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Discover problems with shaving creams and foams and check out four homemade shaving cream recipes

Image: "Hot lather" by Scott Feldstein, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Shaving cream is a product widely used by men in their daily lives to facilitate the shaving process. Unfortunately, the vast majority of products produced by the cosmetics industry contain components potentially harmful to human health and the environment, such as parabens and petroleum derivatives, not to mention the high consumption of increasingly scarce inputs, such as water, and in the production of packaging. That's why we've selected some homemade recipes so you can learn how to make shaving cream sustainably and with easy-to-find ingredients. It might even be a good option to give away!

The base of all versions is very similar, since the main function of the shaving cream is to facilitate the sliding of the blade, lubricating the cut and protecting the skin, and for this, the products basically use an oily base. However, these oils need to be of high quality and not cause unwanted side effects - such as mineral oils (petroleum derivatives), which make the skin oily and can clog pores (which causes blackheads and pimples).

Vegetable oils are the most suitable for this function, as in addition to the possibility of being produced sustainably, they provide many benefits for the skin. They have several vitamins and antioxidants, which contribute to the maintenance of beautiful and healthy skin and prevent or delay the formation of wrinkles and expression lines. However, it is necessary to buy the vegetable oil in its pure form, using the most natural extraction method possible, such as cold pressing, so that its desirable characteristics are preserved. There are many options available, and you can buy them from the eCycle store.

Problems with common shaving creams

The cosmetics industry is responsible for a large volume of pollutants released into the atmosphere. In addition to the packaging discarded with the products, a huge amount of water resources are also needed for the manufacture of items such as shaving cream and foam, not to mention the amount of water needed to clean the equipment. This water is often returned polluted to the environment.

From a more specific point of view, shaving creams contain surfactants, which are generally called emulsifiers, as they allow you to achieve or maintain the emulsion, and can be found in detergents, cleaning chemicals in general and also in the composition of most products. conventional shaving creams and foams. These products cause great ecological damage, especially in aquatic environments, as they are bactericidal and resistant to biodegradation. Most of the surfactants used today are of synthetic origin, derived from petroleum, and, after use, these surfactants are, in most cases, discarded on the surface of the water.

Learn more about the problems of shaving products in the article: "Healthy and Sustainable Shaving".

How to make shaving cream

Now that you understand what environmental impacts shaving cream can cause (albeit indirectly), how about learning how to make your own shaving cream? It is possible to adapt each of the following recipes according to your taste, substituting ingredients such as vegetable oils and essential oils with others of your choice.

Moisturizer

• 2/3 cup coconut oil;
• 2/3 cup of shea butter;
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil (suggested is olive oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil);
• 8 to 10 drops of lavender essential oil;
• 5 drops of another essential oil of your choice;
• 2 tablespoons of baking soda.

In a bain-marie, melt the coconut oil and shea butter. Turn off the heat and add the vegetable oil of your choice and then the essential oils. Put the mixture in a glass pot and refrigerate until it solidifies.

Add the baking soda to the mixture and beat with an electric mixer until the dough takes on a fluffy consistency. The baking soda will facilitate the slide of the blade and promote a smooth exfoliation of the skin. Store the final product in a clean container and use a soft brush with each use.

Refreshing

• 2/3 cup coconut oil;
• 2/3 cup cupuaçu butter;
• 1/4 cup of olive oil;
• 10 to 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil;
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda.

In a bain-marie, melt the coconut oil and shea butter. Turn off the heat and add the olive oil; then add the essential oil to the mixture. Put it in a glass pot and refrigerate until it solidifies.

Add the baking soda and beat in an electric mixer until the dough acquires a fluffy consistency. Store the final product in a clean container and use a soft brush with each use.

Relaxing

• 1 cup of shea butter;
• 1/2 cup coconut oil;
• 1/2 tablespoons of grape seed oil;
• 25 drops of bergamot essential oil.

Melt the shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler. Turn off the heat and add the grapeseed oil and bergamot essential oil and refrigerate until it solidifies. Beat in an electric mixer for approximately ten minutes and store it in a clean container at room temperature.

Shaving Oil

This recipe is not exactly a cream, but a high quality oil with the same function as the cream. The difference is that it presents itself in a more liquid form.

• 1 tablespoon of honey;
• 1 tablespoon of grape seed oil;
• 1 tablespoon of oil;
• 2 tablespoons of cupuaçu butter;
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil.

Mix all ingredients and store in a suitable container.

Tips

If you have decided to switch from industrialized shaving foams to homemade cream, some tips can help you a lot in this new routine. Check out the article: "How to shave correctly: tips for a perfect shave".

To make the cream foam, you'll need a soft brush. Try to buy a model with natural bristles, since synthetic ones can harm the skin, which is super sensitive. Before shaving, get organized and soak the brush in warm water about 10 minutes before using it. This will further soften the bristles and make it easier to use and foam.

Place a small amount of cream in a bowl, preferably with a rounded bottom and beat with the help of the brush in circular movements in one direction, promoting the entry of air into the dough. If you want a lighter foam, add filtered water, every half scoop on each beat, until you reach the desired consistency.

With all these tips, you can contribute to the reduction of pollution released into domestic sewage and to the maintenance and improvement of the sustainability cycle.