Top 10 Dermatologist-Recommended Shaving Creams for 2024

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While shaving is, of course, not a necessary part of your beauty and skincare routine, those who prefer to maintain clean-shaven underarms, legs, or pubic areas need the best shaving cream for your skin type to get the job done without causing any pain, ingrown hairs, or irritation.

“When done carefully and correctly, shaving can help the legs remain smooth and soft,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at NYC’s Shafer Clinic. “Shaving can cause irritation and ingrown hairs — even if you shave with caution.” To prevent common shaving obstacles like nicks, razor bumps, rashes, and other irritations, your skin needs a barrier between it and the razor that simultaneously protects your skin and softens the hair for an easy shave. 

As someone with sensitive and dry skin, as well as lifelong issues with eczema, it’s tricky trying to find a shaving cream that won’t leave my legs, pits, and pubic area feeling irritated post-shave. If a formula isn't moisturizing enough, it quickly turns my issues from bad to worse. With this, I set out to find the best shaving creams, gels, bars, and oils that prevent bumps, rashes, and nicks, leaving nothing but soft, smooth skin behind. After weeks of testing and consulting dermatologists for expert advice, these are the best shaving creams. 

Trying Billie’s Whipped Shave Cream for the first time reminded me how much better it is to use a proper shaving cream rather than a simple bar of soap (something I’ve done in the past out of laziness). First, Billie’s formula has the perfect texture between a traditional fluffy shaving cream and a lotion. I could coat my legs easily with the product and feel it nourishing my skin as I massaged it over my shins, knees, and thighs pre-shave, almost as if applying a luxe body butter. Further, this product did not dry my legs out post-shave, which I attribute to the standout ingredients in its formula, including moisturizing shea butter, coconut oil, and soothing aloe vera.

Between my smooth, soft skin after shaving, the product's ease of use, and the under-$10 price tag, Billie’s Whipped Shave Cream is the clear winner in my book. Plus, while I opted for one of the scented formulas (though the lavender and bergamot scent is subtle, the way I like it!), Billie also makes a fragrance-free version for anyone who prefers to steer clear of scents. 

Formula Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera, sage | Size: 6.5 oz

Many with sensitive and dry skin, like myself, are familiar with Aveeno’s outstanding products, and the brand’s Shave Gel is no exception. It’s a favorite of Dr. Marc Beuttler, MD, FAAD at Modern Dermatology in Westport, CT. He says the formula “is great for dry skin” thanks to ingredients like “moisturizing lubricants, vitamin E, and oat, which help moisturize and soothe dry skin.” Oat is also a fabulous ingredient for relieving eczema. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, which eliminates the possibility of further irritation from intense fragrances. The unique gel consistency (which lathers into foam) also prevents any mess while shaving — a bonus if you shave in the shower. 

Formula Type: Gel | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, oat | Size: 7 oz

I’m thankful that formulas like Vanicream’s Shave Cream exist. It's a favorite of Dr. Beuttler’s because it’s “gentle on sensitive skin types,” and it always results in a smooth shave with no irritation, period. What’s unique about this formula is its overall lack of ingredients like alcohol, dyes, and fragrance, which are known to screw with sensitive skin. Just keep in mind that this formula doesn’t lather, so you may have to use a little more product to ensure the area you’re shaving is adequately coated. 

Formula Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Glycerin | Size: 6 oz

The first time I felt how buttery-smooth Truly Beauty’s Shave Butter is, I couldn’t believe it. Its formula has a light-as-air creamy texture that immediately felt unique compared to other shaving creams on the market. The way it left my skin feeling post-shave quickly confirmed that it's the ultimate moisturizing formula. The inclusion of hyaluronic acid and vitamin E on its ingredients list is worth noting since these skincare favorites work wonders in hydrating skin. After using this product, I was left with freshly nourished and shaven legs without razor bumps or irritation, making it a winner in my book. 

Note that this formula does have a strong scent (perfect for those who love sweet-smelling beauty products), so be wary of this factor if you’re fragrance-averse. Although I was initially nervous about using a fragrant product on my sensitive skin, I was pleased by the lack of irritation and continued to apply this repeatedly with the same results.

Formula Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, niacinamide | Size: 2 fl oz

Shaving your bikini line can feel daunting. It’s a more sensitive area with typically coarser hair, so shaving improperly can potentially lead to more nicks and razor bumps (I often experience this firsthand when shaving this area). After discovering Flamingo’s Pubic Exfoliating Shave Gel, I’m finally not terrified of using a razor in this area, thanks to this formula that creates the perfect foundation for shaving. This gel gently exfoliates your skin using five different fruit acids, like orange fruit extract, helping to reduce the potential for ingrown hairs later on and smooth the skin before shaving (remember to leave the formula on your damp skin for a minute before going in with the razor).

Plus, the perfect amount of protection between your skin and the blade — factors that helped my bikini line get the smoothest, nick-free shave I’ve gotten in a long time without any pubic area irritation.

Formula Type: Gel | Key Ingredients: Fruit extracts | Size: 5 fl oz

If you’re not a fan of fluffy shaving cream textures and prefer a gentle gel, consider Completely Bare’s Shave Gel. This clear formula has a gooey texture that makes it easy to massage into your skin and aptly covers the area you want to shave. I sometimes worry that gel formulas won’t do enough to nourish my skin because of the different texture, but I was pleasantly surprised by how hydrated I felt after using this to shave my underarms and legs.

After taking a closer peek at the ingredients, this makes sense: aloe vera and calendula flower extract in this formula help soothe and repair dry, irritated skin, while chamomile extract helps soften the skin. What’s more, thanks to the thick consistency of this gel formula, a little goes a long way — a bonus for an under-$10 bottle that comes with six ounces of product.

Formula Type: Gel | Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, Calendula Flower Extract, chamomile extract, jojoba oil | Size: 6 oz

If you’ve never tried a shaving bar, consider this your sign to start. Not only is Kitsch’s Solid Shave Butter a more sustainable shaving option (compared to a single-use plastic bottle), but thanks to the bar's effortless application method, shaving can become an easy part of your beauty routine. Add some water to the bar to get it slick, then massage it into your skin in whichever area you want to shave — the rich (but not too thick) moisturizing formula creates a barrier between your skin and the razor to prevent nicks and irritation.

For someone who has previously used plain bar soap as shaving cream, let me be clear: the Solid Shave Butter is 10 times better. The shea butter in this product’s formula helps create a creamier consistency that feels luscious on the skin and effectively moisturizes it so it won’t feel tight and irritated post-shave. This bar is also on the larger side, so you won’t have to replace it frequently like typical soap bars.

Formula Type: Bar | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, vitamin E | Size: 4 oz

I was skeptical about how well a shaving oil could work on my super-dry skin — would a few drops be enough to thoroughly coat my skin and prevent razor bumps and itchy irritation from forming? I was shocked to find that, yes, the Shave Oil from Maude did more than enough to protect me from getting bumpy and rashy — so much so that it’s the product I reach for the most now to shave my underarms every night. Only a drop of this barely-scented oil is required to cover this particular area, as it seamlessly spreads across your skin without immediately absorbing, helping your razor glide and shave without irritation.

What’s more, I noticed that my armpits felt completely nourished post-shave, which is not typically a feeling my sensitive skin has after dragging a razor across it. All in all, I’m happy to say that I’m officially a fan of shaving oil thanks to this product — the gorgeous, minimalist glass packaging is an added bonus.

Formula Type: Oil | Key Ingredients: Jojoba, sesame, almond oil | Size: 1 fl oz

Shape loves an effective, budget-friendly product, and the Foaming Shave Gel from Flamingo easily fits the bill. It boasts a super foamy, moisturizing formula that instantly covers more extensive areas of your body, proving that a little goes a long way. Considering the Foaming Shave Gel is already under $10, it’s a proper bang for your buck. The thick consistency properly coats any area you want to shave (and makes it very clear which areas you haven’t touched yet), seamlessly protecting your skin and quickly softening the hair on your body to make it easier to shave. Plus, if you usually shave in the shower (like myself), this consistency prevents the formula from washing off quickly or sliding down while under the showerhead, making this tricky task much more manageable. 

If you use safety razors, note that the foam will clog up your razor quicker than a typical disposable razor, so you should either rinse often or switch razors when using the Foaming Shave Gel. 

Formula Type: Foam | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, aloe vera leaf juice, allantoin | Size: 6.7 oz

If you’re anything like me and dread the point in your nightly shower when it’s time to pull out the razor, Hanni’s Shave Pillow boasts possibly the easiest-to-use packaging ever, making this tedious task way easier. Imagine a moisturizing formula packed into a deodorant-like, swipeable, ergonomic stick — that’s Shave Pillow. The gel formula easily glides onto your skin with just a firm swipe or two and doesn’t clog up your razor while running it across your legs.

I’ve tried it on both dry and damp skin, confirming that either method works well with this product (though I try to avoid a dry shave if possible). The formula provides freshly shaved skin with nourishment from the included glycerin, an ingredient beloved in the skincare space for its hydrating effects. The mess-free application and compact size also make Shave Pillow travel-friendly. 

Formula Type: Gel-like balm | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, cactus water, adaptogenic mushrooms | Size: 3 oz

Madison Barber is a commerce writer at Shape. For this roundup, she tested several top-rated shaving creams, gels, balms, and oils during her regular shaving routine over a month-long period to determine the best options on the market today. She also consulted the following experts for additional insight and shaving cream recommendations: