The cold weather can wreak havoc on our skin. In order to maintain that smooth, shiny skin that we all love, use the luscious, organic ingredients below to make a homemade shaving cream.
But first, for a little background information/tangent: why does the cold dry out our skin?
According to discoveryhealth.com, cold climates often mean that there is low humidity (a shocking concept for New Orleanians, but it happens every so often). The low humidity causes skin to dry out. Another cold-weather element that can dry out the skin is wind. “Bitterly cold winds can also strip moisture from exposed skin.” The website recommends avoiding long showers and applying a moisturizer daily (I use Eucerin or Cetaphil because they’re non-scented and hypoallergenic).
Anyways, back on topic.
I researched different recipes and a couple of main ingredients kept repeating: shea butter and coconut oil.
1. Shea Butter
I honestly did not actually know what shea butter was–so I looked it up. It’s “a fatty substance obtained from the nuts of the shea tree, used chiefly in cosmetic skin preparations.” (Aha!) www.care2.com says, “African healers and beauties have known about shea butter for thousands of years: the substance is almost magical in its healing effects on burns, skin conditions, ulcerated skin, stretch marks, and dryness.” Shea butter can also be used in food preparations because of its non-toxic properties.
For shaving cream recipe using shea butter, visit: www.homemademommy.net
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil just sounds like it would be luxurious and moisturizing. But, if my opinion isn’t convincing enough, www.huffingtonpost.com says that coconut oil is a great moisturizer because other moisturizers use water—which, once it dries, leaves your skin feeling dry again–or petroleum, which can suffocate the skin. “Coconut oil provides deep and real moisture. It helps strengthen underlying tissues and helps remove excessive dead cell on the skin’s surface that makes your skin rough and flaky in texture”
You can actually just use coconut oil as shaving cream! Learn how: www.insonnetskitchen.com
Fun fact: they sell both shea butter and coconut oil on Amazon.com. Crazy world we live in.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to comment below or e-mail me at bgrief@tulane.edu.
–B.
PS. Who remembers cleaning their desks in elementary school with shaving cream?!