I'm always looking to optimize my grooming habits. Over the years I've tried countless different products, and this list is what I've arrived at. They're optimized for absence of chemicals, ease of use, performance, and cost. As a general rule, I usually search http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ to find the least harmful product, then sort by cost.
![[Image: P1030167_2.jpg]](http://s21.postimg.org/h3ohmy1qv/P1030167_2.jpg)
Soap
Kirk's castille soap is fairly cheap for a chemical-free soap at $2/bar. My only gripe is that it's thin and get's used up pretty quickly. I prefer and used to use Dudu Osun soap, but it's a pain in the ass to clean up if it starts running down your shower.
Shaving
I use a Merkur safety razor, which is by far the best and cheapest cost per shave of any razor I've ever used. I use personna blades, which at 13 cents per blade are hard to beat. A pack of 100 should last for years. When you're done shaving, use your forearm as a strope to clean the blade and help preserve it. Make sure to strope it in the direction opposite of the direction you'd shave. I follow this tutorial for my shaving routine:
However, I don't use shaving cream, soaps, or brushes. Shaving oils are by far the most effective shaving lubricant I've used. I've used coconut oil before, but I just started using Somersets shave oil and it is nothing short of incredible. I've NEVER had such a close shave or complete lack of ingrown hairs. You only need to use 3 drops for the first application, and 1 additional drop for shaving across and against, respectively. At 1.2oz, it will easily fit in your carry on liquids bag.
If you're traveling by air, you won't be able to take the safety razor blades. You can either buy them at your destination, or carry disposable razors or a handle with disposable cartridges. The easiest/cheapest option is to take disposable razors, but they take up more space and I prefer handle/cartridges. My dad gave me his old Gilette, but something like this would probably be just as good.
Moisturizer
I just use extra virgin organic coconut oil, which you can find in most grocery stores. If you can't find it, I like Nature's way brand. Viva labs is better, but almost twice as expensive. Avoid anything that isn't listed as extra virgin, as the quality is often much lower. While they're not strictly regulated, I've found that oils with a pungent sweet smell, or even a very slight pink hue seem to be the freshest. I put mine in a Nalgene 2oz plastic jar, which is fairly leak resistant and perfect for traveling. Coconut oil is liquid above 76 degrees, so it can be a pain in the ass if it starts leaking. The Nalgene jars work well, but I put them in their own small ziploc bag just to be safe. After I put them in a container I add a few drops of tea tree oil. TTO has many uses, including an astringent for treating acne and rosacea, and a minor antiseptic for cuts/burns. If you're traveling off the beaten path, it has a lot of use for how much space it takes up. I also store it in it's own bag inside the quart bag when traveling.
Deodorant
I mix together 2 parts coconut oil, 1 part baking soda, 1.5-2 parts corn starch and a few drops TTO per oz. Baking soda can be abrasive and cause itching, so the corn starch (main ingredient in baby powder) makes it easier on the skin. Baking soda acts as deodorant, and coconut oil as a moisturizer and minor antibacterial from the lauric acid. I store it in another Nalgene 2oz container, though you may wanna mix it in a bigger one first. To apply, I scoop some on my fingertip and rub it against my armpit until the coconut oil melts in. If it's a liquid, I mix it up with my finger first.
Brushing/Flossing/Breath
Based on feedback from my dentist, flossing by far was the most important factor in my dental health. The only thing I've ever used that was convenient enough to get me to floss were individual flossers, and my favorite ones are plackers brand. I use them every other day. I use a tongue scraper to remove decaying food particles from my tongue and keep my breath smelling fresh. If you've never used one before, you'll be amazed at how much junk it'll take off your tongue. Toothpaste probably doesn't matter that much for most of you, but I have a tongue condition that makes me sensitive to sodium lauryl sulfate. The only toothpastes that are SLS free are biotene, or most baking soda based ones. For traveling I use Ecodent powder as it's not a liquid. When traveling, I like a collapsible tooth brush, which you should also be able to find at your local pharmacy. It's probably overkill, but I'm anal about saving space and weight for my carry on.
Cologne
I avoided colognes for a while as it's hard to find ones that are phthalate free, but I used the EWG to pick out one recently. I got CHROME LEGEND by Azarro, which is fine so far but I'd prefer something a bit more masculine. I'd be open to suggestions here.
Shampoo/Conditioner
I've tried doing no shampoo, but after a while my hair just gets too clumpy and unmanageable. I use Everyday Coconut shampoo and conditioner. It's cheap per volume, and paraben free. I only do it once a week so that bottle will last me forever, but when it runs out I'll probably look for something else. If I'm traveling long term, I'd probably pick up a shampoo bar like this one
Sunblock
I use Terrasport broad spectrum sunblock because it's paraben free, is relatively strong at 30spf, and water resistant.
I'm always looking to improve in this area, so post if you've got anything to add.
Soap
Kirk's castille soap is fairly cheap for a chemical-free soap at $2/bar. My only gripe is that it's thin and get's used up pretty quickly. I prefer and used to use Dudu Osun soap, but it's a pain in the ass to clean up if it starts running down your shower.
Shaving
I use a Merkur safety razor, which is by far the best and cheapest cost per shave of any razor I've ever used. I use personna blades, which at 13 cents per blade are hard to beat. A pack of 100 should last for years. When you're done shaving, use your forearm as a strope to clean the blade and help preserve it. Make sure to strope it in the direction opposite of the direction you'd shave. I follow this tutorial for my shaving routine:
However, I don't use shaving cream, soaps, or brushes. Shaving oils are by far the most effective shaving lubricant I've used. I've used coconut oil before, but I just started using Somersets shave oil and it is nothing short of incredible. I've NEVER had such a close shave or complete lack of ingrown hairs. You only need to use 3 drops for the first application, and 1 additional drop for shaving across and against, respectively. At 1.2oz, it will easily fit in your carry on liquids bag.
If you're traveling by air, you won't be able to take the safety razor blades. You can either buy them at your destination, or carry disposable razors or a handle with disposable cartridges. The easiest/cheapest option is to take disposable razors, but they take up more space and I prefer handle/cartridges. My dad gave me his old Gilette, but something like this would probably be just as good.
Moisturizer
I just use extra virgin organic coconut oil, which you can find in most grocery stores. If you can't find it, I like Nature's way brand. Viva labs is better, but almost twice as expensive. Avoid anything that isn't listed as extra virgin, as the quality is often much lower. While they're not strictly regulated, I've found that oils with a pungent sweet smell, or even a very slight pink hue seem to be the freshest. I put mine in a Nalgene 2oz plastic jar, which is fairly leak resistant and perfect for traveling. Coconut oil is liquid above 76 degrees, so it can be a pain in the ass if it starts leaking. The Nalgene jars work well, but I put them in their own small ziploc bag just to be safe. After I put them in a container I add a few drops of tea tree oil. TTO has many uses, including an astringent for treating acne and rosacea, and a minor antiseptic for cuts/burns. If you're traveling off the beaten path, it has a lot of use for how much space it takes up. I also store it in it's own bag inside the quart bag when traveling.
Deodorant
I mix together 2 parts coconut oil, 1 part baking soda, 1.5-2 parts corn starch and a few drops TTO per oz. Baking soda can be abrasive and cause itching, so the corn starch (main ingredient in baby powder) makes it easier on the skin. Baking soda acts as deodorant, and coconut oil as a moisturizer and minor antibacterial from the lauric acid. I store it in another Nalgene 2oz container, though you may wanna mix it in a bigger one first. To apply, I scoop some on my fingertip and rub it against my armpit until the coconut oil melts in. If it's a liquid, I mix it up with my finger first.
Brushing/Flossing/Breath
Based on feedback from my dentist, flossing by far was the most important factor in my dental health. The only thing I've ever used that was convenient enough to get me to floss were individual flossers, and my favorite ones are plackers brand. I use them every other day. I use a tongue scraper to remove decaying food particles from my tongue and keep my breath smelling fresh. If you've never used one before, you'll be amazed at how much junk it'll take off your tongue. Toothpaste probably doesn't matter that much for most of you, but I have a tongue condition that makes me sensitive to sodium lauryl sulfate. The only toothpastes that are SLS free are biotene, or most baking soda based ones. For traveling I use Ecodent powder as it's not a liquid. When traveling, I like a collapsible tooth brush, which you should also be able to find at your local pharmacy. It's probably overkill, but I'm anal about saving space and weight for my carry on.
Cologne
I avoided colognes for a while as it's hard to find ones that are phthalate free, but I used the EWG to pick out one recently. I got CHROME LEGEND by Azarro, which is fine so far but I'd prefer something a bit more masculine. I'd be open to suggestions here.
Shampoo/Conditioner
I've tried doing no shampoo, but after a while my hair just gets too clumpy and unmanageable. I use Everyday Coconut shampoo and conditioner. It's cheap per volume, and paraben free. I only do it once a week so that bottle will last me forever, but when it runs out I'll probably look for something else. If I'm traveling long term, I'd probably pick up a shampoo bar like this one
Sunblock
I use Terrasport broad spectrum sunblock because it's paraben free, is relatively strong at 30spf, and water resistant.
I'm always looking to improve in this area, so post if you've got anything to add.