How Do I Choose the Best Shaving Gel?

There are a wide variety of shaving gels on the market. There are gels for men's faces and women's legs, among others. Choosing the best shaving gel depends on the type of skin to be shaved, the frequency of shaving and personal preference about scents and moisturizers. The best gel will allow for a very clean, close shave while also leaving the skin feeling refreshed.

One of the first things to determine when trying to choose the best shaving gel is whether it needs any special properties up front. There is such a variety of gels available that one exists for nearly every situation. There are special gels designed for hair that is particularly thick; they have extra ingredients in them to help soften the hair as much as possible. Another type of gel provides extra lubrication for skin that is irregular.

An important decision to make about a shaving gel involves the type of scent that is desired. Some gels have no scent other than the base ingredients, but there also are gels that are heavily perfumed. Such gels have a powerful scent that can stay on the skin for hours afterward. The variety of scents available in shaving gels is almost as diverse as the types of gels, with scents ranging from herbal aromatherapy to popular colognes and perfumes.

The presence or lack of moisturizers in a shaving gel also can help a person find the best one. Moisturizers in the gel can soften the hairs in the area to be shaved and leave the skin in the area feeling supple. Not everyone likes moisturizers, though. Even common ones such as aloe can cause problems for people with sensitive skin. They also can leave behind unexpected odors.

People with sensitive skin can have a particularly hard time finding the best shaving gel. Sensitive skin lacks some of the protective elements that other types of skin have. This means a gel that will not cause irritation or razor burn also will have to be free from fragrances and, sometimes, moisturizers. There are other ingredients that also should be avoided, such as alcohol, sorbic acid and benzoic acid.

The last consideration when choosing the best shaving gel has to do with the packaging and the environment. Some brands of shaving gel actually go to great lengths to be environmentally friendly. They use recycled cans and fair-trade ingredients. These same brands also might be completely organic, offering a gel that does not use some of the standard chemicals found in other commercial products.