Why isn't shaving cream always vegan?
Like many beauty and personal care products, shaving cream sometimes contains hidden animal ingredients. Lanolin, for example, comes from sheep's wool. The animals secrete the grease-like substance from their sebaceous glands. It's used in shaving cream because of its emollient properties. It's hydrating, softening, and moisturizing.
But while it's often seen as harmless, the wool industry (of which lanolin is a byproduct) is associated with animal cruelty.
According to PETA, because shearers are often paid by volume, not by the hour, sheep welfare is often disregarded in order for workers to get the job done quickly. Some animal rights investigations have revealed sheep abuse in the wool industry, with workers punching and kicking sheep.
And, like all animal agriculture, the industry is detrimental to the environment. For example, just one sheep can produce around 30 liters of methane in one single day. The potent greenhouse gas has more than 80 times the planet-heating power of carbon dioxide.
Other shaving cream ingredients produced via animal agriculture include glycerin and stearic acid. While both can potentially come from plants, they can be sourced from animal fats. (So make sure you read the label!)
The best vegan shaving creams
As the vegan market for cosmetics and personal care products grows, more animal-free choices are appearing on the shelves. And vegan shaving cream is no exception. To help you find the right product for you, we've gathered all of our top choices below.
And of course, as always, all of our picks are cruelty-free.
| Sustainable packaging elements | None specified |
| Standout ingredients | Vitamin E, goldenseal, lemongrass, aloe, olive oil |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
| 100% vegan brand? | No |
Kiss My Face has been making cruelty-free personal care products for more than four decades.
Originally founded on a farm in Hudson River Valley, it has always focused on using the best natural, high-quality ingredients in its products.
In line with that ethos, this shaving cream combines olive oil and shea butter, both of which are anti-inflammatory, with aloe vera, which is known for its cool, skin-healing powers.
It also contains detoxifying lemongrass and calming goldenseal. Plus, the scent of lavender is just enough for a sweet, mild aroma, without being overpowering.
Ursa Major
Stellar Shave Cream
$26
| Sustainable packaging elements | Brand certified Plastic Negative |
| Standout ingredients | Aloe, sunflower, willow bark, oat protein, birch sap, shea |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
| 100% vegan brand? | No |
With a satisfyingly thick texture, Ursa Major's Stellar Shave Cream offers a moisturizing, soothing, close shave experience.
The addition of birch sap helps to prevent redness, while sunflower extract and oat protein help the skin to retain moisture. Plus, it includes the hydrating additions of shea butter and aloe vera, while willow bark helps to condition the skin.
In addition to high-performance personal care, Ursa Major also cares about the planet.
The brand has partnered with rePurpose Global, a plastic action platform, to remove two plastic bottles from the environment for every bottle it sells. This initiative helped the brand earn a Plastic Negative certification.
| Sustainable packaging elements | Recyclable |
| Standout ingredients | aloe vera, coconut, calendula, vitamin E, lime |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
| 100% vegan brand? | No |
Alba Botanica is passionate about plant-based products, and while the brand is not vegan, all of its formulas are 100 percent vegetarian. That said, many of its products don't use any animal ingredients at all, like this shaving cream.
The formula includes vitamin C-packed limes, which help to keep skin firm, as well as calendula extract, which is particularly effective for those who suffer from irritated skin. Vitamin E is also added for its antioxidant benefits.
Many of Alba Botanica's bottles feature recycled materials, and the brand "encourages" consumers to always recycle its packaging.
Best luxury:
Le Labo
Shaving Cream
$40
| Sustainable packaging elements | Aluminum bottle |
| Standout ingredients | Sage, coconut, chamomile |
| Parent company tests on animals? | Yes - Estée Lauder |
| 100% vegan brand? | No |
With a significant emphasis on craftsmanship, Le Labo formulates its products carefully. Its fragrances feature responsibly-sourced ingredients, like bergamot oranges, which are grown in Calabria, Italy, and tonka beans from central and south America.
Both of the above can be detected in the brand's Shaving Cream scent, alongside lavender and violet.
Plus, it features antioxidant-rich sage, which is also known for its antibacterial properties, as well as coconut and chamomile. The former is moisturizing and anti-inflammatory, while the latter is known for its ability to soothe sensitive skin.
Le Labo's Shaving Cream comes in an aluminum bottle, which is not only more durable than single-use plastic, but also far easier to recycle.
Flamingo
Foaming Shave Gel
$6
| Sustainable packaging elements | None specified |
| Standout ingredients | Aloe, bisabolol |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
| 100% vegan brand? | No |
A little goes a long way with this softening, soothing Foaming Shave Gel from Flamingo, a brand known for its personal care expertise.
The product, which features soothing aloe and skin-firming bisabolol, offers a strong, creamy lather from just a small amount of formula. Plus, it doesn't immediately wash off in the shower and will stick to your wet skin until you've finished the job at hand.
Flamingo supports women-centered charities, like Girls Inc, Exhale to Inhale, and PERIOD, with one percent of its sales.
Best budget:
EOS
Vanilla Bliss Shave Cream
$4.99
| Sustainable packaging elements | Recyclable bottle |
| Standout ingredients | Shea oil, shea butter, aloe |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
| 100% vegan brand? | No |
EOS is known predominantly for its lip balms, which come in its signature ball-like packaging. But the brand also offers body care products, including this Vanilla Bliss Shave Cream.
With a refreshing and subtly sweet vanilla scent, the formula isn't too thick and feels more like a lotion. Again, a little goes a long way, and thanks to the addition of aloe vera, it will leave your skin feeling hydrated and silky smooth for days after your initial shave.
Plus, shea butter and oil (both of which are sourced sustainably) provide much-needed moisture and softness.
Best for the planet:
This is a sponsored listing.
| Sustainable packaging elements | Plastic-free |
| Standout ingredients | Cocoa butter, coconut oil, kaolin clay |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
| 100% vegan brand? | Yes |
If you have plastic guilt when you buy new products, then Ethique is the brand for you, as all of its products are 100 percent plastic-free.
This solid bar features kaolin clay, a gentle and soothing yet effective cleanser, as well as softening cocoa butter and anti-inflammatory coconut oil.
Ethique proves you don't need plastic to produce an effective formula; after use, your skin will feel soft, smooth, and nourished.
When you're done, simply store the bar in a dry spot until you're ready to use it again.
Opting for Ethique's bar saves approximately three 350ml plastic bottles and around 2750 milliliters of water.
| Sustainable packaging elements | Airless bottle |
| Standout ingredients | Argan, grapeseed, marula, and sunflower oil |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
| 100% vegan brand? | No |
Unlike other shaving creams, this formula from Oui the People exits the bottle with a gel-like texture, but as soon as you apply just a small amount (seriously, like a small coin amount) to your wet skin, it becomes a thin, milky substance that you can rub all over the area you're looking to shave.
It's more expensive than many other products on the market, but as you only need to use a tiny amount each time, it should last you a good few months.
Argan and sunflower oil, as well as grapeseed and marula, help to moisturize and condition the skin, while vitamin C helps to brighten up any uneven spots of skin tone.
This formula is also packaged in an airless bottle, which not only looks sleek but also helps to reduce waste by better preserving ingredients.
LUSH
Cool Iced
$15
| Sustainable packaging elements | Bottle features recycled plastic |
| Standout ingredients | Oat milk, rose water, cocoa butter |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
| 100% vegan brand? | No |
In the last few years, oat milk has become one of the most popular milk alternatives on the market. But it's not just good for lattes, it's also good for your skin. That's why Lush has added the ingredient to its Cool Iced Shaving Cream.
Oat milk has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, plus it feels soothing and hydrating on the skin. This shaving cream also features conditioning cocoa butter, which is organic, as well as cooling, antibacterial rose water.
For a lovely, tingly, refreshing sensation, this cream also contains menthol crystals.
| Sustainable packaging elements | Tub contains recycled materials |
| Standout ingredients | Aloe vera, maca root |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
| 100% vegan brand? | No |
This shaving cream is designed for use on the face, but some users also choose to apply it to their legs too.
Thanks to aloe vera, the formula is super soothing and hydrating, while maca root helps your skin to feel soft and nourished after use. The addition of both of these ingredients also means that this formula is particularly gentle on sensitive skin.
The Body Shop takes ingredient sourcing seriously. All of its aloe vera is certified Fair Trade and sourced responsibly from communities in Mexico.
| Sustainable packaging elements | None specified |
| Standout ingredients | Cupuaçu butter, açaí oil, coconut oil |
| Parent company tests on animals? | Yes - L'Occitane |
| 100% vegan brand? | No |
Sol de Janeiro is loved for its high-quality, deliciously smelling, Brazilian-inspired skincare products. And this moisturizing body cream lives up to that reputation.
Coconut oil helps to soften, condition, and hydrate, while cupuaçu butter moisturizes and açaí oil offers a skin-protecting boost of antioxidants.
It's worth noting that this cream-cleanser isn't sold for shaving primarily, but don't be afraid to use it with a razor. Your skin will feel soft, silky, and smooth.
The verdict
It is possible to find a super hydrating, conditioning shaving cream without animal ingredients, like lanolin. All of these vegan products will leave you with silky soft, smooth, sweet-smelling skin. Many also feature environmentally-conscious packaging, made with recycled content or recyclable materials. For a recap of some of our favorites, see below.
For best budget: EOS Vanilla Bliss Shave Cream
Best luxury: Le Labo Shaving Cream
Best for the planet: Ethique Tip to Toe 2-In-1 Solid Shampoo & Shaving Bar
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