High-quality gear can make playing outside even more fun. The same goes for shaving tools. If you look beyond drugstore razors and invest in better equipment, your skin will be a lot happier. Here’s a list to help you build the ultimate dopp kit.
Brickell Purifying Charcoal Face Wash ($25)
This is my favorite preshave wash because it yanks dirt off my face and softens my beard but leaves my skin feeling soothed, thanks to olive oil, jojoba, and aloe. Bonus: a touch of peppermint tingles just enough to wake me up before I drag a razor across my face.
Ursa Major Stellar Shave Cream ($14)
I’ve tested a lot of shaving creams for various gift guides here at Outside, but this one from Ursa Major is my favorite. Credit the aloe leaf juice and zinc oxide, which help moisturize skin and create an ultraclose shave with little to no razor burn. Those ingredients also help me avoid cutting myself in tricky spots. The herbal scent is refreshing but not overpowering.
Baxter of California Safety Razor ($65)
Why opt for a razor like this, which costs three times as much as the disposables you’re used to? Because the higher-quality, more durable blades give you a closer shave, and the hefty metal handle is easier to grip. Plus, you keep all that plastic out of the landfill. The razor is beautiful to boot, so you can display it on the bathroom counter instead of hiding it in a drawer.
Portland General Store Whiskey After-Shave Splash ($18)
Aftershaves often contain alcohol as an antiseptic to prevent post-nick infections. Problem is, alcohol burns. This aftershave uses antiseptic alternatives like tea tree oil, plus several soothing agents like aloe, kelp, and blue green algae, so you get the antibacterial power without the pain. That combination also produces an earthy smell that doubles as a subtle cologne.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm ($27)
Some men stop with aftershave, but I like to use a lotion as one more step toward happier skin. This one from Kiehl’s is a go-to because it moisturizes well and contains Edelweiss flower extract, which helps form a barrier to protect my skin when I’m out skiing or running a river. Thankfully, it’s fragrance-free so it doesn’t mask the aftershave.