The 10 Best Shaving Creams of 2024, According to Testing
When You’re in a Rush and Need to Shave, It’s Tempting to Just Grab a Razor and Have at It. but Your Skin — Especially in Delicate Areas Like Your Underarms...
When you’re in a rush and need to shave, it’s tempting to just grab a razor and have at it. But your skin — especially in delicate areas like your underarms and bikini line — would really appreciate it if you applied a shaving cream or gel first. A thin layer of the product allows for much smoother sailing for your razor, which means you’ll have less irritation and fewer ingrown hairs.
“Firstly, it is important to choose a product that is formulated for your skin type,” says Rosmy Barrios, MD, head of the regenerative aesthetics and anti-aging department at IM Clinic. “For example, if you have sensitive skin, look for a shave cream that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction or other skin irritation.”
Dr. Barrios says you should next consider ingredients. “Opt for natural ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, and coconut oil that have soothing and moisturizing properties,” she explains. Lastly, you’ll want a gel or cream that lubricates your skin to prevent cuts and razor burn.
Our PEOPLE Tested team grabbed our favorite razors and tried out 20 shave creams, gels, and oils. We evaluated the products based on their feel and consistency, how easy they were to apply, whether they could achieve a close shave, and how much (if any) skin irritation occurred.
Keep reading for the best shaving creams that PEOPLE tested.
Best Overall
Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel
Flamingo
Wonderfully creamy texture that's easily spreadable
Provides an even, close shave with no irritation
Budget-friendly price
What makes this shaving cream stand out most is the super creamy texture of the product. While it comes out thick, it is easily spreadable for great coverage. Plus, a little goes a long way — seriously, just a squirt will do just fine, or else you’ll clog your razor with it as you shave. It comes out as gel but foams quickly as you spread it on your skin, helping it stay in place. This allows for a smooth path for your razor, which results in an even shave. The only downside to that thick and rich consistency is you’ll have to rinse your razor more often.
If you have sensitive skin, this is the perfect shave cream. We loved how soft our legs felt — no irritation here! — and we found that the shave lasted longer because it got such a close shave. For the low price, it offers a luxurious shaving experience, and because a little does really go a long way, you’ll get many shaves out of a single container.
Formula: Gel | Size: 6.7 oz. | Star ingredients: Aloe, bisabolol, conditioning emollients
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People / Shannon McHugh
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People / Shannon McHugh
Must Read
Best Investment
Oui The People Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk
Oui The People
Close shave great for underarms and bikini lines
Very moisturizing, resulting in soft, smooth skin
Unique gel-to-milk texture
For starters, Oui The People is not like your ordinary shaving foam or gel. It's billed as a gel-to-milk consistency. So, what does this mean for your skin? When applied, it feels more like a serum or a gel-based moisturizer instead of your typical foaming cream or gel. Spread it on the area you want to shave and the gel becomes opaque, but it doesn't lather like a regular foam or cream. Don't let that cut you short, though — we found that this unique texture softens both the skin and the hair resulting in a great, close shave.
Despite it not having a thick lather, it still feels luxurious and results in a smooth shave for legs, underarms, and bikini lines. If you really prefer a thick lather, this isn't the right shave product for you. But if you’re open to a different consistency, you'll be pleased. We found this product to be a better fit for one-blade razors rather than multiple blades due to the thinner consistency. It feels very moisturizing, and you’re left with soft, smooth skin.
Formula: Gel | Size: 5 oz. | Star ingredients: Marula oil, dandelion root extract, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
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People / Avery Stone
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People / Avery Stone
