While coconut oil is used in so many different ways, such as moisturizing and makeup removing, most people probably wouldn’t think to replace their regular shaving cream with it. But as soon as I found out that shaving with coconut oil is a thing, I decided to give it a try. After having the experience of using coconut oil as a shaving cream for a few months now, I have found that I like it a lot more than regular shaving cream, but that there are still some things I do not like about it, and you may not either. So to see if shaving with coconut oil is right for you, I am going to share the pros and cons I have found from shaving with it.
PROS
✦ Easily Accessible
Coconut oil is becoming a staple in many people’s kitchens,
so you may already have coconut oil on hand. If not, it is easily accessible as
most grocery stores carry coconut oil. Any coconut oil is fine to use –
fractionated, virgin, extra-virgin, etc.
✦ Natural, Non-Toxic
Alternative
Coconut oil is a natural, non-toxic alternative to regular
shaving cream. When you buy a jar or tub of coconut oil, coconut is the only
ingredient. Standard shaving cream contains chemicals and other ingredients
such as sulfates, emulsifiers, phthalates, fragrances, and more. Keep in mind
our body absorbs what is put on it, so it’s best to leave the chemicals out of our
skincare.
✦ Smoother Legs
Coconut oil’s clear coating allows you to see where you’re shaving,
meaning no hairs are left behind and the results leave you with smoother legs,
arms, face, or wherever you are shaving!
✦ Goodbye Razor Burn
and Ingrown Hairs
Why this happens, I do not know. I have just noticed that
since making the switch to shaving with coconut oil, I have not gotten razor
burn or ingrown hairs since then, whereas I always had an issue with this using
standard shaving cream.
✦ No More Knicks and
Cuts
I’m not sure why this is, but I have never cut myself
shaving with coconut oil, whereas with regular shaving cream, I would cut
myself almost every time. Maybe the oil acts as a protective barrier? Or maybe
the oil helps the razor glide better?
✦ No Need to Apply
Lotion Afterwards
I do not need to apply lotion when I come out of the shower because
my legs are already moisturized and smooth from the coconut oil.
✦ Saves Money
I can spend anywhere from $3-10 for regular shaving cream,
depending on what brand I buy, or I can buy a jar of coconut oil for $8. I save
money buying the coconut oil because the jar of coconut oil is bigger than a
can or tube of shaving cream, plus I can use way less product than I would need
to if I used standard shaving cream. And like I said earlier, my legs are
moisturized from applying coconut oil, so it keeps me from having to buy
moisturizer.
CONS
✦ Clogs Razor and Takes
Longer to Shave
Coconut oil is thicker than shaving cream and it doesn’t
rinse out easily like soap would. It just clogs the razor and I then have to
unclog it after every few strokes which then makes the shaving routine longer. And
shaving is not a favorite task of mine to begin with.
✦ Makes the Shower
Floor Slippery
Coconut oil is, well…an oil. Some of the oil may drip down
my legs while shaving or drip when applying. This makes the shower floor
slippery. So be careful to not slip and fall!
✦ Have to Shave More
Frequently
I’m not sure why, but since using coconut oil as shaving
cream, my hair has been growing faster. Having long hair on my head is great,
however, not so much on my legs. To keep up with the frequent hair growth I am
having to shave more frequently.
Despite having so many pros, the cons may be enough to make someone
not want to shave with coconut oil, however it is the most natural and cheapest
alternative I have found to conventional shaving cream and wanted to share my
experience for anyone who is interested in giving it a try. I hope this post
was found helpful and be sure to leave down in the comments what your experience
was with shaving with coconut oil!
