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Shave way for smoother, fuzz-free skin. Led Subwoofer Grill
Shaving your face is totally normal, but let's be clear: You definitely don't have to shave your face. "It's a personal choice," says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D. Some women prefer facial shaving, or "dermaplaning," to nix upper lip hair, get rid of peach fuzz, shape eyebrows or exfoliate dead skin for much smoother makeup and skincare application.
While there are tons of ways to remove facial hair (good ol' body razors, electric razors and multi-blade razors, included), we cut through the clutter by consulting dermatologists and our beauty experts within the Good Housekeeping Institute for their top face razor picks. That spans budget-friendly disposable razors that don't skimp on quality to handy dandy electric razors that provide an impressively close shave (and in speedy timing).
All skin types are fine candidates for facial shaving, according to Peterson Pierre, M.D., a dermatologist in Westlake Village, California, and you can shave as often as you need as long as skin isn't irritated. Just note that if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you want to be extra careful to avoid any irritation.
Hinging on more than 100,000 reviews, this pocket-sized face razor is Amazon's best-selling electric razor. Its unique shape is designed to better shave along the contours of your face. To use, simply switch on the device to activate the spinning head and light, then gently press it against your skin.
One of our editors adopted it as a part of her daily skincare regimen — she swears it trims down on time while giving an impressively close shave sans nicking. It's painless and non-irritating even on sensitive skin, she adds. Amazon shoppers felt similarly but wished for more detailed instructions on when/how often to empty the chamber that holds the trimmings.
Touch up eyebrows and remove dark upper lip hair with the GH-editor favorite. "I like that they're cheap and come in a pack of six, but I still get a lot of use out of one razor," says one of our staffers. You receive two packs of three razors, and each comes with its own protective blade cover.
A makeup artist left a review calling it a great tool to help her achieve flawless makeup application since it removes dead skin and peach fuzz. And she's noticed no irritation on her sensitive skin with the razors. While shoppers found that they lasted several uses, know that they're disposable and will become dull with each use.
If you want a facial razor with all the bells and whistles, Dermflash is worth the splurge. The kit comes with four razor heads and a gel that preps skin for shaving. Its "sonic technology" and thin razor edge is designed to glide across skin without nicking. Per the brand, it helps reveal more radiant-looking skin.
Reviewers appreciated its stealthy job of gently removing peach fuzz and dead skin. One reviewer says she was able to significantly decrease her visits to the esthetician. Note that the instructions prompt you to switch out the blades with each use in order to have the sharpest blade each time, which some reviewers find inconvenient.
A big-wig in the razor space, Schick's facial razors also earn just as much hype — more than 180,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.6-star rating. Its protective blade covers have a tiny opening so you can shape your eyebrows without scraping the rest of your skin.
Reviewers say shaving time takes just mere minutes and that the razors provide a close shave. While many agree that it takes an excellent whack at dermaplaning, several recommend to follow up with a toner and a face moisturizer for softer results.
This sleek dermaplaning tool from Stacked Skincare was created to bring a professional hair removal and exfoliating treatment into your own home. The easy-to-hold aluminum handle and large blade surface allows you to safely remove peach fuzz and dead skin using small, gentle strokes. Shoppers enjoyed the way makeup and skincare looked afterward.
"The dermaplaning replacement tool may be a bit pricey, but it's undeniably worth the investment," attests one reviewer. "It does an exceptional job of removing all the unwanted fuzz from my face, leaving my skin smoother than ever. It's become an essential part of my skincare routine, and the results make it well worth the cost."
GH Beauty Lab experts found that Schick's disposable razor performed better than most refillable razors during testing. Consumer testers liked the pivoting head and the fact that the handle was easy to hold, allowing for total control around hard-to-reach areas.
Testers reported seeing long-lasting smoothness after using it, along with "no irritation, whatsoever." Otherwise, an online shopper re-iterated that you're getting a disposable razor: "Some other disposables I have been able to get another use out of, but these I trash after each use."
The divot in the center of the handle makes Sephora's metal razor easy to use and comfortable when wielding, meaning no awkward grip or sore hand afterward. Once the stainless steel blade dulls, you can order a pack of six refills for just $10.
Sephora users like the heft of the handle, with one commenting that "the sleek design is very nice to grip" and it has "an even blade that’s sturdy." It's worth flagging that shoppers left quite a few comments about the tricky blade replacement — proceed with caution when swapping since it does not come with instructions.
The GH editor-favorite Billie razor service comes with a starter kit of a razor handle, two refill cartridges and a magnetic holder for storage. The refillable razor features a strong handle that's easy to hold and a small blade head that bends along small crevices, like around the nose or at the upper lip. And you'll never have to worry about running out of blades for this one — the brand will send you new blades in monthly increments as you please.
Of all the body razors she's tried, a GH editor kept going back to Billie. "It's the only one that's given me the closest shave. Plus, I love its lightly moisturized head and super cute design." Just keep in mind that because it's a traditional body razor, you may sacrifice precision when it comes to shaping eyebrows, etc.
Tweezerman's stainless steel straight razor feels like a pro tool, thanks to its weight and precision when shaving your face. Its stainless steel material makes it easier to sanitize in between uses. A customer liked that she "can use alcohol to disinfect it thoroughly, plus be able to use the same blade numerous times," unlike other razors.
Many reviewers agreed that it had a solid weight without being too heavy to handle. Plus, it leaves skin feeling "soft and silky" and allows "makeup to go on perfectly," another user shared. The most notable con shoppers raised, however, was trouble with changing the blades.
The double-edged blades on Bevel's safety razor are designed to prevent irritation and bumps on skin, while effectively removing even the most coarse, curly hairs. It is a pricey option, but is meant to be used many times and thanks to its sustainable design, it can be recycled when you are done with it.
"As a woman who was accustomed to using plastic razors, I had to get used to the weight of this shaver, but it is worth every penny," shares one Amazon reviewer. "I haven't had a razor bump since I started using this razor and my skin doesn't feel irritated after using it."
These bargain About Face eyebrow shapers feature a shorter razor head compared to similar brands, which provide more control with each stroke. Many fans of the discontinued Noxema razors turn to this alternative because they find that the Kai razors perform almost exactly alike. And overall, the razors are very lightweight and great for travel.
"This [razor] is tiny and fits well in my makeup bag," one reviewer says. "Totally recommend it to make your face silky smooth for easy makeup and sunscreen application!" Quite a few shoppers found the mini razor had a pretty sharp cut, so exercise a lighter hand.
The GH Institute works with consumers, dermatologists, beauty editors and industry experts to find the top-performing beauty finds on the market and while our GH Beauty Lab scientists haven't done formal testing on facial razors, we have tested hair removal devices and methods of all kinds, from best razors to top-rated epilators and at-home wax kits — so our pros know what makes a great hair removal product. We included a mix of top-performing brands, editor favorites and highly-rated options from consumer reviewers.
To find the most effective tools for facial hair removal, "look for a razor with multiple blades because that will allow you to cut more hairs with less strokes and less irritation," says Dr. Pierre. This is especially useful for thick facial hair, but "if you are dealing with peach fuzz, the simplest blades are sufficient," says Aral.
Shaving one's face is totally fine! "Women can also use dermaplaning, which is a form of exfoliating dead skin cells that also helps gets rid of peach fuzz," says Merry Thornton, PA-C, a board-certified dermatology physician assistant in New Canaan, CT.
If your skin is extremely sensitive, it might cause some redness or irritation. You also wouldn’t want to do it on areas with an active infection such as cold sores or cystic acne, adds Thornton.
Don't worry: Despite the rumors, shaving your face will not make hair grow back thicker or darker. "The razor cuts the hair about mid-shaft, at its thickest portion," Dr. Pierre explains. "So when it grows in, it might appear to be thicker, but the hair diameter itself actually doesn't change and neither does the color."
Regularly consulting GH Beauty Lab experts for their best razor picks, Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin covers beauty topics spanning makeup, skincare and haircare. She interviewed dermatologists for their tips on shopping the best women's facial razors as well as how to safely shave with them. Beauty Editor Dori Price, who regularly contributes to GH's stories within the beauty realm, previously worked on this guide, adding fresh picks and commentary.
Jacqueline (she/her) covers all things e-commerce in beauty, lifestyle and beyond for the Good Housekeeping Institute. Before joining GH in 2021, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
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