Davines Softening Shaving Gel
A gel-to-foam Davines shaving formula enriched with Alkekengi extract that softens skin, calms redness, and delivers a fast, close, and comfortable shave.
The Moda Team Review: Shaving That Actually Feels Good on Skin
Most shaving products are an afterthought — they exist to create enough slip to get the blade across the skin and that is about it. The Davines Softening Shaving Gel is built around a different idea. The gel-to-foam formula activates when worked into the skin with your hands, creating a rich lather that softens the beard hair and protects skin throughout the shave — not just at the start. For clients who deal with post-shave redness, sensitivity, or that tight uncomfortable feeling an hour later, this is consistently the product that changes how the shave feels.
We like the gel-to-foam format because you control the lather — dispense onto your palms, distribute across a damp face in circular movements, and it builds exactly where you need it. Paired with the Pre-Shaving Beard Oil before and the After Shave Cream after, this is the middle step in a complete Pasta & Love shave routine that genuinely delivers barbershop-quality results at home.
Key Active Ingredient
Organic Cutleaf Groundcherry (Alkekengi) Extract with Gentle Surfactants — Alkekengi extract is the soothing hero across the entire Pasta & Love line. In the Softening Shaving Gel it works to calm the skin and reduce redness during the shave, while the gentle surfactant base creates a rich foam that softens beard hair without stripping the skin barrier. The formula is 85.8% from natural origin and dermatologically tested.
Moda Pro Tip
Dispense onto dry palms first, then apply to a damp face in circular movements — this is how Davines designed it to be used and it builds the foam most effectively. Do not apply directly to wet skin or you will lose control of the lather before it has a chance to work into the hair.
How To Use
- Start with clean, damp skin — ideally after a warm shower or face wash to open the follicles.
- For best results, apply Davines Pre-Shaving & Beard Oil first and allow it to absorb for 1–2 minutes.
- Dispense gel onto palms and distribute the foam on the damp face and neck in an even layer using circular movements.
- Shave as normal, rinsing the blade regularly for a cleaner pass.
- Rinse thoroughly and follow with Davines After Shave & Moisturizing Cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Davines Softening Shaving Gel a clear gel or a foam?
It is a gel-to-foam formula — it starts as a gel and activates into a rich foam when worked into the skin with your hands. This gives you control over application that aerosol foams do not, while still delivering a full lather for a comfortable shave.
What does the Alkekengi extract do in this formula?
Alkekengi (organic Cutleaf Groundcherry) extract is Davines' signature soothing ingredient across the Pasta & Love range. In the shaving gel it calms the skin and reduces redness during and after the shave, making it particularly effective for sensitive or reactive skin types.
Is this suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. The formula is built with gentle surfactants and dermatologically tested. The Alkekengi extract specifically works to calm skin irritation, which is why we recommend it to clients who experience redness or razor burn with standard shaving products.
Do I need to use the Pre-Shaving Oil with it?
You can use it on its own. But Davines designed the routine as oil first, gel second — and the results are noticeably better when you follow that sequence. The oil softens the hair before the foam goes on, so the blade glides through with less resistance.
Is this product sustainably packaged?
Yes. Pasta & Love bottles are partially made from recycled glass — 34% post-consumer and 24% industrial waste — and CO2 emissions from production are offset through the Davines EthioTrees reforestation project. Davines has been a certified B Corp since 2016.
