With Father’s Day just around the corner, it seemed fitting to share an idea that I think would make a perfect Father’s Day gift! Today I’ll be sharing how to make a rich, smooth shaving cream that’s packed with naturally nourishing ingredients. Your Dad or husband would be sure to love a homemade gift like this, especially since it’s so useful. But I highly recommend whipping up a batch for yourself as well! :-) We all gotta shave, right?
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In addition to being so nourishing for your skin, another benefit of this shaving cream is that it’s customizable. You can customize the scent by using whichever essential oils appeal to you most. And if you’ll be whipping up a batch for Dad or your husband, you can never go wrong by using earthy sandalwood oil! It has a “manly” scent with just the right amount of musk, and it isn’t overpowering.
And the most obvious benefit of any homemade shaving cream is that it’s pretty inexpensive to make! Because of all the high-quality ingredients in this recipe, the finished product could easily run you anywhere between $15-30! And once you have all the ingredients for it, you’ll be able to make endless batches of shaving cream over time (or as gifts!)
I think the shaving cream alone would be great as a gift for Dad. But if you want to make it extra special, package your homemade shaving cream up with a nice razor or a fancy shaving brush. Guys like to feel pampered too, and your Dad has certainly earned a bit of pampering! :-) Here’s how to make this gift-worthy homemade shaving cream at home.
Homemade Shaving Cream
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp carrier oil (sweet almond, jojoba, etc.)
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tbsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup castile soap
- 2 vitamin E capsules
- 1 Tbsp bentonite clay
- 10-20 drops essential oils*
*Note: You can use any essential oil you like here. Sandalwood oil is great for your skin and it has a woodsy smell. You could also use something more standard like lavender oil or peppermint oil if you have those on hand. (But be warned, peppermint oil will sting a bit if you accidentally nick yourself while shaving!)
Directions:
Place the coconut oil, carrier oil, and shea butter into a small pan. Put the pan over low heat on your stove until everything has melted together.
Transfer the melted oil mixture into a room temperature bowl, then stir in the honey, baking soda, castile soap, the liquid from the vitamin E capsules, clay, and the essential oils. Stir well, then let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
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Once the mixture has cooled enough to start setting, use an electric mixer to whip it up for 3-5 minutes. You’re looking for a light and creamy texture, like whipped butter.
Store the finished shaving cream in an airtight container, and keep it in a cool, dark place when not in use.
Also, keep in mind that the mixture may separate over time. Just whip it up again with your hand mixer and it will be good as new!
How can I make it a shaving foam? Is it just a matter of wrapping it onto a special box?
Hmm, I’m not sure that there is a way to turn this into a foam. You could try using a kitchen mixer to whip it into a foam, although it will deflate after an hour or so. Sorry Judy!
Please please repost the shaving gel recipe!! My husband loves it and is the only one he will use!! The one in the post below would be to oily for him I think.
Hi Shannon! I’m so so sorry, but I don’t have the recipe for the gel anymore. I replaced it with this cream, which I assumed everyone would love. I’ll be sure to hold onto the old recipes in the future. This recipe seems pretty similar: https://dontmesswithmama.com/diy-shave-gel/
Do you remember the ingredients? I’d love to help you figure it out!
Dear Jillie, how can we make shaving bar instead of shaving butter?
I’ve never used a shaving bar before, but I found a recipe here: https://wellnessmama.com/2628/shaving-soap-recipes/
Just scroll down for the “Natural Bar Shave Soap Recipe” :-)
Just found your site. What I have seen I love it.
Thanks Irene!
Where did your recipe for the shave gel go? I know it was along with this recipe for the cream, but I made the gel all the time and I can’t find it.
Sorry Tracey! We replaced the old post with this better recipe. I did find this recipe for a gel that sounds fabulous! https://jillee.co/2zkKw4s You could also just mix equal parts of your favorite carrier oil with aloe vera gel :-)
It isn’t the same! it is missing something
can you share a printable copy of the label for home made shaving cream?
Hi Kathleen! I actually made the labels with these: https://amzn.to/2JQyFPH
They come with instructions for downloading a bunch of different templates, including the one I used for the shaving cream! You could also email be at jill@byjillee.com and I’ll send you a downloadable version of the labels. :-)
Jillee — question — I do not like the smell of coconut anything — it’s just one of those things, ya know? So, what can I use in any of your recipes instead of coconut oil. (Also don’t like the smell of blueberries.) Hugs & Blessings
I don’t like the smell of coconut either. Coconut oil does not smell like coconut.
Coconut oil is hard to replace, because it has such a unique texture. It really doesn’t smell like coconut at all, especially once you add the essential oils! I would give it a try. If you still want to avoid it, you could replace it with a different carrier oil (almond, jojoba, avocado…) and add an extra Tbs shea butter for the thicker texture. :-)
Okay — I’ll give it a “sniff,” and see if it affects me the same way “usual” coconut does. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. (And thank you, Wendy, Too)
You might not like the smell of coconut oil by itself, but mixed into this recipe, you won’t even notice it! :-)
A big thank you and hugs to all who replied to my question. I am going to give coconut oil try. I’ll see if there’s a really little bottle out there somewhere (singing the song from American Tail), sorry, got for lost for a minute. I’m really into DIY and trying to get away from harmful chemicals. So, if this coconut doesn’t smell, it’ll be wonderful.
Buy “refined” coconut oil instead of extra virgin coconut oil. Refined coconut oil has no fragrance.
Is the honey absolutely necessary, or can something else be used as a substitute? I made some body wash using the recipe I found on your site a while ago, and in less than a month (I made a big batch) it got really gross and goopy & became both unpumpable and unpourable. Now I just use the same recipe but without the honey and it’s fantastic. I’d love to make my own good-quality shaving cream (the recipe I have feels more like butter than shaving cream, and my hubby won’t even use it) but I don’t want to have… Read more »
I was wondering about the honey as well and how long is the shelf life. My hubby only shaves his beard/neck every few days.
It will last a few weeks, longer in the fridge! :-)
Thank you Gina! You should be able to leave the honey out – I would just add 2 extra Tbs each of coconut oil and castile soap.