Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to use shaving cream?
Short answer: Yes. Longer answer: Wet shaving with some form of lubrication—be it a traditional shaving cream, oil, or butter—is important for your skin health. “Shaving on dry skin increases transepidermal water loss and creates microtears in the stratum corneum layer,” explains Dr. Reszko. “A proper shaving cream provides a lubricating interface, therefore reducing friction and sheer stress from the blade.” This is all to say: Unless you’re in a pinch, you should use one every time you whip out a razor.
Are there areas of the body that especially benefit from shave cream?
Wherever the hair is coarse and/or the skin is thin, it’s especially important to use shave cream. This includes the neck and beard, underarms, and genital area; essentially, any “very sensitive areas where you don’t want a lot of friction,” explains Dr. Brian Hibler, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology. “These are all areas where hair tends to be coarser, or the skin is more prone to irritation, so you want as much cushion and glide as possible.” Not doing so could lead to some unpleasant side effects: Since these areas are also more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, “minimizing trauma during shaving is key,” says Dr. Reszko.
People with curly body hair will also want to make sure they’ve used proper lubrication before pulling out the razor, says Dr. Shamban, due to the increased risk of ingrown hairs.
How can I get my best shave?
- It’s best to shave during or before a shower, not after, and warm water is ideal. “Heat and water increase hair shaft hydration and elasticity, allowing for a smoother cut,” Dr. Reszko explains.
- Let your shaving product sit on the skin for about thirty seconds before you start to lather up and shave; Dr. Reszko says this will help soften the hair.
- Reszko and Hibler both recommend shaving with the grain (so, in the direction of growth) and not against it, especially if you’re prone to ingrown hairs and breakouts. You also want to make sure you’re using light pressure and not bearing down too hard on the skin with your razor—which is especially important if you’re using a safety razor.
- You want to apply a full layer of product, but not too much; Shamban recommends about a quarter to half an inch of thickness. “As long as your skin is not ‘visible’ and no areas are left uncovered, you should be fine,” she adds.
What ingredients should someone look for in a shaving cream?
“The best ingredients in shaving cream enhance gliding and supporting barrier function,” says Dr. Reszko. This includes emollients—think squalane, shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil—as well as glycerin and hyaluronic acid for hydration. Barrier-boosters like ceramides and panthenol are also great (Dr. Shamban especially likes the latter for sensitive skin).
Soothing ingredients should also be top of mind; these include aloe vera, allantoin, or colloidal oatmeal. These ingredients are especially important for people with sensitive skin and those who are prone to follicular inflammation, says Dr. Reszko.
Meet the experts
- Anetta Reszko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Brian Hibler, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology in New York City.
- Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in California.
- Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Thousand Oaks, California
- Peter Bittar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best shave creams, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: wear, longevity, color variety, and ease of use. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
