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5 Easy Homemade Shaving Cream Recipes

Posted by Kelly Natural Beauty, The Body 47 Comments
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There are so many reasons to make your own homemade shaving cream. It will leave your legs, face, or armpits soft, allow you to get a closer shave than just lathered soap, you will avoid all of those HORRID chemicals that are in the canned store-bought versions, and they make great gifts!

5 Homemade Shaving Cream Recipes

You can put this in a foam pump and include it with some homemade soap.

To research this article, I went to look at the ingredients of store-bought shaving creams.  You guessed it, they were bad.  Super bad! Remember, your skin is your largest organ and it is great at absorbing everything you put on it!  What really upset me was that there are a number of shaving creams on the market claiming to be healthy and natural, but are quite the opposite.

Time to break out the ingredients and make some of your own!

Now, there are zillions of recipes out there on the web.  Most of them are some variation of each other.  Which is fine and great. I made each of the main variations and changed them to make them better (or so I believe).  I DID have a problem with some of them though.

The most prevalent recipe you will find is similar to my recipe for Shea Butter Lotion. This makes a fluffy cream to spread over your legs and makes for a silky shave.  The problem is that this puts A LOT of solid oils straight down your drain.  Whether it be my husband at the sink, or me in the shower, the drain has to deal with all that solid oil.  No amount of hot water you run is going to make a difference just a little ways down the pipe.  And you do NOT want to have to find where that clog is in your yard!

So, if you still want to use the fluffy lotion method, here’s the recipe. Like I said, it’s an awesome shave, but don’t say I didn’t warn you about the pipes!

5 Homemade Shaving Cream Recipes

5 Homemade Shaving Cream Recipes

1) Lotion Shave Cream

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup shea butter
  • 1/3 cup sweet almond oil or fractionated coconut oil
  • 10 drops essential oils of choice

Directions:

  1. Whip shea butter in a bowl
  2. Slowly add melted coconut or sweet almond oil while whipping.
  3. Add essential oils and whip.

The Following Can be Put in a Foam Pump

These recipes are all fabulous.  You can put them in a jar or a normal pump container and just shake it before each use. Or you can find a cool foam pump like this one, or buy a cheap 5 dollar or less one at a local store, dump the nasty contents, and use the container over and over again.

You can make just enough for the size dispenser you have, or make extra and store it in the cupboard until needed (highly recommended).

2) Simple and Lovely

I love this recipe because I always have these ingredients on hand, I can make a bunch, and the coconut oil adds that extra moisture and smoothness for my legs. If you do not have fractionated coconut oil (used so you don’t get a hard clump of coconut oil in your container), you can substitute another oil like olive, sweet almond, apricot, or grapeseed.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ounce homemade soap (non-castile will make it thicker)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons fractionated coconut oil
  • 10 drops essential oils of choice

 Directions:

  1. Shave 1 oz soap into a saucepan with water and heat over low until melted.
  2. Remove from heat and add fractionated coconut oil and essential oils.
  3. Add to your Foam Pump

3) Shampoo/Conditioner Combo

This one makes a great shaving cream, just make sure your are using healthy shampoos.  Check EWG database or my post on best to worst non-organic shampoos.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup conditioner
  • 1/4 cup shampoo
  • 4 tablespoons sweet almond oil or fractionated coconut oil
  • 10 drops essential oils of choice

 Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients and pour into a foam pump.
5 Homemade Shaving Cream Recipes

4) Oil and Honey Combo

Oooh, cocoa butter, honey, and sweet almond oil! A Great combo! I really liked the feel of this one.  A must try!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sweet almond oil
  • 1/4 cup cocoa butter (melted)
  • 1/4 cup castile soap
  • 1/4 cup raw honey
  • 3/4 cups warm water (or enough to fill a 16 oz container after other ingredients are added)
  • 10 drops essential oils of choice

 Directions:

  1. In a glass measuring cup, add cocoa butter and place in a sauce pan of water as a type of double broiler.
  2. Add soap, sweet almond oil, and honey.
  3. Pour into 16 oz foam container and add enough water to fill.
  4. Shake to combine well.

5) Aloe and Soap

Aloe is very soothing, inside and out. Using a aloe gel and soap combo makes this a great foaming gel for shaving.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup aloe vera gel (We use this brand internally, very good stuff)
  • 1/4 cup liquid castile soap (or melt 1oz in 1 cup water)
  • 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
  • 1/2 cup filtered water
  • 10 drops essential oils of choice

 Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients and pour into a foam pump.

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47 Comments

About Kelly

Kelly is the author of number one best seller The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners and Easy Soap Making. She's also written multiple ebooks on herbal remedies and natural bath and body DIYs. Her journey toward better health has inspired her to make things in and around the home from scratch, start a homestead, and become more resourceful when it comes to health and home. She shares her recipes and DIYs here on Simple Life Mom and has a shop where she sells products for those who would rather buy than make (SimpleLifeMom.com/shop).

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47 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Terri Presser
    · Reply

    November 15, 2014 at 11:57 PM

    Thanks for this great post, might make some of these up for Chrissy presents. Blessings

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 16, 2014 at 7:46 PM

      Sounds good. I’m making some for my hubby 🙂

  • Jennifer A
    · Reply

    November 17, 2014 at 11:51 AM

    Thanks for these recipes! I’m almost out of the bad conditioner I’ve been using as shaving cream and was wondering what I was going to replace it with.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 18, 2014 at 3:57 PM

      There you go! That’s how I end up making my own things too 🙂

  • Sandra
    · Reply

    November 19, 2014 at 11:24 PM

    These looks great, I can’t wait to try them!!
    Thanks for sharing at the HomeAcre Hop. Pinned to our HomeAcre Faves Board!

  • Becky
    · Reply

    November 20, 2014 at 9:58 AM

    Thanks for this! I’ve gotten in the habit of just using straight-up coconut oil, which feels lovely, but it does clog the drain up from time to time. So my husband would probably thank me to try something different!

  • Heidi @ House on the Hill WV
    · Reply

    November 20, 2014 at 9:53 PM

    As a mom of two young kids, I always see recipes around for sensory activities with shaving cream. I just can’t bring myself to do it! Perhaps I’ll make some homemade shaving cream to give it a go 🙂

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 21, 2014 at 9:30 AM

      That’s a good idea. Make the lotion kind so it’s nice and fluffy, and then add a few drops of essential oils to make it even more therapeutic. 🙂

  • JenL
    · Reply

    October 29, 2015 at 12:33 PM

    Clarifications question: In the lotion recipe, the ingredients are shea butter, almond oil, and essential oil. However, the direction step #2 states: “Slowly add melted coconut and sweet almond oil while whipping.” Was coconut oil supposed to be in the ingredients list? If so, how much? Thanks.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      October 29, 2015 at 1:11 PM

      Thanks for catching at. It should say “or”, not “and”. Coconut makes it thicker. You can use any combination that equals 1/3 cup.

  • Colleen
    · Reply

    November 19, 2015 at 9:00 PM

    With the water content, how long is the shelf life in each of these recipes?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 19, 2015 at 11:00 PM

      3 months – it varies longer or shorter depending on how much bacteria or oils are introduced via hands.

      • Colleen
        · Reply

        November 20, 2015 at 6:40 PM

        LOVELY!! Thanks!

  • Gracie
    · Reply

    June 14, 2016 at 4:13 PM

    Tried the shampoo/ conditioner recipe and it will NOT come out of my foam pump. Any suggestions? It’s like the foam pump gets clogged or something. Also, where did you get your foam pump?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      June 14, 2016 at 10:04 PM

      I got my pump on amazon. If you added regular coconut oil and your house is around or cooler than 76 it will get hard, making it harder to pump (fractionated coconut oil is great for this project). You can add more oil like an olive oil to thin it out.

  • Karen
    · Reply

    July 4, 2016 at 7:23 AM

    Hii for the 1st attempt could we use something else than Shea butter

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      July 5, 2016 at 6:28 PM

      You can use mango butter. Cocoa butter is too hard… You can possibly find some other butters that are softer that are similar to shea.

  • Fabi
    · Reply

    November 7, 2017 at 7:50 PM

    Hi Kelly! For the first recipe do you think coconut oil or almond oil has the closest consistency to store bought foam shaving cream? Thank you so much!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 7, 2017 at 10:06 PM

      Either one. It’s really whipping air into the shea butter that makes it fluffy. Just continue to whip until you get the consistency that you want.

  • Rane Dae
    · Reply

    December 3, 2017 at 1:54 PM

    For the Lotion Shave Cream – I’m considering making and giving as gifts to teachers and administrators at school. What is the best type of vessel for gifting? A 200 ml mason jar or something wider and shallower? And how much is recommended to use per use? thanks so much.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 4, 2017 at 1:13 PM

      Yes, a 200ml or 250ml container will fit the recipe (8oz). I prefer a wide outh container for easy removal. Amount used varies on skin type, but 2 tablespoons can easily cover my entire body. A little goes a long way.

  • Maureen
    · Reply

    October 7, 2018 at 8:35 AM

    Not sure if it’s been too long since you posted to ask a question, but here goes. I made the Simply and Lovely shaving cream. First, I made some for my husband. Came out great. I made some for myself and it was nice and foamy. Went to use it this morning and it had solidified. My husband’s is still foamy. The only difference between the two is the type of essential oil. His is lavender and mine is peppermint. Any ideas?
    Thank you! Maureen

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      October 8, 2018 at 8:47 AM

      It’s more likely a slight difference in oil amounts combined with whipping time instead of the essential oils that you used. Even slight variations can make a difference. Did one sit where it could get more steam or heat from the shower than the other? That can also make a difference.

  • Maureen Pelletier
    · Reply

    October 8, 2018 at 2:22 PM

    Hi Kelly, thanks for getting back to me. Actually, yes, mine was in the shower and my husband’s was in the medicine cabinet. I will try again and keep it out of the shower until I am ready to use it. I will just use this one as a moisturizer. 🙂
    Thanks again!

  • Lara
    · Reply

    November 3, 2018 at 10:20 PM

    Can the first recipe be put in a foam pump bottle?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 4, 2018 at 9:42 PM

      You can always add more oils to thin the recipe to where it works in a foam pump. Just remember it is oil based instead of water based as the pumps are designed for, but I’m guessing you can make it work.

  • Alicia
    · Reply

    November 11, 2018 at 9:12 AM

    Which version of recipe can I make with out worrying about pipes clogging?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 12, 2018 at 11:31 AM

      #2, 3, and 5 are soap based and dissolve better for plumbing.

  • Heather Robertson
    · Reply

    June 12, 2019 at 9:32 AM

    I was just curious if the recipe containing aloe Vera also has a 3 month expiration date? I was curious if adding vitamin e would extend the shelf life if this shaving cream. I’ve read that it can be added to homemade lotions and body butters to extend shelf life. Thank you again for your wonderful post!!!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      June 12, 2019 at 9:38 AM

      You are correct. Adding aloe adds more water content which does shorten the life of the product. A drop or two of rosemary essential oil (vit e does the same) has been shown to slow the process of oxidation which can extend its life, but mold can grow with water based products over a short time. Oil based products tend to last around 6 months without anything added.

  • krysta Wolfangel
    · Reply

    August 28, 2019 at 4:20 PM

    I made the conditioner shampoo oil recipe and it is so great! I did not whip anything or put in a special dispenser. I just mixed everything together. Amazing!

  • Allison
    · Reply

    September 7, 2019 at 5:22 PM

    Hey! Are these safe to go down the drain in the tub? Thank you!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      September 8, 2019 at 4:06 PM

      I use the oil based ones at the sink and throw it into a lined trash. Over time they could effect the drain.

  • Katysue Uphoffharris
    · Reply

    September 23, 2019 at 12:41 AM

    I hope you cam help me. Iv been searching for this answer all day and have yet to find a clear answer. See I made some whipped foaming soap (like shaving cream) the recipe was – 1/2 lbs shea melt and pour soap.
    1/2 cup water
    1/2 cup flaxseed oil
    1 cup coconut oil
    1/2 cup grapeseed oil
    And 3 tablespoons of vit E oil

    My question is do you or anyone else know the shelf life of this whipped soap if there isnt a preservative added to it.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      September 23, 2019 at 7:54 AM

      Im assuming you didn’t add lye and process it so it’s actually a soap. Since it’s really a whipped oil that has water content it won’t last that long. The water content steeply shortens the life of oil. I would say 2 months kept sterile. Maybe less, depending on how it’s used. If hands can touch the product regularly then 2 weeks.

  • Jeffrey
    · Reply

    January 19, 2020 at 12:20 AM

    Before I start experimenting I am asking you because you clearly have some experience with this. Shea butter and almond oil are no good in our house because of but allergies. As a guy I want simple to make and I typically shave after 3-7 days so shaving a 3 day growth is normal. This has implications for storage so obviously I can make smaller batches but in one comment you mention rosemary oil as a preservative, how about some honey in the mix have you tried that. Thanks

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      January 21, 2020 at 3:33 PM

      Recipes with oils tend to last a lot longer than recipes that have any water content. I’m not sure what honey will do in the area of shelf life. I’m guessing shorten it.

  • Maryke
    · Reply

    February 2, 2020 at 7:25 AM

    Hello Kelly
    I would like to try my hand on the Lotion Shave Cream. Will it harden with the oils? I made another recipe also consisting out of oils & here in South Africa it melted in my tins. I’m not sure if the shaving soap should be kept in the refrigerator? Will this recipe harden with the shea butter not being melted first?
    Kind Regards
    Maryke

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      February 3, 2020 at 2:49 PM

      Don’t melt the Shea first. Whip it and then add the oils and you’ll get a creamy fluffy texture. If it’s too hot it can start to separate and there will be oils at the bottom. You can put it in the fridge only if it’s too hot.

  • Amy
    · Reply

    June 24, 2020 at 4:31 PM

    Borax and hot water will unclog any oil drain issue! I have been doing this oil stuff for awhile! It works great in place of plunger even! Just got water and borax and boom unclogged!

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