creams for Safety Razors - Buying Guide
One thing is certain when you’re shaving with a safety razor - you’re going to need a shaving cream that produces a good, lubricating lather. This will allow your razor to glide across your skin, slicing through each and every hair on the way and preventing razor burn or cuts.
However, everybody is different and no two shaving experiences are ever the same. That’s why it’s essential to make sure you get a shaving cream that will work with you to give you the best shave possible.
Below, we’ve outlined some key points to keep in mind when you’re shopping for shaving cream to use with a safety razor. Each of these will guide you when it comes to finding the best shaving cream for your individual needs.
Application
The first thing to think about is which type of application is going to work best for your shaving needs. Shaving creams come in a variety of application types, however, there are two that are most commonly used in conjunction with safety razors.
The first of these is a shaving cream that can be applied to the skin directly from the container. This allows you to work the cream or gel into a lather directly on the skin itself and is usually the preferred option for a busy person who needs to shave quickly in the morning.
The second option is a shaving cream that is mixed in a bowl with a brush, usually with the addition of a little water to work it into a lather. This type of application tends to give you a much thicker lather and allows you better control over the consistency before applying it to your face.
Applying your shaving cream with a brush can also give you a more even coverage across the skin. It does take a little longer to mix up and apply, however, so isn’t the best choice for everyday shaving unless you’ve got the time to do it.
Skin Type
Your skin type is another factor that you need to consider when looking for a shaving cream to use with a safety razor. Some are formulated to work with specific skin types in order to protect the skin and keep it nourished during and after shaving.
This is especially important for people with either sensitive skin or an oily skin type. These are the most prone to suffering from irritation following shaving, but choosing the correct shaving cream can dramatically reduce the risk of razor burn or redness.
Ingredients
Skin type and ingredients go hand in hand, with certain ingredients being beneficial to individual skin types.
Let’s start with sensitive skin. Any shaving cream that is formulated using over 90% natural ingredients is the best choice to go for here. This is because it won’t contain any parabens, silicone, or artificial ingredients that can irritate the skin.
Ingredients such as aloe extract, shea butter, and macadamia seed oil will ensure your sensitive skin is nourished during your shave. They will also work to make sure that your skin heals and is soothed following shaving, which reduces the chances of any signs of irritation.
People with an oily skin type should look for a shaving cream that uses ingredients such as lemon extract, rosemary, and orange blossom. These will cut through any existing oil on the skin and allow the razor to glide smoothly across the hairs without getting clogged up.
Fragrance
Some of the ingredients used in shaving creams for safety razors also leave a scent behind on the skin, so it’s also important to think about what sort of fragrance you’d like it to have.
You usually have a couple of choices when it comes to fragrance. The first of these is the ‘woody’ scents, such as sandalwood, rosemary, and patchouli. These are most commonly associated with a ‘masculine’ fragrance and have an earthy smell to them.
The second most common fragrance type is the ‘fresh’ scents. These use essential oils and botanicals such as aloe vera, orange blossom, and citrus fruits to produce a cleaner, zesty fragrance that awakens the senses.
Of course, there are also shaving creams that don’t contain any fragrances at all. These are a great thing to look out for if you prefer to add your own scent through cologne or body spray.
Extra Features
No matter what you’re purchasing, it’s always worth seeing what else you can get for your money. And shaving creams are no exception to this rule, with certain types having specially designed containers that save you time and money.
One great feature that some shaving creams have is a gel-gauge. This allows you to use the correct amount of product for your needs and prevents any wastage. An actuator cap is another fantastic feature and stops any shaving cream from accidentally leaking from the container after you’ve used it.
Price
Shaving creams for safety razors can vary in price quite dramatically. This is usually dependent on the quality of the ingredients used in their formulation.
Before researching, it’s a good idea to set yourself a budget and try to stick to it as much as possible. Read through all of the benefits of the shaving cream you’re considering and, as always, make sure you’re paying for the quality of the product, not just for the brand name.
Best Shaving Creams for Safety Razors - FAQ's
1. What is the best way to create defined beard edges?
A safety razor is your best bet when it comes to getting those clean-cut lines along the cheekbones, jawline, and neckline. Clipper the hair down as close to the skin as possible to begin with. Then, apply a good quality shaving cream and use your safety razor to remove the hair altogether.
2. What is the best shaving cream for sensitive skin?
Any shaving cream that contains more than 95% natural ingredients is the best choice to go for if you’ve got sensitive skin. This will dramatically reduce the chances of developing razor burn or skin irritation. Look for ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, and macadamia seed oil. These will keep your skin hydrated as you shave and prevent it from drying out afterward.
3. Is shaving cream or gel better?
Both are great! The main thing you need to think about is how much of a lather each one produces. The more lather, the softer the hair will be. The softer the hair is, the easier it is to remove without causing irritation or snagging. Creams tend to be a little thicker and take more time to mix and apply. Gels are most commonly pre-mixed in the can and can be lathered directly on the face.
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