The best products for a close shave: these shaving creams and soap earned our praise - Bodycare

Natural Health, Sept, 2002

WE ROUNDED UP BOTH MALE AND FEMALE TESTERS TO TRY 11 NATURAL shaving creams and soaps, looking for the ones that left no stubble and made our skin feel great. We consider the following four our favorites:

Alba Botanica Moisturizing Cream Shave

$5.50 for 8 ounces; 800-227-5120; www.avalonnatu ralproducts.com

Comments: This cream softened our skin. Testers who like scented products preferred this brand (it comes in Coconut Lime, Mango Vanilla, Pearberry, and Bengal Spice).

Earth Science Azulene Moisturizing Shaving Creme

$4.75 for 4 ounces; 800-222-6720; www.earth scienceinc.com

Comments: Testers raved about how this cream left their skin after shaving: smooth and moisturized. The scent is mild.

Burt's Bees Bay Rum Shaving Soap

$6 for 3 ounces; 800-849-7112; www.burtsbees.com

Comments: While some testers were too intimidated to try a bar soap, those who did were surprised at the lather and lubrication it offered. Its scent is decidedly masculine.

Tom's of Maine Natural Shaving Cream

$3.99 for 3.6 ounces; 800-775-2388; www.tomsofmaine.com

Comments: This cream was the thickest of our favorites. The honeysuckle scent was preferred by those looking for a mild fragrance; testers found the mint scent energizing.

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