# Cremo Original vs Sensitive Skin Shave Cream

**Question answered:** Should I choose Cremo Original Shave Cream or Sensitive Skin Shave Cream?

**Short answer:** Choose Cremo Sensitive Skin Shave Cream if you want the same concentrated, non-foaming format without synthetic fragrance, and essential oils such as chamomile and lavender don't bother you. Choose Cremo Original Shave Cream if you like a subtle citrus scent and don't react to fragrance. Neither is fragrance free, so if you react to any scent, check the full list first.

By Nora Ellison. Published 2026-10-28. Data is taken from manufacturer labels; the products have not been tested.

## What this means for you

### Start with what you notice

Both are the same kind of concentrated shave cream: a thin, slick layer, no lather. The real difference is how each one is scented.

### The ingredient names, translated

The Original lists fragrance, the catch-all term for a scent blend. The Sensitive version lists no fragrance but includes Roman and German chamomile, lavender, helichrysum and geranium oils. Essential oils are natural scents and can still irritate some people. 'No synthetic fragrance' isn't the same as fragrance free.

### How to decide

- Prefer to avoid added fragrance and fine with essential oils? Sensitive Skin Shave Cream.
- Like a citrus scent and have no reactions? Original Shave Cream.
- React to any scent, natural or not? Neither is a clean match; look for an unscented shave product.

### What to expect

Shave comfort depends heavily on technique: soften the hair, use a sharp blade and shave with the grain. A shave cream helps glide but won't prevent all razor bumps. We haven't tested either product.

General guidance, not a test of these products: [AAD: how to shave](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/hair/how-to-shave); [FDA: fragrances in cosmetics](https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/fragrances-cosmetics). Each product's label source is linked on its product page.

## Same format, different scent

[Cremo Original Shave Cream](product:cremo-original-shave-cream) is the brand's flagship concentrated shave cream. It lists fragrance, [macadamia seed oil](/ingredients/macadamia-ternifolia-seed-oil/), [allantoin](/ingredients/allantoin/), aloe leaf juice and calendula, lemon, papaya and olive leaf extracts. Cremo describes the scent as subtle citrus.

[Cremo Sensitive Skin Shave Cream](product:cremo-sensitive-skin-shave-cream) uses the same concentrated base without listed fragrance. It adds rice bran and sunflower extracts, tocopherol and an essential oil blend: Roman and German chamomile, [lavender](/ingredients/lavender/), helichrysum and geranium oils.

> **Skin Realist check:** "sensitive" on a label is a marketing lane, not a guarantee. Your skin gets the final vote.

## Label differences worth knowing

Only the Original lists fragrance; only the Sensitive version lists essential oils. For more, see our [shave cream guide for sensitive skin](/articles/best-shave-cream-for-sensitive-skin/), [razor bumps guide](/articles/razor-bumps-ingrown-hairs/) and our [Jack Black vs Cremo comparison](/comparisons/jack-black-supreme-cream-vs-cremo-original/).

## Manufacturer sources

- [Cremo Original Shave Cream](https://cremocompany.com/products/original-shave-cream)
- [Cremo Sensitive Skin Shave Cream](https://cremocompany.com/products/sensitive-skin-shave-cream)

Sources and label-check dates are recorded on the product pages.

| Product | Key ingredients | Skin types | Fragrance | Flagged ingredients | Size | Source | Buy |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Cremo Sensitive Skin Shave Cream](https://dermalguide.com/products/cremo-sensitive-skin-shave-cream/) | Aloe, macadamia oil, allantoin, rice bran, sunflower extract, essential oils | sensitive | Scent ingredients flagged | Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil | Brand doesn't list it | [Manufacturer label](https://cremocompany.com/products/sensitive-skin-shave-cream), checked 2026-10-23 | [Amazon (affiliate)](https://link.amazon/B0e9O7sOb) |
| [Cremo Original Shave Cream](https://dermalguide.com/products/cremo-original-shave-cream/) | Brand doesn't name one | Brand doesn't say | Scent ingredients flagged | Fragrance, Fragrance (Parfum) | Brand doesn't list it | [Manufacturer label](https://cremocompany.com/products/original-shave-cream), checked 2026-10-23 | [Amazon (affiliate)](https://link.amazon/B0heYMqLl) |

## Which to choose

Consider Cremo Sensitive Skin Shave Cream when: You want no synthetic fragrance and are fine with essential oils; You want rice bran and sunflower extracts with the same slick format.

Consider Cremo Original Shave Cream when: You like a subtle citrus scent; Fragrance doesn't irritate your skin.


## Questions

### Is the Sensitive Skin cream fragrance free?

No. Cremo says it has no synthetic fragrance, but it lists Roman and German chamomile, lavender, helichrysum and geranium oils.

### Do they use the same amount?

Yes. Cremo says an almond-sized amount spread over wet skin is enough for either; neither needs to lather.

### What do they share?

Both start with water, sodium cocoyl isethionate, palmitic and stearic acids and cetearyl alcohol, and both list macadamia seed oil, aloe leaf juice and allantoin.