Top 10 Essential Oils for Razor Burn

There is nothing like using the best essential oil for razor burn that will make your shaving experience more comfortable and luxurious.

Essential oils are nature’s bounty. They are natural oil compounds extracted from different parts of the plant—bark, leaves, flowers, seeds—that capture the plant’s scent and flavor, or “essence.”

The perfume industry uses essential oils to manufacture scents. But there are other uses for essential oils¹ that do not involve producing aromas. That is because essential oils also contain nutrients that can be beneficial for the skin.

These nutrients make a great addition to wet shaving products, which is why a lot of companies incorporate these oils into their ingredient mix. There are 90 types of essential oils² out there, but not all are best for your shaving. That is why we will show you the top essential oils you need to use for shaving or razor burn (in no particular order):

1. Grapefruit Oil
2. Eucalyptus Oil
3. Grapeseed Oil
4. Lavender Oil
5. Rosemary Oil
6. Tea Tree Oil
7. Sandalwood Oil
8. Vanilla Oil
9. Lime Oil
10. Peppermint Oil

You will also know how to:

• Create DIY Essential Oil For Shaving
• Choose Your Shaving Products

1. Grapefruit Oil

Grapefruit helps prevent razor burns and promotes smooth skin by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria.

Grapefruit essential oil is an orange-tinted, citrus-scented oil. It's extracted from glands located in the peel of the grapefruit through cold pressing.

It has a tangy smell³, making it a favorite oil to use in aromatherapy since it can reduce blood pressure and stress levels. Research suggests that using this citrus oil may decrease blood pressure, relieve stress, and balance mood.

But beyond its olfactory qualities, it also contains limonene⁴ which is a potent anti-inflammatory. When added to aftershaves, it can help kill off bacteria and keep the skin smooth and clarified, giving off a perfect base to prevent irritations leading to razor burns after shaving. Because it helps keep your skin bacteria-free, this may also promote the acne healing process.

2. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil helps get rid of beardruff.

Eucalyptus is a favorite old wives’ remedy, especially for respiratory medications and alleviating nausea and headaches. But aside from that, eucalyptus can also be an essential oil that is beneficial for the skin, especially as an essential oil for razor burn.

Its distinctive medicinal smell is due to the compound eucalyptol. This aromatic substance also has strong antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties⁵, which protect the skin from harmful infection.

Eucalyptus is a popular oil to use for beard balms and aftershaves. It helps get rid of beardruff caused by fungus. The menthol sensation also makes it a perfect addition for aftershaves. It feels cool and soothing, calms the face after your shave, and refreshes your skin if you have razor burn. Using eucalyptus is an effective way to feel spa-fresh.

3. Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil helps fight free radicals and evens out skin tone.

Grapeseed oil is a byproduct of winemaking. After winemakers press grapes into wine, the remaining grape seeds will turn into a multi-use elixir that offers health and skin benefits that men can benefit from.

Patricia Farris, a dermatologist and a clinical faculty at Tulane University, highlights the components of grapeseed oil⁶ that make it a skincare go-to: "Grape-seed oil contains linoleic acid, which is important for skin moisturization; it is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect your skin from aging and provide an extra layer of protection, and they are anti-inflammatory. Inflammation plays a role in aging skin."

It has vitamin E and a lot of omega-6 fatty acids, a reason why it can help fight free radicals when applied to your skin. It also contains proanthocyanidin, a powerful antioxidant that evens out skin tone when you use it consistently. Its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to provide a protective layer before you shave help prevent skin irritations like bumps, prickly hair, and burning sensations.

4. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil helps lessen acne, reduces wrinkles, and gives skin an even tone.

This essential oil is popular among grooming products because of the variety of benefits⁷ it has for the skin. It can lessen acne, reduce wrinkles, and give the skin an even tone. It also improves hair health.

Lavender oil is known to be non-comedogenic, meaning that it will not clog pores. Lavender oil and witch hazel can be the perfect combination to use as a daily toner or with argan oil to treat pimples directly.

In aromatherapy, it is a favorite oil to use to uplift your mood. And when combined with other ingredients in pre-shave oils or aftershaves, it can help nourish the skin and make the person feel good. But most importantly, its natural healing properties can aid in soothing the skin after you tamper it with your razor, making it one of the ideal essential oils for razor burn.

5. Rosemary Oil

Rosemary is not only for the kitchen but also has dermatological benefits.

Rosemary is a distinct and popular spice that the Italians and French mostly enjoy in their cooking. However, aside from being a pantry staple, the leaves from this fragrant shrub are also best used in skincare products.

Most shaving oils have rosemary oil in them, firstly because it is from the mint family⁸. Hence, rosemary has similar benefits and aroma, such as exuding an earthy and refreshing herbal fragrance.

Rosemary is a great essential oil for shaving. It is rich in antioxidants and natural oxidative defenses, which help calm down skin inflammation and give your skin a healthy glow through increased blood circulation.

6. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree has become a significant component in skin care products because of its anti-bacterial properties.

There was a time when tea tree oil dominated the skincare industry. Every brand puts out its own tea-tree-infused line, catering to those who have major skin concerns. There is no doubt why it gained a serious following and a notable modern hype.

Tea tree oil comes from the Australian tree called Melaleuca alternifolia. Because of its antibacterial property, many people incorporate it in their homemade surface disinfectants, DIY mouthwash, facial cleansers and use it as an essential oil for shaving products.

If you have acne-prone skin, this essential oil is what we recommend the most for you to put into your shaving oil because it is the most popular essential oil for acne. Research⁹ confirmed that tea tree oil’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are great as a topical medication, reducing skin inflammation, removing dead skin cells to avoid clogged pores, and minimizing bacterial growth in your hair.

7. Sandalwood Oil

Sandalwood soothes razor burns, prevents irritation, and promotes skin healing with its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties.

Sandalwood, or Chandan¹⁰, is a well-loved antiseptic and preservative from India. It is most commonly used in spiritual and emotional applications. Aside from that, you can also find it mostly on soaps, deodorants, and perfumes.

It is excellent as an additional essential oil for razor burns and shaving because it has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties, which can all prevent skin irritation after shaving, reducing the appearance of razor bumps. Its aroma also has a certain reaction with our olfactory receptors, which promotes skin healing.

8. Vanilla Oil

Vanilla offers antibacterial properties to prevent irritation, vitamins to protect the skin, and a smooth, sweet aroma.

Vanilla is so much more than the sweet flavor you enjoy most in desserts. When used on the skin, it is like a miracle cure that will help moisturize, cleanse, and leave your skin smooth and soft, as if you have never been through puberty before.

One of the key compounds found in vanilla¹¹ is vanillin. Like the other oils, it is rich in antibacterial properties, making it great for shaving oils. It can kill the bacterias that can irritate the microscopic cuts on your skin.

Putting vanilla oil in the products you use while shaving is excellent because it also has essential natural vitamins like niacin (Vitamin B3)¹². When applied topically on your skin, this vitamin will create a protective barrier for your skin, keeping free radicals away and preventing sun damage, which can lead to skin cancer.

If you have a beard, having vanilla in your beard oil can make your hair feel smooth, silky, and prevent beard rash. But of course, it is a popular essential oil for shaving due to its irresistible sweet aroma.

9. Lime Oil

Lime oil helps prevent razor bumps, reduces acne, and promotes clear skin with its natural astringent and antioxidant properties.

Citrus has always been a popular remedy for skin problems, especially discoloration. One citrus oil you can use is from lime. Its essential oil is also full of antioxidants that will keep your skin looking bright and healthy. But it is most effective if you have scarring from previous razor burns, cuts, and bumps that will not just go away.

Shaving oils with lime oil¹³ are great to use for those who have acne or are prone to having acne. It is a natural astringent, which will dry and cleanse the existing bumps and will help prevent future breakouts. Hence, it is also excellent for avoiding razor bumps.

The citrus and tangy smell of lime go well with lavender. Do consider that if you were to make your own shaving oil at home.

10. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil helps promotes hair growth and cleanse your face.

We bet that you noticed that most of the toiletries and cleaning products have a refreshing mint scent. There is just something about this aroma that reminds us of cleanliness and hygiene.

One of the essential oils that can give you a crisp mint fragrance is peppermint oil. If you want to smell fresh, then add this to any of the products you use in the shower, especially in your shaving oil.

But aside from its infamous smell, peppermint oil is also ideal for those who are maintaining a beard as it promotes hair growth. Plus, its antibacterial and antifungal properties¹⁴ make it suitable for cleansing your face.

Although all of these are obviously beneficial to your skin and beard, we do not recommend that you directly apply them to your skin. Essential oils are too potent for you to use as-is. We advise that you diffuse it in a carrier oil, like castor oil, or in water before using it for shaving.

Create DIY Essential Oil for Shaving

If you have any of these oils at home, you can easily and quickly mix up your own essential oil for shaving to prevent razor burn. Here is our simple recipe you can try.

Ingredients:	Materials:
1 fl oz olive oil 2.5-3 fl oz 100% pure castor oil 5 drops pure Vitamin E oil 15 drops of your chosen essential oil	Pipette - one for each oil Amber glass bottle(s)

Procedures:

1. Measure each ingredient and place it inside the amber glass bottle.
2. Seal the bottle and swirl to mix everything inside.

As you can see, creating your own essential oil for razor burns and shaving is as easy as three steps: get the ingredients, measure, and mix! That is all there is to it, nothing but a quick and straightforward recipe.

Choose Your Shaving Products

Not everyone has immediate access to essential oils. If there is a local store near you selling these kinds of products, you will have no trouble getting the ingredients and making your own concoction at home.

On the other hand, there is a myriad of shaving products available on the market. But, when using shaving products, always use organically produced ones. The skin on your face is a delicate organ, so you need to expose it to nourishing and beneficial substances.

Here at Naked Armor, our shaving products use natural essential oils to help ease the shaving experience while making it a healthy experience for the skin. We produce them sustainably and organically to protect the environment.

We joined hands with our friends at The Beard Way to expertly and organically produce our Hemp & Argan Pre Shave Oil. This shaving oil is infused with beard trifecta—hemp oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil. With skin-nurturing Vitamin E oil and 100% pure organic ginger and grapeseed oil for aroma, this is the ultimate shaving product you need to take care of your beard and skin.

We also have the Hemp Aftershave Balm. It is imbued with more than ten essential oils and vitamins—all great for shaving—making it an all-in-one shaving product that will soothe and maintain the health of your skin, ensuring that it is ready for your next shave.

Essential oils are mostly used as a pre-shave product to create a barrier between the shaving foam or cream and your skin. It nourishes the skin and hair, making it a great aid in achieving a smoother and luxurious, barber-like shaving experience and preventing razor burns. But you can also apply it after shaving as aftercare to soothe the skin.

Check out our site if you are interested in giving your shave a healthy twist.

More Naked Armor Reads

DIY Homemade Shaving Oil Recipe
Tamanu Oil Benefits For Skin and Shaving
Castor Oil For Beard Growth: Does It Work?

References:

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3. Shomon, M. (2022, April 26). The Grapefruit Diet and Thyroid Disease. VeryWell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/grapefruit-weight-loss-diet-3976226
4. Limonene - Uses, Side Effects, and More. (n.d.). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1105/limonene
5. Safaei-Ghomi, J., & Abbasi Ahd, A. (2010). Antimicrobial and antifungal properties of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Eucalyptus largiflorens and Eucalyptus intertexta. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 6(23), 172–175. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2950377/
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7. Gotter, A. (2023, September 20). How to Improve the Health of Your Skin with Lavender Oil. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/lavender-oil-for-skin
8. 8 Ways That Rosemary Can Improve Your Mental, Emotional, and Physical Well-Being. (n.d.). Intrepid Mental Wellness, PLLC. https://www.intrepidmentalhealth.com/blog/8-ways-that-rosemary-can-improve-your-mental-emotional-and-physical-well-being
9. Hammer, K. A. (2015). Treatment of acne with tea tree oil (melaleuca) products: A review of efficacy, tolerability and potential modes of action. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 45(2), 106-110. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924857914003458
10. Rijhsinghani, S. (2023, September 16). WHY IS SANDALWOOD GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN? BE BEAUTIFUL. https://www.bebeautiful.in/all-things-skin/everyday/why-sandalwood-good-your-skin#sandalwood-oil
11. Choudhary, T. (2023, November 1). 18 Amazing Benefits Of Vanilla For Skin, Hair And Health. StyleCraze. https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-vanilla-for-skin-hair-and-health/#skin-benefits-of-vanilla-essence-extract
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