Using shaving cream instead of soap or just water helps you get a better shave with fewer cuts and scrapes. Store-bought foams, in addition to being expensive, can contain chemicals that you don't want to smear on your body. A homemade product is just as effective and you can make it with ingredients you may already have available. These recipes are ideal for both women and men.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Creamy Shaving Soap
Step 1. Get the ingredients
This shaving soap is made from natural oils that blend to create a smooth and nourishing cream, so that the razor glides easily on the skin. You will need the following ingredients:
- 150 g of shea or cocoa butter
- 150 g of coconut oil
- 130 ml of olive oil
- 10 drops of an essential oil of your choice
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- Jar with lid
Step 2. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil
At room temperature, both of these substances are solid, so they need to be dissolved in order to mix them. Weigh 150g of shea butter and 150g of coconut oil and put them in the saucepan. Heat them over low heat, stirring occasionally until melted, then remove the pan from the heat.
- If you use cocoa butter instead of shea butter, you will melt it with coconut oil.
- Do not boil the ingredients: heat them to just enough temperature for them to melt. Boiling would change the consistency of the oils.
Step 3. Incorporate the olive oil
Help yourself with a spoon or whisk to mix it with shea butter and coconut oil.
Step 4. Add ten drops of essential oil
Some of these, in addition to having a fresh scent, are beneficial for the skin. Customize your product to create the perfect essence for you. By combining the essential oils you will also give more intensity to the cream. If you prefer a strong fragrance, you can use up to 20 drops.
- Essential oils of lavender, rose, grapefruit, fir, ginger, vetiver, and peppermint are fantastic additions to shaving cream.
- If you are sensitive to strong scents, just add five drops or avoid them altogether.
Step 5. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator
Pour it into a bowl and cover it with cling film. Refrigerate the bowl for an hour or two, until the mixture has cooled completely. The oils will be slightly solidified and the mixture should be light yellow at this stage.
Step 6. Combine the baking soda
Remove the bowl from the fridge, remove the plastic wrap and pour in two tablespoons of baking soda. With a blender or hand whisk, whisk the mixture until light, soft and creamy.
Step 7. Pour it into a container with the help of a spoon
A glass jar makes a great container for homemade shaving soap. You can use any container you prefer, as long as it has a lid. At the time of use, just spread a spoonful of product where you want to shave.
- Store the cream in a closed place, away from heat and direct sunlight.
- Homemade shaving cream will keep for a month or two. If you want to extend the shelf life, try adding the content of a vitamin E capsule, which acts as a natural preservative.
Method 2 of 3: Foamy Shaving Cream
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
This blend contains Castile soap, so the shaving cream will lather up nicely when applied to wet skin. If you like the idea of a foamy cosmetic to use on the face, legs or armpits, this recipe is for you. Here's what you'll need:
- 55 g of coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa or shea butter
- 60 g of aloe vera gel
- 2 teaspoons of baking soda
- 60 ml of Castile soap
- 10 drops of essential oil of your choice
- An empty liquid soap dispenser (preferably a foam soap dispenser)
Step 2. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil
Both have a solid consistency at room temperature, so you have to melt them in order to mix them. Put 2 tablespoons of shea butter (or cocoa butter) and 55 g of coconut oil in a saucepan. Melt them over low heat, stirring occasionally until they are liquefied, then remove the saucepan from the heat.
Step 3. Combine the aloe vera, baking soda and liquid castile soap
Pour all the ingredients into the blender and turn it on at maximum speed for a few minutes until the substances are completely blended; this will prevent the oil and soap from separating later. The resulting liquid should have the consistency of thick liquid soap.
Step 4. Add ten drops of essential oil
Some Castile soaps are already scented, so you can skip this step in case the cream already has its own fragrance. If you want to add essential oils, pour in 10 drops of your favorite oil or oil blend and mix.
- If you want a very fragrant cream, you can add up to 20 drops of essential oil.
- Try one of these blends: rose and vetiver, sandalwood and orange, spruce and mint.
Step 5. Pour the mixture into the dispenser
Your shaving cream is now ready to be used; you just need to let the quantity you need out of the dispenser. It will lather when you apply it to your face. If the ingredients of the mixture separate in the dispenser, shake it well to mix the oils and soap again.
Method 3 of 3: Shaving Cream with Two Ingredients
Step 1. Choose the ingredients
The purpose of shaving soap is to achieve a smooth surface that allows the razor to glide easily over the skin and cut the hair smoothly. You can achieve this even without an expensive cream; all you really need is oil and a moisturizing component. Here's what you need to have:
- 260 ml of oil, such as melted coconut oil, almond oil, or olive oil
- 80 g of a moisturizer, such as aloe vera gel, honey, or rose water
Step 2. Blend the ingredients in a blender
Pour the oil and moisturizer into a blender and turn it on at maximum speed for a few minutes to allow the cream ingredients to blend well. You should get a soft and creamy substance.
Step 3. Add more ingredients if you like
You might like the idea of using only two simple substances, but it's also nice to customize the cream by adding a few other components. Try any or all of the following tips:
- Up to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil
- A tablespoon of baking soda if you like a thicker cream
- The content of a vitamin E capsule, to better preserve your product
Step 4. Store the shaving cream in a dispenser bottle
This will keep it fresh and it will be easier for you to dose exactly the amount you need for each shave. Store it in a cool, dark place so the oil doesn't deteriorate.
Advice
- The oils in these recipes can turn rancid if not properly stored. Keep homemade shaving cream away from heat and sunlight to last as long as possible.
- If you don't have time to buy many different ingredients, try using hair conditioner, baby oil or even mayonnaise as a shaving cream.
Related wikiHows
- How To Make Homemade Shaving Foam
- How to Shave Without Irritating the Skin
- How to Store a Shaving Brush
- How to get rid of shaving irritation in the bikini area
