What is the best shave cream for men? Do premium shaving creams really offer a noticeable difference?

Here, I attempt to answer these questions.

I was first made aware of Dreadnought Shaving Cream by @HeyClurra.

While I’ve used some higher-end shaving creams before, I usually stick to the Aveeno Active Naturals stuff — it’s about $4, so a little on the higher end for the store.  There’s no added scent, and it smells a touch like an oatmeal cookie — a hint of vanilla and a fragrance that quickly dissipates post-shave.  It’s a good, solid shave and it’s not that expensive.

Dreadnought shaving cream comes in at $18.  Not the most premium price point, but not cheap, either.

Dreadnought shaving cream comes in a delightful canister.  It’s perfect for using a shaving brush, but I just added a dot to the palm of my hand and used some warm water to work up a lather.

I was impressed by how thick and rich the lather was.  The scent was definitely present.  It’s a light, soapy scent.  A traditional men’s shaving smell to be sure.  After working the stuff into my face, I shaved as I normally do.

My initial impression was positive. The glide was smooth and nice and the stubble cleared nicely. Plus, the scent made me feel fresh and clean.  I noticed less irritation than normal, so that’s a plus.

I applied my normal aftershave balm and went about my day.

I noticed my skin felt soft and smooth, seemingly more so than usual.

I used Dreadnought Shaving Cream for a full work week and found it pleasant.  Certainly, a good experience.

But, worth $18?

I decided to return to my old standby.  I used the old stuff for the weekend.  Still, a good, rich lather.  But the shave was slightly painful.  The irritation post-shave more apparent.  After two days, I went back to Dreadnought.

I love it! The shave is clean, the glide is great, the irritation is minimal, the scent is welcoming and I’m imagining will be even better on a warm summer morning.  I’d also imagine a woman leaning in for a kiss or to whisper something sweet might find the aroma inviting.

Is it worth 3 times what I used to pay for shave cream? I think so. It is supposed to last through 50 shaves, so about 2 months.  If it does, it’s definitely worth it.  For now, I’m using Dreadnought and loving it every single day.

For more on the gentleman’s lifestyle, follow @SterlingGent