Looking for a Clean, Green Shave? Best Nontoxic and Organic Shaving Products

Shaving cream is a bit of an enigma for us women. I asked several of my friends if they used it. Some stared blankly (what’s wrong with soap?), while some launched into a diatribe against their husband’s not-so-eco products.

After checking out a few of the greener products on the market, it’s clear that many of us have been short-changing our shaving experience. After all, shaving cream is intended to prevent razor burn. But traditional creams usually involve a mixture of oil, surfactants and alcohol. No thanks!

The first natural shaving creams were made of wood alkali and animal fat. But we’ve come a long way, baby! Recently, I had the opportunity to check out some excellent girl-friendly eco-products designed to green up our hair removal regimes. And here’s what I found”¦

Preserve Razors

Triple Razor by Preserve

This 100% recycled razor of #5 plastic has a reusable handle that is partially made from Stoneyfield yogurt cups. (It is also compatible with Personna® Acti-Flexx® and Gillette® Sensor® blades.) It’s durable and the maneuverable razor performs a close shave, which is nice for certain arm-pitty areas on the body. I give it high marks and found it worth the $8.95 for an original razor.

whish

Whish Pomegranate Shave Cream

This product smells yummy – it has an “easy” fruit scent few are going to dislike. It goes on smoothly and produces a knick-free shave. But there’s a definite waxy, sticky residue left over that actually dulled my new pedicure polish. It is free of parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, DEA and TEAs. It also contains natural and organic ingredients and they use eco-friendly packaging. (No animal testing at Whish, either.)

Whish Hair Inhibiting Gel

This has a lovely almond scent and it felt cool and refreshing on my newly-shaved skin. But does it inhibit growth? I sampled it for two weeks, as did another green girl. At press time we were, ahem, not noticing any less hair growth. However, it does get high marks as a straight up moisturizer. Like the shave cream, it is free of parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, DEA and TEAs.

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Avalon Organics Lavender Moisturizing Shave Cream

This product contains organic extracts of calendula, chamomile and green tea, with organic aloe, organic sunflower and flax oils. It has a nice scent and goes on like a cream. It is free of parabens, preservatives and grapefruit seed extract with 100% vegetarian ingredients. It is not USDA Organic, but it is certified organic with Oregon Tilth, among others.

kiss

Kiss My Face Peaches and Cream Moisture Shave

This is certainly very peachy and creamy – using it is almost like eating a sundae, but without the guilt. And it suds up rather nicely, which allows a closer shave than some of the other brands. It contains no animal ingredients, artificial colors, or harsh chemicals. It is not organic and is by no means the “greenest” of the bunch – but does contain natural olive and coconut oils.

eo

EOs Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream

If you like perfumed products, you will like this cream. And if you’re using it for hard-to-reach spots, it can be a good choice. But it was a bit too strongly scented for my tastes. It’s non-foaming, paraben-free, and contains natural aloe and shea butter. It is not organic, unfortunately.

embrace_bath_oil

Erbaviva Organic Bath Oil
And when you’re done? This Erbaviva bath oil is actually a great way to keep your gams as moisturized as possible. (You can also use olive oil!) It is made from organic carrier oils with a blend of organic and wild crafted essential oils of grapefruit, orange and jasmine. It does keep you hydrated and the smell is to die for, (as in, it’s lovely). And it is USDA Organic.

Katherine Butler

Katherine Butler is the Beauty Editor of EcoSalon and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.