Safety razors are the perfect environmentally friendly shaving solution for women who want to make sure that their beauty regime doesn’t hurt the planet, and they just so happen to be cheaper than disposable razors in the long run.

You might have seen your grandpa using one of these guys - before we used plastic for everything, safety razors were the go-to shavers. Your grandma probably used one too!

With one replaceable, and - most importantly - recyclable blade in between two guards, safety razors are a zero waste shaving option that offers a smooth shave that beats even the most multi-bladed disposable.

EcoRoots offers what is probably the most stylish safety razor - a rose gold cutie with the added bonus of a portion of every sale being donated to the Ocean Conservancy.

We created EcoRoots when we realized how much plastic waste is produced every year and decided to dedicate ourselves to help reduce it.

We developed a darling safety razor, designed for women but great for anyone - especially those with sensitive skin. We also created a line of all natural shaving products, as safety razors are best paired with organic shaving soap, and your skin will certainly thank you for the extra love!

EcoRoots’ all-natural, vegan shaving soap is a delicious mix of citrus and lavender notes enriched with shea and cocoa butter - a foamy treat for your legs that also helps reduce plastic waste (like all of our products! Swoon!)

How do I use a safety razor?

One of the reasons that many women avoid safety razors is simply that they don’t know how to use them! That one blade is mighty sharp, but the clue is in the name. Safety razors are indeed safe, but they might take a bit of getting used to.

No worries, though! You already got used to disposables, once upon a time, and you are much smarter and more dexterous now. The big thing to remember is that, because the blade is so much sharper than those dull disposables, you don’t need to apply pressure to the razor.

The vast majority of initial injuries with safety razors are because you just forget you’re using a different tool. Give yourself some time to get used to your new razor - no shaving in a hurry because you hit snooze a few too many times!

You’ll definitely want to use a shaving soap bar, lather or cream of some sort - no dry shaving here! Once you’ve gotten yourself all bubbly, start shaving.

You’ll want to position your razor at an angle, about 20 to 30 degrees - and you might find this awkward at first, as the go-to with disposables is flat against the skin.

You will get used to it, we promise - you’ll be an expert in no time!

So! We’re sure you have some more questions, so let’s get started answering them.

How do you change the blades of a safety razor?

This process is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Unscrew the head of the razor. There are three pieces to a safety razor, the handle, the plate (the bottom of the head) and the cap (the top of the head). Once you have unscrewed the head from the razor, you’ll be able to separate the cap and the plate.
2. Remove the old blade and put a fresh blade on the plate.
3. Set the cap on top of the plate and blade, and screw the head back onto the handle.

How often should I change my safety razor blades?

You should change your blades every 3 - 5 shaves, which for most people will be about once a week.

If your razor feels like it’s dragging across your skin, then you definitely need a new blade.

Don’t try and stretch out the blades for longer than this - you’ll end up with razor burn, bumps, and probably a few cuts!

How do I recycle safety razor blades?

Safety razor blades are recyclable, but you can’t just throw them in with your tin cans and plastics.

Because they are sharp, and because of their function, they are considered hazardous.

You can recycle your blades at your local recycling center, where the blades will go into the stainless steel recycling. Calling your local recycling center is a great idea to find out the exact process.

What many people do is make themselves a little "razor bank".

Go to a thrift store and find yourself a cute metal piggy bank and use that as your storage container!

It will take a good long while to fill up, keep your blades from harming anyone, and then you can drop the whole kit n’ caboodle into the recycling once it’s full.

No-fuss, no muss!

Can I travel on a plane with a safety razor?

If you’re traveling with your safety razor, you’re going to need to pack it in your checked luggage.

As the blades are removable, they are considered a weapon by the TSA, and not allowed in your carry-on bag.

Why should you use a safety razor?

So, why should you use a safety razor? Well, we’ve already covered one of the most obvious answers - to help save the planet!

Climate change is no joke, and every person needs to adjust the way they live to help reverse the effects of it. One of the best ways to do that is to consume thoughtfully.

That’s not the only reason, though! Safety razors will cost you FAR less than disposable razors in the long run.

Sure, the initial cost is a little more, but once you invest in a well-made (and stylish!) safety razor, the blades will only cost you 30 cents each.

Consider how much each disposable razor costs you - usually 2 to 4 dollars - those savings will add up so quickly! Our zero waste razor is the best!

Can safety razors prevent razor burn and razor bumps?

They sure can! One of the great things about safety razors is that they deliver a smoother shave than those multi-blade disposables!

How?

It’s simple - those disposable guys are chock-full of gimmicks like 7 blades and 5 moisturizing strips, but they aren’t really necessary.

They are just fancy extras to get you to buy their product. In fact, multiple blades do more harm than good.

The first blade lifts up the hair, the second one cuts it, and then the others drag over your skin, cutting the hair deeper than it should be cut - a complete recipe for ingrown hairs!

Ingrown hairs, also known as razor bumps, happen when hair gets cut in such a way that it grows back into the skin.

The hairs curl inwards, going into the skin and irritating the follicle, causing a red bump and painful irritation.

Safety razors cut the hair once, close to the skin (but not too close!) and don’t leave you vulnerable to those annoying bumps.

Razor burn is a common problem too - the temporary irritation that comes from shaving and can exacerbate razor bumps. These tips will, of course, help with that too!

The best way to avoid both razor bumps and razor burn is to follow these simple steps:

• Shave at the end of your shower. You want your follicles to be nice, warm and open.
• Exfoliate your skin before you shave. By getting rid of all the dead skin, you’re also helping lift up all of the hair! None of those little buddies are going to get trapped under your dead skin.
• Change your blade often! You want to have a clean, sharp blade on your razor at all times. Remember - change your blade every 3 to 5 shaves.
• Never dry shave! This is seriously so important. You need that rich lathery goodness to help the razor glide across your skin! It will also leave you moisturized and smelling fantastic - especially if you’re using Eco Roots shaving soap.
• Always shave WITH the grain! We know - it seems counterintuitive to shave that way, and most people tend to shave against the grain, but the right way really is with the grain. Give it a try for the next few times and we promise, you’ll feel the difference!
• After you shave, let your skin breathe. Especially the bikini area - wear loose-fitting underwear to give your goods some space. Tight undies will irritate that most sensitive of places.

Why EcoRoots safety razor might be a good match for you?

At EcoRoots, we are dedicated to bringing beautiful products to you that you can feel good about using.

That’s why we make sure that our products are plastic free, and every bit of packaging is either recyclable or up-cycleable.

These are just a couple of ways that we are trying to make a difference. We also donate a portion of every sale to the Ocean Conservancy.

It’s our small way of making sure that we put a bit of good out into the world every time someone buys our products.

We don’t believe that you should have to sacrifice anything to be a more thoughtful and ethical consumer.

In fact, we want to make sure we bring you products that are even better than the ones we’re replacing.

Our safety razor will give you a better shave than any disposable, and our shaving soap is made from ethically sourced, vegan ingredients.

As we go through this life, we strive to leave everything a little better than we found it - including the concept of shaving!