The 12 best shaving creams for women — or anyone who likes having soft, smooth skin (2025)

Best overall

Best affordable

Target's Up & Up Shave Gel actually starts out as a gel, but then turns to one of our favorite shaving creams for women as it foams when mixed with water. It offers a rich lather, but not an overpowering scent. It contains antioxidant-rich sunflower seed oil that's packed with vitamin E and lanolin alcohol, which is an occlusive agent that creates a barrier to help the skin store more moisture on its own. Even better, you can score a twin pack for less than $5.

Best for sensitive skin

Not only is the Gillette Satin Care Ultra Sensitive Shave Gel dermatologist-tested and approved, but it's also highly rated. It has over 30,000 reviews on Amazon alone and averages a 4.8 out of a potential 5-star rating.

According to Petrillo, gels are best for sensitive skin types as they're typically water-based and can be more hydrating. Gillette's gel is gentle on sensitive skin by omitting irritating fragrances and dyes. It's instead enriched with skin-soothing ingredients like lavender and eucalyptus oil to reduce irritation. And for anyone who loves having a shaving cream for sensitive skin but hates the metal can it comes in, good news: the brand has redesigned its packaging so it's rust-free, which means no more orange rings around your tub.

Best for dry skin

Although shaving gels can be more hydrating than creams, Petrillo tells Insider that the best shaving creams for women are often formulated with moisturizing properties, so they're better for people with dry skin. This product from Eos is no exception.

You might recognize Eos for their signature lip balm baubles, but their Shea Better 24-Hour Moisture Shave Cream is not to be slept on.The non-foaming shaving cream is packed with hydrating ingredients equipped to quench even the driest skin's thirst and is gentle on all parts of the body. The formula's star is its combination of sustainably-sourced shea oil and shea butter that together leaves skin moisturized and supple to the touch. It also contains vitamin E and vitamin C for added skin nourishment, plus aloe vera soothe skin irritation.

Best for bikini area

I've been using the Deo Doc Shaving Trio for years and can personally attest to its effectiveness. Though the bundle is pricier than other items included in this list, keep in mind that your purchase includes not one but three products (a pre-shave oil, shaving foam, and after-shave balm.

When used together with a razor counted among top bikini hair removal products, they fight ingrown hairs and razor burn. The vegan formula was tested and developed by an all-female team of dermatologists and gynecologists, and is free of allergens, alcohol, and parabens. It's available in two scents (fragrance-free and fresh coconut) and has been enhanced with ingredients like hydrating beetroot extract that reduces itching and hydrogenated castor oil to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier.

Best for legs

When shopping for a shaving product specifically for legs, celebrity esthetician and co-host of Beauty Curious Podcast Ian Michael Crumm says there are a few things to consider before you add to cart. Firstly, if you have sensitive skin, you want a formula that combats irritation and razor bumps. Moisturizing properties should also be a priority, Crumm notes, as should a product's lubrication.

Gillette Venus Shave Gel checks all these boxes while emitting the tropical aromas of coconut or mango. But the pampering doesn't stop at the scent of this shaving gel — it's formulated with ingredients like moisture-retaining vitamin B5 and a hint of Olay lotion to enhance its hydrating properties. What's more, the gel lathers into a cloud-like application, which makes shaving legs easy as a summer breeze.

Best for face

Being translucent, this top shave oil is ideal for the face as you're able to see where and how close you're shaving. Sephora reviewers are raving that Maude's formula has converted them from shaving cream enthusiasts to shaving oil users exclusively. It's no wonder why — the vegan-friendly blend is a concoction of skin-nourishing and protecting ingredients. There's jojoba oil that's packed with vitamins, emollient-rich almond oil, sesame oil that acts as a natural cleanser, and meadowfoam seed oil that balances the skin's sebum production, to name a few.The results are smooth, supple, and, reviewers say, a complexion that smells nice and woodsy.

Best for preventing ingrown hair

If you frequently experience ingrown hairs, Billie's Prevention Formula will be your saving grace. The product was formulated with anti-inflammatory ingredients like tea tree oil and witch hazel to soothe the woes of ingrown-prone skin types. Unlike other shaving creams that are thick and heavy, Billie's is whipped and light, so your razor can easily glide over the product. The formula also contains aloe vera, which helps protect even the most sensitive skin from irritation.

Best for preventing razor bumps

Like ingrown hairs, razor bumps are another form of irritation you might experience while shaving. According to beauty expert and creator of Salon Route, Anna Peterson, who has a master's in practical dermatology, soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients are particularly beneficial for those prone to razor bumps. Aveeno's Therapeutic Shave Gel hits the mark. It's formulated with moisturizing lubricants, vitamin E, and oat that simultaneously hydrate and calm the skin, and is free of soaps and fragrances that can be irritating. It's best for dry, sensitive skin types.

Best fragrance-free

Pacific Shaving Company was founded by a husband and wife duo on a mission to give shavers an all-around better experience. It started with shaving oil, and has since expanded to a host of shaving products, including its best-selling unscented Clean Shaving Cream, and one of our picks for the best shaving cream for women made in the U.S.

It's gentle enough for all skin types, unisex, and can be used in your daily routine. Highlighted ingredients include shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E that, together, nourish and soothe the skin, protecting it from irritation, and the formula is paraben, and synthetic fragrance free.

Best shaving gel

Hanni's Shave Pillow Moisturizing Body Gel is the best shaving gel for women available in deodorant stick form. You apply it like you would deodorant to any part of the body you want to shave, and the smooth formula glides on. But what makes Hanni's the best shaving gel for women is its unique ingredients list. It contains adaptogenic mushrooms to soothe the skin, cactus water rich in electrolytes and antioxidants, as well as moisture-retaining glycerin. Users love that it's mess-free and travel-friendly, so you never have to use hotel soap in lieu of a quality shave gel again.

Best oil

If you're not a fan of shaving cream or shaving gel, then shaving oil ought to be on your radar. With over 21,500 rave Amazon reviews, Tree Hut's bare Moisturizing Shave Oil is a clear consumer favorite. Available in Coconut Lime, Rose, Vanilla, Watermelon, and Tropical Glow, the formula starts as a gel and applies as an oil. It's a cocktail of argan, grapeseed, jojoba, and sesame oils, plus vitamin E and oat kernel extract to hydrate the skin. Tree Hut also designed its shave oil with proprietary technology to prevent nicks, cuts, and irritation and guarantees a close shave.

What to look for in a shaving cream

When shopping for shaving cream, the formula that's right for you will ultimately depend on your skin type (normal, dry, combination, or oily) and the end result you're looking for (i.e. maybe you need an extra hydrating product or ingredients that reduce the risk of irritation). That said, Peterson tells Insider hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, and essential oils to nourish the skin are beneficial across the board. If you have sensitive skin, she adds, "opt for alcohol-free and unscented versions to minimize irritation."

You also want to be aware of shaving cream red flags. Peterson explains that products with a high alcohol content, sulfates, parabens, or artificial fragrances can potentially irritate the skin. It's also worth noting that formulas that form a rich lather will offer better protection against nicks and cuts.

FAQs

Is it worth using shaving cream?

Yes. Shaving cream is often formulated with ingredients that nourish the skin and protect it from cuts and irritation caused by the razor.

Which is better, shaving cream or gel?

Shaving cream and shaving gel offer users different benefits, so it really comes down to user preference. According to Dr. Rosmy Barrios, a medical advisor for the Health Reporter who specializes in regenerative medicine, aesthetic medicine, and cosmetology, shaving cream is generally very moisturizing and provides a cushion for the razor, which, together, results in a smooth shave, sans irritation. Gels, Barrios says, offer users better visibility because they're transparent. "[Gels] can also provide a cooling sensation, which may be perfect for some individuals," Barrios adds.

Is it better to shave wet or dry?

There are pros and cons to shaving wet and dry. Dermatologist writer at MyPsoriasisTeam, Dr. Anna Chacon tells Insider shaving wet lowers the risk of irritation and makes it easier to get a close shave, while dry shaving is relatively quicker and allows you to shave in different directions. In other words: It really comes down to personal preference.

Does shaving cream expire?

Yes, it can. Barrios tells Insider that shaving cream has an average shelf life of two to three years, so check the product's packaging before you use it.

"Expired shaving cream may not perform as effectively and could potentially cause skin irritation or other adverse reactions," says Barrios. "It is advisable to discard any shaving cream that has exceeded its expiration date or shows signs of deterioration, such as changes in consistency, color, or scent."