8 best shaving creams, according to dermatologists

Shaving cream is an investment worthy product to incorporate into your hair removal routine, according to the doctors we consulted. The shaving cream softens hairs, hydrates the skin and improves the way a razor glides over it, explained certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “Shaving is an interaction between the blade, the hair and the skin, so you have to consider all of these factors for a smooth shave,” he said. The cream also creates a “thin barrier” between the razor blade and your skin, which means you’re less likely to deal with unsightly redness and bumps, added certified dermatologist William Huang, MD, of Wake Forest Baptist. Health. Shaving cream can also prevent razor burns and the resulting ingrown hairs.

GO AHEAD The best shaving creams

How to buy shaving cream

Sometimes choosing a shaving cream comes down to trial and error, Huang noted – understanding your skin’s needs and reading the ingredient label “can go a long way” to find your ideal shaving cream.

“I tend to keep it simple – if it’s good for your face, it’s good for your body, but not the other way around,” he said.

Shaving cream is typically formulated with a combination of ingredients that “hold the hair in place for the razor to cut most effectively,” explained dermatologist Adam Mamelak, MD. The ingredients vary by brand, but there are a few strong points.

Huang personally researches moisturizing ingredients that support the skin barrier and reduce inflammation like aloe vera, glycerin, and oatmeal. He also likes antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E. Emollients like lipids and shea butter “restore the skin barrier” while humectants like glycerin and aloe vera “moisturize the skin by attracting skin. ‘water in the skin and strengthening the skin barrier,’ explained certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD.

If you have sensitive skin or suffer from eczema, go for a shaving cream that explicitly states the labels for sensitive skin, advised Huang, who added that “most of the major product lines” make shaving creams for the skin. sensitive skin, including well-known brands like Gillette, Skintimate, Edge and Nivea.

And when it comes to the worst ingredients in a shaving cream, perfumes, alcohols, sulfates, and glycols top Huang’s list because they can cause skin irritation. Mamelak also advised staying away from perfumes and glycols and added that mineral oil can clog pores.

Shaving creams vs other shaving products

While browsing readers’ favorite retailers of Shopping like Walmart and Target, it can be confusing when you see products that look like shaving creams on store shelves. To help you familiarize yourself with the different shaving aid options, we asked doctors about the key differences between shaving creams, shaving gels, shaving foams, and shaving powders.

• Shaving foams have a light, airy texture that “provides instant lather” and are easy to rinse off, according to Huang. Shirazi recommended using these “fluffy” foams for shaving the body only, as they “don’t offer much lubrication” compared to shaving creams.
• Shaving gels have a thicker consistency than foams, which means they provide a thicker barrier between your skin and the razor, better lubrication, and “a higher overall degree of protection when shaving,” Huang explained. They also contain less alcohol than shaving foams and offer a foam-free application, which is why Shirazi recommended them for grooming facial or bikini hair.
• Shaving creams are “denser” and create thicker foams. They’re also “easy” to rinse off and “provide a good amount of hydration and lubrication” with ingredients that can easily penetrate your hair follicles, Huang noted. Since shaving creams are thicker and more hydrating, Shirazi advised to use them on sensitive areas such as the bikini line.
• Finally, there is shaving powders that turn into a paste, like TikTok’s famous magic shaving powder, which is a depilatory, meaning it uses chemicals to “break down hair on the skin’s surface,” according to Shirazi. Since a depilatory is a razor-less hair removal process, you won’t have to worry about razor burn and ingrown hairs, but there is a higher risk of irritation from the chemical ingredients.

The best shaving creams

Before you shave, you will need to put together a few accessories to get the smoothest shave at home. These include a body scrub to prep your skin, a sharp razor, shaving cream, and body lotion to help lock in moisture after shaving, experts say.

You can find shaving creams and razors for men and women on Amazon, Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens. You can also order direct from brands such as Billie, Dollar Shave Club, Flamingo, and Athena Club. We’ve rounded up the MD recommended shaving creams that they think are worth ordering.

Aveeno Therapeutic Shaving Gel

This shaving gel received an average rating of 4.7 stars out of nearly 15,330 reviews on Amazon, along with recommendations from three doctors. Haung likes to use this Aveeno shaving gel on his sensitive skin because it is fragrance free and formulated for dry skin – it contains a blend of moisturizers groats,Vitamin E and glycerine. Shirazi said Aveeno’s shaving gel is “excellent” for use on the face and bikini area and is gentle enough for those prone to razor bumps. This “moisturizing” shaving gel is composed of a “soothing” mixture aloe vera and Vitamin E and has a “light” scent, according to certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD.

Eos shea butter shaving cream

This # 1 Amazon bestseller has a lotion-like consistency and is “very hydrating,” according to Shirazi. It contains a blend of “calming” ingredients as moisturizers shea oil and Shea Butter, more Colloidal oatmeal which can help soothe the skin, according to Garshick. EOS Shea Butter Shaving Cream received an average rating of 4.6 stars out of over 18,100 reviews on Amazon.

The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Cream for Men

Mamelak recommended this sandalwood scented shaving cream because it contains glycerine and coconut oil. Shirazi called this option “excellent” for shaving the face, and noted that it “gives a smooth glide” and the smell is “light”. This shaving cream has an average rating of 4.8 stars out of almost 3,120 reviews on Amazon. For a complete care package, consider ordering the brand’s pre-shave oil, aftershave balm, aftershave oil, and brush and razor holder.

Nivea Men Sensitive shaving gel

Shaving gels are generally more drying, so they’re not ideal for dry skin, according to Mamelak. But he recommended this alcohol-free gel for sensitive skin because it contains a blend of soothing ingredients like chamomile, witch Hazel and Vitamin E. This shaving gel has earned an average rating of 4.7 stars out of nearly 11,750 reviews on Amazon.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Brushless Shaving Cream

On days when you want to feel a refreshing sensation while you shave, Mamelak has recommended Kiehl’s shaving cream – it has soothing benefits. menthol and cooling camphor. He also pointed out that the Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream contains moisturizers sesame seed oil. It has received an average rating of 4.5 stars out of nearly 150 Kiehl’s reviews.

Proraso shaving cream

This shaving cream contains Lactic acid, a popular type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) known to do “an incredible job of improving overall texture and tone,” certified dermatologist Rita Linker, MD previously told us in our guide to AHAs. It also contains glycerine, which hydrates the skin and helps the razor glide over the skin, according to Mamelack. Proraso claims its shaving cream is free from mineral oils, artificial colors, silicones and parabens. It has received an average rating of 4.7 stars out of nearly 5,550 reviews on Amazon.

Vanicream shaving cream

Garshick and Shirazi both recommended this shaving cream for sensitive skin because it is fragrance-free, preservative-free, and paraben-free. “It nourishes the skin, helps reduce irritation and bumps, minimizing friction between the skin and the razor blade,” Shirazi said. Vanicream Shaving Cream has been rated an average of 4.2 stars out of over 800 reviews on Amazon.

Schaf shaving cream

Zeichner recommended this shaving cream because it is made with emollient ingredients – Vitamin E, aloe vera and coconut oil – to help soften the skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which Zeichner says will calm inflammation and protect the skin while the razor cuts hair. It received an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 10 reviews on The Detox Market.

Learn about the latest NBC News recommendations and buying guides, and download the NBC News app for comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.