Save Yourself From Nicks, Cuts, And Razor Burn With These All-Star Shaving Creams (2024)

Packed with pore-clarifying tea tree oil and redness-calming witch hazel, Billie Whipped Shave Cream creates a pillowy barrier between your skin and razor for a super-close, nick-free shave on even the most ingrown-prone areas of the skin. Many reviewers have commented on just how hydrating the creamy formula is. If you’re used to a very voluminous lather, Billie’s foam might seem a little light, but trust that it’s going to give you all the glide you need for silky-smooth legs, underarms, and beyond.

Rave review: “Well worth the money. I usually am plagued with ingrown hairs when I shave my legs, but not with this product.”

When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, you can’t go wrong with this formula, which will set you back just over $4 a can and should last a while, even if you’re a daily shaver. The lanolin and vitamin E in this foamy gel target dryness, so your skin won’t feel stripped post-shower and shave.

Rave review: "The only shaving cream that works for my sensitive, razor rash prone skin. I can’t use anything else."

Sustainably-sourced shea butter and colloidal oatmeal anchor eos’ non-foaming cream developed with sensitive skin in mind, including the delicate bikini area. It also features shea oil and aloe, which combine to keep redness and irritation at bay post-shave. Because the product isn’t gel-like, you also don’t have to worry about rinsing off every last bit—it’s meant to lock in moisture like a lotion.

Rave review: “I had been suffering from strawberry legs for a couple years now and I was ready to give up after trying several products, but this has definitely changed my mind. I typically use this after exfoliating and I have not had any signs of red bumps! It leaves a baby soft smoothness and I have yet to nick myself yet.”

Getting gunk stuck in your razor will be a thing of the past with this lightweight gel-to-foam formula, which magically transforms into a buoyant lather on your skin and rinses clean effortlessly. A little goes a long way, according to Flamingo users, so keep that in mind when coating your legs or underarms; applying more product doesn’t necessarily mean more hydration post-shave. You’ll notice the smell, but with notes of iris, Sicilian lemon, and suede, it’s giving more beach vacation in Capri—not sad fruit salad.

Rave review: "This is by far the best shave gel I have used. It smells so nice and it leaves my underarms and legs moisturized and soft. I have tried many gels over the years and I would always still get little nicks on my legs or my underarms would burn, but not with this shave gel."

Tree Hut’s Moisturizing Shave Oil comes in a slew of scents, so there’s something for everyone who likes more gourmand or tropical fragrances. As for the gel-to-oil formula, it’s packed with plenty of hydrating ingredients, from shea butter and argan oil to vitamin E and jojoba oil, among other things. Apply it to wet skin, and you’ll get a nice close shave that’ll feel dolphin-smooth to the touch.

Rave review: "I recently started using this along with the matching scrub. Good smell and a very close, smooth shave. Leaves skin so soft!"

Get your best glide ever in your nether regions with this derm- and gyno-tested gel. The formula contains zero fragrances or dyes and is totally clear, which means you can actually see exactly where you’re moving the razor when it comes to de-fuzzing your most delicate areas. It also doubles as a pH-balanced, soap-free cleanser and doesn’t have any icky parabens or silicones either.

Rave review: "This is my new go-to. This is absolutely amazing! I haven't had any bumps. I have very sensitive skin and this has helped so much! Love it."

When you see the Aveeno brand name, you know gentle products are going to follow, and this Therapeutic Shave Gel is no exception to that rule. Oatmeal and vitamin E come together to soothe and soften after shaving, which naturally irritates the skin. Reviewers report that it’s great for sensitive skin, too, especially during the dryer, colder months.

Rave review: "I've been using this for over a year and this is by far the best shave gel I've used in my lifetime and I'll be 70 in a few weeks. Smooth and comforting without the minty burn of some other like products."

Fur has garnered a bit of a cult following for its luxe pubic and body hair oil, so it’s no surprise the brand is on top of the body hair removal game, too. A dollop of this extremely lightweight, no-foam formula, which is enriched with olive oil and aloe, is all you need for a close, velvety shave on just about any region of your body, even down south. Users rave about the gentle exfoliation the lemon peel oil in the formula brings to the table as well as the spreadability of its creamy texture. The only downside? The price tag’s a bit steep but might be worth the splurge in the months you shave the most.

Rave review: "I used this for about two months. Then I bought a different brand for about half the cost. After using the other brand for one week, I went back to buy more Fur. I can go at least three times longer between shaves if I use Fur. Not so with any other brand. This is worth the cost!"

Sometimes you just need a multi-tasker when it comes to the shower and your whole body, and Luna Daily’s The Everywhere Wash definitely delivers. Not only is it loaded with good-for-you ingredients like probiotics, vitamins C and E, and thermal water to help balance out your pH, this cleanser is both gentle and sudsy enough to wash and shave all areas of your skin, including the vulva.

Try the original or look for their other two variants: a hydrating formula, which is great for perimenopausal and menopausal skin, and a fragrance-free variety for extra sensitive types, allergy sufferers, and those who are pregnant or postpartum.

Rave review: “I don't like body washes that are really soapy/sudsy because they feel drying to my skin. This was the perfect combination of feeling like my skin is cleansed without drying it out. I also like that it's safe to use everywhere.”

While shaving cream isn’t 100 percent necessary, Dr. Mraz Robinson says it’s likely to benefit nearly everyone. To use most formulas, “start by wetting the skin with warm water, then soap up to clean away surface bacteria and irritants,” she says. “Next, exfoliate with a gentle, fine particle based body scrub, and then it’s time to lather up and shave. Be sure to rinse the razor well periodically, as the shaving cream will add to build up in the blades and may require more frequent rinsing than shaving without it.”

For best results, she also suggests changing to a fresh blade roughly every three to four shaves.

Theoretically, you can use shaving cream on dry skin, but it’s smart to add water to the equation to prevent discomfort during and post-shave as well as to keep your razor moving efficiently and effectively while shaving. “Wet, warm skin is ideal to minimize nicks, cuts, irritation, and razor burn,” says Dr. Reed.

Dr. Robinson agrees. “Starting with wet skin softens the hair follicle so there is less resistance,” she adds. Resistance is what can contribute to irritation, so try to always use water, even if you’re shaving outside of the shower.

Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD is ssistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. Kellie Reed, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas.