Switch to a Safety Razor for a Cleaner, Greener Shave

If your bathroom bin is a tiny graveyard of plastic razor heads, I have happy news: you can get a closer, calmer shave with a beautiful metal tool that lasts for decades. A safety razor sounds old-school, but it is the eco glow-up of your grooming routine—less waste, less irritation, and less money over time. Grab a cup of tea and let’s turn those nicks-and-fears into smooth, sustainable confidence.

Why switch to a safety razor?

A few big wins:

• Planet points: No more chunky plastic cartridges. A metal handle plus thin steel blades means dramatically less waste.
• Wallet wins: Blades cost cents, not dollars. Over a year, you save a surprising amount.
• Skin kindness: With the right technique, fewer passes and less tugging can mean fewer ingrown hairs and less irritation.

Want to turn your whole bathroom routine into a low-waste spa? Pair this guide with Sustainable Bathroom Swaps: Green Up Your Self-Care Routine and Eco-Friendly Bathroom Upgrades for a Sustainable Spa-Style Shower.

---

Meet your plastic-free shave kit

Think of this like building a tiny, elegant shaving orchestra.

• Safety razor handle: Choose a mild, beginner-friendly model with a comfortable, non-slip grip.
• Double-edge blades: Start with a sampler pack to find your sweet spot between sharpness and smoothness.
• Shave soap or cream: A slick, cushiony formula is your best friend. Unscented or low-fragrance is gentler on skin.
• Brush (optional but lovely): A soft synthetic brush whips up lather fast without animal hair.
• Alum block or styptic pencil: For the occasional oops.
• Blade bank: A small tin to keep used blades safely until recycling.

Affiliate picks to make it easy

These are popular, beginner-friendly choices. If you buy through these links, MySimple.life may earn a small commission—thank you for supporting our eco mission.

• Classic mild razor: Merkur 34C
• Smooth starter blades: Astra Superior Platinum
• Handle with training wheels (adjustable): Rockwell 6C
• Blade bank (safe storage): Feather Blade Bank

---

Pre-shave prep that prevents drama

Prepping your skin is 80% of the game. Think “soak, soften, slick.”

1. Warm, wet skin: Shave after a shower or hold a warm, damp towel to the area for 60–90 seconds to soften hair and open pores.
2. Gentle cleanse: Wash away oils and sunscreen so your lather can actually touch skin.
3. Build a protective lather: Use a pea-size amount of cream or a marble of soap, then add water slowly while whipping with a brush until it’s glossy and yogurt-thick.

The golden rules: angle, pressure, and patience

A safety razor is not a cartridge razor—you are the power steering now.

• Angle: Aim for 30 degrees. Place the head flat against your skin, then tilt until you feel the blade just start to engage.
• Pressure: None. Let the weight of the razor do the work. Feather-light hands = happy skin.
• Short strokes: One to two inches. Rinse the head often to keep the blade clear.
• Map your grain: Use your fingertips to feel which way your hair grows on different areas. Always start shaving with the grain.

Go slow to go smooth. A gentle hand beats a fast pass every time.

Chloe's Shave Mantra

The simple three-pass method (pick your comfort level)

• Pass 1: With the grain (WTG). This is your foundation—reduction, not perfection.
• Pass 2: Across the grain (XTG). Optional. Great for a closer finish on cheeks, legs, or calves.
• Pass 3: Against the grain (ATG). Only if your skin tolerates it. Skip or spot-apply on sensitive areas.

Relather between passes—slickness matters more than speed.

---

Body-by-body tips for everyone

Legs:

• Use long, gentle strokes and re-lather trouble zones like knees and ankles.
• Keep skin taut by flexing your ankle or knee slightly.

Underarms:

• The hair grows in multiple directions—short strokes and re-lather are your best friends.
• Start WTG, then try gentle XTG for closeness.

Face:

• Keep your wrist locked and move from the elbow for steadiness.
• Stretch skin slightly with your non-dominant hand around the jawline and neck.

Bikini line:

• Always start WTG and consider staying there to reduce ingrowns.
• Use the fewest passes possible and apply a hydrating, unscented post-shave care.

Avoid these rookie mistakes

• Pressing like it is a cartridge razor. Safety razors need almost zero pressure.
• Dry skin or thin lather. Hydration is cushion.
• Chasing perfection on pass one. Think gradual reduction.
• Shaving dull. If you feel tugging, swap the blade.

---

Choosing blades and a handle: how mild is mild?

Blades vary widely. Some are smoother, some are sharper. Your hair thickness and skin sensitivity will decide the winner. Start with mild-to-medium, then iterate.

• Beginner-friendly blades: Astra Superior Platinum, Derby Extra, Gillette Platinum.
• Razor geometry matters: Models like the Merkur 34C or Edwin Jagger DE89 are known for forgiving angles and comfortable shaves.
• Adjustable options: Rockwell 6C lets you dial in your comfort level with different base plates as your confidence grows.

Post-shave care: keep it low-tox and soothing

• Rinse with cool water to calm skin and close pores.
• Dab on a thin layer of unscented aloe or witch hazel.
• If needed, touch an alum block to tiny nicks to stop bleeding.
• Moisturize: A simple, fragrance-free lotion seals the deal.

You can keep your routine minimal and still feel spa-level pampered. For more low-waste bath bliss, peek at Eco-Friendly Bathroom Upgrades for a Sustainable Spa-Style Shower.

---

Cost-per-shave math (the fun part)

Let’s compare one year of shaving (about 100 shaves):

• Cartridges: $2.50 per cartridge x ~25 = ~$62.50, plus plastic waste.
• Safety razor:
  • Handle: $35 once (and it lasts for years).
  • Blades: $0.15 each x 20 (if you change every 5 shaves) = $3.00.
  • Year 1 total: $38.00.
  • Year 2 and beyond: ~$3.00–$6.00 for blades. That is latte money.

Cleaning, storage, and blade recycling

• After each shave: Rinse razor thoroughly and shake off water.
• Weekly: Disassemble, rinse, and dry. A soft toothbrush removes soap scum.
• Storage: Keep it dry between uses—counter stand or wall hook beats a steamy shelf.
• Blade disposal: Drop used blades into a blade bank. When full, seal and recycle as scrap metal if your local facility accepts small, contained sharps. If not, dispose according to local guidelines.

---

Real talk: will I nick myself?

Maybe once as you learn—but it’s almost always technique, not the tool. Go slow, keep the angle shallow, and never shave dry. Most people report fewer bumps and a closer result after a week of practice.

Quick-start routine you can screenshot

• Shower or warm compress
• Cleanse skin
• Build slick lather (yogurt thickness)
• 30-degree angle, no pressure
• Pass 1 WTG, rinse
• Optional Pass 2 XTG, rinse
• Optional touch-ups (skip ATG if sensitive)
• Rinse cool, pat dry
• Aloe or witch hazel, then moisturize
• Rinse and dry razor, store dry

---

A 7-day confidence plan

• Day 1–2: Practice on easy zones (calves, cheeks) with WTG only.
• Day 3–4: Add XTG on hearty areas. Take your time.
• Day 5–6: Try gentle touch-ups on tricky zones. Skip ATG if your skin protests.
• Day 7: Review what worked, swap blade if needed, and celebrate your greener shave.

Starter bundle ideas (mix and match)

• Mild metal handle:

  • Merkur 34C or Edwin Jagger DE89
  • Adjustable path: Rockwell 6C

• Blades to sample:

  • Astra SP, Derby Extra, Gillette Platinum

• Lather lineup:

  • Unscented cream or a gentle soap puck
  • Soft synthetic brush

• Extras:

  • Alum block or styptic pencil
  • Blade bank tin

---

Your small eco-win today

Declare today your last plastic cartridge. That is it—one tiny, planet-loving pledge. Set out your new (or new-to-you) razor, choose a gentle blade, and line up your comfy lather. Your future self—and the sea turtles—thank you.

If you try the switch, show me your setup! Snap a photo of your plastic-free shave kit and tag us on Instagram.

We are building a community where tiny changes add up to big impact. Ready to shave the waste off your routine? Smooth move, friend.