Best Vegan Shaving Gel for a Clean Shave

Shaving gel should leave your skin soft, smooth, and free of red bumps or ingrown hairs. Unfortunately, many commercial shaving gels and creams use synthetic fragrances, chemicals, and other additives that leave your skin less than caress-able. 

 

Vegan shaving gel is a worthwhile addition to your skincare routine because of the natural oils and botanical infusions. These mindful ingredients leave your skin with a smooth shave that doesn’t leave you with irritating red bumps. 

 

Gaze at your reflection in the mirror with a smile as you shave because these best vegan shaving gels are entirely cruelty-free

 

Whether you need the best vegan shaving gel for your face, underarms, legs, or unmentionables, these are the ideal options for a baby-smooth shave. 

Winner: Pacific Shaving Company Natural Shave Cream

Pacific Shaving Company, Natural Shave Cream, is hands-down the best vegan shaving gel.

This shaving cream uses plant-derived ingredients for a smooth shave without razor burn. 

Save your skin from redness, bumps, itching, and irritation with all-natural ingredients that are never tested on animals. 

Pacific Shaving Company’s Natural Shave Cream has a thick formula that lathers white. Like it says right on the label, a little goes a long way. This shaving cream smells great as it lubricates and moisturizes for an easy glide with each razor swipe. One 7 oz bottle has approximately 100 shaves. 

Review

The Pacific Shaving Company has an amazingly natural shave cream that hydrates and soothes your skin with aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and more. With these naturally soothing ingredients, it’s no surprise that this is the best shaving gel for sensitive skin.

They aren’t lying when saying that a little goes a long way. A small dollop spreads thickly and lathers into a creamy barrier between your skin and razor. You’ll be surprised by how little shaving cream you need to get a close shave that leaves your skin feeling hydrated and nourished. 

The smell is one of the best parts of the Pacific Shaving Company’s plant-based shaving cream. Citrus essential oils like orange, tangerine, grapefruit, and bergamot leave a light and clean-smelling scent that makes shaving something to look forward to. It’s a great way to wake up and awaken your senses if shaving is a morning ritual. 

Other noteworthy and cruelty-free ingredients are green and white tea extracts, calendula, lavender, chamomile, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, and Vitamin A. Calendula oil is beneficial for hydrating dry skin types or alleviating symptoms for those with eczema. 

The Pacific Shaving Company, Natural Shave Cream, is paraben and phthalate-free. In this plant-based shaving cream, you will find zero synthetic fragrances, palm oil, or alcohol. 

This vegan gel shaving cream is unisex with a design that is neither feminine nor masculine, so feel free to gift it to any and all of your vegan friends. 

Another feature of the shaving cream from Pacific Shaving Company worthy of mention is that the tube is TSA-compliant. Pack it with you on your next vacation and enjoy a smooth shave anywhere you go. 

The one downside to The Pacific Shaving Company’s Natural Shave Cream is that it doesn’t lather into a thick foamy cream as some other products do. The lather is light; however, some users found it clogged their razor. 

Specs 

  • Size: 7 oz
  • Scent: Citrus
  • Form: Cream 

Pros 

  • Paraben and phthalate-free
  • Cruelty-free 
  • No palm oil 
  • Made in the USA 
  • Alcohol-free
  • Long-lasting 

Cons 

  • The lather could be creamier.

Runner Up: Bulldog Men’s Skincare and Grooming Original Shave Gel

Bulldog Men’s Skincare and Grooming Original Shave Gel is a strong contender for the best vegan shaving gel for men.

The Bulldog Men’s vegan shave gel uses naturally-derived ingredients like aloe vera, camelina oil, and green tea to invigorate your skin and give a smooth glide for easy hair removal. 

Every tube of Bulldog Men’s vegan shave gel is certified cruelty-free and 100% vegan. Nourish your skin with natural ingredients. This shaving gel is body friendly and free of synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, parabens, sodium Laureth sulfate, and man-made chemicals. 

Review

The Bulldog Men’s clear shaving gel is an awesome addition to your shaving routine, especially if you sculpt your facial hair. The transparent gel is ideal for getting the most accurate shave.   

The formula features eight essential oils that smell awesome, lubricate your skin, and leave it feeling soft and hydrated. 

This aloe vera shaving gel goes on transparent and lathers clear. With Bulldog Men’s clear shaving gel, you won’t miss a spot and can sculpt fine lines with a close shave. 

If you have sensitive or dry skin, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and camelina oil in this natural shaving gel will help soothe, hydrate, and protect it. 

As soon as you pop the lid, you’ll delight in a patchouli-mint aroma that is pleasant and refreshing. Fortunately, the menthol content isn’t excessively high, so if you accidentally nick yourself, this shaving gel doesn’t sting like some other products. 

Another noteworthy feature about the Bulldog Men’s plant-based shaving gel is that the tube it comes in is 96% plant-derived. 

The downside of the Bulldog Men’s shaving gel is that the aloe vera makes the formula slightly sticky, which can be offputting for some users. Because it can be a bit sticky, use this vegan shave gel with a razor cartridge rather than a single knife razor for the best shave. 

Something to note is that many razor companies are not cruelty-free. While the ingredients in a razor may not have animal products, large razor companies often test on animals. 

Specs 

  • Size: 5.9 oz 
  • Scent: Patchouli and mint
  • Form: Gel 

Pros

  • Certified cruelty-free
  • No synthetic fragrances 
  • Paraben-free 
  • SLES-free
  • Free of artificial colors
  • Clear formula 
  • Made in the UK 

Cons

  • Slightly sticky 
  • Better for razor cartridges 

Alternative: MANSCAPED™ Crop Gel™ Clear Groin Shaving Gel

MANSCAPED™ Crop Gel™ Clear Groin Shaving Gel is another one of the highly recommended vegan shaving gels for men.

This shaving gel is explicitly designed for your nether regions and infused with essential oils and botanical extracts that nourish your skin while giving a clean shave. 

The Crop Gel features a signature scent from all-natural ingredients and no synthetic fragrances. The multi-glide formula means you can pass over the same spot multiple times without needing to reapply more shaving gel. 

Every tube of clear groin shaving gel by MANSCAPED™ is dermatologist tested, paraben-free, and 100% vegan. 

Review 

MANSCAPED™ Crop Gel™ clear shaving gel is the best vegan shaving gel for pesky hairs in places where the sun doesn’t shine. 

With a name like MANSCAPED™, this vegan shaving gel is advertised for men. However, this product is ideal for any gender. While it’s also specifically formulated for the groin, this shaving gel works great on all areas of the body

As soon as you apply this luxurious-feeling gel to your skin, the smell of citrus mixed with an earthy natural aroma greets your senses. Tea tree oil is one of the ingredients, so those with sensitive noses and a distaste for the smell of tea tree oil may find the fragrance overbearing. 

A noteworthy feature of this plant-based shaving cream is the clear formula that helps you see where you’re shaving. This shaving gel lathers nicely into a transparent foam that smells refreshing without being overbearing. 

This plant-based shaving gel boasts moisturizing and lubricating ingredients such jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, orchid flower extracts, and tea tree oil to help exfoliate your skin. All these ingredients together make your skin feel soft, smooth, and cleanly shaven. 

Another feature worthy of mention is the multi-glide formula. Even after going over the same spot several times, this shaving gel leaves no red bumps or irritations. Instead, the nutrients from grapeseed, coconut, and jojoba oils protect your skin from irritations while giving the lubrication needed for a smooth razor pass every swipe. 

The downside of the MANSCAPED™ Crop Gel™ shaving gel is that some razor configurations clog more quickly than with other shaving gels. 

Specs 

  • Size: 3.5 oz
  • Scent: MANSCAPED™ Signature Scent 
  • Form: Gel 

Pros 

  • Cruelty-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Clear formula 
  • No synthetic fragrances 
  • Multi-glide formula 
  • Specifically for the groin 

Cons

  • Clogs some razors 

Alternative: Ursa Major Natural Shave Cream

Ursa Major Natural Shave Cream is one of the best vegan shaving creams for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

This vegan and cruelty-free shaving cream nourishes your skin while lubricating it for an easy glide. 

Get a close and comfortable shave every time. Ursa Major shaving creams feature naturally-derived ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, willow bark, and birch sap that soothe and hydrate your skin. 

Every bottle of Ursa Major’s Natural Shave Cream is completely free of parabens, gluten, silicone, PEG, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and petrochemicals. All ingredients are vegan and 100% cruelty-free. 

Review

Nourish your skin naturally with Ursa Major’s vegan shaving cream. This plant-based shaving gel minimizes cuts, skin irritation, and ingrown hairs using botanical extracts. 

Ursa Major’s aloe vera shaving gel has a concentrated formula that doesn’t lather. Instead, it applies like a cream for a perfect glide with every razor stroke. A little goes a long way with this product, so feel free to use it on your entire body. 

The thick formula goes on smoothly and spreads easily to provide a cushion that protects your skin from razor burn. 

Feel good about putting Ursa Major’s vegan shaving gel on your skin; this natural product is free of harmful chemicals that cause red bumps and irritation. Every bottle is free of parabens, sulfates, and petrochemicals. Don’t worry about gluten sneaking into your food from your cosmetic products because this vegan shave gel is gluten-free. 

The scent is one of the best parts of this shaving gel. The moment you pop the lid, the aroma of ginger, grapefruit, vetiver, and bergamot permeates the air and transforms your bathroom into a spa. The smell of this shaving cream makes hair removal something you’ll look forward to. 

The packaging is clean-looking without being marketed to any particular gender. Men and women will enjoy using this product, so share this with a partner or friend and spread soft and touchable skin. 

The downside to Ursa Major’s shaving cream is that the ingredients list alcohol. Another vegan shaving gel might suit you better if you’re particularly sensitive to alcohol in cosmetics. Since this shaving gel doesn’t lather much, it is not meant to be used with a brush. 

Specs 

  • Size: 5.3 oz
  • Scent: Ginger, grapefruit, vetiver, and bergamot
  • Form: Cream

Pros 

  • Gluten-free
  • No synthetic fragrances 
  • Paraben, sulfate, and silicone-free
  • Cruelty-free
  • Long-lasting 

Cons

  • Contains alcohol 
  • Not meant to be used with a brush 

Alternative: Completely Bare Completely Smooth Moisturizing No-Bump Shave Gel, Two Pack

Completely Bare Completely Smooth Moisturizing No-Bump Shave Gel is the best vegan shaving gel for women.

This moisturizing shave gel reduces irritated skin, exfoliates, and creates a soft cushion between your razor and your skin. 

Completely Bare shave gel uses a dermatologist-tested hypoallergenic formula to reduce and prevent skin irritations like red bumps and ingrown hairs. This luxurious-feeling shaving gel uses natural and soothing ingredients like aloe vera, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, chamomile extract, and calendula oil to moisturize dry skin. 

Every tube of Completely Bare shave gel is PETA certified, cruelty-free, and vegan. The formula is paraben, retinyl palmitate, hydroquinone, and phthalate-free. 

Review 

Make shaving your legs and any other pesky body hair something to enjoy with Completely Bare’s vegan shaving gel. You’ll love that this comes as a two-pack since it works perfectly on all parts of the body. 

The design is feminine, and the floral extracts add a fragrant aroma that’s light yet refreshing.

This plant-based shaving gel has environmentally friendly exfoliating beads that dissolve when scrubbed into your skin. You’ll revel in how soft your skin feels after you exfoliate as you shave to remove dryness and blockages of the hair follicles

Completely Bare uses plants and floral extracts like aloe vera, chamomile, hydrating oils, and calendula flower to make shaving comfortable for even the most sensitive skin types.

This creamy shave gel lathers easily and goes on as an easily spreadable cream once water makes contact. The scent is natural and fresh, with notes of chamomile, floral extracts, and natural oils

This shaving gel uses no mineral oils, meaning it is reef-safe. If you want a smooth shave even in the thick of nature, this shaving gel ensures the environment around you won’t be harmed. 

You’ll be happy to know that using this shaving gel is completely cruelty-free. Completely Bare never tests on animals and uses only plant-derived ingredients for naturally nourished skin. 

One downside we found when using this product was that the eco-friendly exfoliating beads sometimes don’t dissolve when applying too much shaving gel. These can clog up your razor, making frequent rinsing more necessary. 

Specs 

  • Size: 6 oz (two-pack)
  • Scent: Completely Bare Signature Scent 
  • Form: Gel 

Pros 

  • PETA-certified vegan & cruelty-free
  • Eco-friendly exfoliating beads
  • Paraben and phthalate-free 
  • Hypoallergenic formula 
  • Made in the USA 
  • Reef-safe

Cons 

  • Exfoliating beads may clog up the razor. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn everything you need to know about the best vegan shaving gels with answers to all your top questions below. 

​​Is it better to shave with gel?

Yes, it is significantly better for your skin and hair growth to use shaving gel or shaving cream when shaving with a razor. 

 

Whether you choose shaving gel or cream is up to your preference. Still, both options help reduce skin irritations, inflammations, and pore blockages that lead to ingrown hairs. 

 

It’s better to shave with a gel because the ingredients and botanical infusions protect and hydrate your skin so that your hairless body is soft and touchable. 

Is shaving gel good for pubic hair?

Yes, shaving gel works for all parts of the body, including pubic hair. In fact, shaving gel adds an additional layer of protection between your razor blade and this sensitive area. The fewer nicks in this area, the better! 

 

Shaving gel also helps keep your skin hydrated and soft, reducing the chances of ingrown hairs. Let bikini season come because shaving gel will help keep your lower regions free of red bumps. 

What’s the difference between shaving cream and shaving gel?

The difference between shaving cream and shaving gel is all in the texture. Shaving creams are creamy, like whip cream out of a can. On the other hand, shaving gels have a gel-like look and texture. 

 

Once applied, shaving gels go on the skin like a hand cream. Shaving gels don’t get the same kind of lather that shaving cream does and typically should not be used with a brush. 

 

Both shaving gel and shaving cream offer hydration, protection, and lubrication. However, vegan shaving gel sits more securely on the skin, allowing the natural oils and botanical extracts to better seep into your dermis. The extra hydration makes using shaving gels slightly easier to work with for beginners since you may have to go over the same spot multiple times.

What is the purpose of shaving gel?

The purpose of shaving gel is to put a soft barrier between your sharp razor blade and skin. Just like you wouldn’t want to shave without using water to lubricate the blades, using shaving gel makes hair removal easier. 

 

The barrier that vegan shaving gel adds protects your skin from little cuts. At the same time, natural oils hydrate your skin to reduce irritation or redness further. 

 

When your skin is irritated, red bumps will form. Skin irritations from not using shaving gel eventually inflame and block the hair follicles, resulting in ingrown hairs. Therefore, the purpose of shaving gel is also to reduce irritations, bumps, and ingrown hairs. 

Is shaving gel normally vegan?

Shaving gel and shaving creams are generally not vegan or cruelly-free. Many commercial shaving products test their products on animals. Others use animal byproducts like animal-based glycerin, stearic acid, or others in manufacturing. 

 

When shaving gel is vegan, it uses no animal products or byproducts and does not test on animals. Instead, vegan products use only plant-based ingredients. For example, stearic acid can be derived from animal sources, but vegan products obtain stearic acid from plant sources like shea butter.

Are vegan shaving gels better?

Vegan shaving gels are better for your skin than commercial shaving creams and gels that use artificial chemicals and synthetic fragrances. These chemicals can indeed make the product have that creamy texture envied in shaving creams, but harsh chemicals leave your skin dry and irritated. 

 

Vegan shaving gels use natural ingredients that are compatible with the natural oils on your skin. Instead of drying out your skin, botanical extracts help to nourish and protect your skin from dryness and damage. 

 

What’s more? Vegan shaving gels are cruelty-free and do not test on animals. Since sculpting your bead requires looking yourself in the mirror each morning, adding skincare products that are good for your skin without harming any animals is an extra pick-me-up that you deserve!

Conclusion

Looking for the best vegan shaving gel that gets rid of red bumps, ingrown hairs, or skin irritations? These amazingly natural shaving gels and creams are the solutions!

 

Botanical extracts and hydrating plant-derived oils soothe your skin and add a layer of protection from the sharp edges of your razor blade. Instead of harsh chemicals and animal byproducts, vegan shave gel uses all-natural ingredients to give a comfortable and close shave that is entirely cruelty-free. 

 

Nourish your body and revel in the feeling of smooth skin on your face, underarms, legs, and unmentionables. Regardless of gender, these great-smelling vegan shaving gels are worthy of your attention. 

 

With natural fragrances, these natural shaving gels make hair removal less of a chore and more of a joy. Awaken your senses and enjoy the feeling of baby-soft skin by incorporating plant-based cosmetics like vegan shaving gel into your skincare routine. 

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Jason Hughes
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