The Best Shaving Gels for Men

Every man needs to shave, but more importantly, every man needs a good shave. I remember growing up and pretending to shave with my father using shaving foam, but things have shifted in the shaving space to shaving gel. Your face can take some wear and tear over the years and years of shaving and it's important to have a shaving gel that gets you a great-looking shave that's still super smooth. But not all shaving gels are made the same and some have different ingredients than others. We've compiled a list of the five best shaving gels for different reasons because the right shaving gel for one person might not be the right shaving gel for another. All faces and facial hair is different, so be sure to pick the right shaving gel for you.

Gillette Series 3x Shave Gel

The most trusted brand

Gillette has been in the shaving business for a long time, and it's for a reason. They make a great product that performs well.
Best Overall Option

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When it comes to shaving supplies, everyone knows the name Gillette. This specific Gillette shaving gel has what they call three times the action. The formula in this gel hydrates, protects, and refreshes your skin. As it’s hydrating your skin when you first apply the gel, it will soften the facial hair and lubricate your face to make a super smooth shave without any nicks. This protects against any sort of irritation from the blade, whichever kind of blade you may be using. The formula is infused with aloe to give you the extra moisture for your face. It’s lightly fragranced, so as you wash it off, you’re left smelling fresh, but it’s not overpowering. This comes in a pack of six for a low price. You really can’t go wrong with Gillette.

Pros:

  • Protects, hydrates, and refreshes with 3 times the power
  • Lightly fragranced for a fresh smell that’s not too strong
  • Infused with aloe for extra moisturizing

Cons:

  • Only comes in a pack of six, so if you don’t like it, you’ll be stuck with a lot of shaving gel

NIVEA Men Shaving Gel

The more the merrier

If you're looking to get a lot of shaving gel for a bulk price, this is the option for you.
Best Bulk Buy

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Sometimes you’re looking to commit and buy shaving gel for the foreseeable future and not have to worry about buying more shaving gel. The NIVEA men’s shaving gel offers packs of 10 seven-ounce cans which will last you a very, very long time. If you’re not looking to commit that hard, it also offers packs of six, five, four, and three. The formula was specifically created for men with sensitive skin and includes chamomile and witch hazel extracts for the natural fix to sensitive skin. It’s also enriched with Vitamin E for healthy skin. As you’re applying the gel, it softens the stubble to make a smooth, close shave without any irritation or micro-cuts. Obviously, no macro cuts either. The formula is alcohol-free and dye-free so it’s sensitive to shave bumps and acne.

Pros:

  • Comes in many different bulk options
  • Created with chamomile and witch hazel for a natural smooth
  • Great for shave bumps and acne

Cons:

  • May take longer to dry without alcohol

Edge Shaving Gel for Men

For whatever you need

Edge offers a variety of cans, which is perfect if you're struggling to find something that's right for you.
Best Variety

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Edge offers a different shaving gel for different needs. They have one for sensitive skin, extra moisturizing, extra protection, sensitive pro relief, soothing aloe, and ultra-sensitive. The sensitive skin option contains aloe and the cooling conditioner refreshes your face. The extra moisturizing version contains vitamin E, the cooling conditioner, and special moisturizers that lubricate for incredible razor glide. The extra protection has the cooling conditioner as well as extra moisturizers specifically to prevent cuts, nicks, and razor burns. The sensitive pro relief includes colloidal oatmeal that helps relieve irritation, doesn’t have any dyes, and is dermatologist recommended. The soothing aloe option comes with twice the aloe and the cooling conditioner. The ultra-sensitive version has colloidal oatmeal plus allantoin to basically eliminate irritation for sensitive skin with no dyes and a dermatologist recommendation. Edge covers everything you could need in a shaving gel.

Pros:

  • Six options provide you with everything you need
  • Comes in a pack of 6 seven-ounce cans
  • The cooling conditioner leaves your skin refreshed

Cons:

  • A little pricier than most options, but the options are worth it

Tomb 45 Shave Gel

Smooth and soft

The moisturizing element in Tomb 45 will keep your face feeling and looking smooth no matter how many shaves.
Best Moisturizing

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The Tomb 45 shave gel provides is the best formula for moisturizing. It includes Vitamin E that can help repair previously damaged layers of the skin. It includes two ingredients for hydration. The first ingredient is aloe vera which has a high water content that prevents drying and scaling as well as hydrates your skin. Most other shaving gels come with some sort of aloe, but this gel has another ingredient. The glycerin in the gel seals in moisture and acts as an emollient to prevent roughness and flaking. It comes as a clear, non-foaming gel so you can see where you’ve previously shaved to avoid going over the same areas twice and creating irritation. The bottle it comes in is eight ounces and it’s very easy to squeeze out. Other gel cans can be hard to press the button to make the gel come out. With Tomb 45, you don’t have to worry about that or worry about your face suffering from any sort of dryness with all of the moisturizing.

Pros:

  • Made with two types of moisturizers that hydrate the skin
  • Clear shaving gel will let you see where you’ve previously shaved
  • Comes in an easy squeeze bottle

Cons:

  • It doesn’t foam, and if you’re used to foaming gel, this will be an adjustment
  • If you’re blond, the clear shaving gel will make it harder to see where you’ve shaved

Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel

For those shave bumps

Aveeno has always been a great brand for moisturizing problems and sensitive skin so you know this will be a great shave.
Gentlest on Sensitive Skin

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We’ve all seen the Aveeno commercials with Jennifer Aniston, but Aveeno also makes products for men that work just as well. This seven-ounce canister includes a formula that’s made with oats and vitamin E that helps protect your sensitive skin against razor bumps as well as hydrate your skin. Because of the immense lubrication, it provides a super smooth shave that’s as close as you can get while also never giving you nicks, cuts, or razor bumps. The Aveeno shaving gel relieves dryness with a specific combination of moisturizing agents. For over 65 years, Aveeno has been a dermatologist-recommended brand. This shaving gel has no fragrance because sometimes elements with scents can irritate the skin. It’s also non-comedogenic so it’s proven to not clog pores on your face. That’s great news for those that suffer from acne.

Pros:

  • Dermatologist recommended brand
  • Non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores
  • Made with oats and vitamin E to replenish and moisturize

Cons:

  • Doesn’t come in a bulk package so there isn’t a discount

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use this anywhere on your body?

These shaving gels will work anywhere there is hair on your body. Although they are specifically made for your face, if you’re a swimmer and need to shave your legs for an event, these shaving gels will still work great for any part of your body.

Can the gels be heated?

These canisters shouldn’t be heated in any way, especially the microwave. However, if they are out of the can, they can be heated, but the gel will start to foam once it’s out of the can. The Tomb 45 gel may be heated outside of the bottle.

Can these be used in the shower?

Yes, the bottles are made to be used inside or outside of the shower. The canisters won’t rust and the plastic bottles will be fine in the water as well. Wherever you’re shaving, the cans will hold up.