This guide is approximately a 3-minute read.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The difference between lather shaving creams and no-lather shaving creams
- How to choose the right shaving cream depending on your skin type
Let’s get this party started.
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How to Choose: Shaving Creams for Men
You wouldn't dare shave a bare face, would you? (Ok, maybe some of you would… haha.)
A completely dry shave with a traditional razor can be a recipe for a red, bumpy skin care disaster, so most men are aware that they should use some sort of lubricant to give themselves a smoother shave.
But what most men aren't quite as sure about is what exactly they should be using to protect their skin and ready their beards for shaving.
Shaving creams are one of the most popular options among shaving lubricants because they're easy to use, effective, and suitable for all skin types.
To get the best results when shaving with a cream, you need to select the right one for your needs and preferences, and this guide will teach you how to do just that.
Lather vs. No-Lather Shaving Creams
The first decision that you need to make when you're selecting shaving creams is whether a lather or no-lather cream is right for you.
Here's a look at each type:
Lather Shaving Creams
Lather shaving creams are not ready for use right out of the jar.
To use them properly, you must mix them with water, lather them up - and then apply them with a shaving brush. This allows you to warm up the shaving cream with warm water to help soften your beard.
Using a brush to apply the cream gently removes dead skin as an added bonus, so you end up with a smoother, softer complexion post-shave.
No-Lather Shaving Creams
No lather shaving creams come out of the tube or jar foamy and ready to spread over your skin with your fingertips. As a result, they save time and are easier to use away from home.
They also simplify shaving - as you don't need to learn how to get a good, rich lather from them. You really should be able to nicely lubricate your skin with a no-lather shaving cream.
How to Choose the Right Shaving Cream
After you have narrowed down the options to focus on either lather or no-lather shaving creams, you can select the best product by looking for one that complements your skin type.
Dry Skin
Signs That This Is Your Skin Type: Dullness, roughness, flakiness, red patches, a tight feeling after you wash your face, small pore size
If you have dry skin, choose a shaving cream with a moisturizing base that will hydrate your skin while you shave.
Glycerin-based shaving creams are excellent moisturizers, and ones with added coconut oil, aloe vera, or vitamin E can diminish redness associated with dry skin.
An example of a shaving cream that you may want to check out if you have dry skin is the Smooth Brushless Shave Cream from Brickell:
Oily Skin
Signs That This Is Your Skin Type: Large, visible pores; shiny complexion, frequent acne blemishes
If you have oily skin, opt for a shaving cream with an astringent ingredient like witch hazel. These shaving creams help to cut through excess oil on the skin and refine the pores to diminish greasiness and lower the risk of breakouts.
When possible, select shaving creams that are noncomedogenic, meaning that they are free of ingredients that can clog the pores.
Sensitive Skin
Signs That This Is Your Skin Type: Stinging or burning when you use skin care products, redness, bumps or rashes, itchy skin
Note: if you have sensitive skin (or aren't sure if you do), please don't test out any grooming products before consulting with your dermatologist or doctor first.
If you have sensitive skin, look for a shaving cream that is formulated to be gentle to the skin. Typically, these products are labeled as "hypoallergenic" or "dermatologist tested."
Unscented or artificial fragrance-free products are excellent choices for sensitive complexions, as it's often the perfumes in skin care products that trigger reactions.
Normal Skin
Signs That This Is Your Skin Type: If your skin doesn't fall into any of the three categories, you likely have normal type skin
If you have normal skin, you can choose almost any shaving cream!
You may find that a glycerin-based formula will help your skin stay soft in the winter, while an astringent product will help to normalize your skin in the summertime.
An example of a shaving cream that you might want to check out is the Old Fashioned Shave Cream from Triumph & Disaster:
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