4 Eco-Friendly Razors & Zero Waste Shaving Guide (2024)

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Eco-friendly safety razors are one of the most environmentally friendly ways to shave. But how to choose the best razor if you are a beginner, and what else do you need to start?

In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about zero waste shaving – the best eco-friendly safety razors, how to use them, what else you’ll need (+ from where to get it), & more!

We’ll go through:

1. Best eco-friendly safety razors
2. Building a zero waste shaving kit
3. Zero waste shaving guide
4. FAQ
5. Summary

Let’s begin!

4 Best Eco-Friendly Safety Razors For Beginners:

A safety razor is one of the most eco-friendly ways to shave. It is made out of stainless steel, it is reusable, and if you take good care of it, it can last you a lifetime. Safety razors are ideal for both males and females, and most of them look the same. However, there are some differences, such as: 

1. The structure: 
   – A single-piece ”twist to open” razor, also known as the butterfly 
   – Two-piece razors 
   – Three-piece razors 
2. The handle length – It can be shorter or longer 
3. Open vs. closed comb – A closed comb is ideal for beginners, due to the built-in safety mechanism, which allows the razor blade to stick out just enough to cut the hair. The open-comb safety razor exposes more of the razor blade, making it more aggressive than a closed-comb razor and great for experienced users.

Here are my top recommendations for eco-friendly safety razors for beginners:

 You can find more options for the best safety razor options for beginners in my article here.

Building a zero waste shaving kit:

Changing your shaving routine can seem overwhelming and confusing. It may seem too expensive at first, but you will save money in the long run. (see the calculation in the FAQ section) Below you will find the most affordable, practical, and unisex items to create your zero waste shaving kit.

Zero waste razor blades:

Most razor blades are made with premium rust-proof stainless steel, and some are specially treated to retain exceptional sharpness. A single razor blade lasts around 7-8 shaves. The razor blades are fully recyclable.

You can dispose of your used razor blades by making or buying a blade disposal tin. (more about it below!) The most affordable and high-quality ones are:

• Astra – Platinum double-edge safety razor blades, pack of 100
• Shark – Double-edge safety razor blades, pack of 100
• Derby – Double-edge razor blades, pack of 100 
• Vikings – Swedish steel replacement razor blades, pack of 50 
• Sampler pack – Premium safety razor blades from top brands, pack of 55
• Rockwell blades – Double-edge razor blades, a pack of 5, 20 or 100  
• Well Kept – A pack of 20 & a blade bank for your used blades
• Albatross – A pack of 20

Zero waste shaving soap/cream:

You will need soap or cream that lathers well for best shaving results. You can purchase shaving soap, or you can DIY shaving cream:

• DIY – I’ll try to make a DIY shaving cream recipe soon; until then, you can follow this step-by-step video guide here.
• Badger Shaving Soap – With aloe vera, coconut oil, and glycerin for a smooth, non-irritating shave.
• Kitsch Smooth Shave Soap – Hydrating and nourishing, suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Zero waste shaving brush:

A shaving brush is best for facial hairs. In addition, using a shaving brush will help you create a better and longer-lasting lather effortlessly, resulting in a close and clean shave.

The easiest way to use it is to wet the brush and rub it with shaving soap or cream to create a lather. Then, rub it in circles over the skin to add a layer of lather. You can use a small bowl to create more lather.

Finally, rinse off the brush and set it down to dry off when you’re done. A couple of high-quality ones create plenty of lather easily and then dry quickly after use. Check out the following recommendations: 

• Albatross Shaving Brush – The bristles are made from bamboo fibers and nylon, and the bottom part is wood. 
• Rockwell Shaving Brush – A black acrylic handle and synthetic bristles with excellent water retention build great lather yet dry quickly after use.
• Vikings Blade Shaving Brush – Heavy duty stainless steel base with synthetic fibers rivaling silvertip badger hair.

Zero waste blade disposal tin:

It is essential to dispose of your used blades carefully. You can start collecting used razor blades in a small disposal tin. For example, I use an old aluminum can/container.

You can create a small slot on the top or on the lid to throw the blades. Once the container is full, place it in your recycling bin or take it to your local recycling center. 

You can also send it directly to Albatross Blade Take Back Program (Albatross Designs, PO Box 2254, Berkeley, CA 94702). Make sure to seal the container so the blades cannot fall out and injure someone. You can also purchase a blade bank from Rockwell, which can fit over 50 used razor blades. 

Already made Zero Waste Shaving Kits:

Zero Waste Shaving: Guide

Before buying my first safety razor, I remember I was feeling intimidated by it. Luckily, my friend had one, so he quickly showed me how to place a razor blade inside and how to use the razor.

I saw that it wasn’t scary at all, so I got one afterward. I hope this guide helps you feel more confident in using a safety razor. 🙂

Step 1: Place a razor blade. 

If you have a single-piece “Butterfly” razor, you need to open the top by unscrewing the safety razor’s bottom part. Then, insert a razor blade gently, and screw it back. 

Step 2: Wet the area. 

The best time to shave is during a warm shower or after having one. Ultimately, if you are in a hurry, wet the area with warm water. This will soften the hair for a more comfortable and smoother shave. 

Step 3: Add shaving soap or shaving cream. 

Apply a layer of soap on the area you want to shave. Then take your safety razor and start sliding it on your skin by holding it at about a 30-degree angle.

Step 4: Never press too hard, and maintain the 30-degree angle

A safety razor is heavier for a reason. Allow the weight of the razor to pull down and shave as you slide it along your skin, and never push too hard. The most critical aspects that you want to remember are: 

• Use short strokes – Shave a few inches at a time; do NOT press too much. 
• Slide it mildly – Always follow the hair’s direction (you can shave in more than one direction for smoother results). 
• Pull the skin tightly if necessary – If the skin is wrinkled, it will be hard to shave and you might cut yourself.
• Take your time and do not rush – Be extra careful on more sensitive and bony areas, like the knees.

Click here for more tips on how to use safety razors WITHOUT cutting yourself.

FAQ:

Is a safety razor the most environmentally friendly way to shave?

Safety razors are one of the most eco-friendly ways to shave. Other eco-friendly ways to shave include DIY sugar wax, tweezing or threading (small areas, like mustache, or eyebrows) & an electric epilator.

How much money can you save with a safety razor? 

The initial cost is indeed higher. However, safety razors are so much cheaper than disposable razors in the long run.

Let’s make a quick, estimation of how much you can save. Most people shave from 15 to 55 years old, so around 40 years.

4 Gillette disposable razor blades cost $5.97 ($1.49 each). A single one lasts approximately 3-10 shaves. It is recommended to use one disposable razor, not longer than two weeks.

Let’s say you shave 2-3 times a week. For a month, that’s around 3 disposable razor blades. For a year (if one is $1.49), that’s ~ $53.64. For 5 years, it is $268. 

If you get a stainless steel safety razor and take care of it, it can last a lifetime. They cost between $30-50, and the only thing you need to keep buying is the razor blades. 

For a pack of 100 safety razor blades, you will pay around $8. A single blade is $0.08. That is – $0.24 if you change it 3 times per month, $2.88 for the whole year, $14.4 for 5 years 

Estimation for 40 years is: 

• Disposable razors – $2,145 
• Safety razor – $90 (if you change it 1-2 times) + blades $115,2 = $205,2

Is shaving with a safety razor dangerous? Can you cut yourself? 

No, it is not. The razor includes a protective safety bar between the blade’s edge and the skin. The purpose is to ensure a safe and harmless shaving experience. 

While you can cut yourself with a safety razor, it will happen only if you aren’t careful and press too hard. Plus, you can cut yourself with regular disposable razors, too, if you aren’t careful. 

So the key is to be gentle and careful; nothing wrong will happen. Follow my guide & additional tips on how to shave with a safety razor WITHOUT cutting yourself here.

What are the pros & cons of safety razors?

Pros:

• Cost-effective
• Reduces razor burn & less irritation
• Smoother result
• *Almost* zero waste

Cons:

• Requires “getting used to” time
• It will take a bit longer to shave (at the beginning)
• Requires more care 

For more pros & cons of safety razors and details, check out my article.

Can you use a safety razor for the bikini area? 

Yes; a few things that you want to remember are: 

• Pull the skin tight – this will allow the blade to slide smoothly. 
• Avoid shaving the same area more than once to minimize skin irritation. 
• Be careful & don’t rush. 

These instructions also can be applied for shaving other sensitive zones, such as your armpits.

How to clean a safety razor?

This is an essential step as if you don’t do a few things right, you might end up with a rusty safety razor. That’s what happened with my first one. Yikes! To avoid that, follow these steps: 

• After shaving, rinse thoroughly with warm water. Make sure that all soap & hair is out from the cracks. You might need to take out the blade. 
• Dry it after each use. Carefully take the blade out and dry everything well. The safety razor must be completely dry after you use it. 
• Don’t leave it in the shower/tub. Find a dry spot for it that’s not wet and has no moisture. A drawer or a shelf can be a perfect spot. It will be great if you find a small bag to keep the safety razor.

Sum up

Shaving with a safety razor is one of the best ways to shave and a fantastic, eco-friendly & cost-effective alternative to disposable razors. Let’s sum up the essential aspects of the article: 

• A safety razor is a stainless steel, reusable & eco-friendly way to shave. 
• It is ideal for both males and females. 
• There are three main structures – single-piece, two-piece, and three-piece razors. 
• It is not scary or dangerous, but you might need some time to get used to it. 
• To avoid rust, you need to clean & dry the razor after each use. 
• It is way cheaper than using disposable razors in the long run, and it can save you lots of cash.

I hope this article was helpful! Let me know if you will give safety razors a try and if you have any concerns or questions. 🙂