Best Shaving Cream Alternatives for Men in a Pinch

Run out of shaving cream? No problem. There are actually several shaving cream alternatives you might already have lying around in your shower or bathroom drawers. That said, you’ll want to choose carefully, as some work better for certain skin types than others. In this article, you’ll learn about the best shaving cream alternatives to reach for, which is the right one for you, and how to use them.

Can you shave without shaving cream?

Technically, yes — but just because something’s possible doesn’t make it a great idea. Shaving cream suspends your hair so the blade can cut it cleanly, and it creates a cushion of moisture that protects your skin. There are alternatives to shaving cream that can serve a similar function, but skipping lubrication altogether is about as advisable as wiping with 60-grit sandpaper. 

6 best shaving cream alternatives for men

If you don’t have shaving lotion or cream around, here are six alternatives you can reach for if you’re in a hurry.

1. Shaving with conditioner

Hair conditioner can soften your whiskers just as well as it softens the hair on your head, so slathering some on your face before a shave will help. It’s also very slick, reducing the friction that leads to irritation. Look for a natural conditioner to keep things gentle on your freshly shaven skin.

2. Coconut oil

Despite being an oil, coconut oil doesn’t leave a greasy residue on your skin. With naturally occurring antibacterial properties, it gives your skin a clean feeling after you towel off. It’s light, smooth, and great at lubricating the blade for a comfortable shave.

3. Aloe vera gel

Some of the best shaving gels for men include aloe vera because of its naturally soothing feeling on the skin — but you don’t need a fancy formula to get the benefits. If you have an aloe plant handy, the real thing works just as well. Make sure you rub the gel in thoroughly, though, since it tends to get stuck in your stubble without reaching the skin.

4. Body lotion

Body lotion makes a great shaving cream alternative for all the same reasons it feels great on your skin. It hydrates, goes on smoothly, and is slick enough to provide solid lubrication. It does sink in pretty quickly, though, so you might need to use a lot of it to get a smooth shave.

5. Bar soap

Bar soap is a reliable standby because the rich lather suspends your facial hair much like standard shaving cream does. To combat dryness, choose a moisturizing bar soap made with shea butter, which hydrates the skin and calms irritation. 

6. Olive oil and natural oils

If you don’t have anything else handy, it might be time for a quick trip to the kitchen. Olive oil and avocado oil are surprisingly solid replacements for shaving cream since they lubricate both the blade and your skin while providing a protective barrier against razor burn. In fact, ancient Greeks and Romans used olive oil to shave long before the advent of shaving cream, making it one of many old-fashioned grooming habits that still hold up today. Clean it off your face with a nice French bread, and you’ve got yourself a nice post-shave snack. Mind the hairs, though.

Which alternative works best for your skin type

Your skin type makes a big difference in your overall manscaping routine, and that’s especially true when you’re using shaving cream alternatives. Here are some recommendations for dry, oily, or normal skin.

Dry or sensitive skin

If your skin is dry or easily irritated, then your shaving cream alternative should be mild and very slick. Coconut oil, conditioner, and olive oil all fit the bill, and you likely have at least one on hand.

Oily or combination skin

The last thing you want to add to oily skin is more oil, so avoid the heavier ones on this list like coconut oil or olive oil. But stripping your face with drying products will also backfire, as over-drying your skin signals your oil glands to produce more oil to compensate. 

Instead, reach for a moisturizing bar soap fortified with shea butter. Other great alternatives are aloe vera gel for a lightweight option or hair conditioner to soften your scruff and rinse away cleanly without overloading your skin. 

Normal skin

Those with normal skin can use anything on the above list, as long as they don’t have an allergy to worry about. Olive oil, body lotion, and conditioner are generally the best go-to shaving cream alternatives, so they should start there.

How to use shaving cream alternatives safely: 5 steps

Shaving cream is pretty specialized stuff, so using alternatives takes a bit of finesse. Here’s a five-step routine to get the best possible shave when you need to break away from your usual grooming routine.

1. Prep your skin with warm water

A bit of warm water softens up your hair follicles and relaxes the skin, making it that much more pliant. This reduces friction and leads to a more comfortable shave with less razor burn. 

2. Apply your chosen alternative generously

Whichever alternative you choose, use plenty of it. Your first choice might not be the one you settle on, and that’s fine. Experimenting is how you find what works best. You just need enough to get through your whiskers and to the skin, which can take quite a lot if you have coarse facial hair. 

3. Shave with short, light strokes

Take your time if you’re using an alternative to shaving cream, and check that your razor did its job on each pass. 

4. Rinse thoroughly and check for patches

Rinse off your shaving cream alternative thoroughly, pat your face dry, and check for rough patches. If you find any, reapply and try again. It may take a few tries to dial in your technique with a nonstandard product.

5. Apply a post-shave moisturizer or aftershave

Whether you’re using traditional shaving cream or a pantry alternative, always finish off with an aftershave or post-shave moisturizer. Passing a sharp blade over your face can cause tiny cuts and abrasions. A splash of aftershave helps clean those minor cuts on contact. Meanwhile, a moisturizing post-shave lotion cools razor burn and leaves skin feeling smooth.

Take your shave routine to the next level

Shaving cream alternatives can get the job done in a pinch, but a purpose-built product delivers every time. 

If your shaving cream just ran out and you’re weighing your options, shave butter is worth a serious look. Unlike traditional shaving creams that whip up into a thick foam, shave butter skips the lather entirely. Instead, it goes on as a light, translucent cream that makes it easier to see where you’re shaving. It’s also loaded with moisturizing ingredients to hydrate your skin while you shave, leaving it feeling luxuriously soft long after you’re done.

Dr. Squatch’s easy glide shave butter comes in many manly scents like Fresh Falls, Wood Barrel Bourbon, and Coconut Castaway. Sign up for a subscription, and a fresh bottle will land on your doorstep every three months — no more mid-shave shambles. You’ll be the talk of the town when everyone realizes your house is a reliable place for Squatch sightings.

FAQ

Is conditioner better than shaving cream?

Conditioner is a decent alternative to shaving cream if you’ve run out, but it isn’t a full-on replacement. Unsurprisingly, dedicated shaving products are better for shaving, thanks to a special formula of ingredients that soften and suspend hair to ready it for a clean shave.

What should you avoid using as a shaving cream substitute?

You can’t use any old cream or oil as a shaving cream substitute. Lots of them would make terrible shaving cream. Sour cream, for instance, would be very unpleasant. So would motor oil. Other tempting ideas include shampoo and hand soap, but those help remove dirt and oil from your hair and hands. They aren’t designed to provide the cushion a razor blade requires. Using them for a shave can lead to increased friction, so it’s best to leave those to their original uses. 

Can you use body wash as a shaving cream alternative?

Yes, but it isn’t one of the better options you probably have available. A high-quality moisturizing body wash lathers up beautifully and doesn’t dry out your skin. But because it rinses away cleanly with water, the lather can dissipate quickly under the showerhead. Body lotion is generally a better alternative because it sits on the skin longer without washing away, giving you a better protective cushion against the blade.