Many of us include shaving as a daily ritual (or chore, if you're like me!). Shaving products like creams, gels or foams are a necessity because they help the razor glide over the skin preventing friction and keeping irritation to a minimum. They help alleviate razor bumps and ingrown hairs. Ouch!
Should you be educated about the ingredients in your shaving product? Absolutely! You use it frequently on skin that is vulnerable and even though you wash the product off, ingredients do penetrate your skin.
Natural shaving products avoid the chemicals of concern while offering a safe, toxin-free experience. Our Citrus Shaving Foam was named Best for Sensitive Skin by Treehugger.com in 2022! We don't like to brag, but we are super proud of our EWG Verified Shaving Foam. Here is what Treehugger had to say:
"If your face has been pickled by razor burn, and shave oils aren’t really your thing, turn to Be Green Bath and Body’s EWG Verified plant-based citrusy shaving foam. A potent mix of anti-inflammatory sweet orange castile soap, moisturising coconut oil, and soothing aloe vera, it makes your daily shave smooth as butter. Building up a respectable lather (not the same heft as that of synthetic foams though), it’s gentle to use on sensitive skins and mild enough to use as a face and body soap. Also available in a 16.5 oz refill bottle (without a foamer pump), you can ditch the other cleansing paraphernalia for this multi-tasking marvel."
Taking a look at the ingredients in the product you currently use? Some ingredients commonly found in shaving products that should be avoided include:
Triethanolamine (TEA): Found in foaming products, they have been linked with hormone disruption, and can form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamines. They can also be readily absorbed into the skin. Also watch out for the related ingredients of DEA and MEA which are also ethanolamines.
Fragrance: Fragrances are known to be a common allergen, and have also been linked with headaches, dizziness, rashes, and skin irritation. Most companies don't disclose what their fragrance ingredients are. It could be any one of hundreds of ingredients including pthalates that can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system.
Sulfates (or sulphates): Also known as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), or ammonium lauryl sulfate. They are included are surfactant ingredients that help the product foam. They are super harsh and have been known to cause dry skin, rashes, and dermatitis.
Glycols: Used as a humectant, solvent, emollient or preservative. Propylene glycol was found to provoke allergic reactions in patients with eczema and other skin allergies. They are linked to dry skin, rashes, and dermatitis. (Look out for propylene, butylene and ethylene glycol.)
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene): A synthetic antioxidant used to stabilize and protect other ingredients. It can penetrate the skin but not deeply. Linked to skin, eye, and lung irritation. Toluene was rated 37th most toxic chemical by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. A safer option is tocopherol.
Be Green Bath + Body Shaving Foam is sold with a foamer-type pump. Refill bottles are available at a discounted price so you can save money and help save plastic. Nourish Your Skin Safely® with Be Green!