Barbasol Original Shaving Cream Review

Less prep. Straight to the shave.

Thick foam, without the work

Barbasol dispenses as a dense mound of foam with plenty of body. If you like a full lather but don't want to build one by hand, this is its strongest quality. You get that substantial texture straight from the can.

Spread across a hand, the foam holds distinct peaks and ridges, as the photo below shows. The thickness makes it satisfying to apply, especially for such an inexpensive cream. That visible body is a useful reason to choose it if lighter creams leave you wanting a more substantial lather.

For wet shaving with a manual razor, it's a practical option to consider for the face, head, or body. The appeal is the same: ready-made foam and a low cost. A brush-based routine is optional.

A warm, familiar scent

Original smells warm and sandalwood-like to my nose. It's a pleasant part of the shave and gives the cream some character without adding to the price.

The label lists “fragrance,” rather than identifying sandalwood as an ingredient. Choose Original if a warm scent appeals to you; it isn't an unscented formula.

The tradeoff: how skin feels afterward

The richness of the foam doesn't carry through to the finish on my skin. After rinsing, there's less of the lubricated, conditioned feeling that some richer shaving creams leave behind.

Once rinsed away, it leaves more friction under my fingertips. The closest comparison is washing with hard water: clean, but without much residual slip.

If that soft, slippery finish is a big part of what makes a shave comfortable for you, it's a reason to choose another cream. If quick preparation and a low price matter more, this is a compromise worth weighing against the savings.

What's in the can

This review covers Original Thick & Rich, in a 10-ounce (283 g) can. It's made in the USA, as shown on the label and confirmed on Barbasol's product page.

The eight ingredients listed on this can are:

Water, stearic acid, isobutane, triethanolamine, laureth-23, sodium lauryl sulfate, propane, fragrance.

The short list makes it easy to check for an ingredient you already know you avoid. A lower ingredient count alone doesn't tell you how comfortable a cream will feel; the lather, fragrance, and finish are more useful buying considerations.

Keep the price advantage

Barbasol earns its place on value: a good shave, thick foam, and very little preparation at a low price. It's one of the best-value shaving creams I'd recommend, particularly for quick cleanups.

Compare the delivered price per ounce before ordering. The Amazon listing below contains two 10-ounce cans; Target and Walmart offer single cans of the same size. For just one can, store pickup can help keep shipping from eating into the savings.