Buying Guide for Shaving Cream
Why buy shaving cream?
If hair removal is part of your regular routine, you may consider having a good shaving cream handy. Shaving cream provides a nourishing layer between your razor and skin, preventing bumps, irritation, and nicks. Many shaving creams also contain skin-loving ingredients to help moisturize your skin and prevent premature stubble.
What should you consider in shaving cream?
- Type of Shaving Cream: There are popular types of shaving cream available for purchase today, and those include aerosol foaming shave cream and shaving gel. Other less popular shaving lubricants include balms and oils. To use foaming shave cream, lather it a bit in your palms, then apply it to your face or body. Foaming shave cream has a light, airy feel, even though it’s thick and washes away quickly and cleanly. Gel, on the other hand, is made to be used wet, like in the shower. Gel is richer than foam, but it’s also thinner and easier to apply to large areas.
- Ingredients: Most shaving cream is made of a combination of stearic acid, triethanolamine, lanolin, glycerin (most glycerin is plant-based), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, and water. Stearic acid may sound scary, but it’s quite gentle and one of the main ingredients in everyday soap. Lanolin and glycerin moisturize the skin and create a barrier that provides a smooth shave. Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate is a simple emulsifier made from plant-based oils. If you have sensitive skin, try avoiding shaving cream that includes parabens, petroleum-based ingredients, and sulfates.
- Fragrance: Fragrance is another additive you may want to avoid if you have very sensitive skin. However, fragrance in a shaving cream can come from natural plant additives such as aloe that help moisturize the skin. Sometimes other fragrances are added to create a fun, spa-like experience while you shave. It’s up to you whether you want to choose a great-smelling shave cream or avoid fragrances altogether.
How do you avoid ingrown hairs when shaving?
There are three tricks to help avoid ingrown hairs while shaving. The first is to exfoliate. If you exfoliate your skin before you shave, you can loosen the hair’s free end, preventing it from folding back down and growing back into the follicle. Another tip is to use a lighter, creamier shaving cream on areas where you typically experience ingrown hairs. Heavier shaving cream may clog the pore, making ingrown hairs worse. You always want to shave against the hair growth and never with it. This helps the hair stand on end instead of pushing it back against the follicle.
Our Picks for the Best Shaving Cream
Pros: This seven-pack of shaving cream is an excellent bargain and will help you remain stocked up on an everyday essential for a long time. There are several options for skin-loving benefits, so you can choose the kind that suits you best. Since it’s a well-known name-brand shave gel, you can count on it to give you a close shave, especially since it contains moisturizers and lubricants for the smoothest possible outcome. It has cooling conditioners to make your skin feel fresh after your shave.
Cons: This shave gel dispenses more slowly than some other brands.
Bottom Line: This shave gel is a great option for a smooth, clean shave you can count on. It’s got a clean, fresh scent that most people like, and once you shave, it leaves your bare skin feeling even better.
Pros: Unlike gels and foams, this shave cream is like a thick, nourishing lotion that glides smoothly on the skin. Its super slick formula helps to prevent nicks, irritation, and razor burn. While it gives you a close shave, it’s smooth and comfortable on your skin. This shave cream has a light, pleasant citrusy scent and is made with high-quality ingredients, including macadamia seed oil, aloe, calendula extract, lemon extract, papaya extract, and olive leaf extract. For those with sensitive skin, it’s paraben free. Also, this shave cream is not tested on animals and can last up to 90 days.
Cons: Some people, particularly those with combination to oily skin, find this a little too greasy for their liking. However, people with dry skin may like the extra moisturizer.
Bottom Line: This shave cream comes in an easy-to-dispense squeeze tube that allows you to use every last drop. A little goes a long way, so this smooth, nick-free shaving formula is made to last.
Pros: These sweet-smelling shave creams come in a one-pack or two-pack, each with unique, fun fragrances. You can shave wet or dry with this shave cream, which offers 24 hours of hydration for your face or body. It’s even gynecologist-tested for use on the bikini area. Not to mention this shave cream is also dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic. With shea butter with lasting protection, shea oil for instant moisture, and soothing aloe that conditions, you’re sure to enjoy a silky smooth shave. Plus, this brand is not tested on animals and is certified cruelty-free.
Cons: The pump may become difficult to use once the bottle is less than half empty.
Bottom Line: Overall, this shave cream is delightful to use. It glides like a lotion, so you can see your hair as you shave. And it has a pleasant, enjoyable scent.
Pros: This shave cream is specially formulated for sensitive skin. It’s made with wild-grown, sustainably sourced 100% natural shea butter to make your skin feel moisturized, protected, and soft. Plus, it’s paraben, phthalate, gluten-free, and certified cruelty-free. It’s tested to be bikini-area safe by gynecologists. This shave cream will help lock in moisture for 24 hours wherever you use it. This shave cream is a huge hit for those who have eczema and who experience irritation while shaving.
Cons: This shave cream contains alcohol.
Bottom Line: Thick and dreamy, this shave cream moisturizes and protects the skin. It’s one you can feel good about without any harsh ingredients and is cruelty-free, whether you have extra-sensitive skin or not.
Pros: Since this shave cream is concentrated, it requires only a tiny amount for a rich lather and clean, close shave. The packaging is TSA approved for traveling by air. Since it’s made with camphor and menthol, it cools and soothes the skin. It’s also hydrating and moisturizing with coconut oil and revitalizing eucalyptus oil. This shave cream creates a soft lather than helps prevent razor burn, ingrown hairs, and premature stubble. Plus, it’s made in Italy and comes in gorgeous, giftable packaging that’s perfect for any special occasion.
Cons: This shaving cream is a bit too expensive for some people.
Bottom Line: This premium shaving cream is made from top-quality ingredients to give your skin an unmatched smooth finish. Although the price is steeper than other brands, it provides exceptional results.
Final Thoughts
Shaving is a personal experience where everyone has different needs. Whether you’re going for full-body smoothness or a stubble-free baby face, there are many options for shaving creams that can provide what you need. Consider the ingredients and targeted areas of the shaving creams to give you a clean, perfect finish.
