We have asked the experts many times – and they have answered: The best shave for a man most always involves pre-shave oil, a good shave cream and a sharp single or double-edge razor—end of story. But what if that wasn’t the entire end to the story. I mean, in a modern world, there are always discoveries to be had and improvements to be made.
We asked the hair and skin experts at American Crew to see if there have been any significant improvements in shaving over the past decade. They sent us a few samples of their current products, and we followed through with a couple of strokes of a fresh sharp razor… and these were our thoughts.
The Preparation
The American Crew Ultra Glide Save Oil may go on light, but there is definitely a huge protection factor here. We have tried a lot of different shaving oils over the years, and cuts and irritation are a pretty common occurrence when using a non-safety razor. However, this oil was a fantastic foundation.
And if you are familiar with the spirit lifting aromas of American Crew’s hair care products, we can tell you that you will not be let down with the crisp clean smell of eucalyptus and clove. It is just a bonus as far as we’re concerned that these oils also happen to protect your skin from nicks, razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
Get more info here.
The Shave
We used both the Precision Shave Gel and Moisturizing Shave Cream, and found them to be equally effective… with a few points that seemed to stand out for each.
The Precision Shave Gel is for use with fine to normal beards, and the first thing you will notice is that there is no foam. It is a clear gel that goes over their pre-oil and hydrates the skin as it helps the razor flow gently through the whiskers. None of us at the Urbasm laboratories have what you’d consider a very thick beard, but with a normal beard we can say that this gel seemed to produce a much quicker shave without the cost of more nicks, cuts or razor burn.
It produces little to no resistance to the skin or whiskers, and the result is literally an exercise in ‘precision’ whisker deforestation. But American Crew didn’t leave that as good enough. They’ve also added pumpkin seed extract and tea tree oil to soothe the skin and protect it from a breakout (yeah pimples—we hate them too). This is because a freshly shaved face is more prone to breakouts, so it is worth the effort to make sure that whatever product you’re using is designed to discourage that from happening. Enough said.
Get more info here.
The Moisturizing Shave Cream has a little more tradition feel for those purists out there. It offers moderate coverage with a moderate foam, and it definitely seems to soften a coarse beard fairly quickly prior to shaving. It also leaves behind a noticeable protective layer of moisture when you’re finished. It comes infused with aloe and avocado oil extract to help maintain skin softness, especially if you’re the type of guy to walk away from a shave with extra dry skin. last but not least, the smell is fantastic and we experienced almost no skin irritation after each shave.
Quite frankly, you really can’t go wrong with either of these shave products, but if you tend to be a bit more on the dry side, we would definitely say the Moisturizing Shave Cream does what it says it will and is worth giving a try.
Get more info here.
Closing the Deal
Closing any deal is perhaps one of the most important steps in business – and that is also true when shaving. Why? Because it will decide how the rest of your day is going to play out. What we particularly liked about American Crew’s Post-Shave Cooling Lotion is that it is as much a quality moisturizer as it is an after shave balm. Unlike many aftershaves, it does not overpower your cologne or burn your skin on contact with a high alcohol content. It is a soothing white lotion that goes on cool and tingly and does not leave your skin feeling too oily or wet.
This Cooling Lotion calms the skin and immediately sets to work restoring your normal moisture balance while also helping you to heal any nicks or cuts. As an added bonus, it can be used on the days in between shaving, providing nice moisture balance and protection from the aggressors of the typical urban environment, including pollution and stress. If you are located in a sunny location, we would also recommend adding a little sunscreen on top to ensure your skin stays moist and flexible for the next 20 to 30 years or more (someday you’ll be glad you did).
Get more info here.
Okay, so we’re a stubborn bunch of guys and rarely change our minds. In other words, we are big believers in shaving the old-fashioned way considering that science and technology have yet to devise any better way to shave a man other than a sharp high-quality blade. However, American Crew has taught us that by using modern products along with our favorite old-fashioned tools, we can get that closer shave at a quicker pace while also discouraging razor burn and promoting improved moisture balance and healing.
And if you think all that sounds pretty good on paper (or your tech device)… wait until you try it on your face.
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About Dr. Eric J. Leech
Eric has written for over a decade. Then one day he created Urbasm.com, a site for every guy.
About Dr. Eric J. Leech