air removal is no one’s idea of a good time. Patchy legs, agonizing ingrown hairs, and the terrible itch of a bikini shave gone wrong are not things to discuss in polite company. We’re not here to be polite, though, we’re here to help you get smoother, more nourished skin and bring a bit of self-care to your shaving routine in the process.
The key? Shaving oil. We’ve put together a list of 6 of the very best natural shaving oils to be used all over the body, as well as a guide on why it’s worth putting traditional shaving creams aside.
If you struggle with sensitive, dry skin or are just looking for healthier, more natural shaving products, you’re in the right place.
Table of Contents
What Is Shaving Oil?
A shaving oil operates much the same as a shaving cream in that it is applied before shaving to act as a barrier between your skin and the blade. Most shaving oils are a blend of plant-based oils designed to perform two main tasks:
- Prep the skin for the sharpness of the razor by hydrating and soothing it.
- Provide a smoother glide for the razor so that it’s easier to move over the hair. This reduces the risk of cuts and ingrown hairs.
There are also pre and post-shaving oils that are used as an extra layer of skincare before or after using a shaving cream. In this article, however, we’ll mainly be discussing shaving oils that can be used on their own.
A common question that we’ve seen crop us is, “Can you use body oil to shave?” and while some oils are multi-purpose, it’s best to stick to a product’s recommended uses. If a body oil isn’t formulated to be used for shaving too, it may be too thick to work well with a razor.
Is Shaving Oil Better Than Shaving Cream?
If you have sensitive, dry skin, the quick answer is yes, shaving oil is better than shaving cream. There are also sustainability benefits to using an oil over a cream in your shaving routine. Let’s take a closer look:
Skin Health
Removing body hair with a razor doesn’t just remove the hair, it removes the top layers of the skin. The razor blade acts as a physical exfoliant, and if the skin isn’t well-supported, shaving can result in dryness, cuts, razor burn, ingrown hairs, inflamed hair follicles, and even acne.
A big risk factor in the above is the sharpness and quality of the razor blade. Equally as important, however, is the product you pair the blade with. Both creams and oils work to buffer the use of a razor blade and provide some skin protection, but they do it in quite different ways. Here are the key differences between the two and why shaving oil tends to be better for the skin:
- Lathering: Shaving creams usually lather, while shaving oils don’t. Lathering agents such as SLS can strip the skin of its natural oils and leave it feeling dry and irritated. The fact that shaving oils skip the lather is one of the many reasons they tend to be better for sensitive skin.
- Texture: The thick, cushioning texture of a shaving cream is very different from the slip of a shaving oil. We’d argue that the latter, lighter texture is better suited to a smooth, cut-free shave. A good shaving oil also provides a much better glide than a cream, which means less friction on the blade and less chance of razor burn.
- Ingredients: We’ve already mentioned that shaving oils tend to leave out SLS and other soaps, but it’s also worth noting that the ingredients tend to lean more heavily on soothing and moisturizing elements than shaving creams do. They’re also usually more natural, which many find is better for reactive skin.
The Environment
There are three main ways in which natural shaving oils tend to do better by the environment than shaving creams do:
- The formulas are usually plant-based and less likely to leave harmful chemicals in our waterways.
- A bottle of shaving oil usually lasts much longer than shaving cream in terms of use, which helps reduce packaging.
- They’re often multi-purpose, which saves how many shave products you need on hand – again saving on packaging and waste.
How To Use Shaving Oil
Every brand will have its own guidelines on how to use shaving oil, but most will recommend that you:
- Apply the oil to clean, damp skin.
- Shave with a razor and rinse.
- Wipe down the razor after to avoid clogging.
It’s as simple as that. A natural shaving oil doesn’t require any added complications compared to a shaving cream and fits just as easily into a shaving routine.
What Oil Should You Use After Shaving Private Area?
Whether you’ve used a shaving oil or a cream with your razor, a post-shave oil can often be beneficial for the skin – especially on sensitive parts of the body, such as the pubic area. A good oil can help reduce inflammation and make the skin appear smoother and more hydrated.
The question then is which oil to use. Is coconut oil good for after shaving? Is baby oil good? We’d recommend a more natural product where possible. Most mainstream baby oils have synthetic ingredients in them that can be irritating when used after shaving in private areas.
Coconut oil, on the other hand, is completely natural. Here are some of the benefits it provides as a post-shave product:
- It has antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps reduce the risk of razor burn and bumps.
- The fatty acids in coconut oil make it very nourishing on the skin, which also means less post-shave irritation.
Sweet almond oil and jojoba oil also work well after shaving the pubic area. The most important thing is that the product be natural, free of irritating fragrances, and that it be applied thinly and only on the outside of the body.
Why We Recommend Switching to A Natural Shaving Oil
The Short answer is the Ingredients. That’s what this really comes down to. While natural shaving oils primarily stick to simple, skin-friendly ingredients, traditional shaving creams are often packed with things that, at best, irritate the skin and, at worst, might be potential hormone disruptors.
Here are 6 of the main ingredients you’ll find in the average shaving cream and why it’s worth leaving them behind:
- Sulfates: As mentioned, sodium laurel sulfates, and other versions of these chemicals are responsible for the lathering effect you get in most foaming shaving creams. While they work as an effective cleanser and anti-microbial agent, they’re also very drying and irritating for sensitive skin. From an environmental perspective, this ingredient has been known to collect in water systems and soil, where it alters pH levels, thus throwing out the balance of natural ecosystems.
- Alcohol: This is another ingredient found in many shaving creams that can be drying and irritating on the skin.
- Butane: You’ll find this propellant in most aerosol shaving creams. It’s a VOC, meaning that it’s a gas that’s been known to add to air pollution issues and can be hazardous to those with sensitive lungs.
- Parabens: Despite many parabens being endocrine disruptors, this preservative is found in many major shaving cream formulas. It’s also been found to collect in waterways, where it’s been shown to harm plant and animal life there.
- Triethanolamine: This is another common irritant found in shaving creams. It’s used as a surfactant and to adjust the pH of a formula and is well-proven to be an allergen.
- Styrene: Used in everything from latex paints to perfumes and shaving creams, styrene is just about everywhere. That’s quite distressing considering that it’s a possible carcinogenic and exposure to may harm the nervous system.
6 of the Best Natural Shaving Oils
In putting this list together of the best oils for shaving, we prioritized:
- Clean, natural formulas.
- Brands with sustainability measures built into their products.
- Products that make shaving feel like self-care and leave your skin silky smooth.
We’ve got the best shaving oil for legs, the best for sensitive skin, and everything in between:
1. Maude
Maude is a brand that’s all about intimacy, pleasure, and safe formulations that won’t threaten either of those other two elements. It’s no wonder their shave oil feels like such a treat on the skin. It has a light cedarwood scent and is packed with nourishing plant oils such as jojoba, sesame, and almond. It can be used anywhere on the body, including the face and pubic area, and doubles up as a body moisturizer.
Pricing: $32
Best For: We’d argue that this is one of the best shaving oils for sensitive skin and sensitive areas. It’s dermatologically tested to be as such and free of most known irritants.
Customer Reviews: One customer commented that they’ve “never experienced a shave as close”. That and the hydrating properties of the natural shave oil are what have earned the product its many fans.
Sustainability Stats:
- Non-toxic formula free of parabens, sulfates, etc.
- Minimal, recyclable packaging.
2. Thrive
This product is the best oil to shave with if you’re looking for something to simplify a lengthy routine. You don’t need a pre or post-shaving product with this, nor do you need a shaving cream. It does it all. The natural formula includes olive, baobab, and argan oil for a close, but still nourishing shave. It also has Fierrillo extract, from a native Costa Rican vine, which has antioxidative benefits for the skin.
Pricing: $18,95
Best For: Those who prefer a more lightweight oil with a fresh but not overpowering fragrance. It also has a pump action bottle, which makes it better for in-shower use than the dropper bottles we tend to see with shave oils.
Customer Reviews: Mike, a very complimentary customer, says that he “highly recommend[s] for tough beards and sensitive skin”. Others have said how great it works on their legs for a smooth shave and what a generally easy product it is to use.
Sustainability Stats:
- Non-toxic, plant-based formula.
- Supports regenerative farming in Costa Rice
- Certified plastic-negative.
- Reef-safe,
- Vegan and cruelty-free.
3. Leaf Shave
A single bottle of this natural shave oil is meant to last you about 4-6 months. You not only get a decent number of shaves for your money but will go through less packaging than you probably would with shaving cream. The natural, hydrating formula includes Vitamin E, sunflower, grapeseed, jojoba, sweet almond, and rosehip oil and is designed to be as great for your blade as it is for your skin.
Pricing: $19
Best For: This one is perfect for shaving oil skeptics. There’s a 60-day refund policy, so if you’re wanting to try out shaving oil but are worried about spending money on something you might not like, this is the one to try.
Customer Reviews: Customers love how non-greasy the product is and how well it works on everything from beard shaving to legs and peach fuzz.
Sustainability Stats:
- Non-toxic formula.
- No disposable plastic.
- Refillable and recyclable packaging.
- Leaping Bunny certified.
4. Athena Club
Athena Club’s Glossy Shave Oil is one of the best women’s shave oil options we’ve seen. This brand is dedicated to changing the hair removal game, and this serum-oil hybrid is definitely different. It uses a mix of avocado, jojoba, argan, and sweet almond oil, as well as shea butter, for a formula that protects, nourishes, and leaves you with an impressively smooth shave.
Pricing: $11
Best For: Anyone wanting a shaving oil that will be kind to their skin barrier. It’s also another pump action bottle, which makes it great for in-shower shavers.
Customer Reviews: The words you’ll see in most reviews are “smooth” and “soft”. It’s also been praised for its light, sensitive-skin friendly fragrance.
Sustainability Stats:
- Non-toxic formula free of parabens, phthalates, etc.
- Cruelty-free and vegan.
5. Kitsch
The Kitsch Shea Butter Bar is essentially a solid shave oil that helps reduce packaging while still being just as nourishing on the skin as ordinary oils. Shea butter and Vitamin E are the hero ingredients that work to hydrate and protect the skin while you’re shaving.
Pricing: $9
Best For: Mess-free shaves that leave your skin feeling buttery soft.
Customer Reviews: The easy application is the thing most customers love most about this product. That and how long it lasts.
Sustainability Stats:
- Non-toxic formula.
- Leaping Bunny certified.
6. Olio-E-Osso
The Liscia shave oil is one of those rare products that makes shaving feel like a spa treat. It uses grapeseed oil, meadowfoam, and olive oil for hydration and a mix of bergamot, neroli, tea tree, and frankincense for a fresh, natural fragrance. The brand is women-owned, so it comes as no surprise that this is one of the best shave oils for legs and everywhere else. The pump-action bottle is also highly practical. There is repeated feedback however that the oil can accumulate around the razor so we recommend washing your razor with soap and warm water after using this one.
Pricing: $30
Best For: All-over shaving and hydration. This is great for legs, private areas, etc.
Customer Reviews: One reviewer, Joy, called this product the “best alternative to shaving cream,” and many others seem to agree. It’s beloved for its luxurious feel and how soft it leaves the skin after shaving.
Sustainability Stats:
- Non-toxic, natural formula
- Cruelty-free
- Made in small batches to limit waste
A Cleaner Shave
It’s not just that the ingredients in natural shave oils tend to be cleaner than the ones you’ll find in shaving creams, but that they often leave you with a cleaner shave as well. If you’re looking to switch up your shaving routine, give oils a try. They’re kinder to the planet, and thanks to the extra skin nourishment they offer, they make shaving feel like a glide rather than a chore.
