Shave Cream vs Shave Gel vs Shaving Foam: Which Gives You the Smoothest Shave?

Shaving well is something that’s worth getting right!

And while dragging a blade against your face is never going to be fun, the right shaving product can go a long way to ensuring you have a smooth, close, comfortable shave.

There’s no end of different shaving solutions out there working towards this goal.

But they’re far from equal!

Here we break down the options so you can decide what works best for you. Followed by 4 key shaving tips for the perfect shave.

Be kind to your skin and choose the product that’ll give your face the shave you deserve!

The perfect shave should leave your skin smooth, comfortable and in great condition.

And to achieve this, the perfect shaving product should:

• Protect your skin - especially sensitive areas like your neck
• Soften your beard - making it easier to cut
• Lubricate - so the blade glides easily to deliver a close shave
• Keep your face and neck free of any redness and razor burn
• And leave your skin nourished and hydrated

Ideally it should be easy and quick to use as well.

With all that in mind, how do the options stack up? ...

You need a shaving product that creates a protective barrier between your face and the blade - lubricating your skin to ensure a clean, smooth and irritation-free shave. As well as preventing ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

For that you need either a shaving gel or a shave cream.

Let’s explore…

Shaving foam in an aerosol can has been around since the 1950’s. It’s probably the product you dad (and grandad) used for shaving.

Shaving foam is one of the worse things to use! 

There are much better products available now.

Traditional shaving foams are packed with air, so they form a soft cushion of foam in your hand - but don’t protect or lubricate your face. When shaving, these air bubbles disappear as soon as the blade touches them - leaving your skin unprotected.

And in order to get the foam out of the can, shaving foams contain a bunch of gases and chemical foaming agents (or surfactants), which are not good for your skin at all.

These surfactants make it difficult for moisturising agents to penetrate your skin. So your face feels dry and is more prone to irritation. And regular moisture loss caused by exposure to surfactants leads to premature skin ageing. 

Most shaving gels have a clear formulation, so you can see where you’re shaving. This allows you to shave with more precision, especially important along beard lines.

Making it the ideal choice if you need to create a “chiseled” beard style.

And like shave cream, gels form a protective barrier.
But unlike a shave cream, a shave gel won't condition your skin, or keep your skin moisturized.

Shave cream is the more luxurious option.

Shave cream differs from shaving gel in that it not only softens the hair, but also conditions the skin in a way that shaving gel will not.

Shave cream is thicker than gel and typically contains better, more moisturizing ingredients – making it the best shaving option if you have sensitive skin.

So shave cream reduces irritation and razor burn – and leaves your skin in perfect condition.

Our Protective Shave Cream, of course!

And here's why:

It has all the nourishing, protective benefits of a cream. And with the transparency of a gel.

So it conditions your skin – and lets you shave with precision.

Protective Shave Cream is glycerin-based so it ensures maximum protection, lubrication and hydration throughout your entire shave – even on sensitive areas like the neck - and even after three or four passes.

You deserve to know what you're putting on your skin.

Protective Shave Cream is enriched with luxury ingredients. No superfluous formulas. No unnecessary chemicals.

•  Shea Butter– to nourish and protect your face, and help restore suppleness
•  Glycerin– to improve your skin’s hydration level, protect and help regenerate the natural barrier function of your skin
• Apricot Stone Oil– to soften your beard for easier shaving, and prepare your skin for a perfect shave
• Aloe Vera and Allantoin – to soften and soothe your skin, and promote skin regeneration
• Tea Tree Oil – to purify and reduce any irritation during your shave

4 key shaving tips for the perfect shave.

#1: PREP YOUR SKIN 

• Open your pores first– try to shave after your shower. The hot and humid atmosphere will open up your pores and leave your skin nice and relaxed. Alternatively apply a hot towel to your beard area first, like a professional barber would.
• Massage in Protective Shave Cream. This creates a nourishing barrier between your skin and the blade, softening your beard so that the razor will cut on the first pass.
  The shave cream protects your skin from razor burn. And provides lubrication for the shaving process itself, helping to maintain your skin's hydration level and avoid irritation.

So now with…

• your pores relaxed and open
• your skin nourished and protected
• and the hairs standing up

your razor will glide easily over your face – with no irritation.

#2: CHOOSE YOUR RAZOR CAREFULLY 

Stop using multi-blade razors.

They cut too effectively and cut the hairs below the surface of the skin. As the hair grows back there’s more chance it will curl back on itself because the tip of the hairs can’t break through the surface. This is what causes ingrown hairs.

Use a traditional single blade razor instead.

A single blade will cut the hair level with your skin’s surface – and not below it. So the hair can grow back normally.

Change the blade regularly to make sure it’s always super sharp.

#3: SHAVE DIRECTION

Always shave WITH the grain.

Shaving against the grain not only aggravates your skin causing irritation, it also distorts the hair follicles making irritation and ingrown hairs more likely.

#4: MOISTURIZE AFTERWARDS

It can take up to 48 hours for your freshly shaved face to fully heal. Keeping your skin well hydrated during that time is the best defence against irritation and dryness.

In fact, do NOT use an astringent toner or alcohol based aftershave. Not only will these really sting - they’ll also make your skin feel unbearably dry and contribute to dead skin cells clogging your pores!

While most creams will immediately hydrate your skin, you can up the ante by using a moisturizer that will soothe, relieve and repair your post-shave skin at the same time.

In fact, to nourish and repair your skin after shaving, our Hydrating Daily Moisturizer is the best moisturizer for men out there!

Why is it better to shave with shave cream or shaving gel?

Shaving can completely dry out your skin. Making it look dull and flaky - and leading to redness, irritation, razor burn and ingrown hairs!

A good shave cream or shaving gel stops this.

It acts as a lubricating, protective barrier between your skin and the razor blade. And keeps your skin smooth, nourished and hydrated.

Is shave cream good for your skin?

Yes.

A good shave cream will contain moisturizing ingredients to condition your skin. Ingredients like glycerin, shea butter and aloe vera hydrate your skin – softening, soothing and promoting skin regeneration.

The right shaving product is essential to ensuring you have a smooth, close, pain-free shave.

We break down the options so you can decide what works best for you.

❌   The old style shaving foams in an aerosol are the worse thing to use for shaving! Drying out your skin and exposing it to harmful surfactants.

So be kind to your skin and choose a product that’ll give your face the shave you deserve!

✅   A good shave cream or shave gel will leave your skin smooth, comfortable and in great condition.

But the best option…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ OTIS Protective Shave Cream. It combines the benefits of both a shave cream and a shaving gel. With all the nourishing, protective benefits of a cream. And the transparency of a gel. So it conditions your skin – and lets you shave with precision.