Conventional shaving creams carry with them a host of chemicals—some of which are being called into question. Why not try a safer approach? Consider a natural shaving soap and shaving brush!
As you consider a more natural approach to shaving, take a look at this partial list of ingredients for Barbasol, a popular men’s shaving cream:
WATER, STEARIC ACID, TRIETHANOLAMINE, ISOBUTANE, LAURETH-23, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, PROPANE, FRAGRANCE
The list of ingredients is actually much longer. The word fragrance covers about 14 chemicals (on average).
On the other hand, the use of a shaving brush with chemical-free soap is as natural as it comes!
Natural Shaving Soap and Shaving Brush
With a natural approach to shaving, you’ll not only forgo the harsh chemicals, you’ll also enjoy a closer, safer shave. The fibrous bristles of the brush hold more water. The more water, the more moist and rich the lather. The more lather, the less razor skipping and dragging.
The brush also helps release the hair from the shaft, which prevents uneven shaving. For all these reasons and more, it’s worth exploring the old-fashioned brush and soap method.
My husband, who has been using this method, says that while it takes a bit of extra time, it’s well worth the effort.
How to Shave With a Shaving Brush
1. Moisten bristles and swirl brush on top of hardened soap.
2. When you have enough lather, transfer to your hand and swirl brush again.
3. Keep swirling until you reach desired lather consistency.
4. Apply to face and shave. Rinse, dry, and enjoy the invigorating feel of an old-fashioned shaving experience!
Natural Shaving Soap
Wondering where to find all-natural shaving soap?
There are numerous options online, including one available at Just So Natural Products.
Just So’s Natural Shaving Soap features a combination of lard, coconut oil, castor oil, and calcium bentonite clay.
You’ll find the Natural Shaving Soap here.
Natural Shaving Soap Recipe
If you’re really adventurous, you can make your own! This is an advanced recipe but well worth the effort for those familiar with soapmaking.
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Ingredients
- 6 ounces lard or tallow
- 6 ounces stearic acid
- 4 ounces coconut oil
- 2.5 ounces castor oil
- 1 ounce sodium hydroxide (lye1)
- 2.1 ounces potassium hydroxide (lye 2)
- 6.3 ounces distilled water
- 1 tablespoon calcium bentonite clay
Instructions
- Measure water.
- Measure lye 1 and lye 2.
- Pour each lye separately and carefully into water and set aside.
- Melt all oils in double boiler.
- Carefully pour lye mixture into the oils.
- Blend until trace.
- Combine clay with a bit of castor oil and stir.
- Blend this clay slurry into the soap mixture thoroughly.
- Pour into molds, mugs, or jars and allow to cure for 4 weeks.
- Alternate method:
- Pour into slow cooker and cook for 2-3 hours until soap is neutralized.
- Pour into molds, mugs, or jars and use immediately if desired.
Your recipe says to measure ” each lye” but does not specify which ingredients are lye. Perhaps the lye should be noted as such. I would be afraid to try it as written.
I tweaked the recipe. See if it’s clearer Johanna. Thanks for the clarification.
Is this recipe by weight or by volume?
Weight. Good question.
Why can you use either lard or tallow when tallow is the traditional ingredient . Does lard get as hard of a soap “puck” as the tallow!
Yes it does get quite hard, Becky.
Can I add essential oils to the soap or would that irritate the skin while shaving? Also, does this pour into molds smoothly or is it really thick? I plan on cold-process.
It depends on the oil. I add rosemary essential oil and it does not irritate. Something like peppermint might. It’s definitely on the thicker side, but cold process should be OK to pour.