Sensitive skin is not only limited to babies and women. Even fully bearded men can have sensitive skin. And this poses a challenge whenever you shave. You have to deal with irritation, dryness, and inflammation. And of course, it makes your skin more prone to burning, stinging, and redness. So it’s like you’re experiencing downtime every time you shave.
And breakouts are real. If you think you’re done with puberty breakouts, think again. If you have sensitive skin, shaving can cause breakouts. A myriad of skin issues awaits you with your regular razor.
So should you just skip shaving altogether? Not at all. Besides, some men want to maintain a clean-shaven look. We’re going to review the best razors for sensitive skin so you don’t have to deal with these skin issues anymore.
In a Hurry? Check Our Top 3 Picks!
10 Best Razors for Sensitive Skin
01. Merkur Classic Double Edge Safety Razor
Taking the number one spot on our list is this masterpiece of a razor-the Merkur Classic 2-Piece Double Edge Safety Razor! Also known as Merkur 34C, this razor is the pioneer of human shaving for me. This safety razor is probably one of the best for sensitive skin!
Here’s why:
- Merkur, the manufacturer of this razor, has been making razors since 1896. With over a century of experience, I think it’s safe to say that they’ve mastered the art of razor designing and manufacturing.
- It’s heavy. For new shavers, this might be a good thing. Also, it’s durable and sturdy.
- Double edge safety razor. These blades are universal and standard. You’ll have no trouble looking for it, and it’s very effective for shaving.
- The unique two-piece design allows for an extremely close and irritation-free shave.
- Handle options. You can get this with Knurled, Barber-pole, or the classic smooth stainless handle.
The Specs
- Brand: Merkur
- Model: 34C
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
- Size: 2x4x4 inches
The Pros
- It doesn’t provide an aggressive shave – great for people with sensitive skin.
- Heavy and compact. It doesn’t take much effort to shave using this.
- It’s good for beginners.
- It has good blade alignment and angle.
- Optimal for wet shaving.
The Cons
- Short Handle. The handle might not provide a good grip for you, causing imbalance when shaving.
- It’s a wiggly razor
. Slippery handle due to knurling surface.
02. Feather AS-D2 Double-Edge Razor
Coming in second place is the beautifully designed and arguably my personal best shaving razor for sensitive skin, the AS-D2 Stainless Steel Double-Edge Model from Feather.
The Feather AS-D2 offers great control and a close shave. I’ve personally used this before for about 6 months and each stroke with this razor is just a breeze; always left me with a clean shave with soft and smooth skin.
It’s one of those cases when you just have to feel it for yourself for you to know what I’m talking about.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel etched handle.
- Durable razor head made of stainless steel.
- Stainless steel Feather double edge blade.
The Pros
- The overall build is very durable. This one is sure to last, as did mine.
- Good for sensitive skin. The Feather Double Edge Blade provides a smooth feel when shaving.
- Provides a close shave.
The Cons
- Heavy. It might take some getting used to- the stainless steel body makes it particularly heavy but manageable with enough practice.
03. Merkur Progress Razor
Next on the list is another one from Merkur- the Merkur Progress Razor.
The Merkur Progress is similar to the Merkur 34C in some aspects. What Merkur Progress adds to the table is the added options or choices on the intensity of your shave. To some, this means convenience. To others, however, it’s just added complexity.
The Merkur Progress gives you the options to control the gap between the blade and the safety bar. You can adjust this by turning the knob at the bottom of the razor. The knob runs from 1 to 5.
I personally find this to be very useful because there are times that I want to have a clean shave and there are times when I just want to trip my beard, or just make it look rough and rugged.
The added adjustability also makes the razor versatile. You can use different settings on different areas that you want to shave.
I think Merkur Progress has succeeded in giving the user that option.
Key Features:
- Provides irritation-free shaving.
- Adjustable blade to safety bar gap. Adjust the knob from 1 to 5. 5 being the most aggressive and has the largest gap, while 1 has a narrow and mild gap.
- Versatile. It’s an all-in-one razor because you can use this razor to shave off hair from any part of your body thanks to its adjustability.
The Specs
- Brand: Merkur
- Model: Progress
- Weight: 3.17 ounces (3.6 ounces for the one with the long handle)
- Size: 4.8×1.8×1 inches
The Pros
- Adjustable features give you a lot of choices for shaving.
- Great for beginners because it allows them to try different types of gap length.
The Cons
- The settings can be very inconsistent if the razor is poorly taken care of.
04. Merkur Futur
In fourth place, comes the Merkur Futur. The Merkur Futur is very similar to the Merkur Progress.
In fact, the Merkur Futur also has the feature to adjust the blade gaps. Not just from 1 to 5, but from 1 to 6 – going a step further from the Merkur Progress.
The Merkur Futur, unfortunately, sits right under the Merkur Progress because with added gap length settings, comes the possible added complexity and inconsistency.
Nonetheless, it still provides a fourth-place worthy shave. You just have to get used to the extra options and the thought that settings 4 to 6 are hard to tell apart.
So what are the key features of the Merkur Futur?
- The blade, body, size, feel, and quality of the shave is still noticeably from Merkur.
- The blade’s gap from the safety bar can be adjusted from 1 to 6, providing versatility and adaptability.
- Straight-bar head design
The Specs
- Brand: Merkur
- Model: Futur
- Weight: 4.4 ounces
- Size: 6x5x4 inches
The Pros
- The build. You can really tell that this one is sturdy even just by looking at it.
- The weight. The 4.4 oz razor is good for veteran shavers who know exactly what they’re doing. It comes to a point that your shaving experience becomes effortless when you let gravity and your razor’s weight do the work.
The Cons
- Not for new shavers. Because of its heavy weight, beginners might have a hard time shaving when they use this.
- Changing the blades. Changing the blades of this particular model from Merkur can be very tricky. Be alert and attentive when you’re changing blades.
05. Braun 7865cc Electric Shaver
Yes, you read that right – this one’s electric.
The Braun 7865cc Electric Shaver is the only electric shaver that made it into this list. The convenience and quality shave that it provides its users is the majority of the reasons why people go for the Braun Electric Shaver.
The Braun 7865cc Electric Shaver features:
- Intelligent technology allows the shaver to capture more hair in one singular stroke.
- Four synchronized shaving elements make this shaver powerful yet gentle.
- Skin-friendly precision trimmer. You can shave the hard to reach areas with ease.
I talked about convenience earlier.
The Braun 7865cc Electric Shaver is convenient because:
- It’s automatic. Now, because it’s an electric shaver, you’re not the one doing the hard work… the shaver is! No need to worry about accidentally scratching yourself because this shaver is more precise and also includes a guard- pretty much a staple when it comes to electric shavers nowadays.
- It takes less preparation. All you really need to do is plug it in and use it.
- It’s waterproof. Like to shave dry? That’s okay. Wet shaving? NO PROBLEM. It’s also very easy to wash; no need to worry about electrocuting yourself when the device accidentally gets wet.
The Specs
- Brand: Braun
- Model: Series 7
- Weight: 1.96 pounds
- 6.2×6.2 x 9.9 inches
The Pros
- Waterproof. You can even use it in the shower, how awesome is that?
- Portable. Tuck it away in its small bag (included in the package) with the cord and all, and you’re good to go. Take it with you everywhere you go.
- Long lasting. This electric shaver can last for years and the quality of the shave that you get doesn’t degrade at all. My personal Braun 7865cc Electric Shaver is still working up to this day and I still take it with me when I travel.
The Cons
- Without proper care, it can get to a point when you need shaving cream if you want to shave dry, which kind of defeats the purpose of it being electric.
06. Schick Hydro 5 Sense Hydrate Razors
Coming in sixth is from Schick – the Schick Hydro 5 Sense Razor.
This razor is designed to give its users a personalized shave. How does it do this exactly?
- Shock Absorb technology. The razor adds pressure when you lack it and lets you take control if you want it to.
- 5 blades. It’s hard not to reach a spot with this amount of blades.
- Instant protection. The gel strip on top of the stack of blades provides instant lubricating protection when you shave.
- Skin guard. Each of the blades is attached with skin guard technology which permits you to control the skin flow and reduce irritation.
The Specs
- Brand: Schick
- Model: Hydro 5 Sense
- Weight: 0.96 ounces
- Size: 1.5×3.6 x 7.8 inches
The Pros
- Good for sensitive skin. With the shock absorb technology and skin guard technology, the Hydro 5 Sense takes really good care of the skin.
- Long lasting. The number of blades attached doesn’t reflect the decay of the product.
- Good for beginners. It’s very easy to learn how to shave when you use this because the shock absorb technology does most of the work for you.
The Cons
- Gel Strip. Be prepared to replace the gel strip often because this one runs out a little too quickly.
- Feels a bit Flimsy. Handle with care, this razor can be pretty soft. Always check if the shock absorber still works before working.
07. Schick Hydro 5 Disposable Razor
Another one from Schick, a close relative of the sixth razor- the Schick Hydro 5 Disposable Razor.
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There isn’t much of a difference when you compare this to the Hydro 5 Sense. So let’s get down to talking about this product.
What does this Schick Hydro 5 Disposable Razor bring to the table?
- Disposable. There’s a significant difference in its price and it provides a very close comparison to a non-disposable Schick product.
- Yes, it still has 5 blades and skin guard.
- This is the only razor with a flip trimmer.
The Specs
- Brand: Schick
- Model: Hydro 5
- Weight: 0.96 ounces
- Size: 1.5 x 3.8 x 7.8 inches
The Pros
- Provides the quality shave that a non-disposable product would.
- Travel-friendly. The body is very lightweight, making it convenient for travels.
- Comfortable grip. The grip feels natural and instinctive. I easily got used to it when I tried it.
The Cons
- Lesser gel strip. This is to be expected as this is, after all, a disposable razor.
- Fragile build. I won’t recommend this to people with a strong grip. The razor itself can be pretty brittle.
08. Schick Hydro 5 Razor
Sitting on the eighth place is the Schick Hydro 5 Razor.
The Schick Hydro 5 Razor has a few key differences when compared to the two aforementioned Schick products. Those are:
- UltraGlide blades. These are specially engineered blades for shaving and it’s supposed to reduce irritation when being used.
- Skin guard is still present in this razor from Schick.
- Water activated skin conditioner. Not to be confused with the gel strip, this is entirely different. This Schick Hydro 5 Razor has a reservoir of conditioner that lasts for a significantly long time. When I tried it myself, I felt the effect of the water activated skin conditioner until my 4th shave, which, for me, was pretty impressive.
The Specs
- Brand: Schick
- Model: Hydro 5
- Weight: 2.08 ounces
- Size: 6x5x4 inches
The Pros
- Ergonomic. The weight, size, shape, and grip of the Schick Hydro 5 Razor feel really good if you’re going to use it to shave your body hair.
- Razor pivot. There is enough pivot to reach the hard to reach areas.
The Cons
- Big shaving surface area. It might be hard or even dangerous to shave small areas with this one.
- Expensive cartridges.
- Big and bulky. The entire razor is quite a handful and can be difficult for new shavers.
09. Gillette MACH3 Sensitive Disposable Razor
Coming in ninth place is Gillette’s first entry in the list- the Gillette MACH3 Sensitive Disposable Razor.
Dubbed by Gillette as their best disposable razor, the Gillette MACH3 Sensitive Disposable Razor has three blades, all of which are positioned in such a way that they all extend gradually closer.
What can Gillette MACH3 Sensitive Disposable Razor offer its users?
- Patented Diamond Like Coating (DLC) surrounds the blades for a much stronger and sharper finish.
- Open Architecture. The razor is designed in such a way that makes it easy to wash or rinse.
- Lubrastrip. This is a lubrication strip positioned near the blades which activate when you shave. It also helps protect your skin from the blades and it helps your skin feel less irritated.
The Pros
- The grip provides good control for a pleasant and smooth shaving experience.
- Good blade alignment and angle gives the user a smooth finish.
The Cons
- Doesn’t provide a clean shave. It’s always a bother to have to go through the same spot again and again just because the blades aren’t doing their job well.
- Not for wet shaving. The handle tends to be very slippery when it’s wet thus, making it challenging to handle during wet shaving.
10. Bic Metal Disposable Razor
In the tenth place is the Bic Metal Disposable Razor.
The very first entry of Bic in this list of ten is their Metal Disposable Razor. This razor made it into the list because it is:
- TSA approved. Take it with you on your trips because you should and you definitely can.
- The number. With 10 Bic Metal Disposable Razor in one pack, you’ll never find yourself looking buying another in quite some time.
- Resealable pack. Can’t go wrong with resealable packs.
- Fixed and narrow head for precision shaving.
- Long handles for better grip and control.
The Specs
- Brand: Bic
- Model: Bic Metal
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
The Pros
- Easy to hold. Thanks to its long handle, precision control shaving is easy with this razor.
- Durable. This razor lasts for a long time. Just keep the blades in check.
The Cons
- The blades are questionable. Replace it often so you won’t get nicks and scars.
Buying Guide: What to Consider Before Buying a Razor for Sensitive Skin?
Check out our simple guide on what to look for when buying a razor for sensitive skin.
1. Look for a razor with an ergonomic handle
The handle may be the overlooked part of a razor. But it is an essential component too. Using a razor with a handle that’s hard to grip can lead to cuts and nicks. You might also find it challenging to get a clean shave since you can’t hold it properly.
So look for razors with an ergonomic handle. And it should just fit nicely in your hand.
2. Look for adjustable shaving head
An adjustable shaving head allows you to confirm the blade to the contours of your face. It’s not a stick-straight blade that you have to adjust to. It has to be the other way around. The blade should be the one to adjust to the nooks and crannies of your face. It’s the perfect shaving head for your sensitive skin.
3. It should be moisturizing
Look for shavers and razors with moisturizing strips. These brands can nourish our skin as you shave. So it prevents dryness that can lead to skin irritations.
4. Price
This is always the common denominator in all products! Of course, it has to be within your budget. While premium expensive razors are a treat for your skin, don’t undermine cheap disposable safety razors.
They can still give you a close shave without hurting your skin. The rule of thumb is, you have to do fewer passes so that it won’t irritate your skin
How to Get a Close Shave without Irritation
Should you go against the grain? Going against the grain gives you a closer shave, but it can also expose your skin to a ton of irritation.
Here are simple and safe steps that you can do to get a close shave for your sensitive skin
1. Prep your skin
How do you prep your skin for shaving? By using hot water. Hot Water can soften your facial hair and remove any dirt that has cling to it. So it’ll be easier to shave it
2. Make sure your blades are sharp
Dull blades are perfect tools to get nicks, cuts, and dry skin. Why? Because you need to do several passes just to get a closer shave. You’d be scraping your skin raw before you can even shave everything.
And a shape blade won’t pull your skin nor tug your hair. It will just smoothly remove your beard or mustache with a few passes too.
3. Still, shave with the grain
As we’ve mentioned above, there’s no need to shave against the grain just to get a close shave. It’s not doable for those who have sensitive skin. Try it and you’ll just end up with a blotchy face.
4. Master your technique
Perfecting the best angle can help you get that close shave. Of course, it may require several trials. But most razors have blades that are positioned at the proper angle. Ideally, it should be at 30 degrees, this often gives the closest shave.
But keep in mind never to push the razor against the skin. Instead, let the razor do its work.
5. Give your skin TLC
Moisturize your skin to hydrate and nourish it. And it gives your skin an extra layer of protection against the friction.
6. Clean your razor regularly.
Neglecting to wash the razor every after use can cause a buildup of hair, oil, and dead skin on the blades. This can make your blades duller.
FAQs:
Are Shaving Creams A Necessity?
No, but it’s highly recommended especially if you’re new to shaving. Especially for beginners, shaving creams are necessary for the prevention of nicks and cuts.
How do I prevent razor cuts, nicks, bumps, and burns?
You need to take good care of your skin. It’s not a one-time thing and it will never be. Wash your face daily, exfoliate, observe the safety measures when shaving-use shaving cream, use a razor with lubricant strips, change your razor blades before they go bad, find the best razor for sensitive skin that’s compatible to your shaving preferences, don’t apply too much pressure, and use a moisturizer.
If you have sensitive skin, consider using the best men’s razor for sensitive skin.
Why Do I Keep Getting Razor Burns After I Shave?
You’re not being careful enough when you shave. Try to warm up your skin before shaving and don’t be too harsh – let the razor do the work for you, Also, don’t rush. Shaving is a slow and careful process, there’s no benefit in rushing it.
Another possible answer is that you’re allergic to some of the products that you use. It could be the type of razor blade that you use, your shaving cream, lubricant strip, soap, or maybe even your water. Consult your doctor if the problem persists.
Can I Shave Against My Grain?
Sure, you can! But we won’t advise this to new shavers as this can easily cause razor cuts. Some shavers shave against their grain to get the closest and cleanest shave possible.
If you want to achieve a clean and close shave without shaving against the grain, you can try and find a razor that suits your needs. Review the suggested razors above for help.
It’s always safer to shave on your grain.
When Is The Best Time To Shave?
There really isn’t an “exact time” to shave, per se. It’s about your skin’s need for shaving.
Don’t shave if your skin isn’t ready yet.
Make sure to practice the safety precautions to prevent razor burns and cuts.
Will Shaving Cause My Hair To Grow Darker And Thicker?
The simple answer is NO. That statement is just a myth.
Your hair can grow darker and thicker, however, this isn’t caused by shaving. But it could be caused by other external factors that might involve shaving.
Again, SHAVING ALONE doesn’t cause your hair to grow darker and thicker.
Related Read: How to Get Rid of Razor Bumps FAST!
Conclusion
We believe at the end of the day it all comes to individual preferences and different skin types. It is all subjective to the individual perspective.
However, we hope we helped you decide the perfect razor for your skin. As always, we love to hear from you. Do you have sensitive skin? What Razor do you use? Do you have any recommendations? Please leave a comment down below