Shaving gel
A shaving gel performs a very specific function: it softens the beard hair before shaving and at the same time forms a film on which the razor blade can glide gently. The skin is protected from injuries and additionally supplied with moisture and valuable nutrients. A good shaving gel contains high-quality ingredients that cool, refresh and, if necessary, improve the healing of microcuts.
However, so that the gel can be optimally adapted to the needs of the skin and the individual skin type, there are three different types in the area of shaving gels: the “Classic”, “Cooling” and “Sensitive” variants. Which version is perfect for which skin type can already be guessed from the individual designations.
Classic shaving gels
The “Classic” version is a shaving gel for normal skin that is neither too dry nor overly sensitive. “Cooling” has a very pleasant cooling effect that refreshes the skin and also serves as a little pick-me-up. This shaving gel is the perfect start to the day, especially as the cooling effect can also specifically prevent redness. After all, the sharp blade is always a strain on the skin, especially when it is not quite awake in the morning.
The third variant is “Sensitive” shaving gel. With its extra mild formula and carefully selected ingredients, it protects particularly sensitive skin during shaving. It also prevents redness.
How to use shaving gel
Incidentally, using shaving gel is child’s play. First moisten the face with lukewarm water, then apply the gel in small circular movements to the appropriate areas. To be on the safe side, avoid contact with the eyes! Should some gel nevertheless get into the eye, rinsing it out immediately with water will prevent an unpleasant burning sensation. Shaving gel cannot be used without water. It is only through moisture that it foams up sufficiently so that the beard hair is soaked.
Shaving gel and shaving foam – what is the difference?
By the way, this is also the biggest difference to shaving foam: The latter comes ready foamed from the can and can therefore be used directly. Immediately after application, it unfolds its full effect. However, finished foam from the can usually collapses relatively easily, which means that you can only take a limited amount of time when shaving.
Gels, on the other hand, offer an immense advantage: the freshly foamed foam lasts much longer, so that everyone can take enough time for their shave. In principle, a shaving gel from an aerosol can is very easy and economical to dispense. Only the exact amount needed for the shave is taken out. Thus, gels are also extremely efficient, so that it is definitely worthwhile to reach for a higher-quality product.
Different types of aerosol shaving gels
In general, there are two different types in the aerosol sector, which are quite clearly distinguishable from each other. On the one hand, there is bag-on-valve, a meanwhile very widespread and also proven packaging technology that is used especially for shaving gels. The method combines a hygienically perfect pure bag with a classic valve in an aerosol can that is under pressure. Bag-on-Valve is therefore perfectly suitable for products that are sensitive to oxygen or light. It is an environmentally friendly aerosol that does not require LPG propellant.
The advantages of Bag-on-Valve at a glance:
Easy and convenient to use
Recyclable
Aluminium bags ensure an absolutely hermetic seal of the formulation.
Ensures almost one hundred percent consumption of the product.
No oxidation or contamination of the respective components until the last application
Longer shelf life and increased longevity of the formulation.
The second type is conventional shaving gel with propellant gas. The propellants used today are mainly derived from petroleum and natural gas. However, they are no longer gases from the group of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which have been blamed for the dangerous greenhouse effect. Today’s gases have only a very slight greenhouse effect, so their use as propellants is considered acceptable.
Shaving gel quality through high-quality ingredients
As a rule, shaving gels contain high-quality natural active ingredients such as seaweed, tea tree oil, aloe vera and camphor. All these ingredients are able to soothe the skin and reduce or prevent possible irritation. Other possible ingredients can be almond and avocado oil, Brazilian bisabolol, palm oil, which contains many saturated fatty acids and valuable beta-carotene, and castor oil. While essential oils provide optimal antibacterial protection, aloe vera, for example, gives the skin important moisture that it so urgently needs after shaving. Aloe vera also restores the skin’s own natural balance.
Fact sheets of the most important ingredients
Aloe vera
Properties: moisturising, anti-inflammatory, soothing and anti-irritant
Distribution area: Africa, Near East, South America
Uses: medicinal plant, ornamental plant
Tea tree oil
Properties: antibacterial, antiseptic, disinfectant, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, itch-relieving
Extraction: by steam distillation from the twigs and leaves of the plant.
Native to: Australia
Camphor (camphor tree)
Properties: cooling, soothes the skin, helps with wounds, antiseptic
Extraction of the oil: by steam distillation of the camphor tree wood as well as the leaves
Distribution: in Japan, China and India
Castor oil
Properties: makes the skin supple and soft, stimulates the production of collagen
Extraction: from the seed of the castor plant, also known as the miracle tree.
Distribution: in all tropical zones
These active ingredients are ideal for your cosmetic products. With Cosmacon, you are directly involved in your product development, so that this will surely be the successful start to build up your own brand. Please contact us today.