6 men’s shaving cream alternatives to drugstore ‘canned goop’

Your dad might have taught you how to shave with a cheap Bic and a can of Barbasol. But shaving products for men have changed. And you deserve a better shave! It’s time to ditch the canned goop from the drugstore once and for all. There are plenty of options for high-quality shaving creams and soaps. Some come from new, innovative companies, and some have been around for over 100 years. And the best part? You don’t have to break the bank to pamper your face. Here are six of the best men’s shaving creams you can buy.

CREMO ORIGINAL SHAVE CREAM

Cremo is a great brand to try if you’re ready for an upgrade but still want something you can get at the drugstore. Their shave cream is generously thick. It gives you a nice protective barrier between your face and the blade. That allows you to get a closer, smoother shave. The Original Formula has a subtle citrus scent. If you’re not into that, a variety of other scents is available. Options include sandalwood, sage and citrus, bourbon vanilla and more. They also offer a mentholated cooling shave cream to reduce irritation. Cremo’s shave creams range in price from $5 to $10, and you can find them at most drugstores as well as many places online.

THE ART OF SHAVING

The Art of Shaving is dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin. It’s also free of synthetic dyes and alcohol. The brand’s shaving creams have a formula with a high concentration of glycerin. This helps to soften and hydrate your skin while also softening your beard hair. We like this cream because it’s good for use with or without a shaving brush. Even without a brush, lather it directly onto your face. And you need only a small amount per shave, so it will last you. Tubes come in unscented, lavender and sandalwood. The 5-ounce jars also come in olibanum pepper, coriander cardamom, bourbon, bergamot neroli and oud. Their 1.5-ounce tubes are $12.00, 2.5-ounce tubes are $12.50 and 5-ounce jars are $25-$30. If you prefer shaving soap to cream, they also offer a soap in their lavender and sandalwood scents for $30.

VITOS SHAVING SOAP

Vitos shaving soap is inexpensive and great for shaving the old-fashioned way. It’s made in Italy and comes as a large, semi-hard brick. You can slice a piece off, place it in your shaving mug and lather it up with a wet shaving brush. It lathers like a shave cream but is less mess. The Vitos shaving soap block has a light almond scent and ranges in price from $20-$30.

PRORASO SHAVING CREAM

Proraso is another Italian shaving brand. It’s been on the market for more than 100 years, and it has earned its outstanding reputation. Proraso’s shaving creams are thicker than many others. You can apply them with your hands, but they work best when you use them with a damp shaving brush. The original formula’s glycerin, lactic acid and menthol offer a close and cool shave. Eucalyptus oil tones and purifies skin and hair. Proraso makes its creams with over 90% natural ingredients. They’re also free of parabens, phthalates and silicones, as they’re cruelty-free. Proraso offers four formulas: refreshing, sensitive skin, coarse beards, and protective. A tube costs $10.

LUCKY TIGER MOLLE BRUSHLESS SHAVE CREAM

Lucky Tiger is an American brand whose history dates back to the 1920s. So it’s tried and tested. The Lucky Tiger Molle Brushless Shave Cream is a favorite. Two of its main ingredients are lanolin and mineral oil. These work hard to give you a smooth, clean shave that also conditions your skin. These ingredients also keep the cream from drying out halfway through your shave. Its packaging is simple, and the cream has no scent. But it lathers up well and makes for an easy shave. A 12-ounce jar will run you$10.

PACIFIC SHAVING COMPANY NATURAL SHAVING CREAM

Pacific Shaving Company Natural Shaving Cream is made in the USA with organic, plant-based ingredients. It’s also cruelty-free. Its plant-based ingredients offer a smooth shave and reduce redness, bumps and irritation. The lather is rich, so you need only a small amount per shave. A tube will last you up to 100 shaves. In case you want your morning shave to deliver an extra kick. This cream is rich in antioxidants, and it’s boosted with aloe and spearmint to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy. It costs $7.99 for a 3.4-ounce tube, The company’s website also gives you the option to buy bundles at a reduced price per tube.