Best for Legs
Athena Club Cloud Shave Foam
Best for Legs
Athena Club Cloud Shave Foam
Now 60% Off
With a light fragrance, frothy—but not overwhelming—foam, and nourishing aloe and oat extract, this formula is the platonic ideal of shaving cream. Plus, you can set it up to auto-ship so you never run out.
Best for Bikini Line
Venus 2-in-1 Cleanser + Shave Gel for Pubic Hair & Skin
Best for Bikini Line
Venus 2-in-1 Cleanser + Shave Gel for Pubic Hair & Skin
Now 22% Off
"When shaving the bikini line/pubic area, it's best to swap in your usual shaving cream for a product that has been formulated for that specific area," says Compo. "Some criteria to look out for include it being pH-balanced, free of parabens, dyes, and fragrance, as well have been dermatologist and gynecologist tested." This option, she says, "hits each of those marks, and the formula is clear to increase visibility when shaving the delicate area."
Best Shaving Bar
Superzero ceramide + jojoba oil shaving bar
Best Shaving Bar
Superzero ceramide + jojoba oil shaving bar
This little disk is a serious step up from a bar of soap. It's deeply nourishing thanks to ceramides as well as jojoba and macadamia oils, and it also creates a generous lather when mixed with water.
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Best for Dry Skin
Oui the People Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk
Best for Dry Skin
Oui the People Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk
Now 54% Off
In addition to argan, grapeseed, marula, and sunflower oils to moisturize, this multitasking formula also has vitamin C to help brighten up any dark spots on the skin.
Best for Face
The Skinny Confidential Hot Shave Cream
Best for Face
The Skinny Confidential Hot Shave Cream
Facial shaving creams are typically made for men—but let's be real, not everyone who shaves their face is a man. This formula is developed with women's skin in mind, so it will give you a close shave, leave skin soft, and won't screw up your skincare routine.
Best Shave Gel
Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel
Best Shave Gel
Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel
The gel-to-foam texture provides a super-close, comfortable shave, and the aloe in the formula helps hydrate skin.
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel with Oat and Vitamin E
Best for Sensitive Skin
Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel with Oat and Vitamin E
Now 24% Off
Vitamin E, oats, and aloe make this affordable shave gel extra moisturizing and comforting, even on sensitive skin.
Best Drugstore
Eos Shave Cream
Best Drugstore
Eos Shave Cream
It costs less than your daily matcha, but this shave cream has a legion of dedicated fans. "This product gives great slip without clogging up the razor (as do many emollient shaving creams tend to do)," writes one reviewer, adding that "It's a must for dry skin, and is great if you are on a budget."
Best Shave Butter
Truly Coco Cloud Luxury Shave Butter
Best Shave Butter
Truly Coco Cloud Luxury Shave Butter
With its pleasing fluffy texture and ingredients like vanilla and coconut milk, this shave butter makes shaving your legs feel like a treat. But please—don't actually eat it.
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Best for Preventing Ingrowns
Fur Moisturizing Shave Cream
Best for Preventing Ingrowns
Fur Moisturizing Shave Cream
Fur has made a name for itself as the go-to brand for preventing ingrown hairs and razor burn, and their shaving cream is no exception. Though it doesn't foam up, the emollient formula is made with olive oil and aloe to provide plenty of protection and moisture.
Best Waterless
Hanni Shave Pillow Moisturizing Body Gel
Best Waterless
Hanni Shave Pillow Moisturizing Body Gel
Hanni's genius moisturizing stick can be used for shaving in or out of the shower, helping to save water and precious time when you're on the go.
Best Unscented
Dr. Bronner's Organic Shaving Soap (Unscented)
Best Unscented
Dr. Bronner's Organic Shaving Soap (Unscented)
For no-frills but effective cleansing products, we always turn to Dr. Bronner's. Don't be surprised if the men in your household borrow this moisturizing, unscented shaving soap and "forget" to give it back.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
.What does shaving cream actually do?
According to Compo, using a shave prep product provides two key factors to make your shave more comfortable and help prevent irritation. "Technically speaking, it provides hydration (to soften hair and skin, which helps reduce the amount of force it takes the razor to cut through the hair during the shave," she says. It also provides lubrication: "Just the right amount of slipperiness between the blades and skin—which helps the razor glide across the surface of the skin yet lets you stay in control of the razor during the shave."
Is it ok to shave without shaving cream?
It's not recommended. "Not using a shaving cream can lead to shaving irritation—including the feeling of scraping, or tugging and pulling at hair—which can result in redness and discomfort," Compo says. And using a product designed specifically for shaving is key: "Even substituting a product that you grab from your shower in place of a shaving cream (e.g. your regular soap) could be more drying to your skin or may not stay in place as well to help protect from irritation during the shave."
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What else can you do pre- and post-shave to prevent ingrown hairs and help keep skin smooth?
.Wherever you shave, it's good to exfoliate first. "Similar to other parts of the parts of the body, when shaving the pubic area I always recommend exfoliating beforehand and in between shaves to protect against ingrown hairs," says Compo. "Incorporating an exfoliator like Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin Smoothing Exfoliant helps to loosen and sweep away old skin cells and oils that can trap hair."
Post-shave care is just as important. "It is important to keep the sensitive pubic skin hydrated, as that will help reduce itch. Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin Daily Soothing Serum supports the natural renewal process of the skin’s surface with lactic acid to help reduce buildup of dead skin cells, which can also help prevent ingrowns," says Compo.
Lindy Segal is a beauty writer and editor. In addition to regularly contributing to BAZAAR.COM, she also writes for Glamour, People, WhoWhatWear, and Fashionista, among other publications. She lives in New York City with her Chihuahua mix, Barney.
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