The 12 Best Shaving Creams for Women That Leave Skin Silky Soft and Smooth
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Updated October 20th, 2023: This article on the best shaving creams for women was updated with new product picks and shaving cream product testing reviews.
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Body grooming doesn’t have to be a chore. With the best shaving creams for women, removing hair can feel like self care, thanks to new formulations of luscious ladies’ shaving creams and gels that feel like a double-dose of maintenance and skin care in one step. It takes some trial and error to find the best product that does wonders for your skin type and hair texture while also achieving a super close, smooth shave, so we tapped grooming and skin experts, along with honest testers, to recommend the best shaving creams for women to shop year-round.
To start thinking strategically about shaving, first identify the areas you’ll be removing hair from (like your bikini area, your face, underarms, or legs). Next, it’s imperative to stock your shower with a sharp blade. There are myriad options to choose from, such as the best electric shavers, bikini trimmers, or classic manual women’s razors. Regardless of the tool you choose or the area of skin you’re addressing, you’ll always need a trusty shaving cream to protect your skin and deposit healthy moisture.
Innovative new shaving creams are available at a range price points and come in lots of different textures, such as foaming creams, lubricating gels, and moisturizing gel-to-cream formulations. Brands are also advancing the skin-loving properties of shaving creams to include common skin care ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, tea tree oil, and glycerin. These ingredients tout benefits for soothing shaven skin and preventing acne flare ups or razor burn. So, whether you have dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, our list of the top shaving creams and gels will provide essential skin protection, smooth glides, and allow you to execute a super close shave with ease.
Discover the best shaving creams for women, as recommended by product testers and beauty grooming experts. These picks deliver on a soothing and satisfying shave every time.
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Top Shaving Creams for Women of 2023
Best Drugstore: Eos Shea Better Shaving Cream
Best for Dry Skin: Billie Whipped Shave Cream
Best Gel: Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel
Best for Private Areas: Now Solutions Nutri-Shave Shave Cream
Best for Legs: Oui the People Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk
Best for Sensitive Skin: Lather Almond Shave Crème
Best for Razor Burn: Shaveworks Pearl Soufflé Shaving Cream for Women
Best Moisturizing: Fur Moisturizing Shave Cream
Best for Razor Bumps: Omorovicza Soothing Shave
Best for Ingrown Hairs: The Organic Pharmacy Men Shaving Cream
Best for Facial Shaving: The Skinny Confidential The Hot Shave Cream
Best Natural: Schaf Shave Cream
Eos Shea Better Shaving Cream
Best Drugstore Shaving Cream
Size: 7 oz
Formula: Cream
Key Ingredients: Shea butter
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
The Eos Shea Better Shaving Cream is one of the most raved-about shaving creams on the internet. Plus, it’s an Amazon bestseller that boasts over 40,000 glowing five-star customer reviews. The magic lies in its winning shea butter formula that deposits hydration that lasts up to 24 hours, plus star ingredients like vitamin C, E, and aloe vera that work to soothe and smooth the skin similar to a body lotion. This shaving cream option also comes in an array of delicious scents, including raspberry pomegranate, vanilla, coconut, lavender, and sensitive fragrance-free options.
What testers say: “I’ve tried a number of shaving creams and butters but always come back to this one. It leaves my legs super smooth and gives me the closest, longest lasting shave over any other brand I’ve tried.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $3.97
$3.97 $4.99 20% off
$5.99
Billie Whipped Shave Cream
Best Shaving Cream for Dry Skin
Size: 6.5 oz
Type: Cream
Key ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
This shave cream from Billie may front as a whipped cream, but its texture is best compared to a body butter. Considering its thick, hydrating texture, it’s no surprise that the formula is infused with rich shea butter, aloe, and coconut oil, which work to create a barrier for smooth gliding and skin protection as you shave. It comes in your pick of two fresh scents: award-winning lavender and bergamot or fresh-squeezed grapefruit.
What testers say: “Billie’s shaving cream changed the game for me. I’ve tried everything to fix my strawberry legs but I noticed a huge difference when I started using it. I started using it four months ago and my strawberry legs are still gone. This product is a dream with coconut oil, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. The creamy texture hydrates and moisturizes my dry skin.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $7.97
$7.97
$8.99
Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel
Best Shaving Gel
Size: 7 oz
Type: Gel
Key ingredients: Oat, vitamin E
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Target Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
This beloved drugstore find from Aveeno is perfect for irritated skin, particularly in delicate spots like the bikini area. Its therapeutic formula is made with oat and Vitamin E to help hydrate dry or damaged skin. It disperses as a rich gel, which lubricates the skin and protects against razor bumps. The dermatologist-tested formula is also non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, so it won’t clog pores or cause painful rashes.
What testers say: “I have sensitive skin, so I’m always on the lookout for shaving gels that won’t irritate my skin. I’ve tried a lot of different shave gels, but the Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel is by far my favorite. I’ve been using this shave gel for a few months now, and I haven’t had any problems with razor bumps or irritation. It’s the perfect shave gel for sensitive skin because it’s gentle and moisturizing.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $4.93
$4.93
$5.79
Now Solutions Nutri-Shave Shave Cream
Best Shaving Cream for Private Areas
Size: 8 oz
Formula: Cream
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, panthenol, aloe vera, olive oil, and hyaluronic acid
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Now Solutions’ shaving cream is gender-neutral and best for sensitive areas like the bikini area. Its slick texture allows for gentle glides with minimal friction, while allantoin works to soothe common shaving irritation. Its skin care-infused formula also aids in smoothness from ingredients like hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, and panthenol to retain healthy moisture. Razor bumps and burn, be gone!
What testers say: “I love this stuff. A little goes a long way so it lasts for a while! It has improved my skin texture and I have stopped getting ingrown hairs on my bikini and minimal razor burn. I have very sensitive skin so that is a huge deal.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $6.64
$6.64
Oui the People Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk
Best Shaving Cream for Legs
Size: 5 oz
Formula: Melting gel
Key Ingredients: Dandelion root extract, aloe vera, argan, grapeseed, marula, and sunflower oils
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
“This Oui the People option is a great moisturizing shave gel-to-milk formula,” says celebrity esthetician Celeste Rodrigues (who works with Jada Pinkett Smith and Normani). It’s definitely not your average consistency, because it comes out of the pump as a thick, gel texture and, once it contacts wet skin, natural body heat transforms the product into a milky consistency. A blend of argan, grapeseed, marula and sunflower oils allow for your closest, smoothest shave ever. Plus, it’s packed with aloe vera leaf extract (which packs soothing minerals, amino acids and vitamins E and C) and smells like jasmine, grapefruit, orange blossom and neroli.
What testers say: “I’m completely addicted to this gel-to-milk shaving cream! I haven’t been able to go back to a thicker cream. I love how hydrating this is. The product has a great (light) scent and makes it easy to be precise in my shaving. Strongly recommend it.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $64
$64
$64
Lather Almond Shave Crème
Best Shaving Cream for Sensitive Skin
Size: 4 oz
Formula: cream
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, almond oil, shea butter, and coconut oil
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Lather’s non-foaming cream guarantees a close shave every time, as “smooth-as-a-baby’s-bottom,” describes one tester. That’s because it’s formulated with smoothing glycerin and calming almond oil to reduce irritation. It’s highly concentrated and doesn’t foam, so it applies in a thick cream that’s best suited for sensitive skin. It’s free of common irritants such as sulfates, parabens, and fragrance, and doubles-down on natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and rose essential oils.
What testers say: “Wow. I didn’t have high hopes because I’ve used all sorts of different products to combat terrible razor burn, but this is the holy grail! This product leaves my legs smooth and results in NO razor burn! I’m so happy I could cry. I absolutely recommend this product and will be using it regularly from now on.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $22.80
$22.80
Shaveworks Pearl Soufflé Shaving Cream for Women
Best Shaving Cream for Razor Burn
Size: 5.3 oz
Formula: Cream
Key Ingredients: Phytic and glycolic acids, capislow extract, and lavender
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Celeb groomer Kindra Mann, who collaborates with Mandy Moore and Renee Zellweger on skin care, recommends this luxurious formula from Shaveworks. “It’s lavender infused, which makes it soothe the skin and smell wonderful,” she says. This shaving cream exfoliates, moisturizes, and soothes skin all at once, and helps prevent ingrown hairs thanks to phytic and glycolic acids. Additionally, it slows the growth of new hair with Capislow extract.
What testers say: “I love this stuff. It really does help slow down the growth of leg hair. I will use it until they stop making it!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $22.80
$22.80
Fur Moisturizing Shave Cream
Best Moisturizing Shaving Cream
Size: 5 oz
Formula: Cream
Key Ingredients: Olive extracts, vitamin E, tea tree oil, lavender oil
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
This popular shaving cream from Fur is both dermatologist- and gynecologist-tested, making it one of the best shaving creams for the bikini area. It’s fragrance-free and paraben free, “with super hydrating and non-irritating ingredients,” says Rodrigues. The whipped, featherlight texture is formulated with olive extracts (rich in fatty acids), vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant) and antimicrobial tea tree oil to eliminate excess sebum. Lavender oil adds a soothing touch and helps to regulate sebum production.
What testers say: “I’ve historically used the canned shaving cream that foams but they come in big containers that don’t travel well. So, I wanted a shaving cream that I could easily put into a smaller container for vacation and this product is perfect! I can’t believe how silky and smooth it is and you actually only need a small amount to create a surface that the razor can easily glide over. And, because a small amount does a large area, the 5 ounce container should last a long time which makes it better value for money than the price point might suggest. It smells absolutely wonderful too. I’m definitely a convert and cannot see me going back to the old stuff.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $32
$32
$32
Omorovicza Soothing Shave
Best Shaving Cream for Razor Bumps
Size: 5.1 oz
Formula: Cream
Key Ingredients: Plum almond oil, apricot kernel oil, vitamin E
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
According to Mann, this is the most luxe option out there. “Omorovicza’s Soothing shave cream is an amazing choice if you want to splurge on a luxurious shaving experience,” Mann explains. It’s made with anti-inflammatory Hungarian minerals that calm minor irritations, exotic fruit extracts that enzymatically clear dead skin cells and plum almond, apricot kernel oil, and vitamin E to soften, restore elasticity, and boost collagen production. It also has cooling ingredients like camphor and menthol that’ll come in handy if you have a sun burn or rash.
What testers say: “I have discarded all of my other shaving creams for this one from Omorovicza. I find that I am able to get a closer shave, relatively few nicks, and my skin feels cleaner and more moisturized after each shave.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $38
$38
The Organic Pharmacy Shaving Cream
Best Shaving Cream for Ingrown Hairs
Size: 3.53 oz
Type: Cream
Key ingredients: Azulene, chamomile
If you’ve got sensitive skin that’s prone to ingrown hairs, consider this shaving cream from The Organic Pharmacy a top pick. While the formula was technically made for men, it works wonders for women, too. “I love this formula because it helps to reduce ingrown hairs and provides excellent lubrication to ensure a better shave,” Mann says. It’s made with ingredients like aloe, jojoba oil and calendula, that are all sourced from organic farming.
Price upon publish date of this article: $49
$49
The Skinny Confidential The Hot Shave Cream
Best Shaving Cream for Facial Shaving
Size: 3 oz
Type: Cream
Key ingredients: Shea butter, vitamin E, aloe, olive oil.
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Leave it to lifestyle blogger Lauryn Bosstick to introduce the world to the first ever women’s facial shaving cream. It’s meant to provide a smooth glide and help prevent nicks or painful cuts. The Skinny Confidential buttery formula is made with a rich blend of nourishing emollients like shea butter, vitamin E, aloe and olive oil. This product is ideal in conjunction with the best dermaplaning tools to flake away peach fuzz, dark facial hair around the eyebrows upper lip, and exfoliate dead skin.
What testers say: “I’ve been shaving my face for years, but now it’s actually enjoyable! This gives a smooth glide, supple hydration, amazing protection. I will never shave without this cream again.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $23
$23
$23
Schaf Shave Cream
Best Natural Shaving Cream
Size: 4 oz
Type: Cream
Key ingredients: Coconut oil, plant-based emollients, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid
Top-Quality Store Badge on Google:
Schaf’s nature-derived cream is formulated with a soothing blend of coconut oil and plant-based emollients. The formula actually softens stubble before you shave, so each pass of the razor is extra-effortless with this shave cream. Ingredients like aloe help soothe irritation, while hyaluronic acid hydrates dry skin. It’s fragrance-free and soap-free, so it’s great for those with super sensitive skin.
What testers say: “The new normal has never felt so good! I swapped out my typical shaving brands for this Schaf cream and couldn’t be happier. Using it the first time was definitely an adjustment but I was hooked by the second use! My skin is left smooth, non-irritated, and ready to soak up all my after balms.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $28
$28
What Does Shaving Cream Do?
Shaving cream is essential for protecting your skin from harsh razors, especially if you’re going over a sensitive area with multiple passes. Both cream and gel formulas create a barrier between the blade and your skin, which reduces friction and allows the razor to glide smoothly over the intended area. This results in a successful, non-patchy, and close shave. Because of this, shaving cream will also prevent uncomfortable skin irritation, such as razor bumps, burn, strawberry legs, ingrown hairs, and body acne.
Depending on the formula of the shaving cream, it may also deposit added moisture and soothing properties to the skin as you shave, courtesy of key ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, coconut oil, and hyaluronic acid. Other formulas may incorporate exfoliating chemical ingredients as well, which will create an even closer shave as it buffs away a top layer of dead skin.
How to Use Shaving Cream
For your best shave with shaving cream, follow these steps and expert tips:
Exfoliate skin: Depending on the area you are shaving, exfoliation is a great first step to remove dead skin cells that may block a razor blade from cutting the closest shave. There are many different methods for body exfoliation that do the trick. You can exfoliate dry skin with a dry body brush or use body scrubs, exfoliating gloves, or loofas in the shower before you shave.
Soften the hairs: Next, wet your skin with warm water to the soften hair, but make sure your skin is damp before you dive in. “It shouldn’t be sopping wet, or the shaving cream of choice can just wash right off and not adhere to the skin,” explains Rodrigues. It’s also best to shave after you cleanse the skin, as soap will remove excess body oil or built up product that may create excess friction or irritation.
Smooth on shaving cream: Apply your shave cream or gel in even layers across the skin area you intend on shaving. You want to apply the product generously, warns Mann, “so you don’t irritate the skin with the razor. Be sure you work up a good lather.”
Start shaving: With your razor or trimmer of choice, shave the area in the direction that the hair grows. This is key to preventing pesky razor bumps or ingrown hairs.
Rinse and repeat: After each pass, rinse the razor off in water to prevent built-up shaving cream or hair. This will allow for the smoothest shave and prevent patchiness. Once you have finished shaving, make sure to rinse your razor off completely. Store it in a place where it can completely dry to avoid bacteria growth.
Restore moisture: Finally, pat dry your freshly-shaven skin with a bath towel. Mann recommends to follow up with a hydrating lotion, body butter, or moisturizer for dry, sensitive skin to lock in nourishing moisture.
What to Look for in the Best Women’s Shaving Cream
Soothing ingredients: “Shaving cream is a moisturizing barrier between your skin and your razor meant to soften the hair before shaving,” explains Mann. That’s why most formulas are made with hydrating ingredients. Rodrigues notes, “When looking for a women’s shaving cream, you want to look for a formulation containing soothing yet moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera.”
Sensitive skin formulas: A lot of formulas out there are specifically made with sensitive skin in mind. “If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to stay away from fragrance, sulfates, ethanolamines and parabens,” says Rodrigues. Most sensitive skin formulas will mention the formula is free of irritants on the front of the bottle, but you can always read the ingredients list to spot ensure they’re absent. Another tip is that you can look for natural formulas. Those tend to be friendlier for all skin types.
Texture: Shaving creams come in all kinds of formulas with textures that vary from dense gels to featherweight foams (more on that, below). While it’s generally a matter of personal preference, some are more tailored to certain skin types and skin concerns than others.
The Different Types of Shaving Cream Formulas
Not all shaving creams have the same consistency. There are a few different popular formulas to note:
Cream: These tend to be thicker (more like a face wash), and you may have to put in a little elbow grease to work up a lather. They’re often good for drier skin types, as they can double as an in-shower moisturizer. You can use this everywhere, from your legs all the way up to your face.
Gel: Gels tend to be tackier in texture and often transform into a foam when lathered. This is the most traditional type of formula that stays put until you shave it off. It’s ideal for thicker hair, like along the bikini line.
Foam: These usually come in a spray canister and immediately turn to a rich foam. The lightweight product expands as it’s rubbed in. This formula is most popular for the legs or bikini area. Keep in mind that this texture will melt off legs the quickest if exposed to water, so you’ll want to work efficiently as you shave.
How We Chose the Best Shaving Creams for Women
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
To curate the best shaving creams for women, our team examined the market for bestselling options from top brands. We sifted through customer ratings, compared formulations, and personally tested different shaving creams to determine the best options that hold up to their claims. We considered key factors like skin care benefits, product packaging, and how well the shaving creams performed in the pursuit of a close shave without skin irritation. Additionally, we consulted skin and grooming experts for professionally-backed product picks and tips for selecting the best shaving cream. We also considered the best beauty and body retailers to shop, by evaluating customer reviews and cross-checking with Google’s new top-quality store badge (a rating that indicates retailers with quick shipping, clear return policies, and positive shopper reviews). Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Celeste Rodrigues is a Beverly Hills-based medical aesthetician that specializes in corrective skin treatments. She’s worked with a variety of A-list celebrities including Jada Pinkett Smith and Normani.
Kindra Mann is a celebrity makeup artist and groomer. Her emphasis is on enhancing one’s natural beauty and her attention to detail has made her one of the industry’s most sought after makeup artists.Her list of clientele include Reneé Zellweger, Mandy Moore, Maisie Williams, Jessica Biel and Busy Philipps.
Meet the Author
Taylor Jean Stephan was previously the beauty and style editor title at E! News for five years, where she oversaw the shopping vertical and appeared as an on-air correspondent. Her writing can be found in The Zoe Report, Bustle, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Oprah, Shape, Women’s Health and more.
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content across fashion, beauty, footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Cigliano received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She is currently based in New York City. Cigliano updated this story for the best shaving creams for women in October 2023 with new products, tester reviews, and additional tips for achieving a close shave.
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