Shaving Cream Alternatives for When You’ve Run Out of Lather

First of all, if you’ve run out of shave cream or shave butter, shame on you! It has literally never been easier to keep stocked with shaving supplies. But let’s assume the worst has happened: You have a week’s worth of stubble, a virtual job interview in two hours, you’re out of regular shaving cream and you’re casting about for alternatives. The most important piece of advice we can give here is this: Do not be tempted to try the soap.

What to Use in a Pinch (That You Can Find Around the House)

We know, we know, it seems like the obvious choice. It’s right there! It foams! It’s right there! But as product wiz Fadi Mourad explains, this is a quick way to dry out your skin. “Soap is designed to remove dirt from your body and does not provide any lubrication or moisturizing properties,” he says. “The result is that your skin will feel dry after shaving, possibly causing irritation.”

Hair guru and stylist of over 30 years, Cleve McMillan, agrees: “The issue with most soaps is that they have sulfates in them, and sulfates don’t discriminate between the natural oils of your skin and the oil and debris they’re supposed to remove — they take it all off, stripping the skin and making you look older.” 

Hair Conditioner

So what’s the better option? According to Mourad, your best bet is actually hair conditioner. “You want a product that has skin and hair softening properties, so you get a comfortable shave in place of your shaving product,” he explains. “Conditioner has the slip and conditioning ingredients for an emergency shave. The next best option would be a conditioning body wash — the white, creamier types work best because they’re more conditioning.”

Body Lotion

Just like with conditioner, body lotion contains ingredients meant to moisturize and hydrate skin (that’s literally the reason why it exists!!). These properties are the things that make it suitable to use for shaving if you’re in a bind. Body lotion is more than slick enough to be an appropriate substitute for an actual shaving product, and the added moisturizing ingredients are certainly an added benefit.

The main thing to look out for: some lotions and moisturizers are designed to be non-greasy, and they’ll absorb into skin at a surprisingly fast rate. Try to choose one that will stick around on your skin for a bit longer, because the wet and slippery texture is what will make it a good stand-in for your favorite shaving product.  

Aloe Vera Gel

When you stop to think about it, this one makes total and complete sense. A slick, cooling, and soothing gel (that we usually have around the house anyway!) meant to soothe burns from the sun. While we’re not worried about sun exposure during shaving (at least, we’re very much hoping that you’re not mixing shaving and harmful UV rays), aloe is great for soothing razor burn as well.

This truly special and multi-use plant has been used medicinally in many cultures throughout history, and it’s never fallen from grace. In the modern world, it’s included in a number of skincare and shaving products on the market (including, ahem, ours). Enjoy a shave with a unique cooling sensation, that’ll probably surprise you with how comfortable it is. 

When in Doubt, Oil it Out.

McMillan, meanwhile, has some more unusual suggestions for replacing your vanished shave cream. While he, too, recommends searching your bathroom for conditioner, body lotion and possibly even shampoo or cream-style sunscreen, he also claims you can widen your search outside of the bathroom.

“You should always go for a product that is a cream, and if you have none of those, you can venture into products that foam. Failing that, if you’ve truly run out of everything, you could start to look in the kitchen,” he says. “Butter or (preferably organic) cooking oil could work, as it won’t clog the skin too badly. You could even try a mushed up avocado — it’d make a great skin lubricant and treatment.” Who knew you could do so much with guacamole? 

• Olive Oil

• An unconventional choice that you probably wouldn’t immediately gravitate towards, sure, but there are a few things that make olive oil a great option. First and foremost, you probably have it in your kitchen right this minute. And if it’s high quality olive oil, it more than likely won’t irritate your skin (but if you’ve got sensitive skin or are acne prone, maybe consider choosing something else from this article as it can clog your delicate pores).
• Apply a thin layer to your skin. It should be enough to get your skin slick, but not enough to be a drippy mess, and then get to shavin’. 

• Coconut Oil

• Coconut oil is already an integral ingredient in many a fancy skincare product, so using it to shave isn’t too much of a stretch. This near-miracle oil is already an excellent moisturizer. Some use it to help reduce inflammation, some even use it to heal tattoos, but we all acknowledge the moisturizing power of coconut oil.
• The oil should be solid in the jar. First, put a small amount of the solid oil in your palm, and work it between your hands a bit to get it to its liquid state. Then, apply it onto the area you’re shaving in a thin layer. If you lay it on too thick, it could clog your razor. And no one wants that, no matter what you’re shaving with. 

• Baby Oil

• If it’s gentle enough for a literal baby, it’s likely gentle enough for your adult self. Heck, most baby oils on the market are even hypoallergenic. Baby oil is a great option for a quick shave that is still gentle and smooth. Just apply a few drops to your hand, gently pat it into your face, have your razor at the ready, and go for it. 
• The great part? If you leave some behind you get the added benefit of a bit of a gentle moisturizer. It’s intended to be used to moisturize and maintain the most sensitive and thin baby skin, so we have faith that it’ll do okay on your adult person face. 

Final Tips for Shaving Without the Traditional Products

Our main takeaways from this lesson on, shall we say, unconventional ways of shaving are as follows. If you can, hydrate your skin before you shave. Lucky for you, a bunch of the stand in solutions we just described are already pretty hydrating themselves.

If you have the option, go for something that you know will add moisture to your skin, not take it away.All the traditional shave aids on the market are all trying to achieve a similar goal: creating a comfortable cushion between the razor blade and your delicate skin. When you’re searching your cabinets and closets for something to use instead of shaving cream, try to keep that simple thought in mind.

Something else to consider:make sure you’re using a sharp razor to prevent nicks and irritation. When you’re using an unconventional product, use shorter strokes and rinse your blade in hot water as often as you can, since a lot of these shaving cream alternatives were not designed to release easily out of your blade. If you think about it, most of these weren’t designed to be near a razor at all.