Many women don’t believe that it’s important to shave – on a regular basis or at all for that matter. That allowing one’s hair to grow is a natural and feminine way to celebrate beauty. Some believe that shaving makes them look and feel more feminine. The same seems to apply to men and masculinity – some say that “real men” grow beards, but don’t “real men” also shave with shaving cream?

The issue is not something that can be decided by a coin toss. This is deeply rooted in how we perceive ourselves, how we shape our identities (or how they formed) and whether or not we wish to follow modern beauty trends and practices. For instance, at the moment, growing a beard has become quite fashionable for a lot of men. Does that mean that you would be ‘out of style’ for shaving? No! Well, if you didn’t use our Natural Assuage Shaving Cream you might be.

Our bodies are our own and we’re entitled to treat them however we choose – whether they’re in line with general values or norms of our society or not. So I respect and celebrate those who wish to express their beauty and style in the way that suits them most. We should hope that society learns to adjust to the real nature of individuality as it exists in the ever-changing flux called modern society.

However, for those among us who do shave, whether on a regular basis or only occasionally, there are a few tips, secrets and pointers I’d give to anyone that can really save you some money and give you healthier skin overall. If the point of shaving is to have a neater self-image, then it would make sense that the products we use when shaving help to promote a healthier complexion overall all too, right? Well, that’s not always the case and I’ll explain why below.

Should Men & Women Use The Same Shaving Cream?

Unisex shaving cream.

Whether you’re a man or a woman, the cream you use differs very little from that of the opposite sex. The truth is that the differences between the products are generally very minor. A few different ingredients here or there, a different fragrance and different packaging. Really, that’s about it!

Yes, you really can use whichever shaving cream you’d like – whether it’s a brand that’s “made for” men or women. In fact, I’d go so far as to suggest that if you’re married or in a relationship, buy one type of shaving cream just to save money. You can change brands after each bottle just to find the one that works for both of you. You can even find ‘unisex’ hair and skincare products that won’t make you feel like someone has to compromise.

It’s likely that we will see a rise in unisex products like this in future. It only makes sense as companies can grab a wider spread of the market and potentially increase their customer base by around 50%. But until that time comes, I’ll always recommend going the DIY route as a means of saving cash and getting yourself a great and effective shaving cream!

The Dangers Of Unsafe Ingredients In Shaving Cream

Unsafe shaving cream.

Like any hair or skincare product, many mass-market manufacturers generally include harmful products in their lists of ingredients as a means of making their products more effective or for other reasons that I frankly, don’t understand.

Take a look at the back of your shaving creams and lotions at home and try and read some of the ingredients that are contained in them. It’s almost impossible to pronounce most of them and even once you do manage to get around pronouncing these monolithic terms, understanding their effects is an entirely different matter.

One of the most commonly found terms in almost any shaving cream/lotion (for both men and women) is ‘fragrance.’ Now this many sound harmless at first glance, but the term is very general and doesn’t actually give you a clear indication of what that means. They’re often guarded as a trade secret and could contain any variety of chemicals that could have a number of harmful effects on your skin and health in general.

Dangerous Chemicals Found In Shaving Cream

In addition to the ominous ‘fragrance,’ you’ve got Palmitic Acid, Isopentane, a variety of Glycols and Sulfates and something known as BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) – all of which are harmful to your skin and health. They’re toxic chemical irritants.

Symptoms of using these chemicals on your skin regularly or having them penetrate your skin layer and get absorbed into your bloodstream include dizziness, headaches, dry skin, rashes, lung irritation, hormone disruption, kidney disorders and even heart disease. That’s just to name a few – the list goes on!

When you shave, you generally use warm water to open your pores, which means that these terrible chemicals stand a much better chance of your skin and getting into your bloodstream. The skin is also more vulnerable during shaving which leaves you open to irritation and rashes, something a lot of us have experienced during the course of shaving.

Switching to healthy, natural shaving cream is the best step forward if you want to avoid risking side-effects.

There’s no better way of making sure the shaving cream you’re using is safe than to make it yourself! It’s extremely easy and even fun, and you can craft your own tailor-made creams that work best for your skin type. I’ve included a few holistic DIY recipes below – the best time to make the switch is now!

DIY Shaving Cream With Aloe Vera Recipe & Guide

Aloe Vera for shaving cream.

This is an easy recipe and the ingredients should cost you roughly the same as a normal aerosol can of shaving gel would at your supermarket. I recommend sourcing as many of the products as you can online, as they generally work out to be cheaper this way – unless you manage to find a cost-effective alternative.

What You’ll Need:

• ½ Cup Castile Soap.
• 4 Tablespoons Warm Water.
• ¼ Cup Aloe Vera Gel.
• 2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup.
• 1 Tablespoon Olive or Castor Oil.
• ½ Teaspoon Salt.
• 10 Drops Tea Tree Essential Oil Or Eucalyptus Essential Oil.
• 10 Drops Orange, Lemon, Lavender Or Witch Hazel Oil For Fragrance.

Making the gel is as easy as stirring the Salt into the warm water, then adding all the other ingredients and stirring well. You can do this in a glass jar or a plastic soap container. Once the ingredients have mixed, allow the mixture to settle for an hour before use. I’d recommend that you shake the mixture a bit before using it, but otherwise, you’re good to go. Couldn’t be easier!

DIY Shaving Cream With Shea Butter Recipe & Guide

Shea butter for shaving cream.

This one is just as effective as the previous recipe, but I’d recommend it for those who generally have more sensitive skin types as the shea butter will soothe and nourish your skin while you shave and provide a denser layer of protection between your skin and the razor blade. This recipe is also great for shaving in those hard-to-reach areas like your armpits and legs and will help to prevent those irritating cuts or rashes that often form after shaving. Be sure to give this one a try!

What You’ll Need:

• 3 Cups Shea Butter.
• 3 Cups Coconut Oil.
• ¼ Cup Olive Oil.
• 2 ½ Tablespoons Cornflour.
• Electric Mixer Or Whisk.
• 10x Drops Tea Tree or Eucalyptus Essential Oil.
• 10x Drops Lavender, Neroli, Lemongrass or Orange Essential Oil For Fragrance.

What To Do

The first step is quite simple. All you have to do is heat a large pan and melt the Shea Butter and Coconut Oil and stir well so that they blend. Once this is done, take the pan off the heat. While the oils are still liquid, pour in the Olive Oil and the essential oils and stir well so that they blend.

Now, pour this mixture into a bowl or plastic container and place it in the fridge until it hardens. Once the mixture has become hardened, remove it from the fridge and leave it outside until it softens slightly. You don’t want it to melt completely, just soften so that it’s workable.

Now add the Cornflour and use an Electric Mixer or whisk to beat the mixture so that it becomes light, soft and fluffy. It should resembles something like a thick icing that you would using on cakes when it’s done – creamy and decadent. Once you achieve this texture you’ve finished your job. Scoop the mixture into a glass jar or a plastic container (make sure that it’s airtight) and store in a cool dry place, out of direct sunlight. The mixture should last for about two weeks, if it starts to smell weird or looks discolored, then chuck it out and make a new batch as natural products don’t tend to last as long as chemical products – which is actually a good thing.

Here's a DIY recipe for shaving cream that isn't hazardous or harsh: https://t.co/dXvquZn0Wz pic.twitter.com/m2d663Vz8D

— iHerb (@iHerb) September 19, 2016

More Maple Holistics DIY Natural Features: DIY Bath Bombs – DIY Castile Soap – DIY Foundation.

Conclusion

Ultimately, I think shaving products are the best way to cut down on your monthly spending and general chemical intake overall. We’re most at risk of ingesting harmful chemicals when we apply them to our skin – especially during shaving. Your skin is one of the most important organs in/on your body and protecting it is imperative to maintaining good health.

So cutting as many harmful chemicals out of the products you use in your daily routines is imperative to keeping healthy and maintaining a great complexion. Natural products are also a fantastic way to break out of the mold we seem to find ourselves in when it comes to buying skin and health care products. So be different – go natural and embrace the benefits that come with a holistic lifestyle. Trust me, you won’t regret it!