The Best Cruelty Free Cartridge Razors
Generally speaking razors and blades aren't tested on animals, however some of the manufacturers produce other products which that have been tested on animals and contain substances such as glycerin.
PETA (People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals) say on their site:-
"Shaving blades may not be tested on animals, but many brands, such as Gillette, are owned by companies—in this case, Proctor & Gamble—that test other popular products on animals."
Therefore the goal is to choose products that have no association with animal testing.
Cruelty Free Cartridge Razors
The majority of the big conglomerates are in some way or another associated with animal testing, however there are a number of cruelty free cartridge razor manufacturers on the market:
Preserve have focused their attentions on making sure that the razor is entirely recyclable and has minimal environmental impact.
Unfortunately, though, the reviews aren't so great. Some are reporting blade rust after one use while others say that the quality of the shave is reminiscent of a disposable BIC.
Great for the environment, not so sure about the shave, though.
$6.00
King of Shaves are a featured cruelty free company that have assured customers that its products will never be tested on animals.
This cartridge razor utilises five blades with a hinging head for ease of use. The razor comes complete with 3 cartridges.
Unfortunately, the reviews for this product have also been less than stellar, with customers complaining about the poor quality shave, the balance and manoeuvrability.
$7.99
Personna Tri-Flexxx Triple Blade Shaving System
The Personna Tri-Flexxx cartridge razor is made by a company called American Safety Razor who are a cruelty-free manufacturer as per PETA's database.
This product has three razor blades and comes complete with a vitamin E lubricating strip to reduce irritation.
$5.69
Consider Switching to Double Edged Safety Razors
The Merkur is one of the most popular safety razors for beginners
While it's true that there are a very small number of cruelty free cartridge razor manufacturers, there isn't much of a choice.
One way in which you can have access to a larger range of products while doing your bit for the environment and saving money is to and make the switch to double edged safety shaving.
If well looked after, a safety razor can last a lifetime, and there are a number of safety razor manufacturers (including Jack Black), that are completely cruelty free.
Safety razor shaving is making a huge comeback at the moment due to the cost savings that it offers, because the single blade causes less irritation and because of a smaller environmental impact.
And yes, safety razors can, and are commonly, used by both men and women for shaving on the face and all over the body.
It's certainly something worth considering, given that the range of cruelty free cartridge razors is so small with "not so great" reviews.
How to Determine If A Shaving Product is Cruelty Free
Sometimes it can be hard to figure out if a manufacturer is cruelty-free or whether they're associated in any way animal testing. The quickest spot check is to head over to PETA's shaving supply database and type in the name of the manufacturer:-
You'll then be able to find PETA's current understanding on whether the manufacturer is cruelty free or not:-
Do you know of any other cruelty free cartridge manufacturers that we've missed from this list? If so, let us know in the comments below and we'll be sure to give them the credit they deserve!
