Insufficient are the three shaving soaps provided.
For individuals seeking an eco-friendly shaving routine, solid shaving soaps are a popular choice due to their limited packaging. These soaps are often housed in paper or cardboard, reducing waste compared to foams. Moreover, they tend to contain fewer preservatives than traditional shaving foam.
However, not all shaving soaps received favorable ratings during the examination by the magazine, Oeko-Test (issue 10/2024). A significant concern was the use of artificial fragrances that were found harmful to both humans and the environment.
Artificial musk compounds pose health and environmental risks
Manufacturers claim that their shaving products not only ensure a smooth shave but also emit an appealing, masculine scent. To achieve this, some companies employ artificial musk fragrances. However, reports suggest that these fragrances may pose potential health and environmental risks. For instance, six products examined by Oeko-Test contained the polycyclic musk compounds tonalide and/or galaxolide. These compounds can accumulate in human body fat and have been linked to interference with the hormone system. Moreover, galaxolide doesn't decompose easily in nature.
Three of the magazines' lowest-rated products, such as "Tabac Original Shaving Soap", "Musgo Real Shaving Soap Classic Scent", and "Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Herbal Shaving Soap", contain these polycyclic musk compounds. The Taylor of Old Bond Street product also contains musk ketone, which is classified as potentially carcinogenic and harmful to aquatic organisms in the EU.
Labeling loopholes make avoiding harmful musk compounds challenging
When buying a new shaving soap, one may wonder if these problematic substances appear on the ingredient list. Unfortunately, manufacturers are not obligated to disclose these musk compounds. Instead, they can hide them under the blanket term "fragrance".
On the other hand, manufacturers must list fragrances that can cause allergies. In certain products, such as one study sample, the allergen iseugenol is found.
Half of the shaving soaps are safe options
At least half of the shaving soaps can be used without guilt, with five products earning the highest rating of "very good". The budget-friendly "Speick Men Active Shaving Soap" is priced at 7.13 euros per 100 grams, while the relatively affordable "Greendoor Natural Cosmetics Shaving Soap" retails for 10 euros.
Additionally, those striving for minimal packaging waste should ensure that their product isn't excessively double-packaged. According to "Oeko-Test", this area still requires improvements from eight available products.
Consumers should be aware of the use of harmful artificial fragrances in some shaving soaps, as noted by Oeko-Test. For instance, products like "Tabac Original Shaving Soap" and "Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Herbal Shaving Soap" contain polycyclic musk compounds, which can pose health and environmental risks.
It can be challenging for consumers to avoid harmful musk compounds in shaving soaps, as manufacturers are not obligated to disclose these substances and can hide them under the term "fragrance".
