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Is Shaving Cream Toxic?

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Shaving cream has been with us for over a century, and has become a bathroom staple in many households. However, as with many of our toiletries, there are more than a few nasty chemicals hidden in those enticing bubbles.

But as we don’t eat it, do we need to worry anyway? 

Though more research is needed, what we can say for certain is that most popular brands contain a number of toxic chemicals.

Risks from these ingredients are significantly lower as we don’t ingest it, however some of them have been proven to enter our bloodstream, and could accumulate in our bodies over time.

What is shaving cream made of?

There are hundreds of different brands of shaving cream out there. When standing in the aisle at the supermarket, trying to make your choice, it might help you to know the basic ingredients of major commercial brands are generally much of a muchness. Here are few ingredients you will find in most, with those in bold sometimes considered harmful ingredients. 

Surfactants

Over 80% of any shaving cream product is water. Surfactants, or soaps, are used to break the surface water tension and better allow the mixing of water and other mediums, such as gases, oils or dirt. Essentially they allow the shaving cream ingredients to mix together and foam up. Once the mixture then interacts with your skin they allow it to clean more thoroughly.  

Stearic acid might sound pretty scary but actually it’s a naturally derived soap common in shaving creams. It helps to combine the ingredients together and provides stability to the tiny soap bubbles that form. Triethanolamine is often used alongside stearic acid to form triethanolamine stearate. It is created through mixing ammonia and ethylene oxide, a petroleum byproduct. 

Limits exist on how much of triethanolamine stearate and triethanolamine can be used in cosmetic products as it has been found to be a mild skin irritant. It is also not allowed to be mixed with N-nitrosating agents, as this creates a carcinogenic ingredient called nitrosamines. 

Other common surfactants are Laureth-23 and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). These ingredients are great for foaming up the product, which is why they are so regularly used in soaps and shampoos. Research has found they can irritate the skin and add to problems such as eczema and dermatitis. They have also been found to be harmful to aquatic wildlife. 

shaving cream toxic

Humectants and Oils 

Humectants are ingredients used to moisturise or soften the skin or hair, but they can also help to lubricate the shaving process. Often products will either use mineral oils or more natural alternatives. Mineral oils are derived from petroleum, and therefore their use has some environmental implications. They do not moisturise the skin, but instead create a barrier, preventing moisture loss.

Though research is not conclusive, there are concerns these may bioaccumulate within the body over time, which could have long-term health implications. Lanolin is a natural alternative derived from the washing of sheep fleeces. Coconut acid, or coconut oil, is also commonly used though it can clog pores if used in high concentrations.  

Glycerol is a natural derived ingredient, which is used in food products as well as personal care products. It acts as a lubricant to help the razor blade side over the skin effectively, but has the added benefit of moisturising the skin as well. It also has antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties, helping it to soothe the skin after the shave. 

Propylene glycol, ethylen glycol and butylene glycol are all alcohols largely synthetically made from petroleum by products. Whilst they act as a moisturizer in shaving cream, they also have other properties and propylene glycol is generally mostly used as a surfactant. Similar concerns exist to the use of other petroleum derivatives on our skin.    

Preservatives

BHT or butylated hydroxytoluene is a synthetically made chemical, though it can be naturally produced by algae and other plants. As well as being used in cosmetics it is used in food for human consumption and some medication. It is an antioxidant, which is why it acts as a good preservative. However some people may find use of products containing this ingredient results in a BHT allergy. This can take the form of a rash, raised skin, or blisters.  

Parabens are often used because of their antibacterial and antifungal properties, however there have long been concerns about their overuse in cosmetics. Research has found they can penetrate the skin and accumulate in our bodies, as well as in the bodies of wildlife that come into contact with paraben waste. Studies have found parabens in breast tumours, however there is not enough evidence to know if they are themselves cancer causing. It is also thought that parabens affect human hormones levels, mimicking estrogen in the blood-stream. 

Fragrance 

Fragrances are probably the easiest group for us to get our heads around. These are added to give the product a pleasant scent. However most products don’t list their fragrance ingredients, as this can be considered a trade secret. Many people with sensitive skin can react badly to these chemicals, meaning fragrance-free products are often marketed at this group. 

Propellants 

If you’re using shaving foam, rather than shaving cream, there will also be another group of chemicals you’ll have to be aware of; propellants. Isobutane and propane are volatile gases, derived from petroleum and natural gases. They are used in aerosol cans, and propel the shaving cream out of the can, mixing with it to create the foam. Studies have shown these ingredients can have a negative effect on skin, however it is thought they evaporate quickly when used in this context, meaning they are not harmless.   

So are shaving creams bad?

Cosmetic ingredients are confusing, in part because so many different names can be attributed to the same things. However, if you look closely you can begin to see the pattern in what at first appears random. 

Many ingredients within shaving creams are manufactured from petroleum or its by products. Though these are considered safe to use within cosmetics that are immediately washed off, concerns have been raised in the past in their use in shaving products. 

When we wet shave we can cause micro-abrasions and cuts that may allow chemicals to enter our bodies. Though the research hasn’t been able to tell us what this could mean for our health petroleum certainly isn’t a gentle or environmentally friendly ingredient. Additionally, there are alternatives that can be used, which can give us additional benefits such as moisturisation without any potential long-term harm. 

Other chemicals that have raised concerns are those that may irritate the skin of the user, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, BHT, triethanolamine and unlabelled fragrances. Though larger health consequences will be avoided, it’s worth considering that products without these ingredients provide the same service while being gentler on your skin. 

Finally there are parabens, which already have a lot of research behind them. Though used in small quantities they may have no noticeable effects on human health, it’s their presence in so many products that is worrying. Like plastic and fossil fuels, this may be something we have become so over-reliant on that it’s now our achilles heel.

So if you want to be kind to your skin, and gentle on the planet, you can look out for brands that proudly boast no SLS, no mineral oils and no parabens.  

Chemical-free shaving creams: what to look for 

Natural shaving creams

The word natural is often overused within advertising. Companies will use it to green-wash their product and make it seem more eco-friendly. Just because something is labelled as ‘natural’ don’t assume all the ingredients are good for you. However, there are brands that genuinely aim to be as sustainable as possible, using ingredients that haven’t been altered too much and avoiding harsh chemicals. 

Look out for labels where you recognise all the ingredients, such as coconut oil, oatmeal or tea tree oil. They will often list all the nasties they don’t include, stating they are paraben free, free of mineral oils, and don’t include synthetic fragrances.  

Organic shaving creams

It is well known that foods and other materials grown with pesticides come to us still carrying some of that pesticide residue. However, the effects on human health are less well studied. You can be sure though that organic farming will benefit the environment by encouraging better soil and water health, and reducing the impact on insects and other wildlife. Organic products also often avoid other toxins and are usually paraben free.  

If you would rather be safe than sorry, good organic and natural shaving creams are the way to go. And by the way, did you know how easy it is to make your own homemade shaving cream?

What to use instead of shaving cream

If the whole thing just seems too scary and complicated for you, it’s worth remembering that you don’t actually need shaving cream. However, like many modern products it’s been designed for convenience, so the alternatives may take a little more work. The purpose of shaving cream is to soften the hairs on your body, lubricate the action of the razor, and soothe and moisturise your skin. Here are some alternatives that can do the same thing;

A pinch of salt

There’s a lot of scary information out there about the ingredients in our personal care products. However, it’s worth remembering that a lot of research is taken out of context. While an ingredient may have been found to be carcinogenic, the research paper probably involved ingesting large quantities of it, something we don’t do with shaving cream. 

Long-term negative effects from external use of these potentially harmful ingredients are hard to study. That’s not to say it’s not worth changing to a more eco-friendly product. While the data may not be strong enough to tell us that our health is at risk we often have plenty of research to tell us how harmful sulfates, mineral oils and parabens are to the environment. 

In the end you can buy a gentler product that is kinder on your skin, and kinder on the planet. And that’s no bad thing.

If you want to learn more about eco friendly shaving, you can start by switching to an eco-friendly razor, but there is more you can do. Check out our guide to eco friendly shaving.

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David Douek

David Douek

beeco's founder. Living in Switzerland, between lakes and mountains, caring for the planet comes naturally!
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