Contrary to popular belief, beauty does not have to equal pain. It is not only possible but also fun and healthy to find cruelty-free products for hygiene and aesthetic upkeep. You don’t have to shop in major cities to find these kinds of products — especially when so much is made available on the Internet. Whether you’re shaving your face or your body, you can do it the vegan way — and the animals and the environment will thank you for that.
Of course, no one is required to shave. This goes for men, women, and people of all genders. Shave as much or as little hair as you like.
Without further ado, here are some of the resources to help keep your shaving animal-free (and with significantly fewer harsh chemicals). This guide is not gender-specific.
How to Shave the Vegan Way
Razors
A good razor is the first thing you’ll need for a good vegan shave. You might be wondering how a razor could not be vegan. Many of them are owned by companies that test on animals, which is a huge no-no for any animal loving person. And secondly — with Gilette razors as an example — the lubricant strip on some razors is made with lanolin and/or glycerin (the animal-derived kind).
Some vegan alternatives to common marketplace razors are the Preserve Triple Razor or eShave’s Double Edge Razor if you don’t mind splurging. If you prefer something electric, you can try this Conair beard/mustache trimmer.
Vegan.com reports on the Preserve brand (mentioned above):
“‘Preserve’ brand razors are not only animal-friendly but eco-friendly as well. Their plastics are made from recycled yogurt cups. And the dreaded lubricant strip on their razors is made from aloe vera, vitamin E, and vegan colorant. The company has had a policy against animal testing since its formation. They promise, “We do not test on animals. Period.” On top of all this, Preserve’s blades are extremely affordable when purchased in bulk—they come in at less than half the cost apiece compared to Gillette’s premium blades.”
Creams & Gels
Shaving creams and gels often contain glycerin, animal fat, lanolin and other unsafe chemicals — especially when applied directly to your face and other body parts. Thankfully, there are tons of vegan alternatives. With these products, you can enjoy a refreshing, close shave without any animal derivatives.
If you’re looking for vegan shaving creams there are many: 100% Pure’s Pink Grapefruit Seaweed Shaving Cream, Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Cream, Avalon Organics Revitalizing Peppermint, Earth Science 145 Smooth Start Shave Cream, Herban Cowboy Dusk Premium Shave Cream, Giovanni’s Moisturizing Shave Cream, and Kiss My Face’s 4-in-1 Moisture Shave Cream.
If you’re looking for vegan shaving gel there is Bold For Men Dry Shave Gel, Dr. Bronner’s Shaving Gel, and Acure Organics’ Foaming Shaving Gel.
If you have an electric razor, you won’t need to worry about shaving creams or gels.
Aftershave
If you want to finish off a shave with a little extra something, here are a few vegan aftershaves. There’s Jack Black Post Shave Cooling Gel and Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer, Herban Cowboy Dusk Aftershave Balm, The Body Shop’s Maca Root and Aloe Softening Shaving Cream, and Honeybee Gardens Herbal Aftershave. Without many of the harsh chemicals in traditional aftershave products, your skin is far less likely to burn and flare up.
Waxing
The love-hate relationship with waxing is real. On one hand, it removes unwanted hair for long periods of time. On the other hand, it can be expensive and painful. The Moom Hair Removal Kit seeks to rectify those two downsides with a system that is less than $20 and minimizes the sting. The kit comes with everything you need to get the job done.
If you’d prefer to get waxed by a professional, take to Google and search for vegan hair waxing. The success of your search will likely depend on where you live and how far you’re able to travel.
Sugaring
Proposed as the more natural alternative to waxing, sugaring works similarly but relies on fewer ingredients. Not all sugaring brands are vegan but one among them who is vegan is Sugar Strip Ease. Their products are made with only two ingredients, sugar syrup and water, so there’s no need to worry about any hidden, hard to read ingredients.
Their products are made to gentle and affordable. The website also offers many guides on how to use their products, like “Does Sugaring Thick Hair Work?” and “The Most Effective Sugaring Methods.” Sugaring can easily be done at home, making it a cheaper, more convenient alternative to waxing trips at a salon/spa.
Bonus!
If you shave often and want something that can package your products together, try Dollar Shave Club. They are almost entirely vegan — with a few products, which they list here, that are not — and never test on animals. For an affordable price, you can get all your shaving needs each month without ever having to leave your house.
