Although shaving may be down the list of priorities this year, with many sporting “quarantine beards”, as things ramp up again in the US and worldwide – it may be time to get rid of your newest friend. This is our list of the best shaving cream for electric razor and wet shaving available on the market!
What is Shaving Cream? What Does Shaving Cream Do?
Shaving cream is a grooming item that most people are going to use at one point or another. Whether it’s for a quick trim or a completely new look, shaving cream is a very potent product that’s vital for getting the most out of your shaving sessions.
Shaving creams, as their name suggests, are rich and creamy foam that lubricates the skin. This added slipperiness allows razors and shavers to easily glide over your skin. This has a twofold purpose – it not only allows you to shave much easier, but it also moisturizes and nourishes your skin. By using shaving cream, you’ll get better, faster shaves and lower the risk of shaving side effects like razor burn or skin irritation.
Why Use Shaving Cream for Electric Razors
Strictly speaking, it’s not necessary to use shaving cream when doing dry shaves with an electric shaver. If you’re planning to do wet shaves though, you will definitely need shaving cream.
Not only does shaving cream lubricate your beard and skin for more efficient and quicker shaves, but it also allows your electric shaver to cut closer to your skin for a smoother, better shave.
Types of Shaving Cream for Electric Razor
There are three general types of shaving cream.
Shaving creams usually come in a jar, a bottle, or a tube. They lather easily and provide generous lubrication to your beard and skin, allowing you to shave with greater ease. Shaving creams also usually come with other ingredients that help moisturize and nourish your skin.
Aerosol shaving creams or shaving foams come in an aerosol can. Shaving foam is light and easy to lather but gives almost no other benefits aside from a quick shave. However, aerosol cans pose a serious fire hazard.
Latherless shaving creams are similar in almost all respects to regular shaving cream, except for the fact that they don’t lather.
Shaving Cream vs Shaving Gel: Which is Best for Wet Electric Shaving?
Creams usually come in an aerosol can, whereas gels come in a squeezy tube. Shaving cream, when mixed with water, creates a foamy lather that can help lift hair for a close shave when gliding the razor over the skin. Gels are translucent which can help the user see what they’re doing when shaving.
During the shave, gels can provide a much more lubricated shave and help the razor glide easier. Shaving creams will take much more rinsing as it will clog up the razor faster, but shaving cream is a lot easier to rinse from the skin post-shave.
Pros and Cons of Using Shaving Cream for Wet Electric Shaver
Like all products, shaving cream has its own share of pros and cons. Here are some of the pros of shaving cream:
- Very efficient lubrication and protection
- Allows for deep penetration of other ingredients, like aloe or natural oils
- Easy to apply
- You don’t need to use much
On the other hand, here are the cons of shaving cream:
- Natural ingredients can lead to higher prices
- Takes a while to fully shave with shaving cream
- Poor option for people with naturally oily skin
- Usually more expensive than other shaving lubricants
Best Shaving Cream for Electric Razor
In no particular order, here are our 10 best shaving creams for electric razor and wet shaving!
Best Mens Shaving Cream
#1 Viking Revolution Shaving Cream for Men
Viking Shaving Cream Review:
Wanting a great and smooth shave? Viking Revolution Shaving Cream for Electric Shaver is just the product for you! It is made of natural ingredients that help condition the skin, leaving your face smooth and free from any redness or irritation!
This product is also said to come in ‘man-size quantities, so they won’t run out easily’. Viking Revolution’s Shaving Cream for Men has scents that are carefully curated to keep them fresh and masculine without being overwhelming. The company also claims to use purely natural formulations and avoid including harsh, unnecessary chemicals in almost all of the aspects of their production.
Pros
- Gives off a fresh, Sandalwood scent that leaves you feeling refreshed
- Produces a rich lather that makes for a smooth shave
- A little amount of product goes a long way
Cons
- Some customers complain that the cream draws blood during shaving
- The product creates a thick lather but only after extensive rubbing
Best Natural Shaving Cream for Electric Razor
#2 Pacific Shaving Company Natural Shave Cream
Tired of razor and chemical burns? Say goodbye to that with Pacific Shaving Company Natural Shave Cream! This is the best shaving cream for electric shavers! It has a gentle, yet highly concentrated lather. It’s made possible with its safe, organic, and vegan ingredients such as the wonder plant aloe vera and lavish shea butter.
This shaving cream is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free, keeping your skin refreshed, healthy, and free from irritation. On top of it all, this product looks small but is actually mighty—its concentrated formula is good for up to 100 shaves. With all of these great benefits, you’ll surely enjoy and look forward to shaving again!
Pros
- Convenient, TSA-compliant and perfect for on-the-go usage
- Vegan, cruelty-free so it’s environment-friendly
- Has an on-aerosol packing and a travel-friendly size that’s cool for carry-ons.
- Keeps sensitive skin healthy, soothed, and hydrated
Cons
- Some customers complained of cream clogging their razor and difficulty washing off from face and shaving blades
- Some customers complained of packaging notwithstanding airport travel
Best Shaving Cream for Acne Prone Skin
#3 Anthony Shaving Cream
Looking for a clean, close shave? The Anthony Shaving Cream is the best solution for you! This shaving cream provides a luxurious lather and is enriched with natural plant extracts. Really conscious about the hygiene products you consume on daily? Don’t fret! Just like most Anthony Shaving Products, this shaving cream is free of parabens, phthalates, GMOs, DEA, triclosan, and gluten. It’s also dermatologically tested and is cruelty-free!
How does it do that? Squalene helps lubricate the skin. Cornmint and eucalyptus oils make the skin feel refreshed. Rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties and acts as a natural antiseptic. Blended into a perfect product, the Anthony Shaving Cream soothes, refreshes, cools, and conditions your skin!
Pros
- Leaves skin feeling refreshed and cooled down
- Paraben-free, cruelty-free so it’s environment-friendly
- Natural antiseptics kill bacteria and cleanse the face intensively while shaving
- Good not just for men but women also loved this product for their shaving needs!
Cons
- Does not provide as much lubrication as opposed to thinner shaving creams
- Some customers complain of a certain change in formula in its more recently manufactured products
Best Menthol Shaving Cream for Wet Electric Shaver
#4 Cremo Shaving Cream
Cremo Shaving Cream Review:
This barber-grade shaving cream for electric shavers is available on Amazon and comes with five different fragrances available for your shave. The formula has been concentrated into a tube, with only an “almond-sized” amount needed to create a rich lather when combined with water.
The cream’s ingredients contain no harmful parabens, and consumers can rest assured that this product has not been tested on animals.
Cremo Shaving Cream Ingredients:
- Macadamia Seed
- Aloe Vera
- Calendula Extract
- Lemon Extract
- Papaya Extract
- Olive Leaf Extract
- And more!
Cremo Shaving Cream Pros
Advantages include the concentrated nature of the formula, with one bottle of the Cremo Shave Cream lasting up to a year. Top-quality ingredients also make for a rich and fragrant shave – with the company promising that no animal testing has taken place.
Cremo Shaving Cream Cons:
Cons of this product include the high price point, with the $16 option leaving many customers unsatisfied that the Cremo product provides value for money over a budget option like Gillette. The cream could be too thick for some people’s liking, which makes it hard to remove from the safety razor blades and the face post-shave.
How to Use:
I suggest that customers use an almond-sized amount of the cream and combine it with hot water with a brush to create a creamy lather.
Bottomline:
This product provides a selection of nice fragrances and quality ingredients for your skin without harmful parabens to avoid irritation, but the high price point and post-shave annoyance could leave you feeling irritated regardless.
Best Shaving Cream for Brush
#5 Taylor of Old Bond – Cedarwood Shaving Cream
Taylor of Old Bond – Cedarwood Shaving Cream Review:
This cream is also available on Amazon and comes with a nice cedarwood scent providing a fresh shave. Again, this is a concentrated formula which requires water to make up a creamy lather.
Ingredients of this cream include Yucca – a natural extract that promotes hair growth and strength, as well as remedying any itchiness or dryness in the beard area. Plantain Extract is also used to provide a source of Vitamin B, and Baobab Oil contains Vitamins A, D, E and F to further strengthen hair.
Taylor of Old Bond – Cedarwood Shaving Cream Pros
A big positive when using this product is the superb scent, which is pleasant and long-lasting. The product’s longevity is also a big plus, with the 1/3lb product providing up to 200 shaves. Cons are few and far between, with the high price being the major sticking point.
How to Use:
I suggest that customers use a pea-sized amount with hot water and a brush to create a thick, creamy lather.
Bottomline: The Taylor of Old Bond cream provides perhaps the highest quality on the market, with natural ingredients both enriching and strengthening hair, as well as giving the beard a fresh, long-lasting scent. It’s quite expensive compared to other shaving creams for electric razor but definitely justified. This is probably the best premium-price option on the list, but you might be able to save a few dollars by opting for one of the cheaper alternatives like the Proraso shaving cream below.
Best Budget Shaving Cream for Electric Razor
#6 Proraso Shaving Cream
Proraso Shaving Cream Review:
The next product in our list of the best shaving creams for electric razor is the Italian-made Proraso Shaving Cream. This cream has been a barber’s choice since 1948, and consumers can trust the Proraso brand which has been providing the best quality products in shaving since 1908.
This cream is made up of high-quality ingredients that are 95% natural, and no parabens or silicones are used in the creation of the product. Eucalyptus oil purifies and tones skin and hair, while menthol oils give hair a fresh minty scent. The natural formula protects the skin during shaving and post-shave, helping the razor glide easily.
Proraso Shaving Cream Pros:
Positives of choosing this product include the tried and tested formula which has been immensely popular in Italy since the early 20th Century. Longevity is also a massive plus, with our Proraso tube lasting six months of daily shaves. However, the menthol can be overpowering for the skin – suggesting that this may not be the cream for you if you have sensitive skin.
How to Use:
I suggest that a pea-sized amount should be combined with hot water and whipped into a lather with a brush, ready to be applied to the face.
Bottomline: The Proraso cream is undoubtedly a quality product and has been trusted for decades in Italy and beyond. The formula has been refined to provide the ultimate shaving experience, but the strong eucalyptus and menthol elements will not prove suitable for users who have sensitive skin. At around $10 for around six months of daily shaves, this is a very cost-effective quality option and worth giving a try.
Best Premium Shaving Cream for Wet Electric Shaver
#7 The Art of Shaving – Sandalwood Shaving Cream
The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream Review:
The Art of Shaving was founded in 1996 and has been crafting quality, natural products ever since. Their Sandalwood Shaving Cream is one of the is packaged in a red, attractive tub which really makes it stand out among the crowd.
The information on ingredients is limited, with The Art of Shaving mentioning the inclusion of glycerin – which serves as a remarkable moisturizer, due to the fact it draws moisture from the air and uses it to help hair retain moisture, in turn making the hair much more healthy. The ingredients also include essential oils which both provide a strong, pleasant scent and promote hair growth and health.
The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream Pros:
The advantages of The Art of Shaving cream are its fresh scent, smooth shave, and natural ingredients – which when combined create a superb shaving experience. However, 1/3 of the tub is empty via design, which we feel is very deceptive marketing. The price is also very high when considering the quality of the ingredients used in comparison to other creams.
How to Use:
I suggest a quarter-sized amount should be combined with a small amount of hot water to create a creamy lather for application to the face.
Bottomline:
This cream is a nice product but is ultimately tarred by its high price and limited use of quality ingredients. The deceptive packaging also leaves a sour taste with customers looking for value for money. Ultimately, better products are available within the Cremo, Proraso, and definitely the Taylor of Old Bond brands.
Best Italian Shaving Cream for Electric Razor
#8 C.O. Bigelow Premium Shaving Cream
CO Bigelow Shaving Cream Review:
C.O. Bigelow Shaving Cream for electric shaver is yet another Italian-made product that promises to deliver a “truly exceptional shave”.
The product’s ingredients include camphor, an oil extract from wood that is proven to relieve pain, itching, and irritation – all useful components of shaving cream. Coconut oil provides moisture and hydration to the skin and hair, menthol cools the skin for a nice close shave, and eucalyptus oil cleanses the skin and provides a pleasant scent.
CO Bigelow Shaving Cream Pros:
The advantages of the C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Cream include its quality Italian-made manufacturing and barber-recommended status, as it provides a quality and pleasant shave. It’s value and longevity are huge positives, with the product lasting up to six months of daily shaves. The cruelty-free status of the product is also pleasing. The only drawback is its unsuitability for use with sensitive skin, as the menthol and eucalyptus may cause some irritation.
How to Use:
I suggest that a pea-sized amount be used in combination with hot water and a brush to create a foamy lather. A little goes a long way, so you don’t want to be too generous in applying this. The eucalyptus can give you a minor burning sensation if you do, and a dime-sized amount is going to give you all the lather that you need.
Bottomline:
This cream is undoubtedly a premium product with great value for money, but it is hindered by the fact that it is not suitable for users with sensitive skin.
Best Shaving Cream for Women
eos Shea Better Shaving Cream
Special Features:
- Contains shea butter for powerful hydration
- No parabens or pthalates, also gluten free
- Non-foaming shaving cream
Pros: Incredible hydration properties, and careful formulation make it perfect for dry and sensitive skin, affordable, provides wet and dry shaves
Cons: Needs to be measured out carefully to avoid overly thick cream, doesn’t foam
eos Shea Better Shaving Cream Review:
eos Shea Better Shaving Cream is one of the best shaving creams for women due to its incredible hydration properties.
Shea butter and shea oil come together to create a moisturizing shaving cream that’s smooth, soft, and comfortable. Not only does this shaving cream contain these helpful ingredients, but it’s also got vitamin E and vitamin C, as well as antioxidants to nourish your skin as you get that smooth, perfect shave.
eos Shea Better Shaving Cream for electric razors also has other potent ingredients. Aloe vera makes for a healing and nourishing shaving cream, while oat calms dry, itchy skin. Those with sensitive skin should also note that this shaving cream does not foam up when lathered.
For those who aren’t a fan of the pomegranate raspberry scent, eos Shea Better Shaving Cream also carries other fragrances, such as vanilla or lavender.
Best Shaving Cream for Black Men
Barbasol Thick and Rich Shaving Cream
Special Feature: Very thick and rich but doesn’t irritate skin
Pros: Works great on thick beards, no added fragrances, lathers well
Cons: Can have a chemical smell for those with sensitive noses, aerosol can is a fire hazard
Barbasol Thick and Rich Shaving Cream Review
When black men grow beards, the results are usually fantastic and majestic to behold. The problem with their beards is because they’re so thick, maintaining and shaving them is more demanding. Beard hair is already tough and wiry, and this effect is increased for black men due to their stronger hair type. That’s where Barbasol Thick and Rich Shaving Cream for electric razors comes in.
This shaving cream is advertised as “thick and rich”, and that it is. It’s a very creamy white substance that lubricates incredibly well, which is important when shaving an afro-textured beard. Its solid yet light composition lathers very quickly, and in spite of its full-bodied texture, is remarkably gentle on the skin.
Barbasol Thick and Rich Shaving Cream does just one thing – be a shaving cream – but it does that job with flying colors. For those who are looking for a Barbasol cream with something extra, the company also has different versions of Thick and Rich Shaving Cream for sensitive skin, with aloe for soothing, or with menthol.
While Barbasol Thick and Rich Shaving Cream is a fantastic product, potential customers need to take precautions regarding its storage. As this shaving cream comes in a can, it needs to be kept safe from puncturing and heat.
Shaving Cream Alternatives
There are a lot of shaving products on the market, and it can be difficult to pick just one of them with so many choices being offered to you. We’ll break down some shaving cream alternatives here and compare them to shaving cream.
Shaving Gel
Shaving gels are light, transparent substances that are very easy to apply. Because they are transparent, shaving gels are great for when you’re styling your beard. They also do not lather up, unlike shaving creams.
Shaving gels also lubricate better than shaving creams. However, they’re harder to wash off and they rarely carry extra ingredients – and even if they do, they don’t penetrate the skin in the way that shaving cream does.
Shaving Lotion
There’s no such product as shaving lotion. It’s simply another name for shaving cream.
Shaving Oils
Shaving oils are not an alternative product to shaving cream – in fact, these two items are complementary. Shaving oil should ideally be used before using shaving cream to prepare your hair while shaving cream helps lubricate your skin. Men with tough beards should definitely look into combining shaving oil and shaving cream when shaving.
Shaving Soap
Compared to shaving cream’s almost liquid texture and feel, shaving soap comes as hard and solid bars. This means that it’s more difficult to lather shaving soap than shaving cream. Because of this, shaving creams can be a better choice for beginners or for men who just want quick shaves. However, neither product is particularly better than the other.
Shave Butter
Shave butters are a good alternative to shaving cream. Compared to shaving cream, shaving butter lathers much faster and provide even better lubrication and protection. This comes at the cost of being gunkier and harder to wash off than shaving cream, which means you spend more time cleaning up after a shave. Shave butters are also generally more expensive than shaving creams.
FAQs About Shaving Cream for Electric Razor
Is menthol shaving cream bad?
Menthol shaving cream can’t be classified as objectively good or bad. It all boils down to a matter of personal taste. However, a social media post in 2018 highlighted the use of menthol shaving cream as a cure to sunburn
Menthol shaving cream does provide a cooling sensation, and personally, I’m a great fan of it. However, it can cause adverse effects on people who are allergic to menthol. If you’re one of those people, then you should definitely stay away from menthol shaving creams. For everyone else, give it a try, and see if you like it.
What is the active ingredient in shaving cream?
Most shaving creams use the same substances as their foundation. These are stearic acid, triethanolamine, lanolin, glycerin, polyoxyethelene sorbitan monostearate, and water. Many of these ingredients are used in grooming products, such as soap.
Is shaving cream flammable?
That depends on the kind of shaving cream you’re using. Anything that comes out of an aerosol spray can contain propellants, which are highly flammable. If you’re using manual shaving cream, there’s a much lower risk of catching fire – which depends on the ingredients.
Is shaving cream toxic?
Shaving cream for electric razors is mildly toxic when ingested. If you’ve accidentally eaten a small amount of shaving cream, there’s generally no cause for alarm.
However, shaving cream does have chemical components that can have adverse side effects, such as blurred vision, difficulty with breathing, burning pain in the throat, burning eyes, diarrhea, stomach pain, rashes, or vomiting. If any of these side effects occur, consult a doctor immediately.
Is shaving cream edible?
As mentioned above, shaving cream for electric shaver is mildly toxic. While you can generally ingest very small amounts of it without any side effects, don’t go out of your way to eat shaving cream.
Verdict
All of these best shaving creams for electric razors are fine products that will no doubt find a spot in your repertoire of grooming tools. However, out of all of them, I highly recommend The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Cream for its premium look and feel, as well as eos Shea Better Shaving Cream Review for women looking for a smooth, luxurious shave.
Special mention also goes to Pacific Shaving Company Natural Shave Cream and Proraso Shaving Cream for their great formulation and refreshing aftershave feeling.
Now that you know what the best shaving creams are, go get a good shaver oil for your electric razor to lubricate it properly. Other products you might also like to try are barber’s face wax., and barber’s shaving creams.