A Guide to Package Free Shaving Soap (2023)

In recognition of the impending celebration of Fathers Day this weekend I’ve roped my husband into writing this week’s article. I hope you’re a Beatles fan because, inspired by a recent trip to Abbey Road, he’s peppered his article with song titles by the fab four! See how many you can spot. (Tip: there are 23 in the entire article!)

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Hello, Goodbye

When I was younger, so much younger than today my dad told this boy that I might as well use a butter knife or a cat’s tongue to shave.  Suffice to say, ‘I’m am the walrus’ does not apply to me and I don’t need to shave eight days a week. Nevertheless in my 20 odd years of shaving I have tested 2, 3 and 4 blade shavers, and all types of shaving gels and creams with varying results. My most recent experiment has involved trialing low-package, naturally derived shaving soap bars as an alternative to shop bought cans of big-brand shaving foam or gels. 

After a few tries I now have a shaving soap bar that’s works just as well, if not better, than any celebrity sponsored shaving foam/gel. Elaine asked me to share what I learned, in case it might be of some help to you. Like a madman I agreed so here some info on planet positive shaving.  

Shaving Soap Brands
Even though the brands of shaving soap that I tried lasted a varying amount of time they still lasted approximately 3 times longer than a can of shaving foam or gel, making them an even more sustainable option. Here are the three brands I tried, plus some other ones on the market.

Sally Miller Shaving Soap – approx €7.00 (can’t remember exact price)
This shaving soap created an excellent foam and came in a reusable / recyclable aluminium tin, which helps prevent getting foam all over the floor when lathering. On the downside it left quite an unpleasant after taste in my mouth. I’m not sure if this company is still going as I can’t find a website for them or any information on the shaving soap. I bought mine in Bomar in Kilcoole in Co Wicklow, who also sell a base for making your own shaving soap.

Clarkes Cedarwood & Seaweed Shaving Soap – €8.50 / €9.50
Clarkes is a brand that has become readily available in Ireland. Their shaving soap is made by hand in Ireland from ethical sourced ingredients and is free from oarabens, free from SLS and SLES and contain no artificial fragrances. You can buy from their own website or the many stockists around the country. This product came wrapped in some waxed paper, held closed by a paper band. I’m in love with this shaving soap as it lathers up really well, has no aftertaste and leaves your skin felling very smooth. 

Lush’s ‘Dirty’ Shaving Soap – €7.50
Although this didn’t last as long as the other shaving soap bars this was my second favourite as it gives a really smooth shave. This product is made from cruelty-free, vegetarian, natural and synthetic ingredients and comes in a plastic pot, which Lush take back to recycle in store. Unlike the other products it doesn’t need to be lathered, acting more like a moisturiser. Because it’s akin to a moisturiser it takes a while to work out just how much to use and it clogged up my razor blades. I’d suggest using less of this than you’d think and putting a drop of shampoo into your shaving cup to prevent the clogging issue.

Other Irish based shaving soap suppliers that I want to give a shout out to include;

• Bend in the Barrow
• Natural Ireland
• Dr K Soap
• The Handmade Soap Company
• Airmid

Btw I once tried using a shampoo bar but this didn’t work a creamy lather, the foam just ended up going everywhere and the shave was just terrible. I should have know better!

An alternative to shaving soap is cruelty-free Total Shaving Oil , which is a blend of 100% natural oils and contains no dyes, salts, alcohols, perfumes, soaps, or chemicals. It costs €10 for 25 ml and comes in a plastic bottle, but it last for very long time (at least 90 shaves I’m told) leading to less waste in the long run. Personally I didn’t find it as good as the shaving soap so I ended up using it as an aftershave balm and found it great for that.

Thanks for reading

Paul