Removing your body hair is by no means necessary. However, if you shave your hair, it's important to ensure you're equipped with the right tools. You'll need a razor and maybe even a bikini trimmer, but perhaps the most crucial product for a seamless, smooth, and ingrown hair-free experience is to opt for one of the best shaving creams for women.
A shaving cream may feel like an unnecessary add-on to your shower routine. If you have the razor at the ready, why bother with another step? However, Dendy Engelman, MD FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, notes that, "A shaving cream or gel can help create a barrier or layer of protection between the blade and the skin, helping to reduce potential irritation, razor burn, and cuts." The right shaving cream can also make your skin feel smoother and more hydrated after you step out of the shower.
Ahead, we turned to dermatologists, cosmetic chemists, and shaving experts for their thoughts on the best shaving cream for women. Plus, information on how to use shaving creams, if they expire, and why they're so helpful for your skin barrier.
The Best Shaving Creams
- The Best Shaving Cream Overall: Billie Whipped Shaving Cream
- The Best Shaving Cream for Your Bikini Area: FUR Shave Cream
- The Best Drugstore Shaving Cream: Skintimate Skin Therapy Dry Skin Women's Shave Gel
- The Best Luxury Shaving Cream: OUI the People Sugarcoat Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk
Priced at only $8, Billie's fan-favorite shaving cream comes in an ultra-gentle version, making it one of Dr. Engelman's favorites. "It’s infused with moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and aloe vera to protect the skin," she shares. "It’s also fragrance-free, so it’s safe for ultra-sensitive skin." Hero ingredients include allantoin, shea butter, coconut oil, sage, and aloe.
Type: Cream
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, sage, aloe vera
Size: 6.5 fl oz
What We Love: Lightweight; Fragrance-free; Sensitive skin friendly
What We Don't: Some reviewers wish it lathered more
Free of parabens, phthalates, silicones, artificial colors, and fragrances, FUR's gynecologically tested, made-for-your-bikini-line (though you can use it anywhere!) shave cream contains calming ingredients like aloe and marshmallow root extract. Because it doesn't foam, it allows your razor to get incredibly close to your skin, with 100 percent of people agreeing in a clinical trial that it fights against bumps and irritation.
Type: Cream
Key Ingredients: Olive oil, aloe vera
Size: 5 fl oz
What We Love: Silky; Tested by gynecologists; Can be used all over the body; Fragrance-free
What We Don't: More expensive than other options
A true classic at an amazing value, this buy-it-in-bulk, raspberry-scented favorite from Skintimate boasts over 300 five-star reviews on Target's website. Tested by dermatologists and formulated with lanolin, vitamin E, and olive butter, it transforms into a rich lather, protecting you from your razor.
Type: Gel
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, olive butter
Size: 7 fl oz per can (14 fl oz total)
What We Love: Great value; Smooth application
What We Don't: Some reviewers find the smell too strong
I'm a long-time fan of luxury shaving brand Oui the People, and I'm in good company: Marie Claire's Beauty Director Deena Campbell calls this buy her favorite pick on the list. "Anyone who loves a lightweight, gel-to-milky texture needs this shave gel in their rotation. It’s built for summer days when a lotion or cream texture feels too heavy, but honestly, it's perfect for any time of the year when you need your razor to glide along your skin," she says. "The ingredients are equally thoughtful, with hints of dandelion root extract and botanical oils that soothe and condition all skin types."
Type: Gel
Key Ingredients: Marula oil, dandelion seed oil, vitamin C
Size: 5 fl oz
What We Love: Editor-recommended; Contains skin-loving ingredients
What We Don't: More expensive than other options
This affordable shaving cream (just $6) is crafted to moisturize your skin with ingredients like shea oil, shea butter, and aloe. Available in four scents—lavender, vanilla, pomegranate raspberry, and citrus—it's a fan favorite for its smoothness and that it dispenses with a pump instead of in an aerosol format.
Type: Cream
Key Ingredients: Shea oil, shea butter, aloe
Size: 7 fl oz
What We Love: Dermatologist-tested; Hypoallergenic; You can leave it on as an in-shower lotion
What We Don't: Some say the smell is too strong
Dollar Shave Club's excellent Shave Butter is available in three sizes—six, three, and one fluid ounce—so that you can always have one in your home shower, one in your carry-on, and one available for friends to take home and test out because you've influenced them to try it. "I steal this from my boyfriend constantly; that's how amazing it is," shares Fashion E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla. "It feels like a thick body butter and leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth that I (almost) don't need to apply body lotion after."
Type: Butter
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, macadamia seed oil, papaya fruit extract
Size: 1, 3, or 6 fl oz
What We Love: Editor-recommended; Sized for travel; Translucent so you can see where you're shaving; Softening
What We Don't: None found
Marzovilla calls the consistency of this affordable shaving foam "downright heavenly," noting that its thickness lets it cover the skin in one easy layer. "It leaves the skin on my legs feeling so, so soft and has majorly helped me not to miss any areas when I'm shaving," adds the editor. "It's one of the only products that I actually keep backups of in my bathroom. Not that I even need to re-purchase it—a little goes such a long way!"
Type: Cream to foam
Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf extract, oat extract
Size: 6.7 fl oz
What We Love: Editor-approved; Contains calming ingredients like aloe and oat; Top-rated
What We Don't: Some reviewers find the floral scent too strong
Fancy-fancy and so worth it, Grown Alchemist's shaving gel is formulated to soften and lift the hair follicle so your razor can glide and give you a close, comfy shave. Crafted with sandalwood, coriander seed oil, and sage to calm the skin, it also features bioactive tripeptides to protect it from free radical damage.
Type: Gel
Key Ingredients: Sandalwood, coriander seed oil
Size: 2.5 fl oz
What We Love: Lovely smell; Softening
What We Don't: More expensive than other options
If you're looking to shave with a safety razor (these are razors with one replaceable, sharp, double-edged blade that provides an exceptionally close shave), the general consensus is to stick with a classic. The "barber-grade" Cremo comes highly recommended by safety razor enthusiasts. Available in several scents and a sensitive formula, your favorite razor and your favorite Cremo are an easy match.
Type: Cream
Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice; calendula flower extract; olive leaf extract
Size: 6 fl oz
What We Love: A classic; Slick texture; Subtle citrus scent
What We Don't: Some reviewers find the cream too thick
Who can say no to a pink weighted razor, let alone a shaving cream that you can use with or without water and as a moisturizer? Not me. Luckily, Hanni sells both. Shave Pillow, which comes in a unique stick format, allows what one reviewer calls "the closest shave of my life with no cuts or ingrowns." It's also mess-free and features ingredients like adaptogenic mushrooms to soothe skin, cactus water to moisturize, and glycerin.
Type: Gel stick
Key Ingredients: Adaptogenic mushrooms, cactus water, glycerin
Size: 3 oz
What We Love: Mess-free; Travel-friendly; Multi-use
What We Don't: More expensive than other options
What to Look for in a Shaving Cream
- Formula
When shave creams were discussed decades ago, most people automatically thought of a cream-based substance, but these days, the formulas are varied, offering gels, oils, and gel-to-milk types. And they work harder. Current formulas offer good-for-you ingredients (like aloe and marula oil) that aid in skin protection.
According to cosmetic chemist Ginger King, today's shaving cream formulas work more like conditioner than shampoo; they never need to foam to do their job. "The cream [or gel] will help to provide a uniform surface by coating skin and hair so when the razor glides over, the hair can be lifted without scraping skin," she says.
- Consistency
Some shaving creams are foamy and thick. Others are more gel or paste-like and are packaged in a tube, jar or non-aerosol container. When deciding on consistency, it's helpful to consider the shaving experience. Do you prefer to whip the gel into a lather and smooth it over your body? Or do you want a gel-like formula that allows you to see the hairs as you shave? Marzovilla's favorite shaving cream is super thick, almost blanket-like and comforts her. On the other hand, Campbell's favorite is a transparent, lightweight gel formula that isn't too messy in the shower. Both textures get the job done, offering a close shave with minimal irritation, but each editor selected their favorites based on usability and experience.
- Ingredients
Dr. Engelman explains that artificial fragrances in shaving creams can cause allergic reactions or irritation, so there's no formula-impacting reason to keep them around. "Phthalates can also be potentially harmful to the body by disrupting hormones and they can also harm the environment," she shares. "I recommend looking for a cream that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic."
Benjamin Knight Fuchs, R. Ph, a cosmetic chemist adds that you should look for shaving creams "that contain topical nutrients and minimal ingredient decks."
Beauty Director Deena Campbell loves Oui the People's formula for it's lightweight feel.
Do I Need to Use a Shaving Cream?
While you don't technically need to use a shaving cream, it can make your hair removal routine go more smoothly.
"Shaving imposes constant stress on skin that can cause it to feel dry. There is also potential to nick, cut, or irritate your skin when shaving. For these reasons, it is important to ensure skin is cared for in the shaving process," shares Helen Sung, Head of Global Product Development and Research at Flamingo. "A shave prep is key because it provides a layer of protection between the skin and the blade so that your razor is able to glide across skin to remove hair without issue."
Even if you're just applying a body wash or bar of soap before going to town with your razor, there will be less friction on your skin, meaning fewer nicks and bumps in the end.
How to Apply Shaving Cream
Fuchs shares that shaving creams' slickness is achieved by including fatty acids, emollients, and silicone derivatives. To get these ingredients to work, add a little water (if the formula calls for it) and apply a nice layer to the area you're looking to shave.
For the actual shaving process, Dr. Engelman says you should go in one direction with your (new and sharp!—you should change the blade out every five to seven shaves) razor, which will reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and irritation overall.
"If you shave in the direction your hair grows, you are also less likely to irritate your skin because shaving against the hair tugs on your hair follicles, which increases your risk of irritation," she shares. "Do not forget to hydrate the skin with an oil and moisturizer post-shave to lock in moisture."
Can Shaving Creams Expire?
Like any other beauty product, shaving creams have expiration dates, especially if they contain water in their ingredient list. The typical expiration date is two years from the time the product was formulated.
However, Fuchs says it's probably fine to use them a little longer than the bottle says. "There is nothing in most shaving creams that will expire, and typically, these kinds of products are effective indefinitely," he shares.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue. Dr. Engelman earned the Presidential Scholar award while a medical student at the Medical University of South Carolina. She was also awarded the Humanism in Medicine Scholarship primarily for establishing and running a free medical care clinic in Charleston and in Haiti.
Following medical school, Dr. Engelman completed her internship in Internal Medicine at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan. In addition, Dr. Engelman completed a one-year fellowship in Mohs and dermatologic surgery, lasers, liposuction and vein treatments. She also has extensive training and experience in cosmetic dermatology—including neurotoxins, injectable fillers, and chemical peels.
Most recently, Dr. Engelman was appointed Director of Dermatologic Surgery at New York Medical College where she oversees the training of future Mohs surgeons and dermatologists. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and American College of Mohs Surgery.
Helen Sung holds a BS in Biochemistry from SUNY Stonybrook and a MBA from Dowling College.
She is currently the Head of Soft Product Innovation at Harry's Inc and led R&D for Flamingo. Helen joined the Harry's R&D team in 2017 when Flamingo first launched, and oversaw the product portfolio. Helen started her career in beauty as a formulation chemist, then moved into various Product Development roles at Estee Lauder and L'Oreal, where she focused on skincare and dermatologist solutions.
Benjamin Knight Fuchs is a skin care chemist, registered pharmacist, nutritionist, and founder of Truth Treatments. For the past 35 years, he's been developing pharmacy-potent skin health products for estheticians, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and his own customers.
Ginger King is a cosmetic chemist who has been passionately creating beauty products from concept to finish since 1995. She is well versed in innovative concepts, creative product formulation, advanced technology applications, ergonomic package development and impactful competitive analysis. Ginger has developed over hundreds of products from hair care to skin care, and sun care to color cosmetics. Her claim to fame products include the revolutionary first to market Joico ICE SPIKER, water resistant hair glue, Freeze 24.7 Ice Shield, SPF 15 face wash and Avon Advance Techniques Color Protection series.
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