For most guys, good grooming habits are a necessity. Unless you’re a lumberjack or a world champion beard grower, shaving face is saving face during the 9-to-5 work week. But even though you may be condemned to drag a razor across your mug on a daily basis, your shaving ritual doesn’t have to be painful for yourself or the environment. Quick-to-dull disposable razors and chemical-laden facial products are abrasive affronts to freshly shorn skin, and they’re equally unhealthy for the environment at large. Read on for five eco-friendly men’s grooming supplies that take care of your body and the planet.
USE A STRAIGHT RAZOR
Cheap, disposable safety razors are a bane upon our landfills and a pain to use after a few shaves. On the other hand, there’s nothing classier (or more eco-friendly) than an old-school straight-razor shave. Straight razors require a bit more of an investment up front and take some skill to master, but the rewards you reap are manifold—you could use the same razor for your entire life and look damn cool doing so.
Straight razors are also great examples of heirloom design. If properly stropped, oiled, and stored, a razor makes a great gift to pass on to the next generation. On that note, keep an eye out for high-quality vintage razors.
+ 45th Anniversary Straight Razor $345 at Unionmade Goods
GO SOLAR
Whether you’re a jet-setting business traveler or a mountain man who doesn’t shy away from a 5-’o-clock shadow, solar shavers are perfect for keeping your beard in check when you’re off the grid. Simply set this Solar Shaver out in the sun to charge and it will cut through scruff in a flash. Although electric razors require more resources and maintenance than straight razors, they tend to last much longer than disposable ones.
+ Solar Shaver £24.95 at EthicalSuperStore
KEEP IT SHARP
Standard disposable razor blades only last a scant two weeks before they start ripping out hair by the roots. Enter the RazorPit, an ingenious blade-sharpener and -cleaner that can extend the life of your razor blades up to 150 shaves. Similar to a strop, the RazorPit is designed to clean and hone the edge of your razor cartridges after each use.
all the dudes should take notes!
I think most girls would agree that it’s a + when a dude knows how to use a straight razor.
As a long time user of a straight razor I am a big fan of this article and of seeing that yes gentlemen, not only is it possible to stay clean but BE Green!
That straight razor looks scary, but I’ve always wanted to try one. It be a nice change from my disposables, though a blade sharpener for them is…well, pretty sharp.
I store my razor in a small glass with a top that has about an half inch of mineral oil. It makes the razor stay sharp for a couple months and adds some nice lubrication to the razor (I do rinse it pretty well first). Maybe with a razor pit I can resharpen after then and keep one razor even longer. I don’t trust myself with a straight razor.
I like when dudes have well kept beards.