4 Best Natural Shave Cream Brands (Organic & Non-Toxic)

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James Miller
By 
James is an environmentalist, sustainability expert and senior editor at TheRoundup, specializing in testing non-toxic, organic and eco-friendly products. James, his wife and two daughters believe in chemical-free and zero-waste living. They aim to leave the planet in a better state than we found it, for future generations to enjoy.
James Miller
Updated: March 18, 2024

Beards may be fashionable these days, but personally, I've always been a clean-shaven kind of guy.

I already use an eco-friendly razor, but when I found out about some of the toxic ingredients in traditional shaving products, and the awful plastic packaging they use, I knew it was time to research the best natural shaving creams as well.

The problem was, none of my local stores stocked any!

So I set out to find the best natural alternatives to traditional shave cream, with sustainable packaging and certified organic ingredients, but still provide an ultra-close shave and are kind to sensitive skin.

After months of testing, I've whittled it down to four top recommendations that tick all the boxes...

Four Top Eco-Friendly Shaving Creams for a Green, Clean Shave

Ingredients: Saponified oils of Sunflower*, Coconut*, Castor*, and Safflower*, Lemon Essential Oil, Lavandin Essential Oil, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Bergamot Essential Oil, Lime Essential Oil, Bentonite Clay, Coconut Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter*, Shea Butter*, Avocado Oil*, Rosemary Extract.
*Organic

They Say: Say goodbye to itchy skin and bumps when you shave with our Organic Shaving Soaps, a delicious mix of citrus and lemon notes enriched with shea and cocoa butter. A foamy treat that also helps reduce plastic waste.

We Say: What I love about EcoRoots is they make loads of their own products.

This gives them complete control over ingredients, supply chain ethics, etc., and leads to some incredibly environmentally friendly creations. None more so than their organic shave soap.

Packed with sustainable and USDA-certified organic ingredients, this is my soap of choice when shaving. It’s so good that I even persuaded my dad to switch to it from the Pears soap he’d used for decades.

It produces a rich, creamy lather that allows your razor to effortlessly glide over any part of your body covered with hair.

There is no packaging, so you'll get a 100% plastic-free shave that is also Vegan and Cruelty-Free.

Use this soap with a good quality eco-friendly bowl and brush (more on this later), and you’ve got yourself a sustainable shaving cream that gets a firm seal of approval from me…and the old man!

Verified Customer Reviews

  • Very Pleased!

    This shaving soap is gentle on my sensitive skin and even leaves it feeling soft afterwards. Also smells very good, lathers nicely, and lasts for a long time with a bamboo soap tray. I love it!

    Alex
    ★★★★★

  • Works Well, Smells Great

    Gets very sudsy and the smell is wonderful (very gender neutral scent in case that matters!)

    Katherine Boucher
    ★★★★★

  • Great Products And Reducing Waste

    I love the products from EcoRoots. They work well. My hair and skin feel healthy after showering, and the shaver soap is ridiculously lovely!

    Tiffany Matthews
    ★★★★★

Ingredients: Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil,  Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Flower Oil, Boswellia Serrata (Frankincense) Gum Resin Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Geraniol
*From essential oil

They Say: Olio E Osso Liscia Shave Oil is a protective, nutrient-dense shower oil for a cushioned shave and soft skin.  Olio E Osso Liscia Shave Oil is a silky smooth operator!

We Say: Mrs. M loves this shave oil. She uses it to shave her legs in the shower and gets excellent results.

A little goes a long way due to the waterless oil-based formula.

Personally, I find it too oily and not protective enough when shaving my face.

If you too don’t like shave oils, Safe & Chic carries plenty of alternative options and brands.

The best shaving oil alternatives I tested from Safe & Chic were:

U.S. orders over $75 are shipped free via USPS and typically take 2-5 business days to arrive.

Ingredients: Sodium Palmate (Organic Palm Oil & Sodium Hydroxide), Sodium Cocoate (Organic Coconut Oil & Sodium Hydroxide), Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Butryospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil, Sodium Citrate, Vetiveria Zizanoides (Vetivert) Root Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil Elettaria Cardamomum (Cardamom) Seed Oil, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Piper Nigrum (Black Pepper) Fruit Oil, Commiphora Myrrha (Myrrh) Resin Extract.
*Certified Organic

They Say: Tired of ingrown hairs, knicks, uncomfortable shaves, and razor burn? We are too. That's why we've made the switch from basic soaps to Badger's Organic Shaving Soap. This glycerin-rich soap bar contains coconut oil and aloe vera that creates enough "slip" for your razor to give you a bump-free, ultra-smooth shave. Plus, it features low furocoumarin bergamot, a non-photosensitizing essential oil to reduce irritation and redness.

We Say: This is a marriage made in heaven…a Badger product sold by EarthHero (a popular ethical retailer).

I go into every test session completely impartial and with a fully open mind.

However, I would’ve been incredibly surprised if I wasn’t incredibly impressed with this shave soap manufactured by an incredible B Corp certified company and sold by an incredible zero-waste store.

Try saying that five times fast!

So. What was the verdict? Well, incredible…obvs! ????

This shave soap lathered up perfectly, helped the razor glide effortlessly, and washed off, leaving no skin-drying residue.

It was very close to being my overall winner, but the Ecoroots soap just edged it thanks to its zingy lemon and lime scent.

Ingredients: water, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, stearic acid, glycerin, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, silica, sodium borate, glucose, cetyl alcohol, natural fragrance, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, caldndula officinalis flower extract, lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower extract, lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extract, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, anthemis nobilis flower extract, tocopherol, surose stearate, xanthan gum, sodium phytate, alcohol, phenoxyethanol, limonene, linalool.

They Say: Cushion, glide, and a pleasant post-shave feel with no razor burn. This natural shaving cream will soothe and hydrate skin while you shave, leaving your face feeling as smooth and moisturized as it looks.

We Say: Wrinkled skin is in my genes. As us Millers get older, we become more and more prune-like!

I’m looking to take steps now to try and fight off the inevitable, so I was keen to try this eco shaving cream with added Calendula (known for its skin smoothing properties).

I was skeptical…but I have to say I ended up being very pleasantly surprised.

After using this product every day for a week, I noticed a significant difference in the smoothness of my face.

It's definitely one of the best shaving creams I tested, and I was happy to see it contains no artificial fragrance. However, it didn't offer quite the same level of razor glide that I get with my beloved Ecoroots shave soap.

Also, unlike the previous brands I recommended, the packaging isn't plastic free, recycled or biodegradable. This is an area in which I feel Burt's Bees can and should definitely improve.

It’s also a tad on the pricey side. Although, the 6oz tube should last you many months.

Don’t Forget the Shaving Brush and Bowl

To get the perfect lather and coverage from your eco-friendly soap/cream/gel of choice, you also need a decent brush and bowl.

My two absolute favorites are both made by Redecker and available at Earth Hero:

Why Use Shaving Creams or Gel

Shaving cream aids the shaving process in three key ways:

  1. Guide: With a soapy lather on your face/body, you know which areas you’ve shaved and which areas you haven’t.
  2. Lubrication: Shaving creams provide a protective barrier between the razor blade and the skin. This helps the razor glide and reduces irritation and razor burn.
  3. Hydration: Dragging a sharp blade over your skin can cause it to become dry and irritated. Natural cream can help hydrate and soothe your skin.

Why is Natural Shaving Cream Better?

Most traditional shaving cream contains harsh chemicals (parabens, phthalates, SLS, etc.) that can dry your skin or lead to irritation.

It potentially gets even worse. Some shave creams have been linked with issues such as reduced sperm count.

Replacing your regular shave cream with a natural alternative, made with high-quality natural ingredients, can have many benefits, including:

  • Reduced Skin Sensitivity:  Non-toxic shaving creams contain fewer chemicals and are good for people who suffer from sensitive skin.
  • Reduced Allergies: Again, fewer chemicals mean less chance of allergic reactions.
  • Natural Glow: Natural and organic ingredients can give your skin a lovely healthy glow.
  • Zero-Waste: Eco-friendly shaving creams often come in plastic-free zero-waste packaging.
  • Cruelty-Free: Eco-friendly products are never tested on animals.

History of Shaving Cream

The earliest documented use of cream for shaving is in Mesopotamia, over 4,000 years ago. The Sumerians used animal fats and ashes to create a soapy substance that they applied to their beards before shaving.

1949 saw the appearance of cream in a pressurized can. It was an instant hit.

Shaving gel was developed in the 1970s.

In 1993, Proctor and Gamble patented the first shave gel that turned into a shaving cream when lathered onto the face/body.

As consumers have become more aware of the toxic chemicals in everyday products, there has been a growing shift away from traditional shaving cream. Some interesting shaving cream alternatives include:

  • Hair Conditioner
  • Aloe Vera Gel
  • Baby Oil
  • Shea Butter
  • Body Lotion
  • Sweet Almond Oil
  • Honey
  • Olive Oil
  • Soap
  • Jojoba Oil
  • Coconut Oil

Make Your Own Zero-Waste Shaving Cream Alternative

Want ultimate control over exactly what goes into your zero-waste shaving cream? Why not make your own shaving cream alternatives?

You’ll Need

Method

  1. Put all ingredients in an old stockpot and place over a medium heat.
  2. Keep stirring until the ingredients foam up and almost reach the brim.
  3. Turn off the heat and place the pot in an empty sink to cool for at least three hours.
  4. Pour out excess water and use a spoon to move the thick paste to a reusable zero-waste jar.

And that’s it…you now have a homemade shaving cream alternative!

I made mine with peppermint castile soap, and it packs a big refreshing punch. Ideal for an early morning kickstart to your senses.

Make Your Own Chemical Free Shave Cream Slime

An older cousin taught this recipe to my daughters a few years ago.

It’s great fun, but…be warned…it can get messy. SORRY!

You’ll Need

  • Eco-friendly shaving cream
  • Large bowl (or old bucket)
  • Old wooden spoon (or offcut piece of wood, or stick)
  • Food coloring
  • non-toxic liquid glue
  • Baking soda
  • Saline solution

Method

  1. Put three cups of shaving cream into the bowl
  2. Mix in the coloring
  3. Mix in ½ cup of glue
  4. Mix in ½ teaspoon of baking soda
  5. Mix ½ tablespoon of saline solution

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shaving Cream Good for Sunburn?

My mother-in-law swears by natural shave cream to soothe sunburn. I get the thinking behind it; some shave creams contain some key ingredients that soothe skin.

However, by far the best skin care product I’ve ever used for sunburn is Badger Aloe Vera After Sun Gel.

What Is The Most Environmentally Friendly Way To Shave?

In my opinion, safety razors and organic soap is the best environmentally shaving option.

I recommend a fantastic safety razor in my eco-friendly razor roundup.

Is Gillette Shaving Cream Eco-Friendly?

PURE by Gillette is their most eco-friendly shaving cream offering. It’s more environmentally friendly than their standard creams & gels. However, there are still better options available for a sustainable shave.

How Do You Get Rid Of Pubic Hair Without Shaving?

Sugaring is a popular alternative to shaving, especially when trying to avoid razor burn and razor bumps in the more intimate/delicate areas.

The Final Word

When I started planning this article, I intended to distinguish between the best shaving cream for men and women.

However, as I got stuck into the testing, it became clear that both men and women can use most products.

Sure, some products are better for legs and the pubic area, and some are better for faces, but who am I to tell you what product you should use based on gender?

I’ve tried to cover why the products in this article made the cut and their intended use. I hope this helps you make an informed decision as to which option best suits your needs.

What I do know is…every product in this article has serious eco-credentials and gets the thumbs up from at least one member of the Miller household.

Get In Touch

Where do you buy your eco-friendly shaving products? Have I missed your favorite brand? Do you have a killer DIY recipe for zero-waste shaving cream alternatives? Drop me a line and let me know.

James Miller
James Miller
James is an environmentalist, sustainability expert and senior editor at TheRoundup, specializing in testing non-toxic, organic and eco-friendly products. James, his wife and two daughters believe in chemical-free and zero-waste living. They aim to leave the planet in a better state than we found it, for future generations to enjoy.

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