4 Eco-Friendly Razors + A Zero Waste Shaving Guide (2025)

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Best eco-friendly safety razors

Safety razors are generally unisex, but features like handle length, grip, and aggressiveness can make some models more beginner-friendly. Here’s what to consider:

• Structure:
  • Butterfly (1-piece) – Easy to use and load blades
  • 2-piece & 3-piece – Slightly more complex but easy to clean
• Comb type:
  • Closed comb – Best for beginners (less aggressive)
  • Open comb – More aggressive, for experienced users

 

👉 More beginner razor options here.

Building an eco-friendly shaving kit

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:

• 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

Shaving soap or 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 zero waste shaving cream – Follow this step-by-step video
• Badger shaving soap – Aloe vera + coconut oil
• Kitsch smooth shave soap – Great for sensitive skin

Shaving brush

A brush helps you create rich lather and lift hair for a cleaner shave. Top picks:

• Albatross brush – Bamboo fiber & wood
• Rockwell brush – Synthetic bristles + fast drying
• Vikings blade – Stainless steel base, high-end bristles

Blade disposal tin

Safety is key when disposing of blades. I usually wrap each in paper and put them in a small jar. Here are a few other options:

• Use a tin or old aluminum container with a slot
• When full, recycle or mail to Albatross Blade Take-Back (Albatross Designs, PO Box 2254, Berkeley, CA 94702). Make)
• Or get a Rockwell Blade Bank (holds 50+ blades)

Ready-to-use shaving kits

Ok, ok, if this is too much hassle, creating your kit, ordering things from different online stores, and you just want a simpler solution, here are 4 options for already-made for you shaving kits, including all you need:

• Eco Roots shaving kit: Safety razor, shaving soap, 15 stainless steel blades.
• Rockwell shaving kit: Variety of kits & offerings.
• Albatross shaving kit: Safety razor, shaving soap, shaving brush, 30 razor blades, conditioning shampoo bar, face & body soap bar
• Jungle Culture shaving kit: You need to ‘make your own’ kit, but it’s all from one website, so easy peasy. They have the safety razor & a travel bag, shaving soap,and 10 replacement blades.

Quick guide to zero waste shaving

Step 1: Load the blade. For a butterfly razor, twist open the top, place the blade in, and close it securely.

Step 2: Wet the area. Shaving after a warm shower softens the hair. If not, use warm water.

Step 3: Apply lather. Use soap or cream with your brush, then apply it to your skin.

Step 4: Shave gently. Hold the razor at a 30° angle. Use short, light strokes, and don’t press! Shave with the grain first, then against if needed. + Make sure to pull skin taut around tricky spots like knees or underarms.

Click here for more shaving tips.

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? 

A lot!

Disposable razors:

• $1.49 per razor × 3/month = ~$54/year
• Over 40 years = ~$2,145

Safety razor:

• Razor: $30–$50 (lasts a lifetime)
• Blades: ~$8/100 = $0.24/month
• Over 40 years = ~$205

You save ~ $1,900+ over a lifetime.

Is it dangerous to use a safety razor?

Not at all – if used properly. The design includes a safety bar. Cuts usually happen when pressing too hard or rushing (just like with disposables).

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?

For pros, well, it saves you lots of money! And it reduces waste. Also, I didn’t notice such a big difference, but many people say it reduces razor burn for them and irritation.

For cons, it does require some ‘getting used to’ time, and it may take a bit longer to share (at least in the beginning.)

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

Can you use a safety razor for the bikini area? 

Yes, including the bikini line or underarms. A few things that you want to remember are: 

• Pull skin tight
• Shave slowly and carefully
• Avoid going over the same spot multiple times

How to clean a safety razor?

Rinse after each shave, then:

• Dry the razor & blade thoroughly
• Store in a dry spot (not your shower)
• Neglect can cause rust, even on stainless steel.

Final words

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. 🙂