The 21 Best Shaving Creams and Gels for the Smoothest Shave (2024)

For a shaving cream that fights nicks, irritation, and razor burn, you’ll want to reach for this one from Cremo. It not only gives you a close shave but will also apply smoothly and help with hair removal. Also: Its nourishing formula won’t have you feeling like you need to slather on lotion or shave oil post-shave.

With shea butter as its hero ingredient, you won’t need to worry about dryness or irritation with this shaving cream from Gillette Venus. With each application, it’ll help your razor glide smoothly over your skin and give off a warm, relaxing fragrance of manuka honey and vanilla.

While soothing sensitive skin, this Nivea shave gel fights all types of common beard shaving problems like burning, micro-cuts, tightness, and stubble itch. In other words, it’s great for dealing with stubborn facial hair. The shave gel works to soften the stubble, which helps achieve a close, clean shave. Its formula is also infused with vitamin E, chamomile, and witch hazel extract to add some good-for-you skin care benefits too.

With over 7,000 reviews on Amazon, it’s safe to assume that this Proraso pick is one of the best shaving creams for men. Suitable for every skin and beard type, its eucalyptus and menthol-infused formula purifies while giving a cooling, refreshing feeling upon application. One Amazon reviewer raves: “I've tried other brands and products for a nice feeling of shave cream/soap, and every time I regret it. This stuff is in my opinion the best out there. I started using it when I started with a safety razor and ultimately with a straight razor. The cooling sensation of the menthol combined with the refreshing scent of eucalyptus is just too nice for me to want any other product. The lather is also superb on this.”

Here’s another Amazon best-selling option from Harry’s. It’s one of the best budget-friendly gels. If you’re a fan of a rich lather, you’ll adore how effortlessly this helps your razor blade glide over your skin—sans any nicks or unwanted cuts. Plus, it’s made with natural ingredients like aloe and cucumber that add skin care benefits and give it a bit of a wellness feel.

Fur’s shave cream features a featherlight consistency to help prevent razor burn, bumps, irritation, and ingrown hairs. Its formula is intended to be used everywhere—including the pubic area, underarms, chest, legs, and face—and has a soothing and hydrating formula with aloe vera and olive oil.

We would be remiss not to mention Flamingo and its easy-to-use creamy shave gel. Its spa-like floral scent gives a luxurious feel, and its dermatologist-tested formula is cruelty-free and made without parabens, sulfates, or mineral oils, giving it an A+ in our book.

If you’ve been searching for a sandalwood shaving cream, this one from the Art of Shaving should be at the top of your list. Thanks to its rich lather, it’ll help your razor glide seamlessly over those hard-to-reach areas while helping you get the smoothest shave possible. For the best results, the brand advises shaving during or after a hot shower. Did we also mention that its formula has essential oils and glycerin for adding some much-needed hydration?

For an even more luxurious way to spice up your morning shower shave routine, try a shaving gel with an icy-cool effect. It’s a great addition to your morning skin care, as it’ll help wake you up and get rid of some of the morning puffiness. “This is the best shave gel, bar none,” says one Amazon shopper. “You use just a very small amount and it covers your whole face with a very pleasant, not strongly scented, cool foam, and provides an extremely close, comfortable shave with no burn whatsoever. It leaves a nice cool finish, or cleans off easily with a little water.”

Oui the People’s shaving products are not ones to miss, and this gel milk is no exception. Upon application, the shave gel transforms to a milky texture, which is what makes it so unique. Plus, all you need is a thin coating to help you maximize its results and get a superclean shave. One five-star reviewer says, “Shaving with this felt like shaving with a cloud.” And, if you want to make the most of it, pair it with the Oui the People shaver.

Although Malin + Goetz is known for its delicious smelling fragrances and skin care products, the brand carries a shaving cream worth adding to your arsenal. The product is filled with a range of fabulous ingredients (like squalene, shea butter, glycerin, and menthol) and feels super lightweight when you apply it, which are just a couple of reasons why it’s loved by many.

If you’re looking for a luxe shaving experience without any foam, you’ll want to try this one from SheaMoisture. It’s sulfate- and paraben-free and uses ingredients like tea tree oil and shea butter to add moisture. One Amazon shopper raves: “First time I've been able to shave without getting hives and raw skin.” Another Amazon reviewer says, “Recommending this to the rest of my extended family with sensitive skin.”

This moisture-rich formula uses lanolin and vitamin E to help combat dry skin while you shave. Upon application, it foams into a creamy lather that provides a close, comfortable shave without any of the unwanted side effects. “I have a bad habit of shaving with water only, and so my legs are even drier than normal in the winter,” says one five-star Target review. “After using this dry skin shave gel for a few days, I can already tell the difference, and my skin isn't nearly as itchy or dry.”

Speaking of sensitive areas, this Shaveworks option was specifically designed to be gentle on the delicate skin on your legs, underarms, face, and bikini zone. Its satiny, whipped texture glides on smoothly yet doesn’t leave skin feeling dry or damaged. Also: The formula is infused with phytic and glycolic acids to help exfoliate the skin and release ingrown hairs with each application.

This dermatologist-favorite shave cream has a rich, non-foaming formula that lathers on incredibly effortlessly. Formulated with shea oil, shea butter, and aloe, it provides instant hydration that’ll last the entire day. The best part? You can rinse it off or leave it on like a moisturizer. Plus, it comes in four different delicious scent options.

Aveeno’s products are dermatologist-recommended for their gentle yet effective formulas. If you’re already a fan of the brand, it should come as no surprise that its shave gel is equally as fantastic. It’s not only made with hydrating ingredients (like vitamin E) but is also formulated to be used on dry and sensitive skin types that may be easily irritated by shaving.

Chances are there's a Gillette Venus product in your shaving rotation. However, this one, in particular, is a shaving gel that doubles as a daily cleanser. It’s both dermatologist- and gynecologist-tested and has a pH-balanced formula, so it’s safe to use on ultra-sensitive areas (like the bikini area and underarms). Plus, it’s fragrance-free and made without parabens and silicones.

This TikTok-viral brand is known for its silky body butters, but you absolutely should not sleep on its shave butter. It’s deeply hydrating, thanks to an infusion of five oil blends, and it allows the razor to get as close as possible to the skin. And, it offers protection against razor burn, irritation, cuts, and ingrown hairs.

Billie’s shaving products are cult favorites and easily one of the most accessible; you can snag all the essentials at your local Walmart or Target, or sign up for a subscription and have them delivered to your doorstep monthly. Formulated with shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera, these will upgrade your shaving experience by leaving your skin feeling soft and hydrated. Also nice: The scent of lavender and bergamot is both crisp and calming.

Kiehl’s is well-known for its lineup of incredible skin care products—and this shave cream is no exception. The brushless formulation is not only simple to apply but also comprises ingredients like menthol, camphor, and sesame oil to help provide a cooling, hydrating sensation with each use.

Smartly’s shave foam is a Target best-seller. A portable size; rich, soothing lather; and light fragrance are some of its main draws. However, its moisturizing benefits, affordable price, and ability to use on all skin types are what win over shoppers. “Best shaving cream I’ve used for my sensitive skin,” says one Target customer. “I always have had an issue with razor burn, and this has been the best shaving cream I’ve used.”