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So you need to shave but you've just run out of shaving cream. What do you do?
Is it safe to shave anyway? Will water provide enough lubrication to help you avoid razor burn and itching? What about hand soap or shower gel?
Trust me guys, ever guy has been in this situation before. But the fact remains that men use shaving cream for a reason - there are plenty of things that set it apart from your average body wash!
In today's blog, we're breaking out why you shouldn't replace your shaving cream with other soapy products and what makes shaving cream the perfect product for men's facial grooming.
What does shaving cream do?
Despite what you may have heard, shaving cream isn’t just another kind of soap.
Shaving cream acts as a moisturizing and lubricating barrier between your face and the sharp razor that you use to scrape away that five o’clock shadow.
Using natural shaving cream or shaving gel helps create a smooth surface that your razor can easily glide across, protecting your delicate skin from razor burn, redness, nicks, cuts, and irritation.
Is shaving cream harmful?
Of course, like everything else in our modern world, the shaving cream you find in the average medicine cabinet does have its drawbacks.
We’re talking about the kind of shaving cream that comes in an aerosol can, which is better referred to as a shaving foam, even though most people think of it when they hear the term “shaving cream.”
This shaving foam usually contains alcohol and soap, both of which are very drying to the skin. Isn’t that a funny thing to do to a bloke’s face when the whole point of the product is to moisturize?
Shaving foam can also contain surfactant, artificial lubricants that can dry out your skin over time and accelerate the aging process. And here you thought shaving would make you look younger! That’s not where the list of chemicals stops, either.
Between the phthalates, glycols, artificial fragrances, solvents, and preservatives, there’s no shortage of potentially harmful chemicals in your average can of foam shaving cream.
What’s even worse, with the microscopic breaks in the skin that happen every time you shave, you’re potentially giving those chemicals direct access to your bloodstream.
Is it OK to shave without shaving cream?
What’s the worst that could happen if you just grabbed a razor and scraped it across your dry stubbly face?
Well, first of all, you’re increasing the risk of cuts and nicks. But you're also preventing yourself from getting the closest shave possible.
Plus, you aren’t just asking for a serious case of razor burn, you might also end up with razor bumps.
Razor bumps and ingrown hairs can become pus-filled, painful, and infected, which will, ironically enough, have you wishing for that long scraggly beard you were just so eager to scrape off your face.
In short: shaving cream makes shaving a pleasant experience. Go without it, and you could experience some pretty nasty side effects.
What can you use if you don’t have shaving cream?
So what are you supposed to use to shave when you've run out of shaving cream?
While you could always go the Kramer route and try the butter shave, actually shaving with butter does cause some difficulties - namely, the butter does not rinse easily off the blades and has to be removed with a Q-Tip.
Several different types of oil have been used for shaving, as has a conditioner and even moisturizing lotion, but what we like as an alternative to shaving cream is shave gel.
Our natural shave gel is crystal clear, which helps you guide the razor and see where you are going every time, meaning you don’t miss a spot, and you don’t over shave and irritate any spots either.
Infused with soothing aloe vera and eucalyptus oil straight from our Australian homeland, our shave gel calms and protects your skin for the smoothest shave on the softest skin you can get.
Why are natural ingredients better for shaving?
Natural ingredients are better for your shaving products because of what we said before about the microscopic tears in the skin that occur every time you shave.
Your skin is a protective barrier for your body, but it can certainly absorb whatever is applied to it through the pores.
But when you shave, you’re giving those harmful chemicals in some store-bought shaving products direct access to your bloodstream.
Our VITAMAN natural shaving cream comes in a tube, not a foaming can, and is made from the best all-natural ingredients around.
Instead of water, we start with a base of antioxidant-rich White Tea, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can strengthen and protect skin from the inside.
We also use reparative coconut oil, aloe vera leaf juice, and vitamin E, plus other natural plant ingredients sourced from the Outback.
Conclusion: Is Shaving Cream Necessary?
Shaving cream may not be essential when shaving your face, but that’s only if you want to risk irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Using some kind of lubricating protective barrier is the best way to get a smooth, clean, healthy shave.
Want to really ensure shaving success?
Try prepping your face with a shaving oil, which hydrates skin and gently lifts and softens facial hair before you slice it oh-so-close for the smoothest skin around.
