Every time I get close to running out of a particular cosmetic item, I start brainstorming up a way to avoid buying more chemical-filled, highly-packaged products. I also love it if I can find a frugal option that will help our budget.
One homemade item I have been thrilled with lately, is my homemade shaving cream! I was able to find the ingredients inexpensively through our co-op, but the author of the original recipe also recommended finding your ingredients off of Amazon. (I have regularly kept everything except the glycerin on hand, anyway.)
I made half of this recipe, and it made enough to fill an 18 oz container- plenty to last for awhile! I made a few adjustments to the ingredients, but basically followed the same recipe. Here is what I used:
Homemade Shaving Cream
1/2 Cup grated Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Castile Soap
1/2 Cup Rose Water (or Water)
2 Tbl. Cocoa Butter
1/4 Cup Vegetable Glycerin
5 drops Essential Lavender Oil
5 drops Essential Tea Tree Oil
1-2 Tbl. Coconut Oil
I did not make my own rose water, as the recipe instructs. I just purchased rose water, and used it to soak the castile soap for several hours. (I began the soaking process in the morning, and then whipped up the rest of the recipe that night.) You can also just use regular water, if you prefer not to use rose water (some husbands might appreciate that less-girly option!), or as a substitute if you don’t have any rose water on hand.
I discovered that a blender did not give the desired results for this recipe. It quickly created a foaming-looking result, but re-liquified after a few days. The handheld mixer does appear to be essential, in creating a fully-emulsified, permanent cream consistency. Although, I’m wondering if an old fashioned egg beater would work just as well, or perhaps an immersion blender? Let me know if you try!
The resulting product was too thick to pour into a narrow-necked bottle, as I had originally planned, so I keep it in a flat, plastic food storage container, in our shower. The cream tends to solidify in our chilly bathroom overnight, but softens up quickly from the warmth of your hands.
I recently discovered on one of my favorite crafty blogs, a review of this recipe as well.
I have heard that using just straight coconut oil works well for shaving, too. However, I preferred using these herbal/floral-scented ingredients, and to save most of my expensive coconut oil for other purposes.
It works for me! For more Works for Me Wednesday ideas, go to Rocks in My Dryer.
Do you think I could use shea butter instead of cocoa butter? I have it on hand.
[Reply]
Michele Reply:
November 17th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
You probably could, Joy! The cocoa butter has a “harder” consistency than shea butter, so I’m not sure how the softer shea butter would change things, but it would probably be fine. Let me know how it goes!
Blessings,
Michele
[Reply]
I made it shea butter and it came out great!
Also, a bit of advice to anyone who attempts this. When you are whipping it with the beaters, the cream will actually whip up and grow in size. My bowl was too small, so I had to swap in the middle.
I used a bar of Dr. Bronner’s peppermint castile soap, (adding a bit of rose water since the bar is 5 oz not 4 oz) and did not add any essential oils. I was worried the smell would be overpowering, but it has a perfect light peppermint scent. I don’t even notice the rose water. Like you, I purchased mine.
Overall, it came out really well! Thick and creamy! I think my husband is really going to love this!
[Reply]
Hello can you use liquid castile soap for the shaving cream thanks charlie.
[Reply]
Michele @ Frugal Granola Reply:
March 16th, 2011 at 9:01 am
@Joseh, No, you can’t substitute liquid for the bar soap, but shaving with just liquid castile soap works pretty well instead of a shaving cream.
Thanks!
Michele
[Reply]
Hello again being that I can only use bar soap, I will buy a natural soap is that ok and how long do you have to soak the grated soap for before you make it, or do you have to soak it at all thanks
[Reply]
Hello can you use any natural bar soap you want and how long should you soak the soap for before you put in the rest of the ingredients thanks.
[Reply]