Are you familiar with “No-Shave November”? The original campaign served both as a conversation starter for raising cancer awareness and a fundraising opportunity. Though it’s still part of a charitable cause, many now use the slogan as a chance to get a little lazy with hair grooming and revert to their truest, hairiest selves. And who can blame them? Shaving is a lot of work. In 2018, American consumers spent roughly $1.2 billion in disposable razor sales. There must be a solution for sustainable shaving that helps avoid all this razor-sharp waste!
Maybe the solution isn’t as “cutting edge” as you might think. The completely disposable razor didn’t make headlines until the 1970s, which means that razor waste wasn’t really an issue before the past forty to fifty years. It can’t be that difficult to get back to our less wasteful roots, can it?
I don’t think it is. There are many wonderful razor options on the sustainable shaving market. And if you choose not to shave at all, more power to you! I suppose that’s the most eco-friendly option of all. But I just can’t quite bring myself to commit to the underarm beard. If you’ve been participating in no-shave November, guess what, it’s now December! Keep on reading for some sustainable shaving products that promise not to be dull.
Sustainable Shaving: The Safety Razor
When I think of a safety razor, I immediately picture an old-fashioned barber shop. And I’m not talking about a quartet of singers! In the past, the safety razor was the one and only “razor.” However, they quickly lost their popularity when companies marketed razors coated in plastic with multiple blades and mysterious colorful strips of “soothing lotions” as the better option.
We’ve all been fooled. Safety razors are exactly what they say they are: “safe.” Not only are they the better option for the environment (long lives and no plastic!), they also are better for your skin.
Benefits
Not quite convinced? Let me list out more benefits to switching over to the safety razor:
- Cheaper in the long run
- A closer shave
- Shown to reduce acne and shaving irritation
Depending on the type of safety razor you invest in, the initial razor may be slightly more expensive. However, the cost over the long run is significantly less. A cartridge for a disposal razor could run between $2 – $3, while a single safety razor blade is generally less than $0.13. Good news for you extreme couponers and strict budget followers!
And while it can take a little time to get used to the contours of your skin, a safety razor does promise a much closer shave. Why, you ask? It’s because a safety razor blade isn’t encased in extra plastic. Not only does it provide a better shave, but all the extra plastic and lotion actually traps bacteria. And that’s just gross! So, the sharper and cleaner a blade you have is truly the answer to reducing razor burn, bacteria growth, and clogged pores.
The Leaf Razor
If jumping from a disposable razor to a full-on safety razor feels like too big of a leap for you, I have another sustainable shaving solution for you! Meet the Leaf Razor. This razor has quickly become a favorite in the eco-friendly community. It combines all the benefits of a safety razor with the more traditional feeling of a disposable razor.
The secret is in the pivoting head. While a safety razor is immovable, the Leaf Razor head moves like most familiar razor heads. If you have bony knees like I do, this is a saving grace.
How does it work? The Leaf cartridge head allows you to load one to three safety blades at a time. It’s easy to keep clean, comes with a lifetime warranty, and the company offers a blade recycling program.
Switching to a Leaf Razor is one of the newest steps in my sustainable journey, and I have loved the results. I have sensitive fair skin with really dark and coarse hair, so shaving is no party. But I sure feel like partying when I use my Leaf Razor. It keeps the razor burn to a minimum, and I appreciate the cleanliness. Most of all, I love making sustainable shaving a priority.
Sustainable Shaving Soap
While bacteria and blade dullness are big contributors to razor burn, the friction caused by shaving can also add to the problem. If you’re a shaving cream user, switching to bar soap is another sustainable shaving trick. Toiletries are big culprits for creating waste. I’ve talked about other eco-friendly personal care items before, but I haven’t touched on shaving cream alternatives! No better time than the present.
In general, bar soap is a wonderful no-waste option for your shower. I no longer use a bottled body wash since switching to bar soap. My perception of bar soap in the past was that it was much more drying than a creamy body wash. But that’s just not the case! There are many sustainable companies making bar soaps with natural ingredients that are also moisturizing. I would recommend checking out Ethique, as well as Meow Meow Tweet.
Most companies that produce bar body wash also carry specific shaving cream bars. These bars contain oils to make them more moisturizing than just a body wash bar. I love the bar that the Tare Market in the Twin Cities carries! One of the biggest perks to switching to a shave bar instead of a cream is that it lasts longer too.
Kick Disposable to the Curb!
If you’re ready to jump on the sustainable shaving train, I wouldn’t recommend dumping all your unused plastic cartridges in the trash can. We don’t need to add to the three billion disposable razors that already head to landfills every year. Remember, the best rule of thumb is to first use what you already have, and then to pursue more sustainable brands in the future.
So, if it is time for you to get a new razor, I would love for you to join me in considering a greener option. I’m sure a safety razor will grow on you! Decide to keep your November beard instead of shaving at all? No-shave “December” doesn’t have as good of a ring to it, but I’m sure you’ll be nice and warm this winter!
Interested in sustainable shaving? I would love to hear your thoughts!
Be Well. With Love.
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