Shaving Soap Bars: How to Use, Benefits & Our Top Picks
Discover how to use a shaving soap bar, why it’s better for your skin and the planet, and which zero waste shave bars we love at Zero Waste Store.
Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes
More than 2 billion plastic razors and cartridges are tossed into landfills each year in the U.S, and most can’t be recycled. It’s a huge environmental problem tied to our everyday grooming habits. But it’s not just the razors; the cans of shaving cream, plastic tubes, and disposable packaging all add up.
Ready to rethink your shaving waste? Swap your shaving cream for a shaving soap bar. These solid, plastic-free alternatives work just as well (if not better), and they pair perfectly with reusable safety razors for a truly sustainable shave.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how shaving soap bars work, why they’re a better choice for you and the planet, and which ones we recommend.
What Is a Shaving Soap Bar?
A shaving soap bar is a solid, eco-friendly alternative to traditional shaving creams and gels. Made with moisturizing plant oils and butters, these bars create a rich lather that cushions your skin and helps your razor glide with ease.
They’re also plastic-free, travel-friendly, and full of clean, natural ingredients. No harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances – just an easy, effective swap that reduces waste and keeps your skin smooth and hydrated.
How to Use a Shaving Soap Bar?
Shaving with a bar is super simple and spa-like. Here's how:
1. Wet the bar and your skin
Warm water helps soften hair and open pores.
2. Get that lather going
Rub the bar directly on your skin or use a brush to whip up a fluffy lather. No need for aerosols here!
3. Shave as usual
Let the bar’s natural oils do their thing. Glide on, rinse off.
4. Moisturize
Lock in the softness with your fave zero waste lotion or oil.
Pro tip: hang up your bar in a soap saver bag to let it bar dry between uses, and store in a soap tin to keep it going strong.
Why Switch To a Shaving Soap Bar?
Using mouthwash tablets is super simple and you’ve actually got two easy options, depending on the product you choose:
1. Better for the Planet
Single-use cans of shaving foam and gel are often packaged in pressurized metal or plastic containers, contributing to a shaving routine with a heavy environmental footprint.
Shaving soap bars offer a simple solution. They come packaging-free or in recyclable paper, and because they last so long, you're replacing them far less frequently.
Pair one with a reusable safety razor, and you're well on your way to a zero waste shave that drastically reduces both plastic use and product-related emissions.
2. Better for Your Skin
Many conventional shaving creams are loaded with alcohol, synthetic fragrance, sulfates, and preservatives, all of which can dry out or irritate your skin. If you’ve ever finished shaving only to feel tight, itchy, or sensitive, your shaving product could be to blame.
Shaving soap bars, on the other hand, are typically made with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera, and natural clays. These ingredients help soften hair, soothe skin, and provide a protective barrier during your shave.
The result? A smoother glide, fewer nicks, and skin that feels soft and hydrated afterwards.
3. Budget-Friendly
While a traditional can of shaving cream might only last a few weeks, a single shaving soap bar can last for months with regular use, especially when you let it dry between uses. That makes it a surprisingly affordable option in the long run.
Plus, many bars are multitaskers. Use them as body soap, face cleanser, or even for travel to cut down on how many products you need to pack. Less clutter, less waste, and more value from every bar.
Best Zero Waste Shaving Soap Bars
1. Zero Waste Multipurpose Soap Bar
$12.99
Made from leftover house-made glycerin used in our bestselling Shampoo and Conditioner Bars, this multitasking bar is gentle, moisturizing, and zero waste. Its neutral pH and non-toxic formula make it an ultra-smooth shaving soap, creating a protective barrier that helps your razor glide with ease.
View Details2. Badger Organic Shaving Soap
$14.99
Crafted with organic aloe vera and coconut oil, this rich-lathering bar cushions your skin while calming irritation. Certified USDA Organic, cruelty-free, and free of synthetic ingredients.
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3. Shave Soap Bar by Leaf Shave
$12.95
This plastic-free Shave Soap Bar is handmade by Leaf Shave using only all-natural, skin-safe ingredients. No synthetic lubricants, no mystery goop. It’s designed to create a smooth, creamy lather that cushions skin and helps your razor glide with ease. Perfect for sensitive skin and certified cruelty-free, it’s a clean and conscious way to upgrade your shave.
View Details4. Moisturizing Shave Bar
$17.99
This foamless shave bar is packed with nourishing oils and butters like coconut, avocado, jojoba, and olive oil to moisturize and soothe while you shave. Great for face and body, it helps reduce irritation and supports collagen with snow mushroom extract. Plus, each bar replaces about 5 cans of shaving cream!
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5. Zero Waste Sustainable Shaving Bundle
$47.25
New to zero waste shaving? This bundle includes a reusable safety razor, blades, the Leaf Shave shave soap bar, and travel tin, everything you need to make the switch simple and stylish.
View DetailsThe Next Step in Your Zero Waste Bathroom Routine
Already loving your shampoo bar or soap bar? A shaving soap bar is your next glow-up.
These compact swaps make your routine more planet-friendly and more pampering.
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