Lubricating Strips on Razor Blade

September 19, 2014 by Debra Lynn Dadd

Question from SVE

Hi Debra,

How toxic are the lubricating strips on razor blades? This website describes them and lists polyurethane oxide - www.google.com/patents/US6993846. I do know I had a internal body reaction, not a skin reaction to the Gillette Sensor Excel razor blade.

I have ordered a steel razor holder and double edge razors (platinum) to use, at least temporarily. Do you have any suggestions here that would be best for avoiding reactions to toxins in razor blades? Thanks for all you do, Debra!

Debra's Answer

I've never had this question before!

But good you asked it.

The plastic strip exudes a lubricant generally made from polyethylene oxide (not polyurethane oxide as you wrote).

Polyethylene oxide is another name for polyethylene glycol (PEG). A manufacturer says it is nontoxic and "approved by the FDA for use as excipients or as a carrier in different pharmaceutical formulations, foods, and cosmetics." However, the MSDS says "After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of water" and "Not for use in Food, Drugs or Cosmetics" and "May cause skin irritation, May be harmful if absorbed through the skin."

And here's an article about PEG contaminated with 1,4-dioxane.

So I can see where your body might react to it.

How toxic is it? Personally I would use a razor without lubricating strips.