I haven’t forgotten about the guys. After all, men have skin too— I couldn’t even pronounce the ingredients in the average can of shaving cream or aftershave. Lots of toxins and unpronounceable chemicals. These recipes smell good and are easy on the face—or whatever you want to shave.

Shaving Soap

• 20 oz palm kernel oil
• 20 oz coconut oil
• 40 oz olive oil
• 30 oz buttermilk
• 11 oz lye
• 3 heaping Tbsp bentonite clay

Instructions:

Heat oils to 100. Partially freeze buttermilk. Slowly add lye to milk, don’t let it go over 100. Combine. At trace: add 3.5 oz lavender essential oil, 3 Tbsp castor oil, and 2 Tbsp sweet almond oil.

*At trace – the point at which the mixture starts to thicken into soap

Shaving Cream

• 2 ounces almond oil
• 1/2 ounce beeswax
• 4 ounces water
• 2 ounces liquid castile soap
• 1 ounce glycerin
• 1 teaspoon borax
• 1/3 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract
• 20 drops essential oils: Thyme, lemongrass, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, or lavender–or a combination–are highly antiseptic as well as delicious-smelling.

Instructions:

Combine oil and beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat. Once the wax has melted, remove from heat and stir in the water, soap, glycerin, and borax. Blend with a whisk or handheld beater until creamy. Add grapefruit seed extract and essential oils and stir to blend.

Makes 1 cup of shaving cream. This formula will keep 6 months in a glass jar with a screw top.

Aftershave

• 1 cup vodka
• 2 tsp dried yarrow
• 1 tbsp. dried lavender
• 1 tbsp sage leaves
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 1 tsp. whole cloves

Instructions:

Mix everything together in a glass jar and store in a dark dry spot for 2-3 weeks. Strain and rebottle. Splash on!

*Note: If you are pregnant, nursing, or have a serious medical condition, consult a health care provider before using essential oils.