At my house, we make almost all of our own toiletries, including deodorant and toothpaste. I’d read plenty to convince me that conventional shaving soaps were relatively toxic, but for a long time, I just used natural bar soap instead. Over time, I developed my own shaving soap recipes that work better than soap and leave skin soft without the chemicals.
Foaming Shave Soap Recipe
This is the shave soap I use most often in the shower because it is easy, inexpensive and works great. Some men may find it harsh on the face due to the high liquid castile content.
Foaming Shave Soap Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Natural Aloe Vera Gel (not juice!)
- 1/4 cup Liquid castile Soap
- 1 TBSP Olive or Almond Oil
- 1/4 cup warm Distilled Water (or lavender infused)
- Vitamin E or Grapefruit Seed Extract (to preserve)
- Essential Oils for Fragrance (optional) – I use lavender
- 8 ounce or larger Foaming Soap Bottle
Foaming Shave Soap Instructions
- Mix ingredients in foamer bottle and shake gently until mixed.
- Shake well before each use.
This recipe will last a couple of months (I use up within about 2 months, so I don’t know beyond that). I don’t recommend citrus oils if you are going to be in the sun, since they increase sun sensitivity.
Shave Cream Recipe
I don’t use this recipe as often, and more in the winter for extra moisturizing, but it makes a rich, creamy lather and works really well. This one is also better for men’s faces, as it is more gentle than the above recipe.
Shave Cream Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive, almond or coconut oil
- 2-3 TBSP Shea or Cocoa Butter
- 1/4 cup Aloe Gel or Honey
- 1 TBSP Kaolin clay or white cosmetic clay (optional)
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup Liquid castile Soap
- Vitamin E or GSE (to preserve)
Shave Cream Instructions
- Melt the oil and shea/cocoa butter in a double boiler until just melted
- Remove from heat and add other ingredients
- Whisk or blend well for several minutes
- Transfer to jar or container to store
- Check while it is cooling to make sure it doesn’t start to separate. If it does, shake or mix well to re-incorporate.
- Lasts up to two months (not sure about longer)
Natural Bar Shave Soap Recipe
If you don’t happen to have all these extra ingredients on hand, this is any easy way to modify a regular bar soap to make it more shave-friendly. It is a little time consuming, but these bar soaps last a long time and are great for making shave mugs if the men in your life happen to use shave mugs and brushes.
Shaving Soap Ingredients
- 1 bar of natural, handcrafted soap (store bought regular soaps don’t work!)
- 1 TBSP olive or almond oil or aloe vera gel
- 1-2 TBSP white clay, french clay, kaolin, or cosmetic clay
Shaving Soap Instructions
- Grate soap and on low heat, melt soap down with oil or aloe vera. It will take a while, so be patient and stir often.
- Once melted, stir in the cosmetic clay (this makes a richer lather and is great for the skin).
- Pour into molds (I use cardboard) or old mugs and let set for several days until it re-hardens. Will last months and will cure more over time, making it longer lasting.
If you like this recipe, check out these other homemade beauty recipes:
Natural Homemade Substitutes for Conventional Beauty Products
Seven Natural Remedies you Already Have at Home
Seven Natural Beauty Tricks From Your Kitchen
Make Your Own Natural Deodorant With This Simple Recipe
UPDATE: Remineralizing Toothpaste Recipe!
Natural Homemade Sunscreen Recipe
Natural Bug Spray Recipes that Work
Ever made your own shave soap? Still use the toxic aerosol stuff? Share below!
Seven Natural Beauty Tricks From Your Kitchen
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I tried making the shave cream & left out the clay because I don’t have any, this ended up becoming more of a gel than a cream. It still worked well but I’d rather have the cream, is there another substitute for the clay?
Arrowroot might work if you have it…
Arrowroot works great – 1 heaping tbsp makes nice thickness. Btw I am converting my house to natural and I love all your advice. We feel so much better getting rid of chemicals!
How does the bar soap work? Do you lather it in your hands and then put it on your body, or do you just rub it straight onto where you’re going to shave? I’ve never used anything like that before!
Just lather right where you are going to shave…
I have been shaving with a brush and double-edge razor for 2+ years and find it helpful, with a bar type soap to lather into your hand. I’ve also known people to lather right on their face since that’s where you want all the soap to end up anyway.
How much vitamin E or GSE do you use per batch?
about 1/2 tsp.
I made the shave cream recipe last night for my hubby and he said he got the closest shave ever! You also inspired him to switch to a safety razor which he found at an antique store for $6! I used coconut oil, cocoa butter, honey, baking soda, Dr Bronners, and grape seed extract. I will be using this from now on!
I am making shaving soap as a gift for Father’s day. I am in the process of gathering my ingredients. Initially I had some trouble finding the right place to purchase clay but finally stumbled across Texas Natural Supply; they are my new favorite website. I am not sure home much soap to use; how many ounces of bar soap did you use to make the Natural Bar Shave Soap? Handcrafted soaps range in size from 3.5-5oz.
thanks for this recipe and for your response,
Danette (Austin, TX)
About four ounces. Great idea for Father’s Day!
I’ve just whipped up the shave cream batter and am so excited to try it. I tried another recipe from pinterest without success, way to runny. I used almost half the bottle to shave my legs and it still all ran off. This is now in the process of cooling and I can tell it’s going to be a much thicker lather! The only nice thing for the other recipe was that my legs were SMOOTH!!
About how much did the recipe yield?
I’ve been wanting to make the shave cream for my boyfriend as an anniversary gift. About how much did it yield?
I really didn’t measure, but enough for a couple months…
How much GSE do you use for the above recipe?
Is this grape seed extract in pill form or oil or am I missing something?
it should be a normal liquid oil
You should consider making your own soap.
Actually making it. Not using a bunch of pre-made things mixed together. It’s well worth it.
It doesn’t specify how much of the GSE or Vitamin E oil to use. How much of it should I use if it is in liquid form ?Thanks
I’m wanting to make the Natural Bar Shave Soap for my grandpa for Christmas. Where can I buy any of the clay that I would need for the recipe?
Hi, I’ve tried your foaming shave soap and loved it! I now use nothing else! However, I made the shave cream for my husband, who has sensitive skin, but he has still experienced burning…any suggestions on how to tweak this recipe for sensitive skin?? Thanks for all your help!
Try omitting the baking soda and using natural bar soap melted in water in place of the liquid castille soap in the recipe. you could also sub in arrowroot instead of the baking soda, though leaving it out should be ok too.
Add a little witch hazel. Seriously.. follow her other suggestions but try the witch hazel or some other natural astringent to the mix.
Gooooood luck. 🙂
I would recommend using a pre-shave oil. Most men will use this with a good shave soap to create a protective layer between the razor and the skin. Most think that changing a shave soap alone will fix the problem but most issues come from the razor, technique used and preparation for shaving. I have totally switched over to wet shaving using the old school method like my grandfather an this:
Double Edge Razor – Single blade creates less layers of skin pulled off by multiple blades and has less pulling and cut that reduces razor burn and ingrown hairs.
Pre-Shave oil – Lubricates the skin and forms a protective layer between me and the razor. Allows for much better glide.
Correct Razor – You must sample razors because not everyone’s skin is the same. Razors come in many different thicknesses, angle of edge etc. I personally like Bic and can buy 100 of them for only $20. At 3/2 uses each that will definitely last me over a year.
Shave Soap – I use all natural shave soap that will lather with a lathering brush (Badger Hair).
Alum Block – helps with minor cuts and razor burn…Also a plus to use because it closes the pores and tightens the skin.
After Shave Balm/lotion/cream – ***Alcohol Free…I use a natural aftershave cream, lotion or balm. Only one at a time.
Using this is like a day spa for men. I used to dread shaving due to shave bumps and burn, now its my little pampering session that I can’t wait for. Best practice is either right out of the shower or use a hot towel to soften the hair and moisten the skin. All this can be used the same for women. Have my wife doing this now…
Good luck to you and your husband.
I’ve been switching to homemade as we use up our conventional toiletries and have been relying on your recipes 🙂 so this was timely. I had actually started to wonder if coconut oil by itself would work or do you think it would get too gummed up? Thanks again for another helpful post!
Coconut oil on it’s own tends to clog pores. Try using Almond, Avo, Grapeseed oil instead. My favorite is the Almond oil because it moisturises too.