Shaving Your Legs

Green girls of decades past may have shunned the razor and gone au natural, but today's eco-chic lady is much less likely to do so. After all, wanting hair-free legs doesn't mean she cares any less for the environment — just that she wants her gams to look as glamorous as her sleek organic cotton skirts. But the hair removal industry is definitely a wasteful business: The EPA estimates that 2 billion disposable razors are sent to US landfills each year. That's about nine razors for each of us over 19 years old! Then there are the shaving and waxing aids that are loaded with synthetic preservatives known to mimic hormones, chemical colors and fragrances not found in nature and petroleum-derived emollients. With all of that bad news, we still won't suggest staying hirsute for the sake of the planet. For smooth skin without the waste — and without the use of polluting chemicals — just follow Sprig's simple steps and product suggestions.

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Soften strands without wasting water: For a shave that leaves no stubble standing, it's important to soften the hair's cuticle — its protective "armor" — allowing water to penetrate deeper into and plumping up hairs so they're more susceptible to your razor's blades. One way to rough up the cuticle is to douse your hair with hot water for a few minutes. Standing in the shower and waiting for this to happen, though, is a waste of precious water as well as the energy that's required to heat the H2O. Instead, save shaving for the end of your shower. After you've washed your hair, your face and your body, your legs should be ready for the razor. 

Give skin some slip with a toxin-free shave cream: Most of us would never go back to the soap and water shaves of decades past: Shave creams and gels help provide much better friction between razor blades and your legs, plus they moisturize, which means fewer nicks and softer skin. But they're also loaded with nasty chemicals. Most are made with mineral oil, a petroleum-based ingredient, the production of which spews hazardous chemicals into our air. They also often contain parabens (known endocrine-disrupting preservatives) and an alphabet soup of difficult-to-pronounce chemical ingredients we shouldn't be washing down the drain and into our waterways. You can avoid these toxic substances by choosing green shave creams. A few of our favorites: Alba Botanica Aloe Mint Moisturizing Foam Shave, Tom's of Maine Natural Conditioning Shave Cream and Kiss My Face Key Lime Moisture Shave.

Step 2: Remove Hair

Reduce razor waste by choosing the right tools: Help skim a little plastic waste off the top of the landfill by cutting back on the number of disposable razors you use. While switching to those that have a replaceable head does cut back on some waste (as you're just tossing the blade, but keeping the body of the razor), an even greener way to go is to use the Recycline Preserve Triple Razor. It offers a smooth, close shave; just like the most popular three-blade models, but the handle is made with 100% recycled plastic yogurt cups and is completely recyclable. Another option: Try dry shaving with an electric razor. Most use a minimal amount of power, which is offset by the amount of water you're saving by shaving out of the shower. You'll also eliminate the need for chemical-laden shave creams. Check out the Remington Smooth and Silky Slim shaver which looks and feels most like your regular razor. Finally, try extending the life of your disposable blades by sharpening them with either the Razor Saver or the Save a Blade devices. Both positive and negative reviews abound online about each gadget, but if they can keep your blades sharp for even a few more shaves, that's less waste each year that ends up in the landfill.

Wax the green way: We know that waxing keeps legs smoother for far longer than shaving, but just like traditional shave creams, most at-home (and in-salon) waxing products are chock full of chemicals, including petro-chemicals (paraffin-wax is a petroleum byproduct), parabens and other nasties. What's a waxer to do? Go green, of course, with one of these Sprig-approved eco-friendly DIY waxing kits: Gigi Organic Milk and Honee Wax, Parissa 2 in 1 Roll-On and Sally Hansen Naturally Bare Honey Wax Hair Remover for Body. They're all petroleum-free and made without the use of synthetic preservatives. Some contain organic ingredients and soothing botanicals, too.

Get smooth and sweet with sugaring: Sugaring is a hair removal technique that has been used around the world for centuries. While it works in a similar manner to waxing (removing the hair at the follicle so legs stay smoother, longer), it's actually gentler on skin. Most sugaring products usually contain little more than sugar and lemon juice so you can de-stubble safely and without chemicals. Two sugaring kits we love are the Shobha Madhu Mini Kit, which comes with machine-washable denim removal strips, and Moom Organic Hair Removal Kit, which is sugar-based and also comes with washable fabric strips you can use over and over.