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Byrdie / Marcus Millan
Shaving can be the bane of all beauty tasks, but when you factor in a super lush shaving cream, things don’t seem so bad. All of a sudden, the mundane task feels more like a self-care activity, and the result is totally worth it (hello, silky limbs).
Like most things, shaving creams aren’t created equally, so to help you separate the okay from the epic, we’ve curated a list of the best right here. We handpicked 19 of the most popular shaving creams and gels on the market and asked testers to try them out at home. Testers judged each formula based on consistency, lather, efficacy, and skin feel post-shave. The highest-rated products made this list. Keep reading to discover the best shaving creams of 2023, according to our testers.
Best Overall
Fur Shave Cream
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Ulta
Softens skin
Safe for intimate areas
Can leave a film in your shower or tub
Shaving your bikini line and intimate areas can be tricky sometimes, but Fur’s Shave Cream is up for the task. Nourishing and super creamy, the olive oil- and shea butter-infused formula prevents nicks, bumps, redness, and razor burn anywhere on the body, from your armpits to your legs (and anywhere in between). Our tester raved about how creamy and lightweight the shaving cream was, going as far as comparing it to a hair conditioner. She also admitted that although she often accidentally nicks herself while shaving, she never once cut herself while using this shaving cream.
The formula contains a lot of nourishing and beneficial ingredients, but one that stands out the most is lemon peel oil, a natural yet gentle exfoliator. When diluted and applied topically, it can gently exfoliate dead skin cells and kill bacteria that may get trapped in hair follicles, smoothing the skin and preventing ingrown hairs from forming.
The only caveat: it can leave a film in your shower. It didn’t bother our tester too much—she simply wiped it away with a cloth—but it can make the surface slippery, so use caution when hopping out of the shower or tub.
Price at time of publish: $32
Key Ingredients: Olive oil, Aloe vera, Shea butter, Hemp seed oil, Lemon peel oil | Packaging: Squeeze tube | Size: 5 oz.
What Our Testers Say
“My skin is the smoothest I’ve ever felt! I think it has to do with the slew of ingredients in this formula. The moisturizing ones keep everything silky smooth while the lemon peel helps exfoliate.” —Caitlyn Martyn, Commerce Writer
Best Budget
Skintimate Skin Therapy Shave Gel
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Target
A little goes a long way
Affordable
Easy to pump out too much product
We’ve all used this Skintimate shave gel at one time or another—it’s a drugstore classic. The light gel shoots out of the canister and quickly turns into a foam upon contact with the skin and water. Our tester confirms that a little bit goes a long way (all you really need is a quarter-sized dollop to cover both legs), and if you don’t use too much, it can last for months.
It contains loads of hydrating ingredients like sunflower seed oil, glycerin, and olive oil, so you can expect a close shave with minimal irritation. Our tester, who is prone to irritation when shaving, shares that she didn’t experience too much irritation and that she even noticed fewer ingrown hairs while the shaving cream was a part of her weekly routine. She also enjoyed the clean, floral fragrance.
It’s a little too easy to dispense, so try to be as careful as possible when pumping out the shaving cream, so you don’t waste any foamy goodness.
Price at time of publish: $4
Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, Glycerin, Olive oil | Packaging: Can | Size: 7 oz.
Best Splurge
Oui The People SUGARCOAT Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk
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Oui The People
Cushions and moisturizes
Brightens with vitamin C
Thin consistency can slip
Though spending $64 on shaving cream might sound kinda crazy, remember that shaving is an act of self-care. OUI the People’s unique gel-to-milk formula, which helps provide a super smooth shave, is chock-full of nourishing ingredients that make it totally worth the splurge. With a moisturizing blend of botanical oils and vitamin C, skin feels smooth and looks brighter—before you even put a blade to it. The protective gel-to-milk primes skin for an effortless shave (aka helps give the razor a nice glide) free from cuts and nicks. Just keep in mind that since the formula transforms from a gel to milk, it can slip and drip when in contact with too much water. If this happens, try shaving outside of the shower (or in a spot of your shower that isn’t directly underneath the showerhead.)
Price at time of publish: $64
Key Ingredients: Marula oil, Dandelion extract, Vitamin C | Packaging: Can | Size: 7 oz.
Best Gel
Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel
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Flamingo
Non-drying
Stays put, doesn’t drip or run
Can clog the razor
This Foaming Gel from Flamingo is like shaving on a cloud. It’s thick, fluffy, and never drippy—even when shaving in the shower. According to our tester, it’s rich but still easy to manipulate and spread across larger body parts. It has a gel-like base, so it stays in place. You can expect your razor to glide seamlessly across your skin, helping you achieve a close shave. Our tester noted that because it’s so thick, she had to rinse her razor after almost every pass, but she didn’t mind since the result was so smooth. The lavender packaging looks super luxurious and is a welcome addition to any bathroom aesthetic. Plus, the fact that you can snag it for $6 feels like a major win.
Price at time of publish: $6
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, Allantoin | Packaging: Can | Size: 6.7 oz.
Best Oil
Olio E Osso Lisica Shave Oil
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Shopbop
Lubricating
Antioxidant-rich ingredients
Doubles as a body oil for dry skin
Leaves behind residue
Oils are a great choice if you want a close shave and nourished skin, all in one easy step. Olive oil (or the “beauty secret of all Italian grandmothers”) is the star ingredient of this formula from Olio E Osso, a Portland-based women-owned company. The oil is rich but spreads easily and gives your razor some slip for an easier glide and a closer shave. Plus, since the formula is so gentle and lubricating, our tester shared that she didn’t notice any irritation, ingrown hairs, or razor burn throughout her two weeks of using the oil. She admits that it leaves skin soft and moisturized but not without a bit of residue left behind. If you like feeling oiled up and moisturized all day, you’ll love this. However, she says, if you prefer something that dries down, this might not be for you.
Price at time of publish: $25
Key Ingredients: Olive oil, Meadowfoam, Grapeseed oil | Packaging: Glass bottle with pump | Size: 4.0 oz.
Best Natural
Lather Almond Shave Crème
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Amazon
Whipped consistency
Great for sensitive skin
Housed in a tub
Contains nuts
If you experience extremely sensitive skin, Lather Almond’s Shave Cream might be your new BFF. It’s formulated with almond oil—an ingredient rich in vitamin E, protein, and omega fatty acids— as well as nourishing coconut oil and glycerin. It helps smooth and soften skin with zero irritation. Despite the name, this shaving cream doesn’t actually lather or bubble up. It does, however, spread nicely and evenly on the skin and feels more like a hydrating lotion. There’s a lot to love about this formula, but our tester especially loved the natural ingredients and how smooth her skin felt after shaving.
Price at time of publish: $25
Key Ingredients: Almond oil, Coconut oil, Glycerin | Packaging: Glass bottle with pump | Size: 4.0 oz.
Best Multipurpose
Gillette Venus 2-in-1 Cleanser + Shave Gel
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Ulta
Doubles as a body cleanser
Safe for intimate areas
Doesn’t lather much
We’ve all used body wash or shower gel as a stand-in shaving cream every now and then. Whether you’re trying to save some coin or hate the look of clutter, Gillette has answered your prayers. This two-in-one wash and shaving gel is light, foamy, and gently cleanses while ensuring a close, clean shave. The soap-free, pH-balanced formula is ideal for intimate parts and even helps prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs. Plus, the colorless gel helps you see what you’re doing when you’re shaving delicate areas.
The only thing our tester didn’t love about the product is that it didn’t lather at all. She didn’t mind since the results spoke for themselves, but she would have preferred that her cleanser and shaving cream foam up at least a little bit.
Price at time of publish: $20
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Olive oil, Jojoba oil | Packaging: Plastic pump bottle | Size: 6.42 oz.
What Our Testers Say
“I love how soft my skin feels after using this shaving cream. I can actually tell the difference. I also didn’t have any razor burn or ingrown hairs while using it.” — Samantha Benoit, Product Tester
Final Verdict
Our top pick is the fur Shave Cream. Lightweight yet incredibly creamy, the shaving cream is rich and sudsy, helping those prone to nicks and cuts get a smooth shave. Plus, the formula contains exfoliating lemon oil, which softens the skin and prevents ingrown hairs. A drugstore classic, the Skintimate Skin Therapy Dry Skin Women's Shave Gel requires only a quarter-sized dollop for both legs and lasts a long time.
How We Tested Shaving Creams
Byrdie editors did extensive research on popular shaving creams and gels, taking expert recommendations and consumer reviews into account before choosing 19 to test out first-hand. Our testers used the shaving creams at home for two weeks. Each formula was assessed based on consistency, lather, efficacy, and skin look and feel before deciding on a rating from one to five. Those with the highest scores made the list.
Meet the Expert
- Yeeta Gadav, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology.
What to Look for in Shaving Creams
Ingredients
Dr. Yeeta Gadav says that when shopping for shaving cream, you’ll want to look for nourishing ingredients that condition both the skin and the hair. “Ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, cocoa butter, and sweet almond oil will facilitate the glide of the razor, promote smoother skin, and soften the hair for a closer shave,” she explains. “You can also look for ingredients that soothe your skin, like aloe and oatmeal, for a more comfortable shave.”
Packaging
You should also pay attention to packaging. If a shaving cream comes in a squeeze bottle or an aerosol can (rather than a jar or tub), you’ll likely have an easier time applying it in the shower. The nature of these containers also eliminates the likelihood of contamination or bacteria growth.
Size
When considering the different options, make sure you check out how big each product is. Since you use shaving cream over large areas of the body, like the legs, size matters. The bigger it is, the more use you’ll get out of it (and therefore, more bang for your buck).
What Is Byrdie Verified?
Did you notice the Byrdie Verified seal of approval at the top of this story? This seal means that our team has researched and tested every product on this list using a unique methodology that’s designed to focus on what our readers really want to know—and to deliver insights that you can’t find anywhere else. Occasionally, beauty brands and PR agencies will send us samples for coverage consideration, but our thoughts and opinions are fully our own. If you visit links within our content, we may receive commissions from your purchases, but we never receive any compensation or consideration for the content of our recommendations. In short, the Byrdie Verified seal stands for product recommendations you can trust.
Why Trust Byrdie?
Caitlyn Martyn is an experienced beauty writer and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has been a staff writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers makeup, skincare, body care, and more. She has tried several shaving creams over the years from brands including fur, Gillette, and Skintimate.
Emily Algar scoured the web, tested and trialed, asked colleagues, and consulted an expert to bring you the very best edit of shaving creams and gels.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough shaving creams from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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