Do you need to shave and don’t have suitable soap to use? Do you have problems finding commercial products that suit you? Worry less! You can make your DIY shaving soaps and tailor them to suit your needs.
Shaving is an essential part of maintaining personal hygiene. It helps you stay fresh and clean. Besides its influence on unique looks, it reduces your vulnerability to certain infections.
There are many reasons people prefer soaps to cream when it comes to shaving. Although creams are quicker to apply, soaps bring hydration that makes it easy to cut off the whiskers. Also, the cost and ease of handling shaving soaps are lower than that of creams.
There is a lot to know about shaving soaps. In this guide, you will learn about the benefits of shaving soaps. You will also discover how to make DIY homemade shaving soap. So, if you have issues with shaving creams and commercial soaps, you have enough reasons to stick around.
Let’s find out!
Advantages of Using Shaving Soaps
Shaving soaps is one of the essential parts of a man’s pack. It is necessary to look tidy and clean at all times. Shaving is one factor that makes a man appear neat and tidy. Shaving soaps make this process easier. Here are some of the advantages of using shaving soaps;
- Soap hydrates the jaw whiskers and makes them easy to cut.
- It moisturizes the skin and makes it easier for treatment to penetrate.
- It makes it possible for the razor to cut through the whiskers without pulling the hair; hence, making it less painful.
- Soaps are easier to pack and handle for trips compared to creams.
- Shaving soaps make it easier to use most modern shaving techniques.
- Shaving soaps are relatively cost-effective compared to most other options.
- Soaps last longer than creams. So, you don’t have to change it often.
Benefits of Using DIY Shaving Soaps
Besides using shaving soaps, there are other benefits of using DIY shaving soaps. Here are reasons you should consider making your shaving soap;
- DIY shaving soaps are less expensive and cost-effective.
- It enables the usage of specific products that fit your skin and shaving needs.
- It is environmentally friendly and easy to use.
- It enables flexible ingredients and the addition of various treatment formulas.
- It has negligible or no side effects.
- DIY soaps facilitate clean shaves and healthy groom.
How to Make DIY Shaving Soaps
Now that you understand the benefits of using DIY shaving soaps, it is best to try it out. You don’t have to run around stores that sell shaving soaps. You can easily make your soaps with the right ingredients.
These ingredients are easy to find and relatively easy to use. Some of these ingredients are available for regular home use. Below are some of the easy ways to make DIY shaving soaps;
1. Foaming Shave Soap
Ingredients
- Natural Aloe Vera Gel (1/4 cup)
- Almond or Olive oil (1 tbsp)
- Distilled water (optional lavender infused)
- Fragrance (you can use essential oils)
- Liquid castile soap (1/4 cup)
- Natural preservatives (consider Grapefruit extract or vitamin E)
Foaming DIY soap is one of the best options because it is easy to use. The making is not demanding, and you can use it for a complete body bath. The natural preservatives allow it to stay for a couple of months. The inclusion of natural Aloe Vera gel adds lots of healthy nutrients.
Making Instructions
STEP 1: Measure the accurate quantity of every ingredient.
STEP 2: Mix the ingredients in a former bottle and mix gently.
STEP 3: Shake until you have a uniform mix.
STEP 4: Add preservatives before sealing, and it is ready for use.
Note that citrus essential oils might not be suitable if you have to move under the sun. Consider using other essential oils instead. Also, ensure that all your ingredients are in the appropriate quantity.
2. Oil-Rich Shaving Soap
Ingredients
- Coconut oil (30%)
- Sunflower Oil (15%)
- Olive Oil (10%)
- Castor Oil (10%)
- Cocoa Butter (5%)
- Palm Oil (30%)
- Bentonite clay
- Fragrance (you can use suitable essential oils too)
- Lye
This oil-rich shaving soap recipe is one of the best you can consider. It provides an all-rounder effect, including skin protection and treatment. The coconut oil improves the soap and lather. Palm oil constituent offers a rigid, stable bar with a creamy effect.
Castor oil and sunflower oil also improves the lather. The former enhances creaminess while the latter helps with conditioning. Cocoa butter and olive oil further improve creaminess. Bentonite clay offers an extra slip and helps with the skin’s purification.
Making Instructions
This process is cold, so you might not need heat.
STEP 1: Measure your ingredients in the correct quantity
STEP 2: Add clay to lye water and leave it to stand while you mix other ingredients
STEP 3: Mix the oils in the right percentage combination. You can calculate the percentage of the mixture by determining the overall quantity. For instance, if you need 100g of soap, 30% content will take 30g of the entire combination.
STEP 4: Add the oil mix with clay and lye water. Add other ingredients and mix properly.
STEP 5: Pour the perfect mixture into a tin or other containers and store it in a cool, dry place.
Note that you can alter this mix’s recipe to create your specification. Overall, this recipe’s ingredients are long-lasting, protective, and lubricating.
3. Lye and Shea Butter Shaving Soap
Ingredients
- Lye (4.5 oz)
- Coconut oil (9.5 oz)
- Distilled water (12 oz)
- Palm oil (11 oz)
- Shear butter (3.25 oz)
- Olive Oil (1.5 oz)
One of this recipe’s primary benefits is that it works for moisturizing and easy shaving. It also gives thick lather that makes it suitable for a complete bath. The palm oil constituent improves the texture and hardness of the soap.
Olive oil and coconut oil works for improving creaminess and conditioning. The soap also has other beneficial effects on human skin and after-shave.
Making Instructions
STEP 1: Start by gathering your ingredients and mixing them in the correct quantity.
STEP 2: Add water to the lye in the appropriate quantity. You can use a pyrex container to make it easier. Mix it until the lye completely dissolves. This mix will cause a rise in its temperature. So, it is best to do it before mixing other ingredients. Set this mix aside while you work on others.
STEP 3: Mix the constituent oils and heat gently. You can also add the Shea butter and keep the temperature below 120 degrees.
STEP 4: Mix the Oil with the lye content in the pyrex container. Pour slowly and carefully to avoid splash and spills.
STEP 5: Use suitable mixing methods to blend the two contents. You can use a stick blender and work on the mix till it becomes opaque.
STEP 6: Add the bentonite clay into the resulting mixture. A heaping tablespoonful of the clay should give desired results. Ensure that the resulting mix is smooth and uniform.
STEP 7: After mixing the constituent properly, pour it into containers and leave it to mold and cure. It is best to use it for 5-6 weeks before using.
4. Soft Shaving Soap
Ingredients
- Coconut Oil
- Lye solution
- Stearic acid
- Table salt
- Glycerin
- Olive oil
This DIY shaving soap recipe is one of the best options. It produces a soft soap that is easy to use and apply. Besides, every constituent of this mix plays an active role in its functions. Coconut oil and olive oil helps with moisturizing, creaminess, and conditioning.
Making instructions
STEP 1: Heat the coconut oil and stearic acid to about 105 degrees Celsius once you gather your ingredients and materials.
STEP 2: Mix lye with the suitable quantity of distilled water until the lye dissolves.
STEP 3: Add the heated coconut oil and stearic acid to the dissolved lye. Expect the resulting mixture to expand, rise, and foam. Allow this process to go on without interference.
STEP 4: Whisk the mixture with a spoon or any other safe material until the combination appears translucent.
STEP 5: Cover the mix for about two to five minutes. This covering will allow the pH to neutralize.
STEP 6: Add other additives, including fragrance, and mix again. Other suitable additives include citric acid, sorbitol, and cetyl alcohol for preservatives.
STEP 7: Pour it inside the suitable container to mold and harden.
STEP 8: Cover it in an air-tight container to ensure it sets properly. Allowing air to penetrate will leave the soap soft like a cream.
STEP 9: Enjoy the soap for your shaving processes.
All the options highlighted above are great recipes to follow when making your DIY shaving soap. It is essential to ensure that you are not allergic to any ingredient in your selected recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Shaving Soap
Shaving is something people, particularly men, do at many points in their lives. So, they find the most comfortable and appealing way to do it. DIY shaving soap feels like a suitable alternative for many shaving problems. It is understandable if you still have many questions running through your mind.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about DIY shaving soaps.
Is it compulsory to use shaving soap during shave?
Although it is possible to shave without shaving soap, it is not the best thing to do because of its multiple side effects. If you want to have the best, clean shave with minimal after-shave effect, it is best to use shaving soaps. You can also consider other shave alternatives like creams.
What are the benefits of DIY shaving soaps over creams?
Shaving soaps are easy to use and less expensive. They can also form lather enough for you to have a complete bath. Besides, DIY soaps allow you to customize the ingredients of your shaving creams instead of using the generalized formula of commercial creams.
Should you rinse your shaving soap after use?
It is not compulsory to rinse your shaving soaps after use, and sometimes it is not advisable. If you have to rinse your soap, ensure that it dries properly before putting it back into the container. But remember that the more you expose the soap, the more its fragrance escapes.
Can you shave with regular soaps instead of DIY shaving soaps?
Using regular soap will clean and moisturize your skin, but it is not ideal for razors and shaves. Most normal soaps do not have enough gel and oil to allow gentle glides during a shave. Gels will ease shave over irregular areas.
What are the differences between regular soaps and shaving soaps?
Although they are both soaps that are good for the skin, shaving soaps still differ from regular soaps. The lathers of regular soaps are thin and water, making them only ideal for washing off the dirt. Shaving soaps have thick lather with enough gel for moisturizing and blade protection.
Can you leave your DIY shaving soaps in a mug?
There is no harm in leaving your DIY shaving in a mug as long as you keep it air-tight. Exposing the soap will cause the fragrance to escape. Also, prevent water from coming in contact with soap to prevent it from softening.
A Final Word From The Trending Man
Shaving can be an inevitable part of human life. So, you need to find the best way to do it. Using shaving soaps is excellent, but making a DIY soap is better. Besides the fact that the latter is less expensive, it allows you to use suitable ingredients. Also, it is easy to apply, environmentally friendly and has beneficial effects on the skin.
The ingredients and making process of DIY shaving soap are easy. You can create and customize yours without much hassle. It helps you beat the hassle of generalized shaving soaps and creams in the commercial market. Feel free to customize any of the recipes above and share your experience!