A good shaving cream does more than help your razor glide. It softens hair, cushions the blade, and protects your skin from irritation, nicks, and razor burn. Skimping here often means a rougher shave and unhappy skin. The right formula makes the whole routine smoother and more comfortable.
How to Choose the Right Product
Start with your skin type. If you’re prone to redness or irritation, look for gentle, fragrance-free formulas built for sensitive skin. Next, consider your hair thickness. Coarse, dense stubble needs a richer, more emollient lather to cushion multiple passes. Your shaving method matters too. Manual razors pair well with creams and gels, while electric shavers work best with lightweight solutions that won’t gum up the blades.
Cream vs. Gel
Shaving cream has a dense, creamy texture that builds a thick, cushiony lather, making it ideal for sensitive skin and brush-assisted shaving. Gel goes on translucent and stays slick, so you can see exactly where you’re shaving. That makes it perfect for precision work like beard lines and edges.
Key Ingredients to Look For
Seek out hydrating, nourishing ingredients that soften hair and protect skin: glycerin, aloe vera, shea butter, and jojoba oil. These help the razor glide, reduce friction, and support skin healing.
Men’s Journal Grooming Award Winners: Best Shaving Creams of 2026
Each year, Men’s Journal puts a wide range of grooming products to the test, evaluating them across categories like performance, formulation, value, and skin compatibility. The results are compiled into the annual Grooming Awards — a trusted resource for men looking to upgrade their routines with products that have been thoroughly vetted. For 2026, ten shaving creams and gels earned top honors across key categories. Here are the winners:
- Best Overall: GilletteLabs Rapid Foaming Shave Gel
- Best for Thick Hair: Jack Black Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Cremo Sensitive Skin Shave Cream
- Best Gel: Bevel Clear Shave Gel
- Best for Electric Razors: Lab Series Electric Shave Solution
- Best Natural: Ursa Major Stellar Shave Cream
- Best Value: Nivea Men Sensitive Shave Gel
- Best Scented: Jackfir The Classic Shave Cream
- Best Hydrating: Duke Cannon Big Softy Shave Cream
- Best Elevated: Malin+Goetz Chamomile Shave Cream
