Dermatologists Agree: These Are the 9 Best Razors for Sensitive Skin

Whether it’s getting your armpits waxed, epilating, or treating ingrown hairs, hair removal can be a painful and uncomfortable process. Having sensitive skin, however, adds a whole new layer of complexity to the matter. Even shaving—arguably one of the less invasive methods of hair removal—can be ouchy for some folks. Shaving is not only abrasive, but “those with sensitive skin are more prone to developing dryness and irritation dermatitis,” aka razor burn, says Leah Ansell, MD, FAAD, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at Columbia University. To reduce unwanted reactions to shaving, having the best razor for sensitive skin can make the best of a “hairy” situation, be it skin irritation, redness, and ingrown hairs.

Not only can the right razor give you silky smooth skin, it removes hair “without tugging on your skin or causing annoying and sometimes painful skin irritations,” explains Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine based in New York.

Best razors for sensitive skin, at a glance:

• Best durable: Kitsch, Perfect Glide Safety Razor, $29
• Best for irritation: Shick Hydro Silk Sensitive Skin Razor, $10 
• Best for first-time shavers: Schick, Intuition Razors, $9
• Best ergonomic: Gillette Venus, Extra Smooth Sensitive Razor, $14
• Best kit: Billie, Razor Starter Kit, $10 
• Best value: Athena Club, The Razor Kit, $10
• Best splurge: Oui the People, Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor, $85
• Best design: Hanni, The Weighted Razor, $42
• Best razor without shaving gel: Gillette Venus, ComfortGlide White Tea Razor, $10 

What to look for in a razor for sensitive skin

Razor with a guard

The best way to protect your skin is by looking for a razor with a sensitive-friendly guard, aka, the ones infused with a built-in soap or gel. “This helps lubricate and protect the underlying skin from abrasiveness of the razor blade itself,” says Dr. Ansell.

Have no fear—ahead are Dr. Graf’s and Dr. Ansell’s recommendations for the best razors for sensitive skin, here to “shave” the day next time you lather up.

The best razors for sensitive skin, according to derms

Best durable: Kitsch, Perfect Glide Safety Razor — $29.00

For a no-frills shave, Dr. Graf recommends Kitsch’s Perfect Glide Safety Razor. “The single-blade, stainless-steel razor design is ideal for sensitive skin and reduces the likelihood of ingrown hairs,” she says. Included in the kit are a metal handle, five blades, and a razor cap, so you’ll be ready for future shaves to come. Chic and pink, this razor will keep razor burns and irritation far away. 

Pros: 

• Stainless steel razor 
  
• Comes with five razor blades and razor cap
  
• Smooth shave 
  
• Long lasting

Cons: 

• Pricey

Best for irritation: Shick, Hydro Silk Sensitive Skin Razor — $13.00

For a budget-friendly shave, Shick Hydro Silk gets the job done. The blade is equipped with skin guards—which are infused with shea butter to ward off skin irritation, and it comes attached to a soft, rubber grip for easy maneuvering. Even more, “its ergonomic head allows it to maneuver control of body,” says Dr. Ansell. Add some nourishing shaving gel, and you’ll be good to go.

Pros: 

• Infused with shea butter 
  
• Prevents skin irritation 
  
• Easy to maneuver 
  
• Good value

Cons: 

• Not long lasting

Best for first-time shavers: Schick, Intuition Razors — $14.00

Schick’s Intuition Razors are a dermatologist favorite, and it’s easy to see why. Each blade comes formulated with a gel-like aloe bar to soften and soothe angry skin. Once in contact with water, the soap lathers, allowing the razor to easily glide over skin, so, “there is no need for additional shaving gel,” says Dr. Ansell. It’s a one-and-done solution to shaving, perfect for minimalists who like their beauty routines to be fast and effective.

Pros: 

• Infused with aloe 
  
• Minimizes nicks and cuts 
  
• Budget-friendly 
  
• Comes with two razor blade refills

Cons: 

• Bulky

Best ergonomic: Gillette Venus, Extra Smooth Sensitive Razor — $25.00

Razors can cost a pretty penny, but the Gillette Venus retails for $25, making it a budget-friendly option you can pick up at your drugstore. For the price, it features five thin blades that Dr. Graf says glide easily over the skin, so you can avoid irritation along the way. It also features an ergonomic, ribbed handle that makes it easy to maneuver for an effortless shave. Enjoy two razor head refills, giving you more bang for your buck.

Pros: 

• Glides easily over skin
  
• Comes with two razor head refills 
  
• Tested for sensitive skin

Cons:

• Pricey

Best kit: Billie, Razor Starter Kit — $10.00

Another budget-friendly razor option, you can’t go wrong with Billie. This starter kit features a bright or sparkly razor (you pick your own adventure) and four replacement blades so you have backup need be. “The five blades on this razor are so sharp that they don’t tug or further irritate the skin,” says Dr. Graf. The aloe-infused blades are also a nice touch—which instantaneously soothe and hydrate. If you end up loving it (which you probably will), you can subscribe to Billie’s subscription club which will send you fresh blades every 1-3 months depending on your shave schedule.

Pros: 

• Pivoting head for easier shave
  
• Comes with two blades and magnetic holder 
  
• Good value 
  
• Has ergonomic handle

Cons: 

• Magnetic holder can fall sometimes

Best value: Athena Club, The Razor Kit — $10.00

Similar to Billie, Athena Club is a shaving subscription that sends fresh blades straight to your door. The handle of these colorful razors are aluminum and built to last, no matter how wet or sudsy they get in the shower. As for the heads, each features five spaced-out blades complete with a hyaluronic-acid serum strip to hydrate skin and prevent bumps, redness, and ingrowns. The brand also just released body-care products specifically for sensitive skin, so you can round-out your shaving routine with a nourishing Creamy Body Wash ($15) (that doubles as a shave gel) and Dewy Body Lotion ($15).

Pros: 

• Comes with magnetic hook and two blade cartridges 
  
• Available in fun colors
  
• Good value
  
• Has ergonomic handle

Cons: 

• Only available online and at Target

Oui the People, Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor — $85.00

For fancy shavers, Oui the People’s Rose Gold Skin Razor is a must. These single-bladed razors don’t tug on your skin and leave your barrier feeling smooth and refreshed. Sharp, perfectly weighted, and featuring 10 replacement blades, this rose gold razor makes ingrown hairs and razor burns a thing of the past.

Pros: 

• Comes with 10 replacement blades 
  
• Good quality 
  
• Smooth shave

Cons: 

• Expensive

Best design: Hanni, The Weighted Razor — $42.00

These razors come recommended by Dr. Graf. “The Hanni weighted razor is great because it has a single-blade, and the handle of the razor is weighted, so that you don’t have to apply any pressure and can just let the razor glide along your skin,” she says. Coated in powder, the handle won’t rust, and it features grooves to make it easier to grip when things get slippery.

Pros: 

• Weighted razor
  
• Good quality 
  
• Can shave from two sides 
  
• Resistant to rust

Cons: 

• Expensive

Best razor without shaving gel: Gillette Venus, ComfortGlide White Tea Razor — $10.00

Gillette Venus Comfort Glide is one of Ansell’s favorites and for good reason: this razor is equipped with an ergonomic handle and soap bars that lubricate the skin, so “there is no need for additional shaving gel,” says Dr. Ansell. Also nice? The rounded head pivots and reduces the risk of painful nicks. This ensures a smooth shave and means that it won’t irritate the skin. It’s a win for sensitive skin!

Pros: 

• Ergonomic handle
  
• Has soap bars that lubricate the skin
  
• No shaving gel needed
  
• Razor head pivots

Cons: 

• Scented