Before there were electric razors and safety razors, there was the straight razor. Little more than a blade that collapses into a handle, the straight razor is an undeniable classic.
Not to mention, shaving with a straight razor is probably one of the manliest things you can do, but even the toughest men need a solid shaving cream to rely on. That’s why you want to pick up the best shaving creams for straight razors.
While shaving cream is important with any razor you may use, it’s probably most important when using a straight razor. Straight razors have the least protection and room for error out of pretty much any shaving tool a man can buy. One wrong move and you might need to stop the bleeding–so what should you look for?
Ultimately, what you want when looking for a shaving cream that pairs well with a straight razor is something with great latherability. This will provide the perfect slick surface needed to style your beard to perfection. Each of the options on this list should provide just what you need for your next shaving session.
So, get your straight razor ready because it’s about to find a new best friend.
Key Takeaways
To compile this list of shaving creams, I had to search the market extensively. When looking for a shaving cream to use in tandem with a straight razor, it ultimately boils down to consistency, ingredients, and scent.
Overall, the best shaving cream for a straight razor comes from Taylor Of Old Bond Street. Another natural choice is the shaving cream with shea butter and vitamin E from Pacific Shaving Company.
Why it’s great: Taylor Of Old Bond Street has been in the business of making high-quality shaving products dating back to 1854. Shaving with a straight razor is all about a specific ritual and history, and this shaving cream aims to achieve the same goals. It’s the perfect consistency, able to spread effortlessly while ensuring an even coat on your face. This cream lubricates your face when shaving, but it also helps to moisturize your skin afterward.
How it feels: This is a thick cream that easily lathers onto your face, especially when used with a brush. Once applied, it’s smooth and creamy, which provides the perfect foundation for a great shaving session.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: While this shaving cream is supposed to have a refreshing sandalwood scent, the smell is pretty divisive–some people love it, others hate it. One reviewer described it best as the smell of “Grandpa’s natural medicine cabinet”. If this sounds pleasing to you, there shouldn’t be much of a downside here.
Active Ingredients: Aqua, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, etc. | Skin Type: All | Consistency: Thick | Size: 5.3 oz | Scent: Sandalwood
Why it’s great: Walk into any barber shop and chances are you’ll see a bottle of this shaving cream sitting at each station. Cremo has done an excellent job developing a versatile shaving cream that works with all kinds of razors. This cream serves as a great entry point for any shaver, and the bottle contains a 90-day supply which is a big
How it feels: As Cremo puts it, this shaving cream is “impossibly slick” and will leave your skin feeling “astonishingly smooth”. It’s pretty easy to lather this cream on your face and it will leave behind a refreshing, citrus scent.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This shaving cream tends to dry up quickly, so you may need to reapply once or twice during a session. Just make sure you always have enough applied on your face to prevent uncomfortable razor burns.
Active Ingredients: Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Glycol Distearate, etc. | Skin Type: Oily, Dry, Normal | Consistency: Thin | Size: 6 fl oz | Scent: Citrus
Why it’s great: With a name like “The Art Of Shaving”, you would hope this brand has something special to offer. Luckily, this shaving cream lives up to the hype as it is clinically tested for sensitive skin and it’s endorsed by barbers. Also, the calming, sandalwood scent might make you actually look forward to shaving for once.
How it feels: This is a pretty thick shaving cream which means you’ll need to scoop it out from the container–kind of like a hair product. For the best results, pick up a shaving brush to help lather this shaving cream.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: While some people may love the sandalwood scent, others may dislike it. The scent is pretty strong for a shaving cream and it will likely stick around until your next shower.
Active Ingredients: Not Listed | Skin Type: Sensitive, Dry, Normal | Consistency: Thick | Size: 5 oz | Scent: Sandalwood
Why it’s great: The ingredients in this Pacific Shaving Company natural shaving cream are derived from plants, and the cream itself is also cruelty-free. The inclusion of shea butter and vitamin E helps reduce antioxidants and will leave your face feeling well-hydrated. It’s applicable by hand or by brush and with a 7-ounce bottle, you should have enough to last quite a long while.
How it feels: This is a rich shaving cream, so you don’t need a whole lot to get the job done. The bottle also makes it easy to apply this cream on your hands or onto your shaving brush.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This shaving cream may not be the best for men with thicker beards because it doesn’t lather quite as much as other shaving creams out there.
Active Ingredients: Water, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycerin, etc. | Skin Type: Oily, Sensitive, Dry, Normal | Consistency: Semi-thick | Size: 7 oz | Scent: Natural
Why it’s great: While this shaving cream from C.O. Bigelow may look a bit like a tube of toothpaste, it’s actually an excellent everyday shaving cream for your straight razor. It has coconut oil which helps with hydration and eucalyptus oil which should revitalize your skin. There’s also some added menthol which will leave you with that ever-so-satisfying cooling sensation after you finish shaving. This is a high-quality shaving cream made in Italy, so you should have no trouble coming back to use it day in and day out.
How it feels: This shaving cream comes out of the tube as a liquid, but it becomes rich and creamy when you begin to lather it.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Since this cream comes in an aluminum tube, it may not be the best for travel. You may also need to use a little bit of force to squeeze out the last of it–again, like a tube of toothpaste.
Active Ingredients: Aqua, Stearic Acid, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, etc. | Skin Type: All | Consistency: Semi-thick | Size: 5.20 oz | Scent: Eucalyptus/Coconut
Why it’s great: Harry’s has quickly become one of the most prominent figures in the shaving world, which is why this shaving cream is a great choice for a straight razor. This cream includes 12 natural oils and extracts to naturally rejuvenate your face post-shave. And with two 3.4-ounce TSA-safe bottles, you should have plenty of shaving cream no matter how frequently you travel.
How it feels: This shaving cream has a unique texture, at least among other shaving cream options. It’s relatively thin and it comes out almost like an ointment.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: As previously mentioned, the ointment-like consistency of this cream might be a turn-off for some people. It’s also a bit harder to lather compared to other shaving creams you might find on the market.
Active Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, etc. | Skin Type: All | Consistency: Thin | Size: 3.4 oz | Scent: Eucalyptus, Mint, Aloe Vera
Buying Considerations For Shaving Creams For Straight Razors
Consistency
Consistency is the most important factor to look at when determining the best shaving cream for a straight razor. Some shaving creams are thick and dense while others may be light and fluffy. Ideally, you want to find a cream that balances both of these traits–something thick and fluffy.
This is especially true when shaving with a straight razor because it ultimately affects how well you can lather the cream on your face. Any product that comes built into a shaving bowl is a huge bonus because it makes the lathering process so much easier.
Ingredients
The type of ingredients found in your next shaving cream should also be considered with care. Before buying any skincare product, it’s always good to determine your skin type and what works for you. Some people have sensitive skin, and if this is your case, you should look for shaving creams that won’t irritate your face.
Additionally, you should determine if you want a shaving cream with chemicals or if you want something all-natural. Many shaving creams use artificial ingredients which aren’t inherently bad, but some people just prefer to steer clear of these products. That being said, there are plenty of natural shaving creams out there if that’s something you’d feel more comfortable with.
Scent
The scent of a shaving cream is a superficial consideration, but a consideration nonetheless. While it may be less potent than your hair product or cologne, shaving cream does tend to leave behind a slight smell. The default scent among many shaving creams these days is sandalwood which has a light, refreshing scent.
However, there are plenty of other masculine scents to choose from. Alternatively, natural shaving creams tend to rely on familiar scents like citrus or lavender. You could also roll with an unscented shaving cream if you don’t want it conflicting with other fragrances you may wear.
Why You Should Trust Us
As a writer at FashionBeans, I’ve done my fair share of research into men’s attire and style trends. I’ve also been putting these principles into practice for over a decade, trying out different brands and determining what’s best. A crucial part of any man’s style is his shaving regimen, which means having a reliable shaving cream to fall back on. So, I made sure to include only the very best shaving creams on this list, narrowing down dozens of options in the process. Hopefully, these recommendations will inform you of what to expect when searching for the best shaving cream for a straight razor.
Final Verdict
In short, the sandalwood shaving cream from Taylor Of Old Bond Street is not just the best shaving cream for a straight razor, it’s one of the best shaving creams in general. It has excellent latherability and provides the perfect foundation for a straight razor shave. Pacific Shaving Company also makes a great natural shaving cream if you want something less abrasive and more humane.
FAQ
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Technically, you could use a straight razor without shaving cream; however, this would be a little risky and uncomfortable at the very least, especially if you’re a beginner. The job of shaving cream is to minimize any resistance of the blade against your skin while shaving. Unlike electric razors, straight razors are much more reliant on shaving cream, or other lubricants, to prevent cuts and nicks.
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There are plenty of straight razor shaving cream alternatives out there. While they may not be as efficient or simple to use as shaving cream, you could always try out coconut oil, hair conditioner, and body lotion. My personal favorite is also aloe vera, which I’ve used multiple times to shave when in a pinch.
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Ryan Jamison
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