As the proud owner of a bald head, you’re well aware of your peltless pate’s particular needs—especially when it comes to alliteration. Shaving. I meant shaving.
You’re also well aware that you can pull off the glasses look better than most. And the bearded look. And other looks, but that’s beside the point.
Point is: Whether your skin falls into the dry, sensitive, or “other” category, the best shaving creams for head shaving is the one that leans into your individual skin type. That said, the scalp is a unique landscape unlike any other on your body. It’s your thickest layer of skin, for example, but also one of the most sensitive.
In order to achieve a superior shave, you’re going to need a superior shave cream. With that in mind, I’ve taken the liberty of rounding up a handful of the best options to help keep your noggin in fighting shape.
Key Takeaways
The best shaving cream for head shaving caters to your skin’s specific needs. Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or combination skin, there’s a product out there that’ll target and help treat your scalp’s pain points.
The best all-around cream is Headblade’s HeadSlick thanks to its gentle, mentholated formula made specifically for head shaving. And if you’re looking for a versatile, inexpensive option, look no further than Bee Bald’s Premium Shave Cream.
Our Top Picks
As its name not-so-subtly suggests, HeadBlade is all about catering to the specific needs of guys who regularly shave their heads. The brand’s founder was one of the pioneers of the head-specific razor and is responsible for designing some of the most functional and unique blades on the market today.
Thankfully, that attention to detail and quality has spilled over into HeadBlade’s HeadSlick Shave Cream—the overall best shaving cream for head shaving on my list. It’s unscented, which helps reduce irritation. It’s water-soluble, which makes it easy to rinse off your head and razor. And it’s mentholated, which leaves your scalp feeling fresh and invigorated.
Item Form: Lotion | Scent: Unscented | Size: 8oz | Skin Type: All
Spoiler: This isn’t the last time you’re going to bump into The Art of Shaving on this list. But you had to have known that. Since 1996, this niche company has been making some of the finest shaving and shaving-adjacent products available.
Which brings us to their unscented shaving cream that—if it doesn’t already—needs to have a permanent place in your skincare routine. Glycerin, coconut acid, and other targeted ingredients come together to create a smooth, rich cream that helps eliminate razor burn and skin irritation. And yes, this is the same store you saw in that one mall in that one town that one time.
Item Form: Cream | Scent: Unscented | Size: 5oz | Skin Type: All
Proraso has been in the shaving game for a long time now. Since 1908, to be exact. And if you have sensitive skin (which we could argue everyone does when it comes to the scalp), you’ll want the Italian brand’s Sensitive Skin Shaving Cream in your corner.
It employs oatmeal and green tea to soothe your skin and help prevent bumps and irritation. And as is a throughline on this list, Proraso also avoids the use of parabens, silicons, mineral oils, artificial colors, and other materials that can irritate your skin. Though I’d recommend a shaving brush in general, this shaving cream’s formula can be lathered on your dome with or without one. It’s hands-down the best shaving cream for head shaving if you have sensitive skin.
Item Form: Cream | Scent: Lime, Apple | Size: 5.2oz | Skin Type: Sensitive
Another head-specific shaving cream, Bee Bald’s Premium Shave Cream is a lightly scented product created with your head’s unique landscape in mind. One of this cream’s standout features is that it incorporates pollen extract to keep your skin smooth and moisturized. And yes, you saw what they did there with the brand’s spelling.
Otherwise, it’s a thin formula that easily glides on and off for a smooth, seamless shave. It’s one of the least-expensive options you’ll find for the quality you’re getting in return. And turns out, women love it too. Might want to go ahead and stock up on this stuff.
Item Form: Cream | Scent: Light | Size: 6oz | Skin Type: All
Caswell-Massey was founded in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1752. Why does that matter? Suffice it to say, the legendary heritage brand has had a few years to perfect its products. And if you don’t believe me, just ask George Washington—his cologne of choice back in the day was the brand’s popular Number Six. On second thought he might be busy, so maybe just take my word for it.
Available in almond, sandalwood, and Number Six fragrances, Caswell-Massey’s Shaving Cream is made of natural ingredients like coconut oil and thyme. It’s a luxurious paraben- and sulfate-free formula that helps reduce razor burn and ingrown hairs while also making you randomly smell like the first President of the United States. Which is a sentence you probably didn’t expect to read when you woke up this morning.
Item Form: Cream | Scent: Almond, Number Six, Woodgrain Sandalwood | Size: 8oz | Skin Type: All
If you’re the meticulous type who would rather eat rocks than let a day go by without shaving your head, it’s my honor and duty to gently nudge you in the general direction of Cremo’s Original Shave Cream. You’re not going to pay much for it. You’re not going to write home about it. But you are going to agree with the over 13,000 5-star Amazon reviews about it.
Like most of the other shaving cream for head shaving options on this list, Cremo’s offering is designed to eliminate razor burn and general skin irritation. It’s also made with natural ingredients like macadamia seed oil, lemon extract, and aloe. To further cater to your scalp’s sensitivities, the “Classic” scent is citrusy, light, and formulated to be gentle on your head and nose. And if you’re really looking to stock up on everyday essentials, Cremo offers plenty of outstanding hair products, moisturizers, and other grooming staples.
Item Form: Cream | Scent: Classic | Size: 6oz | Skin Type: Combination, All
Ah yes, the dry head. Short of wearing a hat 24/7, there’s just no way to hide it. This is a problem you need to deal with, and fast. Thankfully, it’s often as easy as incorporating one or two products designed to target a specific issue like dry skin.
Enter stage right: Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel. It’s unscented, but you probably suspected that by this point in our little chat. The only gel on this list, it’s formulated specifically for dry and sensitive skin. Just picture a bunch of people busy-bodying around in
Item Form: Gel | Scent: Unscented | Size: 7oz | Skin Type: Dry, Sensitive
Wet-shavers rejoice. As promised, here comes The Art of Shaving for its second appearance. This time, it comes bearing one of the best shaving soaps you’re likely to come across on your noble quest.
With the help of a quality shaving brush (you’ll need to pick one of those up elsewhere), this soap works itself into a gentle yet impressive lather, leaving a subtle fragrance of sandalwood in its wake. Ingredients like coconut oil, glycerin, and essential oils help protect your skin from irritation, and the soap comes in a handsome wooden container that’ll look great on your vanity. Or in a stocking.
Item Form: Balm | Scent: Sandalwood | Size: 3.3oz | Skin Type: Sensitive, All
What To Look For In The Best Shaving Creams For Head
Ingredients
The best cream for shaving head types is the one that meets their skin’s unique needs. But generally speaking, you’ll want to avoid harsh chemicals and overly perfumed products that can cause skin irritation and lead to razor bumps. Look for natural ingredients like coconut oil and others that help promote smooth, healthy skin.
Scent
As mentioned, overly perfumed shaving creams can lead to skin irritation. This is especially true when it comes to the scalp—one of the most sensitive areas on the body. Look for unscented products or those with light, refreshing fragrances like citrus and coconut.
Form
Gels. Creams. Soaps. There’s no shortage of products out there when it comes to shaving your head, and no shortage of forms that they come in. Creams offer a luxurious barrier between your head and blade, for instance, while soaps are best used either during or right after a warm shower.
You could go all-in on one product or experiment with a few shaving kits, but pay attention to the forms available to you before making a decision.
Final Verdict
If you can find a shaving cream that specifically caters to your scalp’s unique needs, your head will be all the better for it. Thanks to its scentless, gentle, mentholated formula—among a handful of other standout features—my pick for the best shaving cream for head shaving is HeadBlade’s HeadSlick.
FAQ
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Whether you’re tired of styling your balding head or trying out a new (ahem) hairless hairstyle, you’ll need to learn how to correctly shave your head. It all starts with getting a blade that’s designed to move with the contours of your head. Otherwise, make sure the blade is sharp, use a quality shaving cream, rinse your blade frequently, and finish up with a moisturizer that’s free of harsh ingredients.
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If you’ve got a beard under your bald head, chances are you… didn’t always have one. Which means you used to shave your face. Which also means you understand the benefits of a good shaving cream. The same benefits apply to your head—shaving cream helps reduce the risk of cutting yourself, prevents razor burn, lubricates your scalp, and acts as a barrier between your razor and head.
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Yes, you can absolutely wet-shave your head. For best results, shave either during or directly after a warm shower. You can further ensure a close, comfortable shave by using a shave brush and a lightly scented shaving soap.
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