If you’re like most people, you probably use the same shaving cream you always have when your habits have changed significantly. It’s not only common to shave the face and legs, but more people than ever are shaving other body hair like on the back and chest, so using a shaving cream that works for your skin is important.
Shaving can be hard on delicate areas, and people commonly experience irritation ranging from razor burn to ingrown hairs. Choosing a quality shaving cream will assure that you look, smell, and feel great, but there’s more to it than just aesthetics. You also want to look for a product that works with challenging skin issues without creating discomfort. Additionally, texture can contribute to a more enjoyable shaving experience and should be considered when choosing your new favorite shaving cream.
Though each person will have different priorities when selecting a shaving cream, there are a few ingredients that are almost universally desirable to a formula. Look for:
- Natural oils such almond, avocado or jojoba oil to moisturize skin. Silicone oils also add beneficial properties to shaving cream, so don’t be afraid of ingredients like Cyclomethicone as they add slip and glide.
- Natural fragrance including ingredients like eucalyptus, sandalwood and peppermint.
- Humectant ingredients like glycerin that help your skin retain moisture.
Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream
This tried and true shaving cream has become the favorite of both old and young shavers. Taylor of Old Bond Street has been using botanicals in their products since 1854, well before natural was vogue. This is a solid shaving cream that requires you to work up a lather, but that’s part of its charm. It is loaded with skin-loving ingredients such as glycerin which gives sensitive skin a protective barrier against harsh environmental conditions that irritate while also delivering deep moisture.
While the Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream is the top pick, the brand also makes this product in other scents that work for both men and women. Sandalwood is a deep and manly scent that is ideal for shaving beards, but the same formula is used for the more neutral grapefruit, peppermint and almond options that have broader appeal. Though it’s made by a British company, this brand is widely available to U.S. buyers and is sold on Amazon for around $17.
Billy Jealousy Hydroplane Super Slick Shave Cream
When celebrities talk about products to their friends and family, you know they deserve a closer look, and Billy Jealousy Hydroplane Super Slick Shave Cream gets a lot of buzz in Hollywood. The scent is clean and unisex even though it is marketed mainly to men, so women shouldn’t be afraid to try this crowd pleaser. Billy Jealousy packs this product full of skin-loving components, and the non-foaming formula uses the silicone-based Dimethicone to get the closest shave and reduce irritation. Also, formulators leave out things like alcohol and artificial fragrance for the most soothing shave possible.
If you’re used to a drugstore shave cream, it might take some time to get used to the $15 price tag for a bottle of Billy Jealousy Hydroplane Slick Shave Cream. However, a little goes a long way, and the transparent formula gives you a better view of what you’re doing as you shave. Also, unlike shaving soaps or creams that can clog your blades, this product easily rinses out of your razor.
Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated Shaving Cream
As a morning pick-me-up, Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated Shaving Cream works a bit differently than a cup of coffee, but it is still a wake-up call for your skin. The naturally occurring caffeine in the formula combats puffiness and razor burn and is an antioxidant that helps your skin recover from stress. Natural oils introduce moisture, and spearmint essential oil provides a bright but light and pleasant scent to the mix.
Pacific Shaving Company makes only vegan products with natural ingredients, so this shaving cream is cruelty-free. The small bottle is perfect for traveling as it complies with airline requirements for transporting liquids. Expect to pay around $6 per tube for this quality shaving cream.
Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel
Fortified with soothing colloidal oatmeal, Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel does such as good job that it garners the recommendation of dermatologists, making it a top drugstore shaving cream. Die-hard users report that this gel excels at soothing and combating irritation and that they notice less razor burn than with other brands. There is an appealing almond scent that is gender neutral without adding artificial fragrance.
Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel is available at any department store, drugstore or online retailer. At under $5 for a 7-ounce bottle, this is the most affordable shaving cream pick on the list, making it a great addition to your grooming kit.
Black Jack Beard Lube Conditioning Shave
Versatility is the number one reason that this shaving cream earns its spot in the top five. This brand not only provides you with a great shave, but also acts as a pretreatment and beard conditioner with its ultra-softening ingredients like glycerin, macadamia oil and jojoba oil. It has a bright fragrance that comes from peppermint and eucalyptus oils. While Black Jack Beard Lube Conditioning Shave cream is marketed for men, its neutral fragrance and skin-loving properties make it a great pick for women as well, and it’s ideal for anyone with sensitive skin.
Black Jack Beard Lube Conditioning Shave has a clear texture that makes it easy to work with in tight spots for a precise shave. A 6-ounce bottle costs about $17, but you don’t need to use a lot to get a nice, clean shave.
Shaving is a task that most people do daily without giving it a lot of thought. However, the shaving cream you use can enhance your grooming routine. All these top recommendations work with both normal and sensitive skin while providing you with the close shave that you desire.
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