The 10 Best Shaving Creams of 2024, Tested by Real People

When you’re in a rush and need to shave, it’s tempting to just grab a razor and have at it — but delicate areas like your underarms and bikini line really benefit from applying a shaving cream or gel first. Bonus: less irritation and fewer ingrown hairs.

According to Rosmy Barrios, MD, head of the regenerative aesthetics and anti-aging department at IM Clinic, you don’t want to reach for just any shaving cream. The best shaving creams are ones formulated for your skin type with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, and coconut oil for soothing, moisturizing, and lubricating the skin to prevent cuts and razor burn.

To find the best shaving creams, we grabbed our favorite razors and tried out 20 shave creams, gels, and oils. We evaluated the formulas based on their feel and consistency, how easy they were to apply, whether or not they could achieve a close shave, and how much (if any) skin irritation occurred.

From buzz-worthy brands like Flamingo to tried-and-true shower staples like Gillette, here are our top picks.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel at Amazon $18

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Best Budget:

Skintimate Shave Gel at Amazon $20

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Best Investment:

Oui The People Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk at Amazon $64

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Best Hydrating:

Truly Coco Cloud After Shave Moisturizer at Target $33

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Best for Close Shave:

Hanni Shave Pillow at Sephora $24

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Best for Sensitive Skin:

Eos Sensitive Skin Shave Cream at Amazon $13

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Best Natural:

Lather Almond Shave Crème at Amazon $24

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Best Oil:

Olio E Osso Lisica Shave Oil at Olioeosso.com

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Best for Bikini Line:

Fur Shave Cream at Amazon $32

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Best Gel:

Gillette Cleanser + Shave Gel at Amazon

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Best Overall

Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel

PHOTO: Flamingo

$18 at Amazon $6 at Target View on Shopflamingo.com

Star Qualities

Wonderfully creamy texture that's easily spreadable
Provides an even, close shave with no irritation
Budget-friendly price

Red Flags

Thick consistency can cause the razor to clog up

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

PHOTO: People / Shannon McHugh
PHOTO: People / Shannon McHugh
PHOTO: People / Shannon McHugh

Experts Say

“It is important to choose a product that is formulated for your skin type. For example, if you have sensitive skin, look for a shave cream that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction or other skin irritation.”—Rosmy Barrios, MD

Best Budget

Skintimate Shave Gel

PHOTO: Target

$20 at Amazon $10 at Walmart $4 at Walgreens

Star Qualities

Soft foam spreads well
Incredible value, especially since a little goes a long way
Stays in place without sliding down your skin

Red Flags

Consistency might be too thick for some
Caused some ingrown hairs, but fewer than other products we tested

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

Skintimate Skin Therapy Dry Skin Women's Shave Gel foaming in palm of hand — People / Taylor Calta

Best Investment

Oui The People Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk

Oui The People SUGARCOAT Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk

PHOTO: Oui The People

$64 at Amazon $64 at Sephora View on Ouithepeople.com

Star Qualities

Close shave great for underarms and bikini lines
Very moisturizing, resulting in soft, smooth skin
Unique gel-to-milk texture

Red Flags

Doesn’t create that satisfying lather

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.

Tested Tip!

This product is a better fit for one-blade razors rather than multiple blades due to the thinner consistency.

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

PHOTO: People / Avery Stone
PHOTO: People / Avery Stone

Best Hydrating

Truly Coco Cloud After Shave Moisturizer

Truly Beauty Coco Cloud Whipped Luxury Shave Butter

PHOTO: Ulta

$33 at Target $33 at Ulta View on Trulybeauty.com

Star Qualities

Offers a super close shave in just two passes
Added ingredients help keep skin hydrated and moisturized
Smells amazing

Red Flags

Comes out pretty thick

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

PHOTO: People / Nicole Anderson
PHOTO: People / Nicole Anderson

Best for Close Shave

Hanni Shave Pillow

PHOTO: Sephora

$24 at Sephora View on Heyhanni.com $15 at Urban Outfitters

Star Qualities

Mess-free application
Good for wet or dry shave (although works better for wet)
Lovely light scent

Red Flags

Not a lather formula

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

PHOTO: People / Madison San Miguel
PHOTO: People / Madison San Miguel
PHOTO: People / Madison San Miguel

Best for Sensitive Skin

Eos Sensitive Skin Shave Cream

PHOTO: Amazon

$13 at Amazon $5 at Target $12 at Walmart

Star Qualities

Provides a close shave without irritation
No need to moisturize after — it leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated
Can dispense just the right amount for your needs

Red Flags

Translucent formula made it hard to tell where we had already shaved

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

Best Natural

Lather Almond Shave Crème

PHOTO: Amazon

$24 at Amazon View on Lather.com View on Lovelyskin.com

Star Qualities

Easily spreads onto the skin
Whipped, creamy texture
Almond oil helps moisturize skin

Red Flags

Despite the name, it doesn’t actually lather

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

PHOTO: People / Michelle Parente
PHOTO: People / Michelle Parente

Best Oil

Olio E Osso Lisica Shave Oil

PHOTO: Shopbop

View on Olioeosso.com $30 at Revolve View on Littleking.online

Star Qualities

Highly moisturizing with no irritation
Spreads super easily
A little goes a long way

Red Flags

Stays on the skin for awhile after shaving, leaving behind a heavier feel
May be a bit of a learning curve in terms of how much to use

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

Olio E Osso Lisica Shave Oil dispensed in palm of hand — People / Anna Pattison

Best for Bikini Line

Fur Shave Cream

PHOTO: Ulta

$32 at Amazon $32 at Nordstrom $32 at Ulta

Star Qualities

Provided a smooth shave on delicate areas with no nicks or cuts
Both moisturizing and exfoliating ingredients
Lightweight, creamy consistency that bubbles up to a nice lather

Red Flags

Pricey for the amount (but a little goes a long way)

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

close up of the back of fur Shave Cream package — People / Caitlyn Martyn

Best Gel

Gillette Cleanser + Shave Gel

Gillette Venus 2-in-1 Cleanser + Shave Gel

PHOTO: Ulta

View on Amazon $10 at Target $10 at Walmart

Star Qualities

Creamy consistency that covers skin well
pH-balanced for use on pubic area
Left us with a smooth, clean shave

Red Flags

Doesn't lather as much as we were expecting

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

Gillete Venus 2-in-1 Cleanser + Shave Gel dispensed in palm of hand — People / Samantha Benoit

Other Shaving Creams We Tried

Billie Whipped Shave Cream: We also tried the Billie Whipped Shave Cream, which is formulated for sensitive skin types and gentle enough to provide a close shave without irritating the skin. While testing, we found that the formula was a bit too thin for our liking, but it still worked well to smooth our skin and also provided enough slip for our razors to glide across our skin.

Kopari Organic Coconut Melt: The Kopari Organic Coconut Melt is another formula that stood out to us during the testing period. Since it’s formulated with coconut oil, we found it to be ultra-nourishing but also just a bit too greasy for our liking. Nonetheless, it’s worth mentioning because it worked well at preserving our spray tan while shaving — an unexpected perk.

What to Know About Shaving Creams

Price and Value

It’s always a win when you find a product you use often in a budget-friendly price range. That’s why we loved the Flamingo Foaming Shaving Gel and the Skintimate Skin Therapy Dry Skin Women's Shave Gel, priced at around $6 and $4, respectively. And while we say “oui” to splurging on the Oui the People Sugarcoat Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk, it really depends on how much you plan to shave. With many of the products on our list, a little goes a long way, so keep in mind there’s value to be had, regardless of the price tag.

The product’s size can also contribute to its value. If you’re looking for the best value and don’t mind spending a bit more upfront, a more expensive — but much larger — bottle could be worth the splurge. If you’re shopping with value in mind, Eos Sensitive Skin Shave Cream and Skintimate Shave Gel both come in 7-ounce bottles for budget-friendly price tags. The Skintimate gel is actually the best value on our list, though, since it comes in a three-pack for under $10.

Formula/Consistency

Whether you choose a gel, foam, oil, or cream is entirely up to you. We suggest opting for one that is easy to apply a thin layer to your skin to create a smooth route for your razor to travel, but not so much that you’ll end up wasting the product. It also depends on whether you prefer to shave wet or dry; we like that the Hanni Shave Pillow Moisturizing Body Gel allows you to shave either way. But, if you prefer a thicker consistency, go with the Eos Sensitive Skin Shave Cream and, for something a bit thinner, try the Oui The People Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk.

Ingredients

As with all skin products, you’ll want to read the ingredients to see that you’re avoiding any allergens and are keying into your skin’s unique needs. Ingredients are especially important in shaving cream because you’re applying a sharp razor against the skin and need some extra slip. Plus, shaving is exfoliating, so the added moisture can help soothe the skin and improve its texture. We love the moisturizing effects of Fur Shave Cream for the bikini line and the shea butter-infused Eos Shea Butter Dry Skin Shave Cream, which is calming for irritated skin. If you prefer something with all-natural ingredients, the Lather Almond Shave Cream is a good bet.

the top of an open jar of Truly Coco Cloud After Shave Moisturizer — People / Nicole Anderson

Behind the Scenes

Our PEOPLE Tested team tried out 20 shave creams and gels, using a multi-blade razor and shaving at least twice a week over the two-week trial period. For each shaving cream, we evaluated based on the feel and consistency of the product, how well it lathered, if it easily distributed across the shaving area, how close and even the shave turned out, whether there was any skin irritation, and how our skin looked and felt after the shaving was complete.

Feel and Consistency: Shaving cream consistency can completely alter the shaving experience, so we first considered the formulas’ textures and how they felt against the skin. While some preferences vary, the best shaving creams have a consistency that allows razors to easily glide across the skin without causing irritation or preventing a close shave.
Lather and Distribution: Depending on the texture, some formulas also need to lather enough to spread it around the shaving areas for enough coverage.
Skin Smoothness: Shaving can cause irritation, so it was also important for us to evaluate the skin’s look and feel and make note of any formulas that were particularly hydrating, soothing, or softening.
Shave Results: Of course, the whole point of using shaving cream is to achieve a smooth and hairless surface — so results were very important. When testing these razors, we considered the overall performance of each design, plus how close of a shave they allowed.

We rated each of the products on a 1 to 5 scale based on the different testing categories. The products that earned the highest average rating made it on this list of the best shaving creams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is gel or foam better for shaving?

Both gels and foams are good for shaving because they help the razor glide more easily along the skin. It depends on what you prefer in terms of application. Some like a luxurious foaming shave cream while others find they use too much of it and can barely move the razor through it. Aside from proper application technique, you’ll want to make sure the ingredients match up with your skin’s needs, especially if you’ve got sensitive skin.
What shaving cream gives the closest shave?

We found the Hanni Shave Pillow Moisturizing Body Gel to offer the closest shave. The gel stick formulation made it easy to apply a thin layer of it — just enough to make the razor glide easily, but not too much that you clogged up the razor with wasted product. If you prefer a shaving foam, know that a little typically goes a long way — as it does with the Skintimate Skin Therapy Dry Skin Women's Shave Gel — so you’ll want to apply a thin layer that won’t make trouble for your razor. You can get an even closer shave by using an exfoliation tool like a dry brush or shower glove before you shave.
Is buying shaving cream worth it?

Yes, especially if you have sensitive skin. Using a razor without first applying cream or foam is a surefire way of irritating your skin with razor burn and painful ingrown hairs. Whatever formula you prefer, be it gel, oil, or foam, make sure to use the right amount of product so you can glide your razor over your skin easily for a close, irritation-free shave.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Barbara Bellesi Zito is a contributing freelancer for PEOPLE. Her work has appeared in Health.com, Forbes Advisor, BELLA Magazine, Apartment Therapy, The Motley Fool, Martha Stewart Living, and Insider. To write this story, she consulted our testers about a range of shaving creams and gained their perspectives on qualities such as feel, consistency, and lather. She also interviewed Rosmy Barrios, MD, head of the regenerative aesthetics and anti-aging department at IM Clinic. Jessie Quinn is also a contributing freelancer for PEOPLE, and she recently updated this story with the latest insights.

Our Expert Panel

Rosmy Barrios, MD, is the head of the regenerative aesthetics and anti-aging department at IM Clinic.

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