Smoother, Softer Legs! The 3 Must-Have Shave Products of Summer

Unless you’re of the throwback ilk who doesn’t do hair removal (commune chic!), shaving one’s legs is a non-negotiable especially in the summer. When we’re all in miniskirts, teeny rompers, bikinis, micro-shorts, the slightest hint of leg fuzz could throw off the entire experience. The shocker? So many of us are still shaving with soap, shower gel, even hair conditioner—whatever’s within reach in the shower! And the harsh truth is that hard soaps, lathers, and sulfates can dry out your skin, leaving it rough and scaly (i.e., wide-open to nicks, bumps, and irritation). For the most silky-smooth, supple finish, I always use a product formulated specifically for shaving. Here, I’ve rounded up my three favorite shave products, each chock full of fabulous, skin-pampering goodness.

Oil

Somerset Original No. 1 Shave Oil | $6.99

I love making mundane rituals an experience. Which is exactly what shaving with this Euro-decadent essential oil blend is like. Spiked with tea tree, French lavender, and evening primrose oils, this luxe serum lubricates skin gorgeously, prepping it for a super-smooth shave (plus, it soothes with cooling menthol). Also, a little goes a long way—so it lasts forever!

Cream

Shaveworks Pearl Soufflé Luxurious Shave Cream | $22

A rich, ultra-moisturizing cream that’s also the perfect blend of natural and high tech. It has soothing, nourishing botanicals like vanilla and ginger—plus bump-blasting glycolic acid and hair growth-inhibiting capsilow. I adore it on legs, but it’s also just the thing for the bikini area and underarms.

Gel

Aveeno Active Naturals Therapeutic Shave Gel | $4.79

If you have sensitive, easily irritated skin—you know, the kind that breaks out if you breathe on it wrong—a gentle, fragrance-free gel is ideal. Blended with skin-calming colloidal oatmeal, Aveeno’s version is designed for hectic, razor bump-prone skin. Lightweight, but luxurious.

Tia Williams has been a beauty editor for 15 years, at publications like Elle, Glamour, Lucky, and Essence.com. Back in 2005, Tia created one of the first beauty blogs, Shake Your Beauty, where she wove her love of products through hilarious vignettes from her life as a beauty expert and mom living in Brooklyn. She’s also written several books, including the best-selling novel The Accidental Diva and supermodel Iman’s The Beauty of Color. Follow Tia on Twitter @shakeyourbeauty.