Gentle shaving cream: foam, gel, cream and oil

Foam, gel, cream or oil

• Foam in a can: quick and familiar. The foam is mostly air, so a can may not last as long as its size suggests.
• Gel: turns into a light lather. Often clear, so you can see where you have shaved.
• Cream in a tube or tub: usually applied with the hands or a brush, and a small amount covers a lot.
• Shaving soap: a puck or stick used with a brush. Low waste, and needs a little practice.
• Oil: used under or instead of cream by some people. Check the directions.

Reading the label

• Fragrance-free and dye-free: no added fragrance or colorants. If you want to avoid fragrance, check the ingredient list.
• Sensitive skin: a marketing category, not a promise.
• Alcohol-free: tells you what the formula leaves out.
• Labels such as hypoallergenic or dermatologist-tested are marketing hints, so a short trial is still the practical check.

Our angle: the cream is only half of the cost

A shave involves the product and the razor. A cheap cream with a dull blade can be a poor deal, and a good blade used for too long gives the same result. When you compare, count both. Estimate how many shaves a can or tube gives you, divide its price by that number, then add the cost per shave of your blades. For foam cans, check how many shaves you get, since the can shrinks quickly if you use a lot. A tube or a shaving soap often gives more shaves per dollar than a can, but not always, so measure your own use.

1. Count the shaves one container gives you.
2. Divide the price by that number to get the cost per shave of the cream.
3. Add the cost per shave of your blades.

Technique matters too

• Use a sharp, clean blade and replace it when it feels dull.
• Shave after washing, with warm water and a thick layer of product.
• Rinse and dry afterward.
• If shaving leaves lasting irritation, stop and ask a dermatologist for advice.