But with everything there is to know and love about this trusted maintenance practice, things can get a little hairy (no pun intended) if your skin tends to be sensitive. You have to take extra care to avoid nicks, cuts, bumps, irritation and ingrown hairs, all of which, according to California-based board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD, can be caused by things like dry shaving hands on a trusty shaving cream), too shave quickly, do not moisturize and shave against the direction of your hair growth.
You’ll also want to make sure you change your razor often — old, dull razors are less likely to cause irritation than a new, sharp blade (since you don’t have to drag the razor across the skin with a lot of force), says the San Francisco-based established board-certified dermatologist and medical director of Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology, Tracy Evans, MD.
Aside from following the basic rules of proper shaving, the type of razor you use matters. There are several key features to consider when looking for a sensitive, skin-friendly razor, including the number of blades, blade spacing, and special features like a skin protector, lubricating strips, and finger grooves to minimize the risk of cuts, says Dr. Shirazi. Below, we’ve rounded up nine of the best razors for sensitive skin that deliver a close shave — minus the irritation.
Hanni The weighted razor
$42.00, Hannie
Billie The Razor Starter Pack
$10.00 Billie
What’s good about a weighted razor, you ask? Hanni’s The Weighted Razor, one of the best safety razors on the market and a 2022 winner To tempt Best of Beauty Award, makes it all make sense. This single-blade razor is made of 100 percent metal and requires no hard push or pull, meaning you’ll get a close shave with every use. The extra-long handle makes shaving the body a breeze, and it has finger grooves, which can “hold the razor more comfortably and allow better control when maneuvering over the skin,” says Dr. Shirazi.
While Billie’s single-blade razors are ideal for those with sensitive skin, a multi-blade razor—like the one in Billie’s The Razor Starter Kit—means you’ll get a close shave with fewer shaves. That, in turn, results in fewer opportunities to nick yourself. In addition, says Dr. Evans that a multi-blade razor can help compensate for hairs growing in an irregular pattern. To keep razor burns at bay and cuts to a minimum, this razor features a soothing aloe moisturizer. This kit also comes with a handy magnetic holder and two blade refills, so you’re basically done.
Flamingo Razor
$8.00 Flamingo
Athena Club The best shave ever
$9.00, Athena Club
It’s impossible to pick just one thing to gouge about when it comes to Flamingo’s 5-blade razor, which happens to be a To tempt Best of Beauty 2022 winner. The non-slip grip of the razor handle helps you maintain better control, reducing the chance of accidentally cutting yourself, testifies Dr. Shirazi. The five sharp blades provide a smooth, gentle shave while it lubricates with aloe and shea butter. And finally, the brand’s 360° comfort system consists of a rotatable head that moves in any direction you want.
We call Athena Club’s The Best Shave Ever the unicorn of razors. It has a water-activated hyaluronic acid strip to protect against nicks and cuts, padded blades to enhance the shaving experience, plus a magnetic hook to hang the razor when not in use. Another major plus: It comes in a variety of shades to match your personal bathroom aesthetic. Like we said, unicorn.
Gillette Venus ComfortGlide razor
$10.00, Amazon.com
Oui the People The single razor for sensitive skin
$85.00, Oui the people
The self-adjusting, curve-hugging design of the Gillette Venus Comfort Glide lets you easily reach every nook and cranny of your face And body (including those hard-to-reach areas around your armpits and knees). The razor also comes with a lubricating strip, which “helps reduce friction and soothe the skin while shaving,” notes Dr. Shiraz up. Bonus: This set comes with two refills so you can continue your shaving routine without a break.
A weighted razor like The Single Sensitive Skin Razor from Oui the People does the job and does it Good. It has a single blade, so nothing comes off your skin as you shave, and it’s made of recyclable stainless steel, which is more durable than disposable plastic razors. This also comes with 10 replacement blades that will last you all summer and beyond, making that $85 price tag oh so worth it.
Schick Hydro Silk razor for sensitive skin
$13.00, Amazon.com
Kitsch Perfect Glide safety razor
$29.00, Ultra Beauty
Truly Beauty Truly Blue Razor
$20.00, real beauty
It’s easier to prevent bumps and cuts than to treat them; hence a razor like Schick Hydrosilk’s Sensitive Skin is a real winner for those looking to avoid potential irritation. The razor has skin guards to protect your skin with every stroke, which Dr. Shirazi helps to “create a barrier between the blade and your skin to reduce friction and thus minimize the risk of nicks and cuts.” A razor with skin protectants is also great for the area between the lip and nose because it “protects the delicate edge of the skin in this area,” says Dr. Evans.
One look at Kitsch’s Perfect Glide Safety Razor and it’s easy to see it’s going to provide some major eye candy while it’s in your shower. Plus, it has a single blade, which Dr. Shirazi ensures less friction and therefore less skin irritation. While each razor comes with five extra blades (yay for hassle-free swapping!), you can also buy a bundle that includes the brand’s favorite Solid Shave Butter, which is laced with hydrating shea butter to keep your skin super-conditioned as you shave.
It’s sayonara for razor bumps and redness, thanks to Truly Beauty’s Truly Blue Razor. The aloe and shea butter infused gel bars on this razor make the tool extra special and suitable for people with sensitive skin. “Aloe vera helps soothe itching and irritation and is also rich in phytosterols to prevent transepidermal water loss,” explains Dr. Shirazi. As for the shea butter? Dr. Shirazi says it’s a powerful emollient with soothing properties that’s also a great source of allantoin to help heal irritation.
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Originally published on Allure