How to shave without shaving cream because you forgot to buy it, don’t like it, can’t find it, are boycotting anything that automatically foams, hate the rusting cans, think it’s bad for the environment, think it’s good for the environment or just plain old ran out of it? No problem. There’s a better alternative than regular soap.
Emergency situation! Bear Grylls style. Imagine it, you’re in the shower and as a modern human you need to shave your legs or private-love-area immediately for one of two reasons. Either … you’re about to go on a 3rd date or you’ve avoided shaving for the past few showers and your legs/between your legs are itching.
They’re itching a lot. It’s as though the hairs growing out of your legs are made of fibreglass insulation dipped in mosquito juice.
So … regardless of the reason, you need to shave your legs. Unfortunately due to any number of reasons (mentioned above) you’re out of shaving cream.
Your very best alternative if you run out of shaving cream is to use hair conditioner.
Shaving With Conditioner
It’s a real thing, and it works.
As proof for you, I conducted a little experiment.
Shaving Cream VS Hair Conditioner
The first thing I had to do in the name of science was allow the hair on my legs to grow a little bit for visual purposes.
Then I got my 157 year old razor that is almost impossible to find razor cartridges for.
I lathered up my left leg with regular, old shaving cream.
And then shaved it as per usual. Done. Good job, the hairs on that leg were cut away. Next up was the other leg and some hair conditioner.
I squeezed out a dollop of regular hair conditioner …
… and slathered that on and shaved with the conditioner.
The Results
I can tell you that both legs felt good after shaving them. There was no irritation or razor burn on either leg.
Conclusion? Hair conditioner is not only a perfectly acceptable replacement for shaving cream it works just as well. Maybe better because shaving cream dries out your skin while conditioner moisturizes it.
I have to say, MANY years after running this experiment I still use hair conditioner to shave my legs at least as often as I use shaving cream.
Don’t use conditioner because maybe you have very special self conditioning hair? Or you’re bald?
Shaving Cream Alternatives
Listed in order of effectiveness
- Hair Conditioner
- Coconut Oil
- Body Lotion
- Aloe vera gel
- Soap
Hair conditioner is going to be more economical than using shaving cream, does at least as good a job, if not better and a bottle of conditioner will last you way longer than a can of shaving cream. PLUS it won’t rust on the bottom.
Coconut oil works great too and like conditioner actually moisturizes your skin a bit. The only caveat to using coconut oil is that you’re sending all that oil down your drain. What with my plumbing problems that led to spending thousands of dollars and installing a new toilet (totally easy, here’s how you can do that) I avoid putting anything down my pipes that could clog them.
So I choose to use hair conditioner as my shaving cream alternative. You’re welcome for this experiment about whether you can use hair conditioner as a replacement for shaving cream.
The experiment testing whether you can use shaving cream as hair conditioner did not go nearly as well.
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Coconut Oil, Aloe very gel is fantastic. I always use these. thank you for the post.
I have never understood why people buy those wasteful cans of shaving cream. I just use good old bar soap. But now I will try conditioner, a bottle always lasts way longer than shampoo anyway.
I just started using shampoo and conditioner bars (no plastic packaging) from The Earthling Co. and they work great for my hair so I think that the condioner bar will probably work well for shaving my legs, too. Thanks for the idea!
Hi Karen, being French I told my wife when I met her she didn’t have to shave her legs. But this was a good post and I sure enjoyed it. I have had this problem and been forced to use regular soap but it dried up my face. This is a good alternative. Thanks Karen. Gary
Okay – confession time. This is what I use….the lather from my shampoo. I wash my hair and for whatever reason, leave the lather on my hair until I am done washing the rest of me (I have this idea that it makes my hair softer – don’t know why). One day, I decided to scoop some of the lather off my hair, smear it on my legs and shave. Worked a charm. Have never used soap or conditioner (because I am not a conditioner sort of person) or any of the shave creams. Almost a recycle sort of thing, using my shampoo lather. Good enough for this girl.
Now I know what to do with the ginormous bottle of conditioner that comes paired with the ginormous bottle of shampoo from Costco! I don’t need to condition my hair at every shampoo( or my head turns into a total grease ball!) so I always end up with an imbalance in supply and demand.No longer will I have to juggle soap, razor and me. Thanks!
I have been using the same bottle of inexpensive conditioner to shave my legs for the last 4 years! The conditioner was a poor retail purchase, but it has redeemed itself because it works perfectly for shaving.
I feel a little uncomfortable writing about women shaving their legs but I do have another product that works well for shaving. My 100 year old mother in law developed a skin problem because of sensitivity to soap. Her doctor suggested using aqueous cream. My wife and I started using it also and I use it to shave my face. It is a little difficult to find but works great. Ask for it at Shoppers or London Drugs pharmacy’s.
On one episode of his show, Bear Gryllis actually demontrated eating some kind of animal shit as survival food. I don’t remember if it was later in that same episode or a different one that he demonstrated crapping his pants due to intestinal upset while rope climbing up a rock face. The guy is literally full of crap.
Sandpaper! I use the black or water grit. It exfoliates as well. No, I’m not kidding. It used to be available in the drug stores at a fancy price. I only ever used it on my legs. It worked great!
Or, just shave under running water, you’re already in the shower. Shave cream or conditioner seems like a hassle.
Most people can’t shave with just water. You need some sort of lubricant to stop the razor from causing razor burn. ~ k!
As an avid cyclist for over 30 years (ouch i’m old), I’ve been shaving my legs for almost that long. Once a week usually and I’ve always used my wife’s fancy conditioner. It works great, feels great and moisturizes. hehe
Don’t tell my wife please…it’s our little secret.
Oops, I forgot I turned her on to your thread!
Yep. She’s gonna find out. You’re doomed. ~ karen!
I have always found that shaving cream gives me razor burn but bar soap does not!
I have used an epilator on my legs for years. Initially it did hurt a little, but now completely pain free, quick, easy and less hair regrowth. Highly recommend. Still use a razor for underarms.
Karen, your blogs were introduced to me at about the same time I learned my life would be upended by the Coronavirus ( the Peeps as gift wrap, of course!). You have saved me, literally and I thank you. I wish I had come up with hair conditioner as shaving gel but I read about it in a beauty magazine years ago. Thank you for sharing this idea with the world.
Hi Quatorze! Welcome to my site! I hope your pandemic life isn’t too burdensome. Mine has changed little, but I know it’s been a HUGE adjustment for most people in so many ways. ~ karen!
This made me giggle, I haven’t shaved for years (I go through the pain of pulling the little blighters out by the roots as it lasts longer and there’s no regrowth itch), but years ago when I did I wouldn’t have dreamt of buying shaving foam/gel etc. I always used plain old well lathered soap, or if my skin was dry in winter, olive or sunflower oil. I suppose back then shaving foam wasn’t really a thing (U.K.), love this post, if nothing else it shows a) those who are a tad younger there was life pre shaving foam and b) those who’ve never had the pleasure of watching our lovely Bear in action something to drool over 😉
I have being this for several years, much better and less expensive than shaving cream!! And a frugal choice!
Hey Karen, nice one but wait, there’s more. Hair conditioner also makes for terrific facial cleanser, including gently dissolving mascara. Then it helps to moisturise. I love it.
I have a certain eye liner that I can never get off. I’ll try it! ~ karen
Baby shampoo (I use Johnsons) for removing make-up!
It even dissolves water proof mascara!
And of course, being specifically designed not to sting babies’ eyes, it doesn’t sting adult eyes either; who woulda thunk? :-D
A bottle also lasts for ages, and works out much cheaper than fancy shmancy removers.
I LOve you Karen ! Please marry me!
Lemme think about it. ~ karen
Karen, I’ve become obsessed with reading your blog posts! I know this one is older but I loved it! I am glad that you conducted this experiment. I have done this as well however, I forgot which leg was which because I suffer from squirrel syndrome. Watch the movie up if you aren’t sure of what that is. Anywho, thanks for another fun post.
Hi Alicia! Glad you found my site. Off to look up squirrel syndrome. ~ karen
I’m telling you the best shaving gel is in an orange tube at trader joes. very inexpensive and silky. even some guy friends from sweden swoon over this everytime they visit and buy tubes and tubes. and you know those sweeds the guys only buy the best products.
I also love that stuff! Lasts way longer than the Eos brand I used to buy. Smells nice too! But I’ve gone through 2 bottles of shampoo to my one conditioner so…
I started using conditioner in my teens (because I was too cheap to buy shaving cream). But now I use olive oil. After I get out the shower I slather on olive oil and shave away. My legs feel amazing! Plus my shower is the size of a peanut and contorting my body into odd positions lost it’s novelty.
Oh holy crap, I do know how to write with correct grammar… and in complete sentences.
LOL. I didn’t even notice until I went back and rereaded your comment. :) Don’t worry about it. Nobody’ll notice. ~ karen
Yes but I have had my attention drawn to it now. Which is good because I was getting itchy about the itchiness mentioned in your initial comments.
Wow, all these years, and I just use plain old water! Never even used soap before! Huh. That explains a lot…
Going to try this tomorrow morning! :)
Okay Karen, have one for you. A while ago I saw on the internet where this man proved that it was possible to sharpen a razor blade and that we would never have to buy another razor ever again. He showed that if you rub the blade backwards (one direction only here) on the skin of your dry forearm about 10 – 20 times that would keep the blade sharp. He proclaimed that this was akin to how the barbers would sharpen their blades – those single long blades – when they rubbed it against the leather straps. What cha think?
I only shave with conditioner! I haven’t bought shaving cream in at least five years.
I once saw the girls on ‘the view’ use cheeze whiz….I still have nightmares!! (just from the thought!!) But the conditioner I will use… Next month, if I have time to shave ;D
I, too, have been doing this one for years, using the turbo conditioner that comes with the stuff I dye my hair with (since they give you enough to condition your own hair and that of everyone else you know).
My burning question is: Where HAVE you found the Trac II blades, dangit!! I can’t find them either.
First off thanks for the tip — always have conditioner on hand!
Secondly, WOW!!! I had no idea what “Bear Grylls” was so I googled — it’s not an it — it’s a HIM!
OMG!! Will have to read up on this adventurer.
Cheers,
M
have tried this too when cream wasn’t available – however this scientific confirmation is greatly appreciated.
I also find that if its been a really long time say most of the winter cause its cold and you’re wearing pants all the time and well you were always a bit of a hippie – the conditioner is the best way to go.
I too have been doing this for years and the money you save is amazing! Love your writing of this blog enjoy every post, Thanks;0)
Thanks Robyn! ~ karen
LOVE IT! Probably because I have done the same thing in a moment of panic. Its great to see that there are others out there, and its nice to be reminded that there are so many other things out there that do the same job (if not a better job) than the items being marketed for a specific purpose! Thanks for posting!
I too have been using this method for several years now, but I will be using the “I’m growing my leg hair for science” excuse next time my hubby asks why I have the Clydesdale look going!!! Great post!
Jules
“clydesdale look” Love it! My husband and I usually discuss whether I need a mower or a weed-eater to get my leg hair under control.
Moved in with my partner J. Here’s the conversation that took place one morning after I moved in:
“Where’d my razor go?”
“in that drawer there. You know, you don’t have to shave for me.”
“What?”
“You don’t have to shave for my sake.”
“What?”
“I’m saying you don’t have to shave to make me happy.”
“Well, that’s nice of you to say, honey, but I don’t shave for you, I shave for ME.”
“Oh. Well, I was just saying. You can do whatever.”
“Thanks, honey.” (pause) “Hey, waitasecond. Would you rather I *didn’t* shave?”
“You can do whatever you want.”
“Yeah, but do you prefer it if I don’t shave?”
“I was just trying to say if you didn’t want to shave, it doesn’t bother me.”
“Um. Okay.”
I have Not Pursued It Further, in case I’m living with the reincarnation of Napolean or something.
I had switched from shaving cream to lotion for shaving in high school when my parents had redone the bathroom and the shaving cream can was leaving rust stains on the granite (lotion came in plastic, hence no stains). I then found that I liked lotion so much better for shaving (sensitive skin). Right now, I have a huge bottle of Suave Cocoa Butter lotion in my shower. The best part, it will last me at least 9 months, and cost me $3.88.
I’ve also been doing this for years!!
I do that too since I hate extra items in the shower..I like multitaskers…oh, and I LOVE Bear Grylls..Like serious crush love.
karen this has nothing at all to do with shaving just wanted to say that was the BEST punkin pie EVERand i love you….p.s tell chris i have a nice bottle of maple syrup coming for him…and thanks
Thanks Marilyn! For those of you wondering … I have a pumpkin pie post coming up very soon and Marilyn was a recipient of a piece of pumpkin pie. Apparently Marilyn liked it. :) I’ll let Chris know!
Nice one! I do this (on my FACE, as I am a MAN) when I’m traveling with only carry-on baggage, as I can’t pack shaving cream. Every hotel offers conditioner samples, so I tried it once and now I count on it. First I tried lotion, but it gums up the razor too much and slows down the process. Also, conditioner has more “slide” to it.
My fear is that some canny terrorist will next invent a dastardly use for the Mach 5 razor cartridge as a deadly weapon, and I’ll be further reduced to shaving with a hotel sewing kit.
Jamieson … you are a funny and well conditioned man.
I’ve been doing this for awhile, too. It’s great because it moisturizes your legs while being great for shaving. I especially like using on the often-dry ankle area as the temp has been dropping.
Been doing this for years. I’m glad you gave me scientific validation.
I actually had a boyfriend tell me about this about 25 years ago. I guess he was good for something! LOL