The 7 Best Shaving Creams of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

The Fur Shave Cream wowed our testers the most

By
Emily Algar
emily algar
Emily Algar

Emily Algar is an Australia-based journalist and beauty expert specializing in product reviews. Her work has been published in MyDomaine, Who What Wear, and POPSUGAR. She's currently a beauty editor at Grazia Australia.

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and
Caitlyn Martyn
Caitlyn Martyn
Caitlyn Martyn
Caitlyn Martyn is a New York-based beauty and style writer for Byrdie. Before joining Byrdie, Caitlyn was the Associate Beauty Editor at L’Oréal’s Makeup.com and Skincare.com, where she wrote articles and learned everything there is to know about makeup, skincare and haircare.
Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on 04/12/23
Reviewed by
Stacy Chimento, MD
Stacy Chimento
Reviewed by Stacy Chimento, MD
Stacy Chimento, MD, is a board-certified Dermatologist currently residing in Bay Harbor Islands, FL. She has been trained in general medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology and holds an expertise in acne, rosacea, body contouring, laser rejuvenation and injectable aesthetic treatments
About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board
BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST
Medically reviewed by
Morgan Rabach, MD
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Medically reviewed by Morgan Rabach, MD
Dr. Morgan Rabach is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.
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BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST
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Best Shaving Creams of 2023

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.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Fur Shave Cream at Ulta
Jump to Review
Best Budget:
Skintimate Shave Gel at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Splurge:
Oui The People Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk at Nordstrom
Jump to Review
Best Gel:
Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Oil:
Olio E Osso Lisica Shave Oil at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Natural:
Lather Almond Shave Crème at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Multipurpose:
Gillette Cleanser + Shave Gel at Ulta
Jump to Review
In This Article

Best Overall

Fur Shave Cream

5
Fur Shave Cream

Ulta
View On Ulta View On Bloomingdales View On Bluemercury.com
Our Ratings
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Distribution
    5/5
  • Efficacy
    5/5
  • Skin Look
    5/5
What We Like

  • Softens skin

  • Safe for intimate areas

What We Don't Like

  • 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

  • fur Shave Cream

    Byrdie / Caitlyn Martyn
  • fur Shave Cream

    Byrdie / Caitlyn Martyn

Best Budget

Skintimate Skin Therapy Shave Gel

4.6
Skintimate Skin Therapy Shave Gel

Target
View On Amazon View On Target View On CVS
Our Ratings
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Distribution
    5/5
  • Efficacy
    4/5
  • Skin Look
    4.5/5
What We Like

  • A little goes a long way

  • Affordable

What We Don't Like

  • 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.

  • Skintimate Skin Therapy Dry Skin Women's Shave Gel

    Byrdie / Taylor Calta
  • Skintimate Skin Therapy Dry Skin Women's Shave Gel

    Byrdie / Taylor Calta

Best Splurge

Oui The People Sugarcoat Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk

4.4
Oui The People SUGARCOAT Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk

Oui The People
View On Nordstrom View On Ouithepeople.com
Our Ratings
  • Feel
    4.5/5
  • Distribution
    4.2/5
  • Efficacy
    4.5/5
  • Skin Look
    4.5/5
What We Like

  • Cushions and moisturizes

  • Brightens with vitamin C

What We Don't Like

  • 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.

  • OUI the People Sugarcoat Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk

    Byrdie / Avery Stone
  • OUI the People Sugarcoat Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk

    Byrdie / Avery Stone

Best Gel

Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel

4.8
Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel

Flamingo
View On Amazon View On Target View On CVS
Our Ratings
  • Feel
    4.5/5
  • Distribution
    5/5
  • Efficacy
    4.5/5
  • Skin Look
    5/5
What We Like

  • Non-drying

  • Stays put, doesn’t drip or run

What We Don't Like

  • 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.

Flamingo Foaming Shaving Gel

Byrdie / Shannon McHugh

Best Oil

Olio E Osso Lisica Shave Oil

4.5
Olio E Osso Lisica Shave Oil

Shopbop
View On Amazon View On Olioeosso.com View On Shopbop.com
Our Ratings
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Distribution
    5/5
  • Efficacy
    4/5
  • Skin Look
    4/5
What We Like

  • Lubricating

  • Antioxidant-rich ingredients

  • Doubles as a body oil for dry skin

What We Don't Like

  • 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.

Olio E Osso Lisica Shave Oil

Byrdie / Anna Pattison

Best Natural

Lather Almond Shave Crème

4.5
lather-almond-shave-creme

Amazon
View On Amazon View On Lather.com View On Lovelyskin.com
Our Ratings
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Distribution
    5/5
  • Efficacy
    4/5
  • Skin Look
    4/5
What We Like

  • Whipped consistency

  • Great for sensitive skin

What We Don't Like

  • 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.

Lather Almond Shave Cream

Byrdie / Michelle Parente

Best Multipurpose

Gillette Venus 2-in-1 Cleanser + Shave Gel

4.6
Gillette Venus 2-in-1 Cleanser + Shave Gel

Ulta
View On Ulta View On Target View On Walmart
Our Ratings
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Distribution
    3.5/5
  • Efficacy
    5/5
  • Skin Look
    5/5
What We Like

  • Doubles as a body cleanser

  • Safe for intimate areas

What We Don't Like

  • 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

Gillete Venus 2-in-1 Cleanser + Shave Gel

Byrdie / Samantha Benoit

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.

Truly Coco Cloud After Shave Moisturizer

Byrdie / Nicole Anderson

Meet the Expert

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).

FAQ
  • How do you prepare the skin for shaving cream?

    According to Dr. Yadav, always exfoliate in anticipation of shaving. This will encourage the removal of dead skin while lifting up the hair, helping you avoid ingrown hairs. “While many shave against the grain (in the direction of the hair growth), it’s imperative to shave with the grain, or in the direction of the hair growth to avoid razor bumps and ingrown hairs.”

  • How do you use shaving cream?

    When using shaving cream, it’s generally best to lather the cream in your hands first (especially if it’s a foaming gel or cream) and then apply it to wet skin, covering the area you want to shave. You’ll also want a thick layer you can’t see through but not so thick that you won’t be able to pull a razor through it. To avoid nicks, Dr. Yadav suggests not pressing down on the razor too hard, which can cut and nick the skin.

  • Can I use my shower gel or body wash to shave?

    Technically speaking, yes. The key difference is that body wash formulas are designed to rinse off quickly and easily, whereas a shaving gel is designed to stay on your skin until you shave it off. The goal of body wash is to remove dirt and oil, whereas for shave gel, it’s to condition and provide a layer of cushion between your skin and the blades of the razor.

  • Does shaving cream expire?

    It does! Your best bet is to refer to your product packaging, as different formulas will have different expiry dates. A good rule of thumb is to toss anything that’s changed colors or textures.

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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