Whether you are a woman shaving her legs or a man shaving his beard, everybody loves that silky smooth feeling after a clean shave. However, if you need to shave regularly, you may find that it irritates your skin, developing a shaving rash. You need to shave with more than just water and a blade to combat this problem. You need to use shaving gel. But with so many shaving gels on the market, how do you choose the best one?
To answer this question, we have compiled a list of things you ought to consider when looking for the perfect shaving gel.
Continue reading to see our recommendations.
What are the benefits of using shaving gel?
There are several reasons why using shaving gel is advantageous when shaving. These include:
Lubrication
A razor works better if the place it is shaving is lubricated. Without this lubrication, the blade cannot glide as quickly over the areas you shave.
Reduce razor rash
Using shaving gel reduces the risk of razor bumps, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. It adds a protective layer between your skin and the blade.
Moisturizing
Shaving damages the top layer of skin, making it dry and uncomfortable. Shaving gels contain moisturizing oils that will put moisture back into the skin and vitamins that fight against aging and keep your skin looking fresh.
Things to consider when buying shaving gel
Shaving gels fundamentally do the same thing, but none of them are identical. They all have different scents and ingredients. To find the best shaving gel, you will need to consider the following factors:
Anti-aging
If you are worried about looking a little more wrinkled and worn out than usual, there are plenty of shaving gels with anti-aging properties on the market.
Look for shaving gels containing vitamin E as these are high in antioxidants and effective at fighting the signs of aging. Shaving gels containing olive butter is a great example. Olive butter contains vitamin E and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Look for hyaluronic acid, as it reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It helps your skin retain moisture causing smoother and plumper skin cells.
Acne or spotty skin
If you suffer from acne and find that many of the moisturizing agents in shaving gel make it worse, opt for shaving gel containing chamomile or aloe as they soothe your skin and protects against breakouts. Witch Hazel is another ingredient to look for as it has astringent properties meaning it will tighten and shrink your pores in time.
Dry skin
Even if you have dry to normal skin, you will need a shaving gel that contains a lot of moisturizers. Look for the ingredients to get an idea about the moisturizing qualities of your shaving gel. The more natural ingredients, the better it is for your skin. Ingredients like slippery elm extract, aloe vera, coconut oil, and olive butter moisturize and condition the skin. Cucumber and chamomile will soothe the skin, which is much needed after shaving.
Sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin, avoid fragranced shaving gel and dyes. These are known allergens and could cause you to have a reaction or exacerbate existing skin conditions. If you have your heart set on fragranced shaving gel, despite our advice, opt for a shaving gel that uses natural essential oils and never synthetic fragrances.
Do you have limited access to water?
If you come from a large family and share one bathroom, sometimes, it feels like an impossible task to use the bathroom for as long as you need to for a shave, and more importantly, use it when you need to. With oil-based shaving gel, you only need to fill a bowl with water so you can shake off the hair from the razor as you shave.
The oil itself acts as lubrication without foaming up. Many oils are very moisturizing and will leave your face feeling ultra-smooth. You can also use oil-based shaving gel on your legs and elsewhere, but it is a product that is predominantly aimed for use on the face.
Clear-formula shaving gel
If you have cuts, tattoos, or any kind of skin flare-ups you want to avoid when shaving, a clear-formula shaving gel will help you effectively avoid certain areas more efficiently than a non-clear foaming gel.
Super-cooling
If you love that tingly fresh feeling you get after using some shaving gels, opt for a super-cooling shaving gel.
Razor burn
If you often suffer from razor burn, opt for shaving gel with antibacterial properties to reduce the chances of getting it again.
Non-rusting containers
Non-rusting containers don’t stain when you leave them on wet bathroom surfaces. You can buy these in metal cans like traditional shaving gel canisters or buy a container with a plastic bottom half for the same effect.
Extra features
There are a couple of extra features that are worth mentioning. Some products possess lock caps to prevent the shaving gel from oozing out of the container after use. Another feature we liked was the gauge on the side of the shaving gel container so you can see how much shaving gel you have left.
Ingredients to avoid
Methylisothiazolinone is a popular preservative that can cause allergic reactions. Studies also suggest that methylisothiazolinone is likely to be neurotoxic.
Triethanolamine (TEA) is an alkaline substance used as a surfactant (an agent used to spread detergent and lotions evenly) and a pH adjusting chemical. It’s a known respiratory and immune toxicant and allergen.
Isobutane is a hydrocarbon gas used as a propellant in aerosolized products. It has long been known that it is an immune toxicant, respiratory toxicant, and an allergen.
Parabens are preservatives used to extend the shelf life of shave gels. Parabens can act as hormone system disruptors by mimicking estrogen.
According to data from an FDA study, retinyl palmitate may speed up the development of lesions and skin tumors when applied to the skin in sunlight.
Synthetic fragrances are typically a secret formula that companies are not required to disclose to the public and may contain as many as 4,000 different ingredients. However, it can still be listed on a label just once as a “fragrance.”
Recommended by dermatologists
Whatever your skin type, you should use a shaving gel recommended by dermatologists - a general rule of thumb for any product you apply to your skin.
Shaving gel price range
Shaving gel varies in price from around $2 up to $70 if you buy in bulk. The price is usually dictated by brand, ingredients, and any unique properties.
FAQ
Does shaving gel “go off”?
Shaving gel does have a date you should use it by. Once you have opened the product, it can last usually last up to one year before you need to replace it. If your shaving gel separates, changes color, or smells weird, it has expired.
How long does a bottle of shaving gel last?
A bottle of shaving gel should last about three months if you shave your face every day.