What Do You Use to Shave?
Here, I’ll go first: I use simple bar soap from Leap Organics, coconut oil, Soapwalla body oil, or whatever is left on my hands after I apply conditioner. We are of the mind that for girls shaving their legs especially—guys, we get that you might not want to put conditioner on your mugs—shaving cream is one of many things you think you need to buy, but don’t.
When I have bothered to buy an actual product, I’ve tried Weleda’s in the past, and loved it, and just called in some oil from Portland General Store, which our trusty boy tester will try for us soon.
For a refresher on why traditional shaving cream is among the worst products you could be subjecting your skin to, let’s revisit this post we wrote, about the six dangerous products men use every day. About shaving cream…
Besides the propellants and butane in many shaving creams, there is also diazolidinyl urea, which is a formaldehyde releaser, triethanolamine, which is often contaminated with carcinogenic nitrosamines, parabens, which are weak estrogen mimickers, and synthetic fragrance.
Instead, we recommend using organic oils, such as olive or coconut, if you can get past the whole oil-on-face thing. For a store-bought option, try Dr. Bronner’s Organic Shave Gel, which is 100 percent free of synthetics. If you break out, get the one with tea tree oil. Weleda also has a nice one.
Okydoke. Your turn! What do you use to shave your face, legs, nethers, pits, what have you?
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I use an electric razor – without batteries – corded model that plugs into the wall. or into a rechargeable solar battery (see below) The energy used to power the razor is less than that required to heat water which I would need to shave with my double-edged safety razor at the sink.
I use Hugo Naturals baby powder (talc-free) to make my whiskers stand up better for the electric razor which reduces the amount of time required to shave.
I also have a rechargeable solar battery I can plug the razor into when traveling rather than using an electric razor which has a toxic battery in it.
I use sweet almond oil, and I make my own sugar “wax” out of sugar and lemon juice for waxing.
@Mae. Thanks for the tip about hemp. I have never used other hemp products, so I’m not sure whether that is the cause, but I will look into it! The strange thing is that I am not allergic on the legs or underarms (thus, it’s okay for me to use for shaving), but get the rash on my chest and stomach. Weird.
P.S. I have also used coconut oil for shaving. While it worked fairly well, it did clog the razor.
I have started with clean products and dont buy alot being celiac well alot things werent working and the chemicals in products beside gluten wasnt helping. I use dr.bonners bar soap to shave with. its great you dont have to use shaving cream.. Coconut or any organic oil is great.. I know I can eat it and its safe for my skin. I dont worry about if stuff gets in my eyes or anywhere now. Nothing stings since its all clean. its just hard to buy stuff not in plastic and I am trying to cut down on buying that.. the lady with the electric shaver.. I am interested in where you bought that.
thanks,
Connie Curtis
three words…Laser hair removal. But until that is complete I use Dr. Bronners Mint and I love it.
I have always shaved using some sort of cheap shaving cream, which was more to prevent me from rampant razor burn than anything else. I never questioned what it was doing to my skin or what was in. After reading several articles around this site, it occurred to me that I had an oil face wash hanging around in the bathroom which I no longer use but is still quite full.
Today, I used it to shave my legs. WHAT a difference. My legs have NEVER been so soft and my skin is plump and happy and not at all dry. The razor does get clogged, but it’s nothing a little dawn and q-tip can’t handle.
(I also started using the oil on my face again. It is not hard to get by if you rub it off with a warm wash cloth.)
I use Kiss My Face Fragrance-Free Moisture Shave and a Gillette Venus Sensitive Skin Disposable Womens Razor to shave my legs. I use Dudu Osun Black Soap and the aformentioned razor to shave my armpits.