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1
Best for scent
Grown Alchemist Shaving Gel Sandalwood & Sage
1
Best for scent
Grown Alchemist Shaving Gel Sandalwood & Sage
Credit: ENDSometimes, the lightest hand can still lead to razor burn. This clear gel contains coriander seed oil to soften follicles and ensure maximum glide, ensuring you aren't left red in the face.
2
Best for value
Horace Shave Cream
2
Best for value
Horace Shave Cream
Credit: HoraceChic yet frill-free, Horace is fast becoming a (pleasingly affordable) mainstay in grooming kits everywhere. This silicone-free – so non pore-clogging – cream contains a combination of butters, oils and soothing plant extract allantoin to ensure a seamless shave.
3
Best brushless cream
Kiehl's Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream - White Eagle
3
Best brushless cream
Kiehl's Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream - White Eagle
Credit: KiehlsIgnore the aggressively patriotic branding on this one – Kiehl's shave cream is for sensitive boys. The lightweight cream comforts dry skin, while the menthol inside feels really quite nice.
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4
Best foam
Elemis Ice-Cool Foaming Shave Gel
4
Best foam
Elemis Ice-Cool Foaming Shave Gel
Credit: LookfantasticOnce you’ve experienced the sting of a proper razor burn, you understand the importance of a decent shaving cream. Elemis’s traditional foam has been loved for years, thanks to the way it cools and calms skin while delivering a truly satisfying lather.
5
Best gentle cream
Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Shaving Cream
5
Best gentle cream
Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Shaving Cream
Credit: Space NKMatthew Malin has hyper-sensitive skin himself, so you can be sure that anything in his own line will be thoughtfully formulated to work with complexions prone to rosacea, dermatitis and eczema. It’s translucent, so you can actually see where you’re wielding the blade, and contains soothing vitamin E alongside softening shea butter.
6
Best for shaping stubble
Murdock London Daily Shave Gel
6
Best for shaping stubble
Murdock London Daily Shave Gel
Credit: HumaneryThe Murdock boys know how to create high-performing essentials, just like this tinted shaving gel. It's deliberately blue-tinged, allowing you to see exactly where you've shaved and cut a sharp beard line. Apply water to foam the formula up before rinsing away.
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7
Best gel
grüum Danne Soothing Shave Gel
7
Best gel
grüum Danne Soothing Shave Gel
Credit: LookfantasticA dense cream can feel cocooning and comforting, but a gel offers practicality in that you can actually see what you’re doing. This one is lightweight, cooling and can be foamed up on wet skin once you’ve mastered the art.
8
Best for dry skin
Doers of London Cut Out The Fluff Shave Cream
8
Best for dry skin
Doers of London Cut Out The Fluff Shave Cream
Credit: Brown'sThis gentle non-foaming cream is ideal for dry skin. Shea butter and plant oils increase hydration and prevent razor burn, leaving skin feeling calm and comforted. Prep with the brand's equally impressive face scrub for a top-tier shave.
9
Best spa-standard choice
Aveda Men Pure-Formance Shave Cream
9
Best spa-standard choice
Aveda Men Pure-Formance Shave Cream
Credit: LookfantasticAveda’s gentle formulas are a fail-safe choice for sensitive types, and this shaving cream will help reduce any discomfort on even the most temperamental of faces. Those prone to ingrown hairs rave about it.
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10
Best for beards
Anthony Pre-Shave + Conditioning Beard Oil
10
Best for beards
Anthony Pre-Shave + Conditioning Beard Oil
Credit: Space NKThis is a great choice for anyone looking to sharpen beard edges: it doubles up as a pre-shave softener and a conditioning treatment, adding shine and softness to the hair you want to keep. It's lighter than you might expect, and doesn't leave a film on skin.
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