Everyone seems to have talked about sustainable razors, but zero waste shaving cream often goes unnoticed. If you buy the type that comes in an aerosol can, it can technically be recycled (depending on where you live), but it still can create a lot of waste. Plus, a lot of conventional shaving cream is full of questionable ingredients we probably shouldn’t be washing down the drain. Other types of shaving cream come in plastic tubes that aren’t recycled and sit in landfill for hundreds of years. Here are 10 zero waste shaving cream options to choose from.
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10 Best Zero Waste Shaving Cream Options
What is the most environmentally friendly way to shave?
The honest answer to this is probably – don’t! If you’re the kind of person who feels comfortable enough not to shave, you don’t have to, and this is the best way to produce no shaving related waste.
However, it is almost summer, and I know that many people feel more comfortable in shorts and a tank top if they have shaved first. So, for those that do prefer it, the most environmentally-friendly way to shave would be to use a reusable razor rather than a disposable one and find one where the heads can be easily replaced and recycled. Then, find yourself an eco-friendly alternative to conventional shaving cream, and you’ll be good to go!
What can I use in place of shaving cream?
Shaving without shaving cream means you’re more likely to accidentally cut yourself or get razor burn, which we definitely want to avoid! Shaving cream softens the hairs and acts as a lubricant for the razor, and there are plenty of things you can use instead.
Conditioner is one alternative and saves you from having lots of things clogging up the side of the bath! Different oils, such as baby oil, coconut oil, and olive oil, work too. Another suggestion is aloe gel, as it helps soothe and moisturize the skin.
Of course, you’ve got to be careful where you’re applying these things, and if you’re shaving to wear your new bikini, it’s best to use something that is marked safe for sensitive skin, like baby oil.
Is shaving cream eco-friendly?
There are multiple factors to this, such as the ingredients as well as the packaging. The short answer is that most conventional shaving creams aren’t eco-friendly. The ingredients used get washed down the drain and into the water system, and some of them don’t naturally break down and can cause harm to aquatic life. They can also be bad for us, as they clog pores and can sometimes cause irritation.
The packaging can also create problems. The aerosol cans are able to be recycled in certain places, but using aerosols is bad for the environment. The propellants used to spray the shaving cream are released into the atmosphere and contribute to air pollution and global warming.
How do you make shaving cream eco-friendly?
Finding one that isn’t in an aerosol can is a great start! Even better if you can avoid plastic packaging too. The next step is double-checking the ingredients; you want to find ones with organic, natural ingredients and avoid things like sulphates, phthalates, and emulsifiers.
Can I use moisturizer as shaving cream?
The short answer is yes! Moisturizer is another great alternative as it softens and hydrates the skin and hair, exactly what you want shaving cream to do. Just make sure that you don’t rub it in too much; otherwise, it won’t work as a lubricant between your skin and the razor.
Zero waste shaving cream options
I’ve put together a list of zero-waste and eco-friendly shaving cream options to help you find a good alternative to switch to! You definitely want to pair these with a zero waste safety razor. All of these zero waste shaving cream options can be used by men or women.
Also, FYI, many of these eco shaving cream options are not creams at all! I’ve listed things like shaving soap, oil, butters and creams to provide you with the most options. So there’s something for everyone!
1. Ecoroots Shaving Soap
- Package Free + Plastic-Free
- Citrus & Lemon scent notes
- Made with Organic ingredients
- Vegan and Cruelty-Free
- Manufactured in the USA
Image credit: Ecoroots
2. Leaf Shave Soap
- Comes in a cardboard box
- Each box includes two 1.5oz bars (except their limited-edition scent, Glacier)
- Can use with or without a shave brush
- 4 different scents + unscented options
Image credit: Leaf Shave
3. Leaf Shave Oil
- Comes in an 175 mL aluminum bottle
- Made with 6 natural ingredients
- Preps skin before shaving (can be used on body or face)
- Best if paired with Leaf Shave Soap, but can be used alone
Image credit: Leaf Shave
4. Well Kept Shave Oil
- Comes in a glass bottle
- Made using only 4 natural ingredients
- Preps skin before shaving
- Hand-poured in small batches
- Subtle rosemary scent
Image credit: Well Kept / The Detox Market
5. Albatross Shave Soap
- Comes in a metal tin
- Available in 1 oz. and 4 oz. sizes
- Made with organic ingredients
- No preservatives, no synthetics, + palm oil free
- Can use with or without a shave brush
- Eucalyptus scented
Image credit: Albatross Designs
6. Kitsch Shave Butter
- Comes in a recyclable cardboard box
- Made using natural fragrance
- Free from 3,000+ banned ingredients, meeting EU-informed standards
- Vegan + cruelty-free
Image credit: Kitsch / Grove
7. Lovett Sundries Shave Soap
- Comes in a reusable tin
- Made with organic ingredients
- Evergreen + unscented options
- Can use with or without a shave brush
- Vegan
Image credit: Lovett Sundries / Grove
8. Me Mother Earth Shave Soap
- Comes wrapped in paper in a reusable 3 oz. tin or as a refill bar (naked)
- Handcrafted with natural ingredients + scented with essential oils
- Can use with or without a shave brush
- Rosemary mint scent
Image credit: Me Mother Earth
9. Good Juju Shave Bar
- Comes in a cardboard box
- Made using organic ingredients
- Can be used on any part of the body
- Super-Concentrated: 1 Bar = 5 Bottles of shaving cream or gel
- Canadian, women founded, BIPOC brand
- Lavender-Cedarwood-Rosemary scent
- Vegan + cruelty-free
Image credit: Good Juju / Grove
10. Phil’s Shaving Cream
- Comes in home compostable packaging
- Made using clinically proven, dermatologist tested ingredients
- Free from fragrance, parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, + formaldehyde
- 1% For The Planet
- 4Ocean Partner
- Leaping Bunny Certified (aka vegan + cruelty-free)
Image credit: Phil’s / Earthhero
What do you think of these zero waste shaving creams? Let me know your favorite in the comments!
Want more? Check out this guide to zero waste shaving.
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