5 Best Tested Women's Facial Razors, According to Beauty Pros
Easy-to-use tools that remove hair, exfoliate, and prep skin for makeup in just a few swipes.
Tested by Sabina WizemannBeauty Lab Director
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Let’s be real, ladies: Shaving is no longer reserved for your body. While people choose all type of hair removal methods for their face, shaving is definitely an option and an easy, safe, and inexpensive one at that. So don’t sleep on this one!
Using a facial razor to remove facial hair and peach fuzz, which is sometimes also referred to as dermaplaning (keep reading for more on that), can “help with exfoliating dead skin and make for a much smoother makeup and skincare application,” says Alexis Pfropper, a licensed esthetician in Punta Gorda, Florida. "It's a quick and affordable hair removal method that can be done at home."
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: Tweezerman Rose Gold Facial Razor
- Best Value: Cricket Pore Perfection Dermablading Face Razors
- Best Electric: Dermaflash Luxe + Kit
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests all types of hair removal tools and products to find the ones that remove hair efficiently and quickly and leave skin super smooth. This list includes our five top-tested razors for women that span budget-friendly disposable razors that don't skimp on quality to electric razors that provide an impressively close shave (and do so quickly). Plus, we’ve got expert advice from dermatologists and estheticians who tackle frequently asked questions and clear up misconceptions about shaving facial hair, including the myth that it makes hair grow back darker or thicker.
Best Deal
Pros
- Makes skin brighter
- Comfortable weight and grip
- Leaves skin smooth
Cons
- Doesn't remove all peach fuzz
Tweezerman’s chic rose gold razor got rave reviews in our GH Beauty Lab testing for improving skin’s brightness and texture. Testers really liked using it and found the grip and weight of the tool to be comfortable and that it left their skin super smooth. While it generally removed most facial hair, it didn’t get rid of all of the peach fuzz, according to some testers.
What testers say: “I loved the weight and the handle; it was easy to grip and felt good to hold,” shared one, while another felt that it is “a good skin exfoliating device.”
RELATED: Best Women’s Razors
| Best for | Longer hair, not ideal for short peach fuzz |
| Type | Facial dermaplaning razor |
| Wet/dry use | Both |
| Refill blades | Three included |
Pros
- Exfoliates skin well
- Comfortable to hold
- Easy to use
Cons
- Doesn't remove peach fuzz well
Pretty in pastels, this pack of three budget-friendly disposable razors fold in half, making them ideal for storage and travel and keeping the blade protected. They ranked highly in our testing when it came to exfoliating skin and manuevering easily across the face and testers also found the grip super comfortable to hold and use. While it was easy to swipe, they weren’t very impressed with how well it removed peach fuzz.
What testers say: One felt that “it worked best for removing small patches of hair around the eyebrows and lips,” while another raved that “my skin felt smoother after just a couple of sessions.”
| Best for | Touch-ups, small areas |
| Type | Disposable razor |
| Wet/dry use | Dry |
| Refill blades | None, but comes with three razors |
Pros
- Doesn't cause irritation
- Leaves skin smooth
- Comfortable to hold
Cons
- Doesn't have a great glide
If you are a makeup girlie, you know the importance of having smooth skin before you start application. Our Lab testing revealed that Japonesque’s razors rated the highest among those tested for creating that smooth canvas that is ideal before applying foundation or any other facial makeup products. Testers also liked that there was no irritation when using these lightweight tools, which could be due to the included aloe vera serum strip on the razors. The one thing they didn’t love: the not-so-smooth glide across the skin.
What testers say: “This is one of the best dermaplaning tools I have used to date,” said one. “It was comfortable to hold and sharp enough to remove all hair in one pass with no irritation.”
| Best for | Smooth makeup application |
| Type | Manual razor |
| Wet/dry use | Dry (but you can dampen the blade to activate the serum strip) |
| Refill blades | None, but comes with three razors |
Pros
- Great value
- Works quickly
- Protective cover allows you to safely shape eyebrows
Cons
- Doesn't remove peach fuzz well
GH testers and experts alike felt these razors from Schick were a great option for the newbies, especially for small areas. Pfopper names this one a favorite because of its "high-quality blade and a built-in guard to prevent nicks and cuts while exfoliating the skin." The included protective cover has a tiny opening which can be extremely beneficial for tiny spots, like near the eyebrows.
What testers say: They found the blade contact with skin to be ideal, the razors comfortable to hold and use, and that the razors provided effective exfoliation. They were not that impressed, however, with the amount of peach fuzz removed. “I have never used a dermaplaning tool before and this was easy to use for a first time user,” one shared, while another felt that “the sharp blades glide across the skin, getting a close shave and exfoliating the skin in the process.”
| Best for | Beginners and small areas of skin |
| Type | Disposable |
| Wet/dry use | Either |
| Refill blades | None, but comes with three razors |
Pros
- Gentle on skin
- Removes all peach fuzz easily
- Won't nick skin
- Glides over skin easily
Cons
- Have to swap blades out between uses
If you want a facial razor with all the bells and whistles, Dermaflash 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 are designed to glide across skin without nicking. Just keep in mind that it is recommended to change out the blades after each use.
"Dermaflash Electric Face Shaver is a foolproof way to remove excess hair without the fear of nicking the skin," says Rachel Lozina, a licensed esthetician in Oyster Bay, New York.
What testers say: Testers rated it highest for peach fuzz removal, total removal of all unwanted hair, getting no nicks while using, and having the smoothest glide compared to all other razors tested.
| Best for | All skin types |
| Type | Sonic dermaplaning device |
| Wet/dry use | Clean, dry skin |
| Refill blades | Four blades included |
How we test face razors for women
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests dermaplaning and hair removal devices and products. In the most recent study, the Lab tested nine dermaplaning tools. We distributed each to between six and nine testers to experience at home over a one month period.
Lab scientists collected 41 surveys, yielding 738 data points, and reviewed more than 100 tester comments about each product's likes and dislikes. The five products featured here were the top performers in the test.
What to consider when buying face razors for women
To find the most effective tools for facial hair removal, here are tips from dermatologists, estheticians, and our in-house pros.
✔️ Multiple razor blades. "Look for a razor with multiple blades because that will allow you to cut more hairs with fewer strokes and less irritation," says Peterson Pierre, M.D., a dermatologist in Westlake Village, California. This is especially useful for thick facial hair, but "if you are dealing with peach fuzz, the simplest blades are sufficient.”
✔️ Decide which blade suits your needs.
- For peach fuzz and fine hair: A razor with a single, smaller blade is ideal for gentle, precise removal without irritation, according to Pfropper.
- For eyebrow shaping: Opt for a razor with a smaller, angled blade that allows for precise shaping and detailing around the eyebrows, according to Pfropper and Lozina.
- For coarse hair: Look for razors with multiple blades or larger blades to effectively remove thicker, coarser hair with fewer strokes, per Pfropper.
- For sensitive skin: Razors with hypoallergenic blades and built-in skin guards can help minimize irritation and provide a comfortable shaving experience, according to Pfropper. Avoid multi-blades that repetitively glide across skin, adds Lozina.
Do dermatologists recommend shaving your face?
Shaving one's face is totally fine! "Women can also use dermaplaning, which is a form of exfoliating dead skin cells that also helps get rid of peach fuzz," says Merry Thornton, PA-C, a board-certified dermatology physician assistant in New Canaan, CT.
In terms of who can and should shave, “all skin types are fine candidates for facial shaving, and you can shave as often as you need, as long as skin isn't irritated,” Dr. Pierre says.
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.
Is shaving your face the same as dermaplaning?
Not technically. Often used interchangeably with face-razor shaving, dermaplaning is a skincare treatment performed by a skincare professional.
Lozina says dermplaning involves a razor blade with a round edge. "[It] is used in an up and down motion to remove hair and dead skin. It's much more precise and removes much more skin than a traditional razor," she says. "Whereas a traditional shaving razor is one, two, or three blades in a row with a guard and is used in only one direction, against the hair."
"Shaving and dermaplaning both remove the fine vellus hairs or 'peach fuzz' on our skin, as well as other thicker or more coarse hair,” explains Heidi Prather, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas. Pfropper adds, “The methods vary slightly, but both aim to promote smoother skin and enhance absorption of skincare products.”
Will shaving facial hair make it grow back darker and thicker?
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."
Meet Our Experts
- Alexis Pfropper, a licensed esthetician in Punta Gorda, Florida
- Rachel Lozina, a licensed esthetician in Oyster Bay, New York
- Peterson Pierre, M.D., a dermatologist in Westlake Village, California
- Merry Thornton, PA-C, a board-certified dermatology physician assistant in New Canaan, CT
- Heidi Prather, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price, who regularly contributes to GH's beauty stories, wrote and updated this guide, most recently adding fresh picks and commentary.
GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann assisted Dori by providing all of the testing information, including the product picks. Wizemann ran the Lab study which included all different types of hair removal devices, tools, and products.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
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