Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Dr. Tusk, The Art of Shaving, Cremo, and more: Here are some of the best aftershave balms for men

Don't get burned! Get better with these soothing and healing aftershave balms

L’Occitane Multi-Grooming Balm 
L’Occitane Multi-Grooming Balm
Jump to details
Pacific Shaving Co. Caffeinated Aftershave Balm
Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated Aftershave Balm
Jump to details
Wood & Spice Aftershave
Reuzel Wood & Spice Aftershave
Jump to details
Dr. Tusk Shave Cream
Dr. Tusk Shave Cream
Jump to details
American Shaving Aftershave Balm
American Shaving Co. Aftershave Balm
Jump to details
Mod Cabin Glacier Aftershave Balm
Mod Cabin Glacier Aftershave Balm
Jump to details
Rockwell Razors Aftershave Balm 
Rockwell Razors Aftershave Balm
Jump to details
Baxter of California After Shave Balm
Baxter of California After Shave Balm
Jump to details
The Art of Shaving Aftershave Balm 
The Art of Shaving Aftershave Balm
Jump to details
Cremo Cooling Post-Shave Balm 
Cremo Cooling Post-Shave Balm
Jump to details
Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm
Nivea Men Sensitive Soothing Post Shave Balm
Jump to details

Like any of life's pursuits, looking our best means keeping the right tools handy. If keeping your face clean-shaven is your ideal, you'll need more than just the best razor to get an efficient shave. Your shaving regimen isn't really complete without using one of the best aftershave balms, a critical step in keeping your skin fresh, hydrated, and in the best shape possible following a close shave. Which one is best for you? Here are a few things to think about before you start shopping for your next aftershave balm.

Shaving can overly irritate the skin, especially if you’re not careful or properly equipped. (Black men in particular can benefit from using one of these moisturizing balms — rather than a drying, alcohol-based, classic aftershave — as part of keeping skin in great shape and fighting ingrown hairs.) Use one of the aftershave balms we recommend below to deliver comfort and relief. These aftershave balms are designed to target problem areas and cool down the skin while hydrating, moisturizing, and protecting your skin, fighting the wear and tear of climate and aging. Change the way you shave by adding one of the best aftershave balms to your essential grooming products, then thank us later.

L’Occitane Multi-Grooming Balm
L’Occitane

L’Occitane Multi-Grooming Balm

Some of the best aftershave balms get to work protecting your skin even before you start to shave — at least, that’s the case with this multi-use L’Occitane balm, which is designed to use both before and after you shave. L'Occitane's exceptionally soothing balm helps your skin resist redness, razor burn, and feelings of tightness, plus it purifies skin to clean and soothe nicks and breakouts. Even better, the rosemary and sandalwood scent is quite delightful!

L’Occitane Multi-Grooming Balm 
L’Occitane Multi-Grooming Balm
Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated Aftershave Balm
Pacific Shaving Company

Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated Aftershave Balm

Perk up your skin after a close shave with this caffeinated aftershave balm. The naturally-derived caffeine helps reduce the appearance of redness and post-shave razor rash, plus it's a powerful antioxidant that can help your skin repair itself and stay healthy. The balm is never tested on animals and comes in a TSA-friendly sized tube that's perfect to slip into your suitcase so you can finish your shave the right way no matter where you end up next.

Pacific Shaving Co. Caffeinated Aftershave Balm
Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated Aftershave Balm
A close-up of a bottle of Reuzel Wood and Spice Aftershave.
Reuzel

Reuzel Wood & Spice Aftershave

Leave it to the experts at Reuzel to provide the ultimate aftershave. Use this to cool and soothe your skin after you finish shaving. This crisp and defined formula has pleasant notes of citrus and sandalwood, and this vegan formula is great for finishing off your shave in a way that tightens your pores and properly nourishes your facial and neck skin. If a wood and spice scent isn't for you, it also comes in original scent.

Wood & Spice Aftershave
Reuzel Wood & Spice Aftershave
A close-up of a tube of Dr. Tusk Concentrated Shave Cream.
Dr. Tusk

Dr. Tusk Shave Cream

Even if you've already heard about Dr. Tusk's remarkable skincare and grooming products, now's the time to try out their amazing shave cream. Made with a plant-based proprietary blend of hemp, caffeine, and dragon's blood (Daemonorops Draco, that is. Don't worry. No dragons were harmed in the creation of this product.), it's great to use before you shave, after you shave, and anytime in between. This amazing 3-in-1 shave cream will help keep your facial skin hydrated all day.

Dr. Tusk Shave Cream
Dr. Tusk Shave Cream
American Shaving Co. Aftershave Balm
American Shaving Co.

American Shaving Co. Aftershave Balm

With what the aptly named brand calls a sandalwood “barbershop” scent, we’re certain this is one of the best aftershave balms for men, as it's expertly designed to soothe and refresh dry and irritated skin. This balm provides immediate skin hydration that lasts all day and it absorbs quickly into your skin without being greasy and it comes in a refreshing cleaan scent . We also like the fact that Amervcian Shaving Co. packs this balm in an easy-access, no mess jar.

American Shaving Aftershave Balm
American Shaving Co. Aftershave Balm
Mod Cabin Glacier Aftershave Balm
Mod Cabin

Mod Cabin Glacier Aftershave Balm

Geared toward hydration and refreshment for your skin, the ice-cold cooling sensation (what did you expect from a product named after ice?) of this aftershave balm is assuredly a welcome addition to your grooming routine. Not only does it have a very appealing alpine aroma, but it's also highly effective at caring for your skin after shaving. With ingredients like shea butter and essential oils, this balm is perfect to be used as a moistureizer all over your face.

Mod Cabin Glacier Aftershave Balm
Mod Cabin Glacier Aftershave Balm
Rockwell Razors Aftershave Balm
Rockwell Razors

Rockwell Razors Aftershave Balm

Leave it to a brand with a focus on old-school grooming to come up with a critical addition to your shaving routine via this refined aftershave balm. Based on their many years of shaving experience, Rockwell Razors has honed in on the ideal formula to hydrate your skin, soothe irritation, and leave behind a fantastic scent. This balm includes ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, hemp seed oil, and jojoba to nourish your skin and keep it looking and feeling healthy.

Rockwell Razors Aftershave Balm 
Rockwell Razors Aftershave Balm
Someone holds a tube of Baxter of California After Shave Balm
Baxter of California

Baxter of California After Shave Balm

Baxter of California has done it again. Now, they offer a premium aftershave that's alcohol-free, as well as being incredibly smoothing, and even helpful in protecting your skin from visible signs of premature aging. It also works to help prevent ingrown hairs and contains glycerin to protect and hydrate skin as well as aloe vera and allantonin to soothe sensitive skin from razor burn after shaving. It comes in a menthol scent that provides a cooling sensation.

Baxter of California After Shave Balm
Baxter of California After Shave Balm
The Art of Shaving Aftershave Balm
The Art of Shaving

The Art of Shaving Aftershave Balm

Of course the foremost name in shaving has the ultimate moisturizer and shave balm, all rolled into one amazing formula. This aftershave balm soothes, moisturizes, and refreshes the face, helps protect from signs of aging, and won't clog your pores. It's also available in a travel-friendly 1 oz. tube with a soothing lavender fragrance. If lavender isn't your cup of tea, The Art of Shaving also offers this amazing aftershave balm in sandalwood and unscented versions.

The Art of Shaving Aftershave Balm 
The Art of Shaving Aftershave Balm
Cremo Cooling Post-Shave Balm 
Cremo

Cremo Cooling Post-Shave Balm

This balm comes in a lightweight formula with no synthetic fragrance that soothes and moisturizes with special cooling ingredients, such as menthol and tea tree oil, leaving skin feeling clean and refreshed. Of course, Cremo's balm also fights skin irritation and razor burn, with ingredients like shea butter, baobab seed oil, and tamanu seed oil that also hydrate skin, so we consider it a true grooming must-have. And it comes in a pleasant, refreshing mint scent.

Cremo Cooling Post-Shave Balm 
Cremo Cooling Post-Shave Balm

Nivea Men Sensitive Soothing Post Shave Balm

Of course, one of the leading skincare companies would make a great soothing post-shave balm for men that is especially designed for sensitive skin. This alcohol-free balm won't dry your skin and it has ingredients like vitamin E, chamomile, and witch hazel to calm your skin after a shave, leaving it looking healthier. It keeps your skin smooth and comfortable by fighting what Nivea says are "the five signs of shave irritation: burning, micro cuts, dryness, tightness and stubble itch." The fast-absorbing, nongreasy balm won't feel sticky on your skin and it will provide you with long-lasting hydration.

Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm
Nivea Men Sensitive Soothing Post Shave Balm

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Aftershave lotion or balm?

If you ask us, the best aftershave for men is a sort of catch-all as far as soothing irritated skin is concerned, so the search for the best aftershave can often be tricky. Of course, that begs the all-important question: Is aftershave lotion or balm better for your skin? In most instances, if you do your research and dive in deep enough, you’ll discover that the best grooming products for men get the job done, be it aftershave lotion or balm.

And even if you don’t go through a targeted shaving regimen (say, if you’re one who takes great care to study up on how to shape a beard), aftershave balm or lotion can still prove highly useful.

But that being said, there’s still a debate out there, right? No doubt. Picking out aftershave lotion or balm depends on both your skin type and your personal preference. A lotion used after shaving goes on smoothly and quickly, much like your face moisturizer or face lotion, but with the targeted approach to soothe and soften irritated skin. It’s a straightforward option that works well if you already moisturize frequently (and trust us, you should certainly add that step to your grooming routine).

A balm can be more gel-like and leave a refreshing feeling, but sometimes there’s an added residue. The end-all, be-all is this: If you go with a quality product in either category (like our picks above), you can’t go wrong either way.

What does aftershave balm do?

Aftershave balm soothes and calms the skin, targeting inflammation, irritation, and nicks or cuts. The best aftershave for men works in a targeted way, giving the skin a pick-me-up of sorts. Aftershave lotions or balms specifically moisturize the skin, helping you avoid the stinging feeling that can sometimes result from shaving.

An aftershave balm is also a necessary final step in sealing in that close shave, seeing as aftershave balm is going to leave the skin soft after a close shave versus scratchy. Sometimes, the closest shave possible can leave your skin in rather rough shape.

What’s best to use after shaving?

Whether you go with lotion after shaving or an aftershave balm, options abound (as do opinions as to what’s best to use after shaving). The great news for you is that the best custom skincare brands for men often deliver a highly tailored approach that’s going to treat your skin the right way, and you’ll find a couple of them on this list.

For after shaving, we’re of the opinion that, at the end of the day, you simply need the best aftershave for men in your rotation, no questions asked. An aftershave balm can work more like a gel for your skin, targeting surface irritation, while an aftershave lotion works more deeply, akin to a face moisturizer to be used on the rest of your face. Aftershave lotion works more naturally with a grooming routine that incorporates moisturizer or face lotion, while aftershave balm often adds a refreshing, scented kick (think of old-school aftershave, but now in a modern balm form).

We hope this guide helps you find the ideal aftershave balm to add to your own personal grooming set. For more great grooming tips, take a look at this guide for the best luxury gifts for men, the best mustache waxes for better facial hair, and these helpful tips to get rid of razor burn quickly. Now that we took care of business, we'll leave it to you to take good care of yourself.

Editors' Recommendations

John Jones
John Jones is a Jersey City, New Jersey-based writer who enjoys covering design in all its forms, from fashion to…
Jack Black, Moroccanoil, and more: The best men’s hair oils are the answer to your dry hair problems
Try these hair oils to nourish and hydrate
A man's hair with hair oil in it

A common misconception in the grooming world is that hair oil is exclusively for guys with medium to long hair lengths. The truth is that these products do wonders for all hair types. Hair oil quickly fixes dry and damaged hair, nourishes the follicles and scalp, and can revive your luscious locks, no matter how thick or thin.

The best hair oils are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids that nourish, hydrate, and protect and can even prevent graying or hair loss. And there is always time to incorporate it into your routine. While many other factors play a role here, specific natural oils, like almond oil, are known to aid in regrowth. We're about to share our picks for the best men's hair oils. 

Read more
Neutrogena, Jaxon Lane, and more: The 14 best men’s face moisturizers with SPF to slow down aging
Use these daily moisturizers year-round to protect your face
Man using face moisturizer

There are certain things all men should do on a consistent basis to slow the process of aging — a big one being sun protection. No matter what the season is, shielding your skin from the sun should be a top concern. The smartest way to do that? By investing in some quality moisturizers with SPF. Using an SPF (preferably SPF 30 or greater) on a daily basis can significantly protect your skin from the sun's UVA and UVB rays that can cause different types of skin complications later in life, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Face moisturizer is already essential in any guy's grooming routine, but to up the ante even further, opt for a moisturizer with SPF. Another seemingly superficial (but also major) benefit: A 2016 study from Johnson and Johnson's Skin Research Center found that roughly about half of the participants who used daily moisturizers containing SPF saw improvements in the appearance of their sunspots, while 41 percent of them said they saw their skin clear up after a year of use.

Read more
The 9 best razors for men that offer a super-close shave, from budget to luxury options
Our top picks for the best of the best razors for men
Man shaving in the mirror.

Shaving is a morning ritual. Even more than a hot shower, shaving lets us know we’re wide awake: Unlike with most of our grooming regimen, though, we must be awake, alert, and present in the moment, or else things could get messy, if not downright dangerous.

Like all rituals, shaving also requires the right accouterments. Shaving gels, shaving creams, and aftershaves may come and go, but a trustworthy razor may become a lifelong companion. The razor you prefer can change based on your skin and hair type, which is why we’ve reviewed a wide selection of offerings to bring you the best razors for men in 2023.

Read more