I’ve avoided shaving much of my adult life. The jobs I have worked at usually allow me to have a beard or some stubble. My sensitive skin is easily irritated by harsh chemicals. Razor burn was a constant.
With these natural and organic shaving products I noticed some improvements with my skin. By using a double-edged (DE) razor, like what John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart used in the classics, I noticed less razor burn when wet-shaving with it.
Wet-shaving with a DE or safety razor is what men did before the invention of the disposable razor. A DE razor takes a double sided razor blade, which cuts down on waste, and is so sharp you barely have to push down.
The results are impressive. Check out these natural or organic shaving products.
• Burt’s Bees Natural Shave Cream
This natural shaving cream worked well, though it produced much less lather with a brush than the other natural shaving creams. It had a slight wax fragrance. 4 out of 5 stars. 6-ounce tube: $8.
Photo Courtesy Burt's Bees.
• Burt’s Bees Natural Aftershave
All-natural aftershave has never felt better. The consistency and ease of application was superb. It did not dry too quickly, as some aftershaves do, which allowed even application. I didn’t need much—this tube should last a while. 5 out of 5 stars. 2.5-ounce tube: $8.
Photo Courtesy Burt's Bees.
• Classic Brand Premium Shaving Cream
Though this product contains several organic ingredients, it still lists fragrance as an ingredient, which can anything. The natural lavender scent is refreshing. Lather was plentiful. It produced a good shave. 4 out of 5 stars. 5.3-ounce tub: $18.
Photo Courtesy of Classic Shaving.
• Jack Black Supreme Cream
I liked this certified organic, vegan shaving cream the best. It has no added fragrances and produces a thick, creamy lather. It smells great, too. Jack Black nailed it. 5 out of 5 stars. 8-ounce tub: $22.
Photo Courtesy Jack Black.
• Jack Black Shaving Brush
If you want the complete shaving experience, a nice shave brush tops it off. This brush is 100 percent cruelty free, but it is made with synthetics to avoid using badger hair; because of that I had to drop it slightly in ratings. Still, it has a nice heavy handle that provides a good grip and control. 4 out of 5 stars. $85.
Photo Courtesy Jack Black.
• Parker Vintage Butterfly DE Safety Razor
My new favorite razor is the double-edged safety razor. These provide smoother shaves, though they take some skill and practice to use. I particularly enjoy the fact that instead of throwing away an entire disposable razor or razor cartridge you toss a single blade. Be careful when trying these for the first time as you don’t need to apply any pressure; if you do you’re going to need quite a bit of toilet paper. 5 out of 5 stars. $29. Pack of ten blades: $6.
Photo Courtesy Classic Shaving.
• Preserve Triple Razor
If disposable cartridge razors are your thing, then these razors are for you. The handle is made out of 100 percent recycled plastic. The blades are sharp and last as long as their conventional competitors. I’m not so good with cartridge razors and managed to ding my throat up pretty good with this one. But if you’re a cartridge razor veteran, you should be just fine. 5 out of 5 stars. One razor with two cartridges: $8.50. Replacement cartridges (4) : $8.50.
Photo Courtesy Preserve.
• Rooney Shaving Brush
This is a real badger brush with an imitation ivory handle. It produces a great lather, and is properly weighted to give you maximum control. Probably not the best choice for vegans, but as a plus it isn’t synthetic. 5 out of 5 stars. $100.
Photo Courtesy Classic Shaving.
• Soap for Goodness Sake Babassu Soap
This is a shaving soap, not a cream, so the amount of lather produced is significantly less than creams. It had a great feeling to it, but I wouldn’t recommend it for men with coarse, thick facial hair, as it didn’t feel as comforting as the creams I tried. I’m not a fan of the babassu scent, so I would recommend getting a naturally scented version of this soap. 3 out of 5 stars. 3.5 oz bar: $5.
Photo Courtesy Soap for Goodness Sake.