Is Shaving Cream Toxic?
DISCLAIMER: This article is for information purposes only. Do not use it to treat or manage poison exposure. If you or someone has an exposure, call your local emergency number or your local poison center.
Most people are careful when applying shaving cream and ensure it is not ingested. However, sometimes, you can still accidentally ingest it. So now, are you wondering if shaving cream is toxic?
Shaving cream is mildly toxic because they often include poisonous ingredients like soaps, emulsifiers, surfactants, glycols, and propellants. However, ingesting shaving cream may not be serious if ingested in small amounts.
Today, we help you understand why your shaving creams are toxic and other related issues you need to shave safely.
Is Shaving Cream Poisonous to Humans?
Many types of shaving creams out there are poisonous. Even shaving creams with organic ingredients like aloe vera can contain toxins. If you ingest these substances for any reason, you are likely to experience stomach upset. If your child ate shaving cream, it’s important to consult a Pediatrician to get professional advice. Your eyes may also itch if shaving cream, unfortunately, gets into them.
Read on for the ingredients that make shaving scream poisonous.
- Sulfates
- Emulsifiers
- Mineral oil
- Phthalates
- Fragrance
- Glycols
- Formaldehyde
- Isopentane
- Polytetrafluoroethylene
- Preservatives
- Benzyl alcohol
- Benzene
- Dimethiconol and dimethicone
- Siloxanes
- Parabens
- Pentasodium pentetate
- Titanium dioxide
What Should I Do If I Ingest Shaving Cream?
If ingested in small amounts, you should be OK. However, your best option is to call your doctor and get a professional opinion.
Can Shaving Cream Give You Cancer?
Possibly “yes.” Shaving creams that contain chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, and fragrances can give users cancer. However, the risk seems to be low since the amount of human carcinogens in these shaving creams is often too low. So, the long-term impact of the continuous use of shaving creams is unknown.
There may be no reason to panic, but the discovery of the chemicals can be a cause for concern.
Is There a Non-Toxic Shaving Cream?
Yes, numerous shaving creams don’t contain the dangerous ingredients mentioned above. So long as you can avoid them, you are safe.
These are natural, organic (plant-derived) shaving creams. If you can’t get a safe shaving gel, look for other options. One great example is the [easyazon_link identifier=”B07HP9T39L” locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Pacific Shaving Company Natural Shaving Cream[/easyazon_link].
What Can I Use Instead of Shaving Gel?
You can use Shaving creams that are made from natural and organic ingredients. Some of the best and safest alternatives are:
Conditioner: Great alternative due to its moisturizing properties
Baby oil: Allow you to see where you are shaving clearly and acts as a lubricant on the skin
Honey: Contains anti-inflammatory properties
Coconut oil: Contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties
Shear butter: Has excellent moistening properties
Aloe Vera: Reduces the impact of sunburn, works as a cooling lotion, and allows the razor to glide smoothly
Sweet Almond oil: Rich in vitamin E and contains natural moisturizing properties that help in repairing and replenishing dry and damaged skin
Can You Shave with Just Water?
We don’t recommend shaving with water only. However, if you don’t have safe shaving cream, you can go ahead. To do this, please ensure you start by steaming up your bathroom to open up your hair follicles and pores. You can then switch the steam to warm water before shaving.
You should avoid using water alone for an extended period. Some of the alternatives above are easy to find and safe.
Remember, you can use any shaving cream that doesn’t contain human carcinogens without any problem, provided you follow the typical shaving procedure and avoid ingesting or touching your eyes with it.
Are Shaving Creams Harmful?
The pH of your skin is mildly acidic. The pH of shaving creams can therefore affect your skin negatively by interfering with the balance hence high chances of skin damage. If you have sensitive skin, this damage might become more noticeable.
In addition, using shaving cream on your skin regularly exposes you to the following effects:
- Skin irritation, darkening, and even skin rashes.
- Allergic reactions and skin damage.
- Chemical burns.
Is Shaving Cream Edible?
Shaving cream is actually so tempting to taste especially for children. The canned shaving cream is, however, highly toxic and should not be ingested.
Side Effects Of Shaving Cream
Apart from the side effects we already mentioned, some other side effects of shaving cream include:
- Dry skin
- Dermatitis
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nose and throat irritation
Summing Up
Most shaving creams contain ingredients that will poison you if you ingest or allow them to get into your eyes.
New research also shows that some of them contain a small amount of cancer-causing chemicals. It would help if you considered replacing shaving creams with these deadly substances with natural and organic ones. You can opt for safe shaving creams or use water if you have no option.
