7 Best Eco-Friendly Zero Waste Shaving Cream Picks
As a society, we are particular about our appearance. Most of us shave in one form or another as part of our daily routines, welcoming the feeling of smooth and moist faces, legs, and underarms. However, shaving products and materials can cause damage to our skin and the environment due to their chemical ingredients and widely accepted single-use packaging. Thankfully many zero-waste shaving creams use organic materials to lubricate our shaves and shun the sins of polluting packaging, tubes, and aerosols.
Keep reading to discover some of the best zero-waste shaving creams you can purchase today.
Problem With Regular Shaving Cream
Some of the regular shaving creams in supermarket aisles contain artificial lubricants that can cause the skin to become more alkaline and, in turn, drier while advancing aging. Mineral oils are also part of the ingredients used to make shaving creams and can clog your pores and cause skin irritation, especially for sensitive skin types.
Furthermore, you’ll often find ingredients such as parabens, BHT, and BHA used to make traditional shaving creams that can cause acne and other skin problems.
Additionally, most shaving creams come in aerosol cans harmful to your health and the environment. Each spray can release neurotoxins and carcinogens detrimental to human and pet health. A recent study found that aerosols submit more nasties into the atmosphere in the UK than all of the country's vehicles.
And were those not enough reasons to convince you of the ills of your traditional shaving cream? Manufacturers also often add fragrances to shave cream, but there is something you don’t know about fragrances. No one knows the composition of the perfumes added to these products. However, we know they are one of the causes of skin irritations.
There isn’t enough emphasis on the harm perpetrated by regular shaving products sealed in aerosol cans. Shaving your body air doesn’t have to destroy your health and the environment. That is why you should get acquainted with zero-waste shaving essentials comprising ditching the plastic-handled disposable razor in favor of a reusable zero-waste razor option or safety razor.
In our routines, we can all include zero-waste shaving soap and shaving cream from natural ingredients. They are beneficial to our skin, and they do not cause damage to the environment.
Ingredients To Look Out For In Zero Waste Shaving Cream
The ingredients in regular shaving creams are supposed to help you achieve a flawless shaving experience, helping you maintain healthy, moisturized skin. However, they can cause skin irritations, acne, dry skin, and so on. On the other hand, zero-waste shaving cream contains organic ingredients that are gentle on the skin. A zero-waste shave soap or cream guarantees a smooth shave and aids a pollution-free environment.
Some organic ingredients used to make organic shaving creams include essential oils. These oils include coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and other oils that benefit your skin. Other organic ingredients include aloe vera, shea butter, glycerin, and various proteins and antioxidants. Here are some of the benefits of the organic ingredients mentioned above;
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is popularly known for its cooling effects. Dermatologists approve using aloe vera for the skin to help soothe skin irritation and inflammation. Shaving creams that use aloe vera as an active ingredient offer a soothing impact for after-shave redness and help prevent razor burn, perfect for your zero-waste shaving routine.
Shea butter
Similar to aloe vera, shea butter also has anti-inflammatory properties. It is a good skin moisturizer and can help soothe cuts and burns. It also has a good amount of natural vitamins and fatty acids.
Essential oils
Oils are essential organic ingredients used to make an organic shave. There are different types of organic oils used to produce organic shaving cream.
Olive oil acts as a cleansing and emulsifying agent. It is also a moisturizer, forming a protective barrier on the skin.
Organic coconut oil also hydrates the skin and soothes skin redness caused by irritation. It contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that improve the condition of the skin. Castor oil is rich in fatty acids and is a good skin moisturizer. It improves the skin texture without clogging the pores.
Jojoba oil is also a moisturizer perfect for the skin. It also has antibacterial properties like other types of oils used in zero-waste shaving creams. With all these oils used to make organic shave soap and creams, you will have no worries about dry skin or chafing.
Glycerin
Glycerin is from vegetable oils and animal fat. It helps the skin to hold moisture. It also increases the skin’s hydration levels and prevents skin dryness. It also makes the skin soft and smooth. However, if you’re vegan, check the label to avoid animal-based glycerin.
You should remember these ingredients whenever you want to shop for zero-waste shaving cream. They soothe and protect your skin while also protecting the environment.
Read more: 28 Natural Skin Care Ingredients
7 Best Zero Waste Shaving Creams
Are you searching for the best zero-waste shaving cream to protect your face and the ecosystem? Here’s a list of some of the best zero-waste shaving cream options.
Quick links to our best zero-waste shave cream recommendations:
1. Ethique “Tip to Toe” Solid Shampoo Bar and Shaving Bar
Features: cruelty-free, zero-waste, gluten-free, vegan-friendly, no artificial fragrances, pH balanced
Ethique’s multitask soap bar serves as a shaving bar and shampoo. It contains cocoa butter, kaolin clay, and glycerin. It also includes orange, mint, and lime oils, accounting for its citrusy and minty scent. These natural ingredients give it a rich lather for a perfectly smooth shave.
To top it off, it comes in recyclable packaging- encouraging a safer environment. Also, a bar of Ethique Solid Shampoo and Shaving Bar is equivalent to 3 bottles of shampoo. It lasts long, and you'll get your money's worth.
2. RightSoap Shaving Bar for Men and Women
Features: cruelty-free, plant-derived ingredients, vegan, paraben-free, TSA-friendly, unscented
The RightSoap zero waste shave bar for Women is a mixture of red and white clay- French Pink Clay. It is excellent on sensitive, normal, and dry skin. It contains natural ingredients like butter, essential oils, and herbs.
RightSoap Shaving Bar for Men contains bentonite clay. Bentonite clay is a beneficial ingredient that helps reduce razor cuts, bumps, and itchy skin. Just like the one for women, it is suitable for all skin types. Apart from Bentonite Clay, Olive, Castor, and Coconut Oils are in the shaving bar. This organic shaving soap bar moisturizes your skin as needed.
3. The Barber Tea Tree and Thyme Shaving Soap
Features: Natural ingredients, paraben-free, no animal testing, recyclable packaging
Barber shaving soap is an antiseptic shaving soap that helps relieve pain and reduce infections. It contains organic ingredients like beeswax, tea tree, white thyme, and coconut oil.
4. Taylor of Old Bond Street- Sandalwood Shaving Soap
Features: natural materials, paraben-free, preservative-free, plastic-free
This shave soap is perfect for people with sensitive skin. Amazon reviews prove that it is an organic shave that does not harm your skin during shaving routines, and you’ll smell good as it's discretely scented with essential oils. It comes in a wooden bowl you can refill for zero waste cred.
A luxurious lather that leaves your skin feeling fresh and silky. According to its return policy, you can get a refund within 30 days, which is a plus.
5. Lusitania Soaps
Features: paraben & sulfate-free, synthetic fragrance-free, cruelty-free, no artificial colors, recyclable packaging
Lusitania Soaps is a shaving soap with loads of natural ingredients that are great for your skin. It contains an assortment of oils like Moroccan Argan Oil, Olive, Castor, Coconut, and Avocado Oils. It is also rich in essential oils like Pine, Patchouli, and Nutmeg Essential Oil.
It also contains other natural ingredients like Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Soy Wax, and Glycerin. These ingredients give your skin a silky finish after shaving. The brand is also zero-waste conscious as the shaving soap packaging is in a recyclable metal container.
6. Home Brewed Soaps
Features: cruelty-free, vegan, plastic-free, organic materials, natural fragrance
Home Brewed Soap is a zero-waste shaving soap filled with green clay for a creamy and silky lather. This zero-waste shaving soap contains organic materials like Green Tea, Cocoa Butter, Green Clay, and Lavender. It also has an abundance of oils that enhance the softness of your skin.
It also has a variety of natural oils like Olive, Coconut, Castor, Rosemary, and Avocado oil. It is one of the best organic shaving soaps. Home brewed soap will leave your skin moisturized after a close shave and smelling like lavender.
7. Everybody Beauty Shave Bar
Features: Natural ingredients, plastic-free, vegan, palm oil-free, cruelty-free
It is an eco-friendly shaving soap that guarantees you a smooth close shave. Its floral scent is from Lavender and Fir Needle Essential oil. It has a base of olive oil that gives it a creamy texture. Coconut oil accounts for its lathering and cleansing properties. Also, the shea butter added makes it an excellent moisturizer for your skin.
It also has organic ingredients like Hemp oil, Castor oil, and Bentonite Clay. These ingredients make your shaving routines safe for your skin and the environment. Everybody Beauty Shave Bar is a bit over 5 oz, allowing it to last much longer than your average shaving foam. It also lacks artificial fragrance oils that are harmful to your overall health. Every Body Beauty is a brand that values the safety of your skin and the environment.
Other zero-waste shaving options
There are other zero-waste shaving options. Shaving creams are not the only shaving products we use to remove body hair. We also use shaving sticks, razor blades, shaving soaps, and brushes. It is better to use plastic-free shaving sticks and razor blades to keep the environment safe from pollution.
Most disposable shaving sticks are plastics. And they take about 1000 years to decompose and decay. There are billions of disposable shaving sticks dumped in the environment every year, contributing to the decline of climate conditions.
Using zero-waste shaving products is a step in reducing the amount of pollution that occurs around us. Instead of buying plastic shaving sticks, choose ones with steel components. You can always switch the razor blades and recycle them.
You can also experiment with homemade shaving cream blending soothing aloe vera gel, castile soap, and essential oils. With a quick online search, you'll find easy-to-follow recipes to give this a go.
Conclusion
A low wast shaving routine does wonder for the health of your skin. The natural ingredients in eco-friendly shaving cream keep your skin healthy and also saves you from experiencing skin irritation, redness, and razor burns.
Apart from these, natural shaving cream reduces the amount of plastic and toxic chemicals in the environment. The best part is that our list works for all skin types. So, go through our list above and choose your desired zero-waste shaving cream.
Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
