How To Make Plastic Free Shaving Soap

Take one step closer towards a zero waste bathroom with this easy recipe for plastic free shaving soap. 

We are becoming increasingly aware of the hazards of eating a chemical-laden diet, and many have taken steps to avoid toxins in their food.

But avoiding human-made additives and petrochemical derivatives can be more difficult when it comes to body products.

Commercial body products can contain dozens of chemicals, in the form of stabilisers, preservatives and artificial dyes, many of which are harmful to the environment and your body.

Not only that, the packaging waste that is produced when buying commercial beauty products is also contributing to the world’s plastic pollution problem. Making your own homemade beauty products can help you avoid creating this kind of waste.

Here is a recipe for plastic free shaving soap which you can make at home with a few easy-to-find ingredients. It’s a simple, natural recipe that actually works!

Standard tools required for this recipe include: cooking thermometer, cooking pot, grater, kitchen scales and measuring spoons.

zero waste shaving soap

Plastic free shaving soap recipe

This is great for everything from faces to legs. The shea butter is nourishing to the skin and will allow you to get a close shave while conditioning the skin.

The addition of grated natural soap ensures you’re left feeing clean. The honey adds additional lather and can be substituted by sugar syrup for a vegan option.

The essential oil is optional, but I prefer my soap to have a scent. I choose lemon myrtle essential oil because it is universally liked in my house.

Vitamin E is an important ingredient in this recipe as it acts as a natural preservative which will give your shaving soap a shelf life of three to six months.

Ingredients:

  • 200g good quality handmade soap
  • 200mL filtered water
  • 150g organic shea nut butter
  • 100g raw honey
  • 10mL essential oil of choice (optional)
  • 5mL vitamin E

You will also need two, clean, large- mouthed flip-top or screw-cap glass jars.

plastic free razor

Method:

Grate the soap and dissolve it in the water in a medium-sized pot on the stove, over medium heat. Gently heat and stir until the soap melts into the water.

Add the shea butter to the pot and stir into the soap-water mixture. Continue stirring until they are evenly combined.

Remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool to below 40°C before you stir in the honey, essential oil and vitamin E.

Before the mixture thickens, pour it into the glass jars, and let sit overnight to solidify into a semisolid consistency.

To use, splash water on skin and add a small amount of shaving soap. Rub in to form a thick lather and shave as usual.

Would you like more plastic free beauty recipes? Watch our video for 3 recipes to reduce plastic in the bathroom. Or try our recipe for plastic free deodorant

And in Issue #15 of Pip Magazine, we show you how to make your own plastic free toothpaste, moisturiser, and face and body coffee scrub. Grab your copy today for all these recipes and more!

You can find the full version of this article in Issue #3 of Pip Magazine, which is available here.

Like more articles like this one? Subscribe to Pip Magazine’s print or digital editions here.

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