So Long, Ingrown Hairs and Razor Burn — These 10 Shaving Creams Are the Best We've Tried

What makes this shaving cream stand out most is its super creamy texture. 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 as you shave. It comes out as gel but foams quickly as you spread it on your skin, helping it to stay in place. This allows for a smooth path for your razor and 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 the results lasted longer because the gel allowed such a close shave.

Formula: Gel | Size: 6.7 ounces | Star ingredients: Aloe, bisabolol, conditioning emollients

If you like a traditional shave cream that really lathers on your skin, you’ll love this one by Skintimate. It spread well and didn’t slide off, so you have a chance to swipe the razor (the trick is to rub it together in your hands for a soft foam that spreads well). This shave gel also prevented irritation, and we spotted fewer ingrown hairs over time. The light floral scent is a bonus, but the price is the real callout — at just under $4. 

Formula: Foaming gel | Size: 7 ounces | Star ingredients: Lanolin and vitamin E

Oui The People is not your ordinary shaving foam or gel. It’s billed as a gel-to-milk consistency, so 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. Despite not having a thick lather, this formula still feels luxurious and results in a smooth shave for legs, underarms, and bikini lines.

Formula: Gel | Size: 5 ounces | Star ingredients: Marula oil, dandelion root extract, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

Shaving frequently robs your skin of moisture, so using a formula that restores that moisture is key. The Truly Coco Cloud aftershave smells amazing, and it took just two passes with the razor to achieve smooth skin. This formula comes out thick, though, so it’s best to create a lather in your hands before applying it across the shaving area. It took an extra pass or two with the razor on spots where we applied it too thick, but post-shave, we were left with smooth, hydrated, and sweet-smelling skin.

Formula: Cream | Size: 2 ounces | Star ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter

If you’ve had trouble getting a close shave or dealt with painful ingrown hairs in the past, the Hanni Shave Pillow Moisturizing body gel may be exactly what you need. This body gel has a thin consistency yet provides a close shave without any irritation. It actually felt more like a cleanser than a shaving cream, so it’s a great upgrade for those who usually reach for the bar of soap when shaving. You apply it like you would deodorant, which makes for an easy, mess-free application. You’re able to use it on wet or dry skin, but we found it glided on even better when the skin was wet.

Formula: Gel stick | Size: 3 ounces | Star ingredients: Adaptogenic mushrooms, cactus water, glycerin

We loved the thick, lotion-like consistency of this Eos shaving cream. Formulated with sensitive skin types in mind, it contains shea butter — a powerhouse ingredient for dry skin that left our tester’s legs feeling super moisturized after every shave. True to its name, it’s a cream, not a foam, so it doesn’t lather (though it does distribute well across the skin). 

The creamy consistency made it clear how much product we were using when we dispensed it, which is not something you can usually say for foaming shave creams and gels. After shaving, our skin felt so hydrated and soft, we were able to skip an after-shave moisturizer.

Formula: Cream | Size: 7 ounces | Star ingredients: Shea oil, shea butter, colloidal oatmeal

If you like more coverage with your shave cream, you’ll love this thick whipped cream from Lather. Despite the name, it doesn’t really lather, though it does spread evenly across the skin. We liked that it was thick enough of an application so that we could see the areas already shaved, which saved time because we didn’t keep swiping the same spot with the razor.

It feels more like whipped body cream than it does traditional shaving foam. We loved how our skin felt soft and supple after a shave, thanks to the infusion of almond oil, which has terrific moisturizing benefits. Again, don’t let the name fool you with its consistency, but if you’re looking for a shaving cream with nourishing natural ingredients, this one fits the bill.

Formula: Cream | Size: 4 ounces | Star ingredients: Almond oil, coconut oil, glycerin

Shave oil is a good option for those who don’t love creams or foams but still want something that spreads like a dream. This formula from Olio thoroughly moisturizes the skin. It spreads evenly but doesn’t lather like foam or other traditional shave products, so we didn’t quite get the clean shave we were hoping for. However, the oil helped ward off irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs and left our skin much softer than other options.

Formula: Oil | Size: 4 ounces | Star ingredients: Olive oil, shea oil, beeswax, grapefruit essential oil

When it comes to the bikini line, an irritation-free experience is a necessity. We loved the Fur Shave Cream for its creamy consistency. The bottle promises maximum glide and zero razor burn — and the formula totally delivers. We experienced a close, smooth shave on a delicate area prone to nicks and cuts. Plus, our skin felt smooth and silky, thanks to all the moisturizing ingredients. It might seem pricey considering the small size, but we found a little goes a long way with this product.

Formula: Cream | Size: 5 ounces | Star ingredients: Olive oil aloe, lemon peel oil

We loved the creaminess of this cleanser and shave gel combo. It does lather, but it feels more like a cleanser than a cream, which actually makes it easier to apply evenly across the skin. The formula is also pH-balanced, which allows for an irritation-free shave without a hint of razor burn or ingrown hair — a bonus if you plan to use it for your bikini line. Aside from how smooth our skin felt post-shave, we loved that the formula is free of dyes, parabens, silicones, and other fragrances. 

Formula: Gel | Size: 6.42 ounces | Star ingredients: Coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil