Thanks for taking your time to read out information and reviews on the best shaving creams, that are currently available on the UK marketplace. High quality shaving creams sell really well on the UK market.
Using a cream that is specifically designed for shaving truly makes the world of difference to a wet shave. There are a few reasons for this, which we have listed below.
- Affordability - most of these creams cost between £6-10 and that is enough for around 50 shaves, if applied with a brush. If applied by hand that does fall to around 30 shaves. (We explain later why this is the case) So for a year's shaving the cream will cost around £60 a year
- Convenience - the cream is faster than using a soap
- Skin Protection - Shaving creams protect the skin from the directness of the blade, and at the same time they moisturise and hydrate the skin
If you are in a hurry and simply want to know which the best options are, then directly below we have provided you with a top 15 list of the best shaving creams available on the UK market.
If you have more time, then we strongly suggest you read our buying guide first, before making a purchase.
All our product recommendations are based on our independent research which we conduct online by reading the many reviews we find at online websites. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made.
You can read our affiliates page to find out more and also read about how we write our reviews.
We have listed these creams by showing the highest buyer rated creams first. When we do our research we look at a number of online websites that sell this type of wet shaving product.
We then make notes of the rating each cream gets. We add those up and work out an average percentage score. We then list those in buyer satisfaction order as seen below.
Underneath the table, we offer some quick buying tips, and below that, more detailed reviews of each cream on our list.
Before You Buy - Top 5 Buying Tips
Just before checking out the main reviews, we have provided a few tips just below on buying a shaving cream, that we think will help you make the best choice.
- Buy a Known Brand -Shaving creams have been out for a very long time. The best brands, or at least the most popular are Taylor of Old Bond Street (a British brand) Proraso (an Italian brand) and a new comer known as the Gentleman's Face Club. some of the older classics are also interesting including Palmolive, Benny's, Truefit and Trumpers
- Don't spend too much - These types of creams cost around £10 on average. If you are a beginner to using these, then it may take you a few tries to find the one you like. The scents vary slightly on these so it is always a matter of preference.
- How long does a tub last? - If applied using a brush, a typical 150 gm (ml) tub will last for about 50 shaves. You will need to buy around 7-8 tubs per year. If applied by hand they tend not to last as long, and typically you get about 30 shaves.
- Are creams hard to use? - Nothing could be any easier. The main beginner mistake is using too much cream when starting out. A small amount goes a very long way
- Creams vs soaps vs gels - We get asked a lot which is better a cream, a shaving soap or a gel. We think this is personal preference. Traditional wet shavers will stick with using a soap and brush. A cream is really just a lathered soap so most of the work is done for you. Gels are just easier to find in supermarkets and chemists, though not as good as these types of high quality creams.
Top 15 Shaving Cream Main Reviews
Just below you will find concise reviews of the top 15 shaving creams that are available in the UK. We have listed those showing those that have got the best reviews and ratings from online buyers.
Taylor of Old Bond Street 150g Sandalwood Shaving Cream Bowl
94% buyer satisfaction based on 4,000+ online buyer reviews
This is a 150 gram tub
Made in the UK
Can be applied by hand or using a shaving brush
This is a huge best seller online
The cream is produced and sold in the UK and the sandalwood scent is popular with many wet shavers
Palmolive Classic Lather Shave Cream 100ml x 6 Packs
96% buyer satisfaction based on 500+ online buyer reviews
You get 6 x 100 ml tubes of shaving cream
This cream has a mild formula that nourishes the skin, and helps prevent irritation and itchiness
Contains palm fruit extract
A very traditional offering
Taylor of Old Bond Street Peppermint Shaving Cream Bowl 150 g
94% buyer satisfaction based on 1,300+ online buyer reviews
85% of all buyers gave this a 5 star review
4% of all buyers so far have given this a bad review
Made in the UK
Contains peppermint, Glycerin and lemon
Most buyers seem to like the scent, and that will certainly be the case if you like the soft peppermint scent
Three Packs of Erasmic Lather Shave Cream -Shaving Foam Cream For Men
94% buyer satisfaction based on 600+ online buyer reviews
Contains coconut Oil and glycerin to lubricate your skin
Gives a smooth close shave
Helps condition and moisturise your skin
Some buyers love this brand
Taylors of Old Bond Street Jermyn Street Collection Shaving Cream for Sensitive Skin Screw Tread Pot
94% buyer satisfaction based on 600+ online buyer reviews
80% of all buyers gave this a 5 star review
3% of all buyers so far have given this a bad review
Made in UK
Perfect for sensitive skin
Subtle masculine scent
Luxury Sandalwood Shave Cream From Gentlemans Face Care Club
92% buyer satisfaction based on 1,100+ online buyer reviews
82% of all buyers gave this a 5 star review
4% of all buyers so far have given this a bad review
This cream moisturises and rehydrates the skin
Comes in a 150 ml pot of Sandalwood shaving cream - enough for around 2 months worth of shaves when used with a shaving brush
A good choice for men with sensitive skin
With this cream there is no risk of an itch, rash or any type of irritation
Comes with a money back guarantee
Taylor of Old Bond Street 150g Coconut Shaving Cream Bowl
92% buyer satisfaction based on 2,000+ online buyer reviews
79% of all buyers gave this a 5 star review
4% of all buyers so far have given this a bad review
Made in UK
Lathers very easily
Has a citrus top note, which some men really like
Worth trying to see if you like this one
Proraso Shaving Cream Tube Refreshing
92% buyer satisfaction based on 600+ online buyer reviews
81% of all buyers gave this a 5 star review
2% of all buyers so far have given this a bad review
From the famous Italian Proraso brand
150 gram convenient tube
Contains eucalyptus oil and menthol good for sensitive skin types
No lanolin
Shaving Cream - Benny's of London
90% buyer satisfaction based on 500+ online buyer reviews
84% of all buyers gave this a 5 star review
8% of all buyers so far have given this a bad review
Has a scent of Pomegranate NOIR
Comes in a 150 ml pot
Made in the UK
Creates real thick creamy lather
Men Rock Sicilian Lime Shaving Cream
90% buyer satisfaction based on 200+ online buyer reviews
79% of all buyers gave this a 5 star review
No buyers so far have given this a bad review
100 ml tub
Made with Sicilian lime to nourish your skin
It also has coconut oil for skin hydration
Has top notes of black pepper to give your skin a pleasant yet subtle scent throughout the day.
Ideal for sensitive skin
Peppermint Shave Cream - From Gentlemans Face Care Club
90% buyer satisfaction based on 150+ online buyer reviews
62% of all buyers gave this a 5 star review
No buyers so far have given this a bad review
This cream moisturises and rehydrates the skin
Comes in a 150ml pot of peppermint shaving cream - enough for around 2 months worth of shaves when used with a shaving brush
A good choice for men with sensitive skin
With this cream there is no risk of an itch, rash or any type of irritation
Comes with a money back guarantee
TrueFitt & Hill Authentic No. 10 Finest Shaving Cream
92% buyer satisfaction based on 200+ online buyer reviews
74% of all buyers gave this a 5 star review
No buyers so far have given this a bad review
Delivers a luxurious lather
Moisturises and softens
Comes in a 200 ml pot
Free of parabens, alcohol and sulphate
The Bluebeards Revenge Luxury Shaving Cream Tub 100ml
77% of all buyers gave this a 5 star review
5% of all buyers so far have given this a bad review
Helps to nourish and moisturise the skin
Has a fresh and classic English barbershop scent with a modern twist
For best results, use a shaving brush
Enough for 50 great shaves
Geo F Trumper Shave Cream - Rose 200gm Tub
90% of all buyers gave this a 5 star review
No buyers so far have given this a bad review
200 gram tub
This is a glycerine based shaving cream
Gives a rich lather
Great choice for coarse skin
How to Use Shaving Cream the Right Way
Like any type of wet shaving, the secret to getting a good shave is all about preparation. This is where a good quality cream comes into play. There are a few different methods of wet shaving which are:
No matter what type of razor or shaver you pick, you are going to need something to lather your face. Shaving cream is one of the best lathers for doing that.
Step 1 - Prepare the Face
Ideally the best time to shave is just after the shower. Otherwise the face or area being shaved should be washed with hot water.
Ideally a hot towel should be used to soak the beard, but we also understand that not everyone will have the time to do that. If you do great, and if not, then make sure it is well soaked.
Step 2 - Use a Shaving Cream
It is important to use a good quality shaving soap, cream or gel. Again ideally this should be applied using a good quality shaving brush.
Shaving cream can be applied by hand (unlike soap) so a good choice for that type of application. It is better though to apply the cream using a shaving brush.
Step 3 - Using a brush
Put a small amount of cream in a jar, mug or bowl, and then get your brush. Make sure the brush is well loaded with warm water. Mix the cream in the bowl using the brush and it will form a stiff creamy rich lather.
Apply this to the face by pushing the bristles of the brush into the bristles.
Step 4 - Shave with the Grain
When using a safety,disposable razor, cartridge or cutthroat it is important to shave with the grain, or in other words, the direction the hair grows in. With an electric shaver that is not important to do. That is because the cutting style of electric shavers is different to shaving with an exposed blade.
We recommend starting with the cheeks first, then the neck and finally finish off with the chin and the mouth.
Step 5 - Apply Moisturiser
When finished wash your face with cold water to close the pores in the skin. Then apply a balm, post shave cream or moisturiser before applying any after shave.
Shaving Cream Buyer's Guide
If you haven't used a proper shaving cream like this before, then our buying guide should really help you out.
When it comes to buying a lubricant for our face, for the purposes of wet shaving, then we have a few choices:
- Shaving cream
- Shaving soap
- Shaving gel
- Shaving foam
Our preferred selection would be a soap, then the cream, then a gel and never the foam. The reason we prefer soap is that it lasts longer than cream.
Shaving cream is however the better choice if you want to apply something by hand, rather than having to use a shaving brush.
Understanding Scents
It is fair to say that many men do get a bit confused about the scents of shaving creams. The scent will vary from cream to cream depending on the ingredients.
It shouldn't concern you a great deal as none of those last very long. At best the scent will linger for an hour at most. We always recommend using a good quality after shave to get the desired scent that you want.
Hopefully we have given you enough information to be able to pick the best shaving cream for your needs.