The best products often solve frustrations people have simply learned to tolerate.

Take shaving, for example.

If you've ever searched for solutions to razor burn, dryness, or post-shave discomfort online, you've probably come across the same piece of advice repeated time and time again:

"Just use hair conditioner instead."

For many people, it feels like a revelation. I know it felt like this for me, too - It just makes sense.

Standard hair conditioners are formulated with one primary goal in mind: to soften the hair. When you bring that same product into your shaving routine, you may find that it does more than condition the hair. It can improve razor glide by creating more slip between the skin and the blade, helping to reduce drag during shaving.

Compared to some conventional shaving foams that prioritise creating a thick lather, it's easy to understand why many people report a better experience using conditioners. Of course, conditioners aren't designed or preserved specifically for shaving, which means they aren't necessarily the ideal long-term solution.

And in many ways, this highlights something important.

People aren't necessarily looking for more foam in their shaving products.

They’re looking for comfort.

They're looking for a shaving experience that doesn't end with dry or uncomfortable skin.

They're trying to solve a problem they've simply come to accept as part of the routine.

As DIY creators and cosmetic formulators, that's worth paying attention to.

What we see here is that some of the most valuable product insights aren't found in trend reports or market forecasts. They're hidden in the everyday workarounds people share when existing products don't quite meet their needs.

I developed this DIY Foaming Shaving Butter with that in mind.

Let’s get into it

Make Shaving Products That Actually Meet People’s Needs

Some conventional shaving foams are designed to prioritise foam volume and quick application.

Yes, a dramatic foam can create that feeling of luxury, but abundant bubbles don't necessarily translate to skin comfort.

Shaving places the skin under repeated mechanical stress. Every pass of the razor creates friction, which can contribute to temporary dryness, sensitivity, razor drag, and post-shave discomfort, particularly when the skin isn't adequately supported.

Healthy skin also relies on a functioning skin barrier. We covered this topic in a previous blog, which you can find here. But to put it simply, when shaving products rely on harsher surfactants to create that rich, dramatic foam without replenishing supportive lipids, the skin barrier can feel stripped and uncomfortable.

So perhaps the question isn't:

"How do we make more foam?"

But rather:

"How do we create a shaving experience that leaves skin feeling cared for, before, during, and after the shave?"

The Ingredients Behind This DIY Foaming Shaving Butter

This formulation combines creamy foam with ingredients selected to support comfort, glide, and nourishment.

Chamomile Glycerite

Chamomile has been appreciated in skincare for its calming properties. Chamomile glycerite is made by extracting chamomile into vegetable glycerine and purified water. This brings together the skin-soothing qualities of the chamomile flower with the moisture-attracting benefits of glycerine, which helps support the skin throughout the shaving process

Mango Butter

We love Mango Butter because it is rich and nourishing without feeling excessively heavy. It helps provide a protective cushion that enhances comfort during shaving. Naturally abundant in fatty acids and antioxidants, it helps support the skin barrier and leaves the skin feeling conditioned and supple after rinsing.

Jojoba Oil

Technically, a liquid wax rather than a true oil, jojoba closely resembles the skin's natural sebum. This compatibility means the skin gets lightweight nourishment without leaving an overly greasy residue.

Apricot Kernel Oil

Pressed from the kernels of apricots, this gentle oil has a lovely, silky texture and provides excellent slip. It is rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids and helps improve razor glide, reduce drag, and soften the skin.

Alongside the main skin-comfort ingredients, this formula also relies on a few functional ingredients that help create the right texture, stability and user experience.

Cetyl Alcohol

Despite its name, cetyl alcohol is not the drying type of alcohol often associated with skincare concerns. It is a fatty alcohol that adds creaminess, structure and cushion, helping the razor move more smoothly across the skin.

Mild Cleansing Agents

This formulation uses:     

• Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine

One of the reasons this shaving butter feels so different is that it relies on a sulphate-free cleansing system. Unlike some conventional shaving foams that use sulphates to create an intense lather, this formulation uses a milder cleansing system.

In the formulation world, SCI is often referred to as "baby foam." It is a gentle surfactant derived from coconut fatty acids that creates a dense, creamy lather without the harshness associated with some traditional cleansing agents. Cocamidopropyl Betaine works alongside it to gently boost foam and reduce the potential for irritation. Together, they create a creamy foam that cleanses effectively while prioritising skin comfort

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea Tree Essential Oil has natural antibacterial properties and adds a refreshing herbal scent to the formulation.

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E Oil acts as an antioxidant in the formulation, helping to slow oxidation in the oils. It also adds a conditioning feel to the finished shaving butter.

Geogard 221

Because this formulation contains water, it needs a suitable preservative. Geogard 221 is included to help protect the product against microbial growth when the formula is made, pH-adjusted and stored correctly.

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose helps thicken the water phase and gives the formulation a smoother, more gel-like texture. It improves spreadability so the product feels cushioned rather than watery.

Rice Bran Wax

Rice Bran Wax is a plant-derived structuring wax that adds firmness and stability. It helps give the shaving butter a more substantial, cushioned texture.

Now that we’ve dived into the role of each ingredient, let’s start creating! Whether you're creating products for customers, refining your own formulations, or making thoughtful gifts for the people in your life, this recipe is definitely one worth trying.

DIY Foaming Shaving Butter

Phase A: Heated Water Phase

45% Distilled Water

5% Chamomile Glycerite

5% Hydrosol of your choice

2% Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

Phase B: Heated Oil Phase

7% Mango Butter

7.5% Apricot Kernel Oil

5% Rice Bran Wax

2% Cetyl Alcohol

4% Jojoba Oil

Phase C: Surfactant Phase

8% Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)

7% Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Cool Down Phase

1% Geogard 221

0.5% Vitamin E Oil

1% Tea Tree Essential Oil

Method

1. Melt and combine the water phase. It includes the distilled water, chamomile glycerite, and hydrosol.
2. Slowly sprinkle in Hydroxyethyl Cellulose while stirring continuously to prevent clumping.
3. Allow the polymer to fully hydrate for 10–15 minutes.
4. Heat the mixture to approximately 70–75°C.
5. In a separate beaker, combine the oil phase. This includes the mango butter, apricot kernel oil, rice bran wax, cetyl alcohol, and jojoba oil.
6. Heat to 75–80°C until all butters and waxes are completely melted.
7. Stir until the mixture is fully uniform.
8. Once both phases are at similar temperatures (around 70–75°C), slowly add Phase B (oil phase) into Phase A (water phase).
9. Blend using a stick blender or high-shear mixer for 2–3 minutes until emulsified.
10. If needed, adjust consistency with a small amount of additional distilled water to account for evaporation loss.
11. Continue stirring gently as the mixture begins to cool.
12. In a separate container, combine the surfactant phase. This includes the SCI and Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
13. Gently warm (40–50°C if needed) to soften the SCI and allow it to disperse more easily.
14. Slowly incorporate this surfactant blend into the cooling emulsion while stirring gently to minimise foam formation.
15. Once the formulation drops below 40°C, add the Geogard 221, Vitamin E Oil and Tea Tree Essential Oil.
16. Mix thoroughly until fully incorporated.
17. Check and adjust pH to 5.0–5.5 using a citric acid solution (to lower) or sodium hydroxide solution (to raise).
18. Allow the product to rest for 24 hours so the texture can fully develop and stabilise.
19. Transfer into a clean jar or container for use.

Important Notes: Home Formulation & Safety

This is an at-home formulation and has not been stability or microbial challenge tested. As such, it is intended for educational and personal experimentation purposes only.

Stability & Shelf Life

Without formal stability testing, shelf life cannot be guaranteed. Because this formulation contains water and requires a preservative system, it is recommended to:

• Use the shaving butter within 4–6 weeks
• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
• Discard if there are any changes in smell, colour, or texture

How to Use a Shaving Butter:

1. Apply a small amount to damp skin and work into a light, creamy lather. Shave as usual, using gentle strokes and rinsing the blade regularly.
2. For best results, allow the product to sit on the skin for 30–60 seconds before shaving to soften hair and improve glide.
3. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and follow with a simple moisturiser or oil to support the skin barrier.
4. A little goes a long way, so start small and adjust as needed.

Safety Precautions

• Always perform a patch test before use, especially if you have sensitive skin or known allergies.
• Avoid contact with eyes and broken or irritated skin
• Essential oils are included at low levels but may still cause sensitivity in some individuals. Adjust or omit essential oils if you have reactive skin or prefer a fragrance-free version

Formulation Disclaimer

If producing at scale or for sale, proper safety assessments, stability testing, and regulatory compliance would be required.

A Note for Fellow Creators

This formulation was developed and tested using ingredients sourced from Essentially Natural.

While you're welcome to substitute ingredients from other suppliers, it's worth remembering that raw materials can vary significantly in quality and composition. Even small differences can influence texture, stability, performance, and the overall user experience.

For that reason, we cannot guarantee the same outcome when alternative ingredients are used.