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Most of my posts are geared toward women, but I’ve gotten several requests on Facebook for natural skincare and shaving options for men, since shaving is one of the biggest parts of skin care for most men.
While I obviously have no firsthand experience with this, I interviewed by husband and did some research on The Art of Manliness about the best shaving options for men.
I’ve been making my husband’s shave soap, after shave, and facial rinse for years because he has such thick hair that regular products didn’t work and just irritated his skin. He also switched to an old fashioned razor and a brush shaving set a few years ago and he loves it.
Ladies, if you’ve been looking for a unique and usable gift for your husband, boyfriend, or dad, a real shaving kit with some homemade products is a great option!
A Real Shaving Kit
My husband’s opinion and the general consensus on the Art of Manliness forums is that to get a real shave (if you are going to shave, which was a controversial topic over there) a man must use an old fashioned safety razor or straight razor and preferably a brush and mug soap rather than conventional shaving cream.
There are even brush and mug sets like this one or nicer brush sets with stainless steel brush handle and safety razor. Fortunately, these “old-fashioned” shaving options actually save money in the long run (no disposable or expensive razor heads to buy) and are MUCH better for the skin when used with natural shaving cream.
The Shave Soap
If your man is open to natural shaving, there are several great recipes for homemade shaving soap you can make at home that are 100% natural and organic. Not up for DIY shave soap? There are actually some decent store-bought options, including this shaving soap from Badger.
The Aftershave
Alcohol-based aftershaves can be problematic for the same reason you aren’t supposed to use rubbing alcohol on new piercings: it slows healing. Instead, use an alcohol-free, nourishing option like my homemade herbal aftershave for men.
Follow up with a homemade lotion bar with ingredients like:
- Rosemary Oil – naturally antibacterial and has a great woodsy scent
- Shea Butter – an excellent after-shave lotion and has a manly scent
- Coconut oil – will discourage breakouts from shaving (is there anything it won’t do?!)
- Apple Cider Vinegar – works great by itself or infused with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and bay leaves (if you can handle the smell)
What do you (or your man) use for shaving? New razor or old-fashioned? Shaving cream or soap? Aftershave or no? Share below!
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give Karmin a try.
Sandalwood is a great option for mens shave lotion or after shave. It’s a disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, anti-bacterial…. I can’t remember everything but it’s a full body tonic. Oh it also helps cuts heal faster and clear up scars. Good for acne-prone skin too.
Lately I’ve been using Sandalwood and Vanilla essential oil. They smell great together! I use a little more vanilla for womens skin care products. A little sweeter makes it more feminine but Sandalwood is a masculine scent. I’ve used it in deodorant, body butter, shave lotion, after shave and bath gel for men. Sandalwood is my new favorite man scent after years of using Rosemary and mint. My husband isn’t fussy or picky but he loves this new scent. Then I just add more vanilla to girl it up.
I got a gravatar and I wanted to see if it worked.
Here’s the thing. I want to make a lotion bar for my nephew – who’s 16 and shaving (once every couple months) and I wanted to know what are the expiration dates on one of them? Does it vary – like if I add Jojoba oil or vitamin E or any other ingredient (I know if I put in some herb or flower it would but I think you know what I’m asking,, like mica won’t affect expiration right?) If you don’t use any food/herbal infusions etc… does this have an expiration date?
Thanks
I’ve used a shaving oil for few years now and found it gives the best results and it also seems to moisturise at the same time. I never get that itchy feeling after shaving now. Any recipes for Shaving Oil?
What brand of vitamin e oil is best to use? I’ve researched D-ALPHA tocopheryl is the natural type of vitamin e but I’m having a difficult time locating it. I’d prefer not to by synthetic if at all possible. Suggestions?
I’m already using a safety razor but I’ve never considered homemade soap/creme. I shall hunt down the recipe and give it a go. Thanks!
What about the old fashioned safety razor for ladies legs and armpits?
I just switched over to a safety razor and I LOVE it on my legs and pits. Definitely recommend, though I’d suggest using some sort of shaving soap/creme. There’s a bit more drag with the DE razor over the cartridges or disposables.
I’ve been wet shaving for years now. I switch between a straight razor and a double edged safety razor (depending on my mood). As for aftershave, I find an alum bar to be a wonderful solution. It closes the pores and it soothes the skin. Witch Hazel works too, however, it does have some alcohol in it. I used to make my own soap, but it became too much of a hassle with my limited time. I primarily use Williams, now.
You might like the Sandlewood shave soap from Crabtree and Evelyn. It works great for my beard, and the scent is quite nice.
what about the ladies and waxing is much better what waxing recipies do you have
In the shaving bar do you recommend glycerin or lye based homemade soap?
Really whatever will work best on the guy’s face. Some guys do a lot better with glycerine since it is smoother for shaving…