Why We Broke Up with Shaving Cream (& What We’re Using Instead)

Does your skin feel irritated, bumpy, or extra-dry after shaving? It’s not just your razor… it could be your shaving cream. Even the ones labeled “gentle” or “for sensitive skin” are often packed with synthetic ingredients that aren’t doing your skin any favors.

We’ve always paid close attention to what goes on our skin. So when we looked closer at traditional shave creams, the ingredient lists stopped us in our tracks. Harsh foaming agents, artificial fragrance, and aerosol propellants? Hard pass. 

If you’re ready to break up with your toxic shaving cream, we’ve got a natural swap you’re going to love. This simple three-step shaving routine delivers a smooth shave and buttery-soft skin, without the toxins or irritation. Your only regret will be not making the switch sooner.

What’s in Conventional Shaving Cream?

Shaving cream feels like one of those everyday products that should be safe by now. But the ingredient list? Yikes.

What most of us grew up using is actually loaded with junk that can dry out, irritate, or inflame your skin… especially when you're dragging a razor across it.

Here are a few of the most common shaving cream ingredients we avoid:

• Fragrance – That one innocent-sounding word can hide dozens of synthetic chemicals.
• Parabens & Phthalates – Endocrine disruptors dressed up as preservatives. Your hormones deserve better.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – Fluffs up the foam while stripping your skin dry. Think of it like bubble bath for your razor burn.
• Propane, Butane, Isobutane – Because nothing says “skincare” like literal lighter fluid...right?
• Drying alcohols – The reason your legs feel tight, itchy, and angry after you towel off.

These ingredients are often paired with words like “moisturizing” or “dermatologist-tested” to trick you, but they’re not actually supporting your skin. This is especially true if you’re prone to irritation, bumps, or dryness.

Why We Ditched Drugstore Shaving Creams for Good

Traditional shaving creams aren’t made with your skin in mind. Most drugstore formulas are designed for maximum foam and shelf life, not for nourishing or protecting your skin barrier.

Here’s why that matters:

• They strip your natural oils. Foaming agents like SLS and drying alcohols break down your skin’s protective barrier, leaving it dry, tight, and more prone to razor burn.
• They load your skin with irritants. Artificial fragrance, preservatives, and propellants can lead to stinging, redness, or even full-blown rashes—especially if your skin is sensitive, freshly exfoliated, or already compromised.
• They make skin feel soft temporarily, but worse in the long run. Some conventional shaving creams use synthetic silicones or emollients that create a false sense of smoothness. Once they rinse off, your skin can actually feel drier than before.
• They interfere with your body’s natural healing process. Many of these ingredients disrupt your microbiome and increase inflammation, which can delay healing and trigger flare-ups in conditions like eczema.

Bottom line? If your legs feel itchy or irritated after shaving, it’s not you—it’s your products. Swapping to a natural shave routine that supports your skin can make a big difference.

What to Use Instead (Step-by-Step Shaving Routine)

Once we realized shaving cream was full of ingredients we didn’t feel good about, we started experimenting with natural alternatives. After a little trial and error, we landed on a simple routine that gives the smoothest shave and supports sensitive skin.

If you’re ready to ditch the foamy toxins and try something better, here’s exactly what to do.

Step 1: Exfoliate First with Sugar Scrub

Start by gently exfoliating with Bend’s All-Natural Sugar Scrub. Unlike drugstore body scrubs that are packed with microplastics and cheap fillers, ours is made simply with cane sugar, coconut oil, olive oil, and honey.

This gentle exfoliation helps lift hair, buff away dead skin, and prep the surface so your razor can glide smoothly. Bonus: it also helps prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps, especially on areas like underarms or bikini lines.

A little goes a long way, and you can grab a naturally scented one like Coconut Lime or Honey Grapefruit for a touch of aromatherapy.

Step 2: Lather with Goat Milk Soap

Next, swap out your shaving cream for Bend’s Goat Milk Soap. It lathers up beautifully (without SLS), hydrates your skin as you shave, and won’t leave behind any sticky residue. Plus, goat milk is packed with skin-loving nutrients like vitamins A, D, and selenium.

We love using the Unscented or Oatmeal & Honey bars for ultra-sensitive skin, but you can choose whatever scent you prefer. This simple switch gives you all the benefits of the “best shaving cream” without a laundry list of mystery ingredients. 

Step 3: Shave Without Getting Razor Bumps or Burns

With your skin prepped and lathered, it’s time to shave. Use a clean, sharp razor and go with the grain, moving slowly over sensitive areas like the bikini line or underarms. Rinse the blade between strokes and take your time. Avoid rushing or tugging. 

After shaving, rinse with cool water to calm the skin and close your pores. Finish with a nourishing layer of Goat Milk Lotion to lock in moisture and keep your skin barrier happy. The result? Smooth, soft skin without the sting, bumps, or residue.

Our Favorite Crunchy Shaving Tips for Sensitive Skin 

Even with a nontoxic routine, your technique matters—especially if your skin gets easily irritated. A few small tweaks can go a long way when it comes to preventing razor burn, bumps, or post-shave itchiness.

Here are a few crunchy-girl-approved shaving tips to keep in your back pocket:

• Shave at night. This gives your skin time to calm and repair while you sleep.
• Avoid actives before/after shaving. Retinol or acids are a no-no right before or after shaving. You don’t want to over-exfoliate! 
• Use a clean, sharp razor. Dull blades tug on hair and damage your skin barrier.
• Rinse with cool water. This helps soothe inflammation and close pores after shaving.
• Moisturize immediately. Lock in hydration while your skin is still damp for extra-soft skin that lasts.

Other Toxic Shower Products to Rethink

Once you realize your shaving cream is packed with ingredients you wouldn’t want anywhere near your skin, it’s hard not to side-eye everything else in your shower.

We’d never tell you to toss out your entire bathroom shelf in one go, but small swaps can have a big impact over time. Next time you run out of these everyday shower products, consider making one of the intentional swaps below. 

• Shaving cream or body wash → Goat milk soap
• Fragrance-filled bath soak → Oatmeal & Honey Milk Bath 
• Drugstore body lotion → Goat milk lotion made with real, nourishing ingredients
• Aluminum-based deodorant → Magnesium deodorant free from baking soda

Natural Shaving Cream Swap FAQs

Will I still get a close shave without foam?

Yes! Our sugar scrub leaves a slick finish that creates a perfect glide for shaving, while our goat milk soap creates a creamy lather that softens your hair and protects your skin. You’ll still get that close, clean shave—just without the chemicals.

Can I use this routine on my bikini line and underarms?

Absolutely. Just be gentle, exfoliate first, and use light pressure. Goat milk soap is super soothing for sensitive areas.

Will goat milk soap clog my razor?

Definitely not. It rinses clean and won’t leave a gummy residue like some natural products do. Just give your razor a quick rinse under warm water between strokes.

Is this shaving routine safe for eczema or sensitive skin?

It’s ideal for both! Our goat milk soap and sugar scrubs are formulated to support dry, irritated, or sensitive skin without causing flare-ups.

Your Skin Deserves Better Than Toxic Shaving Cream

It’s so empowering to read a label and say, “No thanks, I’ll use something better.” You don’t need foam, fragrance, or fancy packaging to get soft, smooth skin. When you trade toxic products for natural ones, you’re protecting your health—one crunchy swap at a time. 

At the end of the day, it’s about reclaiming your everyday routines and making them healthier, simpler, and more supportive. You already know how to care for your body better than anyone else. This is just your sign to trust your instincts and take the next step. 

Have you tried shaving with sugar scrub and goat milk soap? What’s your favorite scent combo? Drop a comment below, we’d love to hear your thoughts! For more non-toxic swaps and skincare tips, find your next read on The Sudsy Scoop.