Whether you rock a head-turning beard style, you like your face slick, shaven, and clean—or you’re somewhere in between—you need a solid grooming regime. Getting your grooming right will ensure your skin glows from morning until night.
Now, of all the tools, tricks, and products, finding the best aftershave for men is one of the most essential parts of any men’s grooming kit.
The best aftershave for men will not only refresh your skin and protect it from bacteria, but it can also help any shaving cuts heal quicker—not to mention the fact that it will make you smell irresistible.
While this may be the case, aftershave for men has so many options. How do you separate the sweet-smelling wheat from the sour, skin-blotching chaff? Choosing the best men’s aftershave for your specific needs can prove challenging, but don’t worry. We’re here to save the day.
Without further ado, here’s our essential rundown of the best aftershave for men out there right now.
Before we dig deeper into our best aftershave list, allow us to point you in the direction of our ultimate men’s grooming guide.
Armed with the right grooming regime, you can maximize the results of your aftershave day after day—speaking of which, let’s take a look at our list.
Our Top Picks
Sporting a fresh sandalwood scent and skin-burning eliminating qualities, this fresh aftershave balm from Lather & Wood is perfect for waking you up in the morning or keeping your skin energized on special occasions or big nights.
Active Ingredients: Aloe Leaf | Size: 2oz | Skin Type: Sensitive | Type: Balm | Scent: Sandalwood
- The fresh organic ingredients
- The handy spray-style bottle
- Sandalwood is a striking scent, and if you’re not a fan, this isn’t the one for you
A liquid tonic that looks a little like tequila (don’t drink it even though it looks tempting), Clubman Pinaud suits all skin types, but it’s particularly powerful for sensitive gentlemen. Cooling and soothing with a classic citrus aroma, this generous serving of aftershave offers brilliant value for the money, especially if you shave or groom on a daily basis.
Active Ingredients: Oakmoss | Size: 12.5oz | Skin Type: Sensitive | Type: Tonic | Scent: Citrus
- The classic citrusy barbershop scent
- The cruelty-free ingredients
- The watery tonic-like consistency might not suit some gents
Smooth as a cherub’s butt and free from animal cruelty, Marlowe’s is a luscious lotion with a moreish passionfruit punch. Its active willow bark and green tea extract ingredients are perfect for moisturizing dry skin, and the best thing is that a little goes a long way.
Active Ingredients: Green Tea Extract | Size: 6oz | Skin Type: Dry | Type: Lotion | Scent: Subtle Passionfruit
- The luscious texture and fruitful scent
- The solid skin moisturizing capabilities
- Some fellas might prefer their aftershave to come in a tub or a glass bottle
Davidoff Cool Water is as fresh as a sea breeze with a vibrant scent to match. Not only does this refreshing balm suit sensitive skin, but it also helps protect your face for hours after application. Oh, and as long as you like peppermint and lavender, you’ll never get sick of the smell.
Active Ingredients: Oakmoss & Peppermint | Size: 3.5oz | Skin Type: Dry & Sensitive | Type: Lotion | Scent: Peppermint & Lavender
- The balm’s refreshing, skin-cooling capabilities
- The moreish scent
- Well, if you’re not a fan of peppermint, sandalwood or lavender, keep scrolling
A decidedly manly (read: husky cowboy galloping on a horse) cologne-style, this best aftershave for men is a fresh, no-nonsense facial splasher that will add an extra spring to your step. It’s a classic aftershave elixir for the modern man with traditional values.
Active Ingredients: Leather & Oakmoss | Size: 8oz | Skin Type: All | Type: Cologne-style Aftershave | Scent: Bergamot
- The iconic spray-style bottle
- The striking yet balanced citrus and oakmoss scent
- Traditional cologne-style aftershaves aren’t for everyone
Fresh as a rolling ocean breeze and concocted with a little caffeine, this soothing spearmint best aftershave for men is a dream for fellas with particularly dry or blotchy skin. A little of this stuff post-groom or shave will work wonders, reducing the appearance of redness while keeping your skin moisturized for hours on end. Lovely.
Active Ingredients: Leather & Oakmoss | Size: 3.4oz | Skin Type: Sensitive & Blotchy | Type: Cream/Lotion | Scent: Spearmint
- The lavish creamy texture and all-around freshness
- The kind skin-nourishing ingredients
- Spearmint might be a little bit much for some guys, especially if you hate chewing gum
This neat little aftershave from Prosaro is ultra-soothing to the skin as it contains a healthy dose of vitamin E—it also packs a colossal aromatic punch. With a unique amber wood musk and hints of licorice in the mix, this fine addition to our best aftershave for men list will make a big impression on your face.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin E & Aloe Vera | Size: 3.4oz | Skin Type: Dry to Normal | Type: Balm | Scent: Musky Amberwood with Hints of Liquorice
- The head-turning manly musky scent
- The classic yet original branding
- If you’re looking for something a little more subtle, this might not be it
If you have skin that gets easily irritated from shaving or facial grooming, this cool and creamy balm is ideal for daily use. The active ingredients fight irritation and protect the skin post-shave. The scent is inviting too.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin E & Witch Hazel | Size: 3.3oz | Skin Type: Irritable | Type: Balm | Scent: Fresh Chamomile
- The light and creamy feel
- The subtle yet fresh aroma
- Some of the ingredients aren’t quite as natural as other products on the list
We know that smell is subjective and to say that one aftershave smells better than them all is a bold claim, but on balance, this lively offering from Clubman is irresistible. With a smoky whiskey scent that’s striking yet not overbearing, this is the kind of aftershave that will protect the skin while giving you that sweet, sour, smoked, and mildly musky scent that drives people wild. A masculine concoction with secret sensitivity.
Active Ingredients: Natural Earthy Substances | Size: 6oz | Skin Type: All | Type: Lotion | Scent: Smoky Whiskey
- The incredible aroma and smoked finish
- The soothing texture
- While we think this smells the best, if you like something a little more floral or fruity, you might want to try something else
A triple-threat aftershave, moisturizer, and body lotion, this refreshing aloe vera-based concoction covers all bases. It’s light, it’s easy to apply, and it’s a reliable post-shave soother that will leave you feeling good throughout the day.
Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera | Size: 16oz | Skin Type: Irritable | Type: Balm | Scent: Subtle Floral Notes
- The versatile three-in-one action
- The light and subtle aromas
- Some gents may prefer something a little more powerful and specialist
This zingy little aftershave lotion boasts an indulgent scent, and it’s excellent for balancing greasy skin or faces prone to oiliness. With an awakening tea tree hit and a creamy shea butter finish, this lotion is a welcome addition to our best aftershave for men list.
Active Ingredients: Tea Tree | Size: 4oz | Skin Type: Oily | Type: Lotion | Scent: Shea Butter
- The unique tea tree and shea butter mix
- The skin neutralizing properties
- Shea butter is lovely, but it isn’t for everyone
This LA-born aftershave for men packs a heck of a skin-taming punch with restoring oatmeal extracts and collagen to fight inflammation and smooth over any nicks, cuts, or bumps. A pore-minimizing elixir for the sensitive yet strong modern man.
Active Ingredients: Oatmeal Extracts & Collagen | Size: 8.5oz | Skin Type: Sensitive | Type: Balm | Scent: Oatmeal & Organic
- The anti-inflammatory ingredients
- The delightful oaky smell
- Guys with less sensitive skin might benefit from something milder
This spicy little number is a great aftershave for everyday use. It’s easy to apply and sports a scent that is striking yet far from overbearing. It suits pretty much every type of skin, and a little goes a long way. The best way to add some pizazz to the working week.
Active Ingredients: Cardamom | Size: 4.2oz | Skin Type: All | Type: Splash | Scent: Cardamom & Sandalwood
- The mind-blowing sandalwood and cardamom scent
- The cool bottle and branding
- Guys with slightly more sensitive skin might prefer a balm
If you’re a budding bodybuilder or someone who loves to work out, this is the aftershave for you. An all-natural blend made from pressed plants and aloe vera, this balm acts as a soothing face mask. When you’re pushing for the burn, it will look after your skin—it also feels wonderful after a workout.
Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera | Size: 8.oz | Skin Type: All| Type: Balm/Spray | Scent: Unscented
- The face-protecting all-natural ingredients
- The cooling, soothing qualities
- Not everyone wants an unscented aftershave
This affluent aftershave for men is the ideal elixir for a luxury splurge. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you like things in smaller packages, this lavish aftershave is made with an organic blend of skin-boosting ingredients that will have your nostrils screaming with pleasure. Woody, earthy, and organic.
Active Ingredients: Geranium | Size: 4 x 0.35oz | Skin Type: All | Type: Tonic | Scent: Floral & Citrus
- The exceptional blend of ingredients
- The lavish feeling, sensation, and branding
- The price tag may make some peoples’ eyes water
What To Look For In An Aftershave For Men
You know all about the best men’s aftershave on the market—now, let’s look at a few particulars that will guide you towards your perfect post-shave potion. There are five key elements to consider when choosing the right aftershave, starting with skin type.
Skin type
Some aftershaves suit all skin types, while others are better for dry, blotchy, oily, or particularly sensitive necks or faces. So if you have a specific skin type, check that your potential aftershave matches to avoid irritation while giving you plenty of
Aftershave consistency
Another thing to consider when picking an aftershave for men is the consistency of the product. Some are thick and creamy, while others are like lotions or fairly watery like colognes (just think about Macaulay Culkin in that famous Home Alone scene).
Keep in mind the consistency you would prefer to apply to your skin every day and choose accordingly.
Size or quantity
Like most men’s grooming products, aftershave comes in an endless variety of container shapes and sizes.
For the best return on the best aftershave for men investment (ROAI!), mull over how often you groom or shave and choose your quantity accordingly. If you have a Zeus-like man mane and shave around your neck once a week, for instance, a little 4oz bottle of quality stuff will do the trick.
Ingredients
Different active ingredients have different skin-treating properties. When you’re choosing an aftershave, researching the active ingredients will help you make an informed choice on which product will work best for you and your skin.
Generally, avoiding a bunch of synthetic ingredients and steering towards more natural, organic substances will prove far kinder to the skin.
Cooling or warming?
When you’re choosing the best aftershave for men, you should think about whether you’d like it to cool or heat your face.
Your choice will depend on preference: some men like it spicy while others like it breezy. So, check the label and the active ingredients and make your decision on the way it will make your skin feel.
Scent
Certain ingredients will produce different scents. So, when you’re choosing the best aftershave for men, following your nose is a good idea.
These days, the best aftershave for men comes in delicious scents, from citrus and sandalwood to vanilla, mint, and beyond. Take the time to find out which aromas different ingredients produce, do a little sniff test, and you can’t go wrong.
FAQ
-
-
In addition to making them smell great, most men use aftershave as a vital part of their regular grooming routine.
By applying a healthy dose of aftershave post-groom or shave, you can help any cuts heal faster, soothe the skin, and protect your face or neck from any blemish-forming bacteria.
-
The best aftershave for men comes in a variety of different natural scents—they come in different consistencies, too.
The main types of aftershave are balms, ointments, creams, lotions, or water-based. Choosing the right product for you largely comes down to sensory preference, as each style offers a different sensation.
-
If you are prone to nicks and cuts or you have particularly sensitive skin, avoiding alcohol-free products is advisable to prevent stinging.
Aftershaves with natural active ingredients are kinder to all types of skin—conversely, artificial fragrances and substances are less effective and can cause severe irritation—so steer clear of products like this where possible.
-
Generally speaking, a good aftershave will soothe the skin post-groom while locking in moisture. That said, you should apply your aftershave just after your groom or shave and, if necessary, apply moisturizer to your skin an hour or more afterward, particularly if you’re prone to dryness.
-