Summers are on us and who does not like wearing shorts in public and bikini on the beach. However, your legs and armpits may not be summer-ready. Shaving is an enjoyable activity especially if it leaves your skin smooth and soft.
However, it does not come without struggles and “bumps”, especially if you are using a shaving cream which is not good. You would agree with me that it is hard to find an adult being who has not had shaving-related struggles.
May it be cuts, razor bumps, ingrown hairs, or chafed skin, we have been all there. Most of the time, we blame ourselves for being messy or not being careful enough. However, believe me, it is more to do with your razor and shaving cream than you.
Women are different from men in more ways than we think including their skin and skin. Women, in general, have softer and more sensitive skin than men. Therefore, any shaving product for men is not going to be good for women.
Moreover, what you need to take into consideration is your skin type and the ingredients shaving cream/gel contains. To help with your search to find the best, we have compiled a list of the best market has to offer.
Table of Comparison for Best Shaving Cream for Women in 2021
We tested a number of products and went on a research spree to find out the best. We paid special attention to the ingredients including lubricating and moisturizing agents such as aloe vera and vitamin E. Here are our picks.
Shaving Cream | Key Ingredient | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
Aloe Vera | Prevention of razor bumps | ||
Shea butter | Pubic area shaving | ||
Oatmeal | Sensitive Skin | ||
Glycerin | Bikini area/dry skin | ||
Vitamin C and E | Dry and normal skin | ||
Shea butter | Dry and normal skin | ||
Aloe vera | Leg and arm shaving | ||
Olive oil | Pubic area | ||
Ginkgo biloba | All skin types | ||
Glycerin | Dry skin |
The list contains shaving creams for all the usual skin types. What you will also find our products suitable for a specific area of your body. Let’s have a detailed look at our picks and why they make the cut.
1. Cremo French Lavender Shaving Cream – Best Shaving Cream for Women with Razor Bumps
Cremo is a leading shaving cream brand. Basically, its product lines consist of shaving creams for men and women. When we talk about women, it has two shaving creams in the market right now. One is Coconut Mango and the second is French Lavender. We will be reviewing the French Lavender shaving cream.
The first thing you are going to notice about this shaving cream is its high concentration. You basically need a just little bit, you get it in your hands and you lather it up. It is not essentially a foamy shaving cream, but it does lather up a bit. Basically, you do not require a shaving brush to lather it up.
One thing I really like about this shaving cream is that it rinses off the razor very quickly. Therefore, it saves you time because it does not require much effort to unclog off your razor.
A characteristic feature that Cremo uses in marketing is the slick molecules this cream contains. They claim that slick molecules when mixed with water, provide an effortless glide for the razors. Therefore, as there is less friction between the skin and the razor, it prevents cuts, razor bumps, and irritation.
- Silk molecules provide a smooth shave.
- Only a small amount is required.
- Prevents skin irritation and razor bumps.
- Cruelty-free.
- Natural ingredients.
- Lemon oil can cause allergy to women with a citrus allergy.
2. Coochy Plus Intimate Shaving Cream – Best Shaving Cream for Women’s Pubic Area
Coochy has been in business for around 30 years now. They specialize in shaving creams for women. The product we have at hand is one of their trademark and best-selling shaving cream. It makes on our list because they have made with special attention to women’s intimate parts.
Basically, its formula contains five natural ingredients including jojoba oil, avocado oil, aloe vera, shea butter, and maca root. Jojoba oil is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties which help with any chaffing and reduces redness. This essentially helps to soothe any razor burns or bumps.
The avocado oil it contains is a natural multivitamin with vitamins A, D, and E. Moreover, Avocado oil is a natural moisturizer and protects exposed skin from UV rays. Moving forward, aloe vera has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. In addition, aloe vera also accelerates healing. In essence, aloe vera forms a layer over the skin which helps retain moisture.
Among its ingredients, Coochy Plus Intimate also contains shea butter. Shea butter is rich in fatty acids and vitamins. This makes it an ideal softening ingredient for many cosmetic products. It also contains maca root which essentially enhances collagen production. This leads to vibrant shiny skin which is a blessing for your exposed skin like arms and legs.
The fact worth mentioning here is that Coochy Plus is paraben and sulfate-free. This makes it suitable for sensitive skin type. Therefore, unless you have hypersensitive skin, you can use it without any reservations.
Moving on, one of the first things you are going to notice about this shaving cream is its nice smell. It basically has a soft and sweet smell. In addition to this, as it is pH balanced, it perfectly vanishes any vaginal odor.
- All natural ingredients.
- Cruelty-free.
- Being hypoallergenic makes it suitable for all skin types.
- Aloe vera moisturizes the skin.
- Jojoba oil soothes skin.
- Shea butter leaves the skin smooth and silky.
- Scent can cause allergy to some.
- The pump dispenser is substandard.
3. Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel – Best Shaving Cream for Women Sensitive Skin
Aveeno has been in business for more than 65 years and makes a whole range of beauty products. They claim to produce holistic health care and therapeutic solutions for the skin. Their products are gentle on the skin and they are effective. The therapeutic shave gel is essentially one of their best-selling products.
What makes this gel great for women with sensitive skin is that it contains no or little scent. Aveeno claims it contains no added fragrance. So, if you have any scent allergies, this can be bliss for you.
Additionally, one of the characteristic components of Aveeno products has been oat. Oatmeal essentially is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory which means it can help undo any damage to the skin. It additionally helps soothe any itching or inflammation of the skin.
Aveeno markets this gel as formulated for dry and sensitive skin and dermatologists recommended and I cannot really complain. This shave gel also contains vitamin E, which softens the skin. In addition, it is also a good anti-aging agent. These factors essentially make it the best shaving cream for women with sensitive skin.
What I like about Aveeno products is that with the quality they bring they are not overpriced. A single 7-ounce container comes at around $4. This container is essentially enough for a month’s use even if you use it daily. Seriously, you should not need to break the bank to get a good shave.
- Cost-effective quality product.
- Formulated for dry and sensitive skin.
- Contains natural moisturizers and skin antioxidants.
- Fragrance-free makes it hypoallergenic.
- Rust-free packaging.
- The big size can be hard to store.
4. Skintimate Skin Therapy Shave Cream – Best Budget Shaving Cream for Women
Skintimate is the women part of Schick’s shaving accessories including shaving creams, gel, and disposable razors. Their shaving gel and cream product line consists of a number of products. However, the product we are going to review is their shaving gel made for dry skin.
This formula basically contains glycerin and vitamin E. Glycerin is a humectant which means that it retains water and minimizes its loss due to evaporation. On the other hand, vitamin E works as an anti-aging and anti-inflammatory agent. Moreover, it also protects skin from sun damage. It, therefore, is a perfect solution for all of your bikini body shaving needs.
In addition to the above, what else makes it good for dry skin is the inclusion of lanolin. For years now, lanolin is used in beauty products as an emollient which means it keeps the skin moist. Emollients generally make the skin itch less and prevent skin cracks.
If you have dry and sensitive skin and have tried every product out there and still end up with your legs breaking out in small bumps, get your hand on Skintimate. Your skin will feel smooth and silky after shaving.
- A shaving solution for dry skin.
- Moisturises the skin.
- Cost-effective.
- Its light scent does not trigger scent allergy.
- The dispenser pump needs careful usage to last the bottle.
- Lanolin can cause an allergic reaction in some women.
5. EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream – Best Moisturizing Shaving Cream for Women
EOS or Evolution of Smooth has different lines of beauty products. One of their best-sellers has been their lip balm and chances are you might have used it. Their moisturizing shaving cream line for women consists of four different fragrances, but the basic formula is the same.
These include Vanilla Bliss, Lavender Jasmine, Pomegranate Raspberry, and Tropical Fruit. In this review, we will be talking about Vanilla Bliss, but you can get a general idea about others as well. Because these have a nice fragrance to them, they can balance out any vaginal odor making it a shaving cream for the pubic areas.
One of the basic ingredients and extensively marketed by EOS is shea butter. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory and healing properties that help soothe any skin cuts or irritations. It additionally is a good emollient which essentially works by absorbing into the skin. Thus, it forms a barrier that helps retain the moisture of the skin.
Moreover, EOS contains vitamin C and E. Vitamin C naturally has antioxidant properties and it helps to smooth out wrinkles. Vitamin E, on the other hand, as we know, is an anti-aging and anti-inflammatory agent.
Shea butter along with vitamin C and E makes this cream ultra-moisturizing and softening. EOS claims that it is so moisturizing that you can dry shave with it and I cannot doubt it.
A healthy change over the last few years in the beauty industry has been to go paraben-free, so is the EOS shaving cream. It essentially is paraben and phthalate-free. Paraben causes skin irritation, rashes, and blisters. Overall, being preservative-free is a good property to have as a beauty product these days with a conscious customer base.
Therefore, if you need a number of pumps, like on your legs, it can take some time. However, the top can screw off and you can pour the amount that you want directly. Otherwise, it is a nice shaving cream that will leave your skin smooth and soft after use.
- Moisturizing.
- Easy to apply.
- Paraben-free.
- Brightens skin tone.
- Suitable for both wet and dry shave.
- The suction pump is slow.
- The consistency is too greasy.
6. Gillette Venus with Olay Ultramoisture Women’s Shave Gel – Best Gillette Shaving Gel for Women
Over the last few years, Gillette may have been in the news for wrong reasons including some controversial advertisements. However, there is one fact that stays till this day is the quality and innovation that Gillette brings. It still is the world-leading shaving accessory brand hands down.
The Gillette product we have at hand is their Venus with Olay Ultramoisture shave gel. The feature which got my attention was that it comes with a transparent gel gauge. This gauge enables you to have an estimation of how much gel you have left. Therefore, you are not left gel-less in the middle of your shaving stint.
One of its key ingredients is glycerin, a known emollient, which helps retain moisture. In addition, it also contains palmitic acid which is a surfactant meaning it reduces the tension between two surfaces.
Thus, it reduces the friction between the razor and your skin giving you a smooth and easy glide. It also helps prevent nicks and cuts. Moreover, palmitic acid is also an emollient which adds to this gel’s lubricating capabilities. There are also shea butter extracts which are rich in vitamins and fatty acids and work to condition the skin.
- Comes in a rust-free bottle
- Gel gauge indicates gel amount in the bottle
- Palmitic acid reduces friction between blade and skin
- More moisturizing ingredients
- Good for dry and normal skin
- Chemical based
7. Pure Silk Raspberry Mist Shave Cream for Women – Best Shaving Cream For Women’s Legs
The next one to make our list for the best shaving cream for women is Pure Silk Raspberry Mist shaving cream. Pure Silk specializes in shaving creams and razors. At the moment, they have four different shaving creams in the market and Raspberry Mist is one of them. Pure Silk claims to make your skin just like pure silk and thus the name.
The feature I really like about Raspberry Mist is the fragrance. It has a nice fruity smell which is light and not overwhelming. It additionally has aloe in it which moisturizes and nourishes the skin. Basically, it is paraben and cruelty-free. This means that it has not been tested on animals which is a relief.
If you shave in the shower and place your shaving cans in there, you would know the rust which builds up at the bottoms of cans. However, Silk Pure has rust-free aluminum bottles and this keeps the rust rings away.
The property which helps Pure Silk find a place on our list is the rich lather it makes. The rich lather it produces provides a smooth gliding surface for the razor. Thus, it helps prevents friction and thus razor burns.
- The cream has a light raspberry scent.
- Rich lather prevents nicks and cuts.
- Aluminum cans prevent rust rings.
- Has aloe vera which is a good moisturizer.
- Watery consistency can slide off skin easily.
8. Kiss My Face Shaving Cream – A Nutrient-Rich Shaving Cream for Women
Kiss My Face has been in business for more than 35 years and they specialize in beauty products. They take pride in producing vegan and cruelty-free products. Their shaving cream line consists of seven different products.
However, the basic formula is the same and they just vary in their scent. Nevertheless, they also have a shaving cream that is fragrance-free. The product we have at hand is their Pomegranate Grapefruit formulation.
Let me start off by saying that all of Kiss My Face products are paraben, phthalate, and SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) free. Moreover, all of their shaving creams are pH balanced.
A pH-balanced product is good for the skin. This is because a neutral pH does not affect the natural pH of the skin. The natural pH of the skin, which is slightly acidic, is essential for its functionality.
This formulation essentially contains aloe vera and olive oil. Olive oil is basically rich in squalene which is an oil similar to the sebum produced by the skin. Therefore, it leaves the skin soft and smooth. In addition, the formulation also contains pomegranate which is a potent antioxidant fighting potential infections and inflammation.
One of the main ingredients to mention in this shaving cream is grapefruit extracts. Grapefruit is rich in vitamins and works also as an anti-aging agent. Moreover, grapefruit evens the skin tone and eliminates free radicals.
- A vegan and cruelty-free product.
- Contains gluten-free products.
- Soothes and calms any skin irritation.
- Easily rinses off.
- Multivitamin ingredients fight off fine lines and wrinkling.
- The cream can slide off quickly.
- Does not lather much to work with.
9. Alba Botanica Very Emollient Shaving Cream – Best Organic Shaving Cream for Women
Alba Botanica claims all of its products are 100% vegetarian. Their Very Emollient shaving cream line consists of four fragrances including Mango Vanilla, Aloe Mint, Coconut Lime, and Unscented. All of them are basically for normal to dry skin because they are rich in natural moisturizers. We have their Aloe Mint formulation at hand and that should give you a general idea about formulation too.
To start with, all of their shaving creams have Leaping Bunny certification which means they are 100% cruelty-free. In addition to that, they have no artificial color and are free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates.
If I have to pick one thing that I love about this product it would be its fresh minty smell. I have used Alba Botanica shaving creams for a while now. They are a tad thick, they stick to your skin and you only need a tiny amount. They form a layer over your skin, to protect it from chafing and help the razor glide off smoothly.
One of the ingredients I keep looking for in shaving creams and Alba Botanica has it is vitamin E. This is because vitamin E softens the skin and hair. Soft hairs are easy to shave and this essentially leads to less friction and thus fewer razor burns. Vitamin E additionally has anti-aging properties, so it is a nice ingredient to have in your beauty products.
Amongst ingredients, Aloe Mint also has aloe vera and we have talked earlier about how it helps retain natural moisture. In addition to aloe vera, it has ginkgo Biloba which has hydrating and soothing properties.
- 100% natural products.
- Moisturizes the skin.
- Paraben and sulfate-free.
- Has a refreshing mint smell.
- Clogs up razor.
10. Gillette Satin Care Shave Gel, Dry Skin – Best Shaving Gel for Women with Dry Skin
It is hard to talk about shaving and not talking about Gillette. Be it men’s shaving accessories or women’s, they are still one of the best in the market. This is the second Gillette product that makes our list and not without a reason.
Gillette’s Satin Care which is a women’s line of Gillette shaving gels has a variety of different formulations. These range from UltraSensitive to Dry Skin and around five different versions in between them. They basically cover all of the skin types including dry, normal, and sensitive. We will be talking about their Satin Care Dry Skin shave gel.
To start off, as it is a gel, it glides off more smoothly than a cream. This, in essence, prevents any razor burns and cuts. Moreover, it contains glycerin, a known emollient and has popular use in winters for dry skin. One of the other key ingredients in the Dry Skin version of Satin Care shave gel is shea butter.
Shea butter we know is rich in fatty acids and is a good moisturizer. In addition to that, it soothes and conditions your skin. One of the facts good about shea butter is that it does not clog the pores which helps against acne.
For optimum results, wet the hair for 2-3 minutes with warm water, lather up and then shave it off with your razor.
- Prevents moisture loss.
- Formulated for dry skin.
- Has a light neutral scent.
- Difficult to rinse off razor.
Informative Buyer’s Guide for Best Shaving Cream for Women
I hope the above list helps you find the best shaving cream for your shaving needs. However, if you want to explore a bit more, I would recommend considering the following factors before you make any decision.
Know Your Skin Type
Understanding your skin type is crucial in determining the right product for your skin. There are basically three skin types: oily, dry, and combination. Here is a little tip to help you determine your skin type.
For this, you need to wash your skin well the previous night and do not apply any skin product on your skin. You also need to sleep without any air conditioning. The next morning, the first thing you need to do is to touch your skin. If all of your face including the T-zone feels oily, then you probably have oily skin.
However, if only your T-zone feels oily without the rest of the face, then you have a combination of normal skin. Lastly, if the whole of your face is non-oily and dry, then you have dry skin.
Know the Ingredients
After getting to know your skin type, the next important factor is to know the ingredients a shaving cream contains. One thing that I took into consideration making this list was the moisturizing or lubricating factors. The primary function of any shaving cream is to lubricate and moisturize skin and hair. That's what shaving creams are meant for.
Therefore, look for shaving creams that have ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin E and shea butter in them. They will not only moisturize the skin but also nourish it making it smooth and soft.
The second thing which I believe is not any less important is to look for natural ingredients. Here are a few reasons why should switch to or use organic products where possible.
- Organic products are better for your skin. Earlier, there was a general belief that organic products were not as effective. However, with the advancement in research and development, current organic products are as good as anything. The basic point is if they are not doing any good, they would not be doing any harm like chemicals.
- Organic beauty products are rich in nutrients. The thing about chemical ingredients is that they are quick fixes. You know what comes with a quick fix. It will cure the acute problem but will cause more damage in the long run. Organic beauty products are rich in nutrients including vitamins like A, C, and E.
- Another plus point with natural products is that they are non-or-hypo-allergenic. This means that they more than likely will not cause any allergic reaction.
- They are mostly cruelty-free. Chemical products go through extensive testing before they come into the market and this includes testing on animals. Therefore, if you are an animal advocate or human in general, you would not want an animal to suffer for your gains.
Be Aware of Preservatives and Irritants
Above were some of the ingredients to look for in any beauty product in general and shaving creams specifically. The next is to avoid potential irritants and allergens.
Everybody has a different skin type and how a body reacts to an outsider. Basically, a substance that causes an allergic reaction in one person may be completely harmless in another. However, there are some allergens that affect more people than not and they may be included in your beauty products.
The question arises why a paraben is helpful for skin, here is the answer. Parabens are known to mock the activity of the estrogen hormone. This estrogenic activity has a link with breast cancers. Scientists have found parabens in breast tumors.
Sometimes, parabens can be a little tricky to notice as manufacturers use the term alkyl para hydroxy benzoates. Therefore, be mindful of what you are purchasing.
The major harmful effect of sulfates is that they can cause irritation of the skin, mouth, eyes, and lungs. Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, sulfates are a real no-no. In addition, sulfates are mostly tested on animals to test the extent of the irritation they cause.
However, if you are allergic to any fragrance, it is only up to you to figure out and simply avoid such fragrances. Shaving creams generally have light smells, however better is that there are some non-fragranced ones. Therefore, if you have any such allergy go for non-scented ones.
Shaving Cream vs Shaving Gel
The basic difference between a shaving cream and a gel is the lather. With usual shaving creams, you have to add water to lather in. However, shaving gels on the other need to be used as it is.
In terms of lubrication, shaving gels are generally a bit better than creams or foams. Therefore, they are a better choice for women with sensitive skin. Additionally, there are a number of gels out there that are scent-free, which is also an added advantage.
If you take canned shaving foam in, they generally have a large quantity of air in them. Basically, for a foam with air in it becomes difficult to make a hair strand stand up. On the other hand, gels are relatively more viscous in consistency and they do line the hair nicely for a cut.
However, in the market right now, there are a number of different shaving creams and gels which offer so much more. Therefore, I believe the deciding factor should not be whether it is a cream or gel. Rather, it should be what else it has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shaving Cream For Women
Conclusion:
Shaving is an important part of a woman’s self-care routine and your skin is not a thing to experiment on. Therefore, be mindful of what you are getting in the name of shaving cream. Get to know your skin type and select the products which are best suited for that skin type.
Moreover, go for products that are good moisturizers. They should contain natural emollients like aloe vera or gentle chemical emollients like glycerin.
Go through our buyer’s guide to get a better idea of what to get your hands on. Otherwise, save yourself some hard work and go for one of the shaving creams listed above.
