Tester feedback: “Apart from the sharp-but-gentle blades that give me a blanket-smooth shave without cutting myself, it also has this cool water-activated serum that prevents razor bumps,” says an Allure tester. “Plus I’m a sucker for the metallic detail, it’s just so pretty,” she adds.
Type: cartridge | Blades: 5 | Refills included: 1
Best for Face: Tweezerman Facial Razor
Why It’s Worth It: Even if you don’t have a Santa-level beard, there may be some hair on your face you’d rather do without. Whether you have peach fuzz on your cheeks you want gone or a strip of shadow above your upper lip you’re looking to erase, Tweezerman’s Facial Razor can handle it. This 2023 Best of Beauty-winning, single-blade dermaplaner is precise and straightforward—a great pick for beginners and pros alike. It gently exfoliates, clearing your face of dead skin as it glides and razes. It stands out among many of its disposable dermaplaning peers for a replaceable blade, which should be swapped out every two to three months.
Tester feedback: “Never has shaving my face felt so fancy,” says Dall’Asen. “The luxurious weight and sleek silver handle of Tweezerman’s Facial Razor takes dermaplaning from a chore to an experience—one where my facial hair feels like it’s coming off entirely on its own because the razor is so finely serrated. Plus, I can sidestep the sustainability sin of throwing away single-use plastics, thanks to its refillable razor cartridge.”
Type of Razor: dermaplane | Number of Blades: 1 | Refills included: 2
Frequently Asked Questions
How do razors work?
While different razors offer different means of removing hair, there are some basics every model shares. “The leading edge [of the razor] is designed to gently stretch the skin taut prior to the blade’s arrival,” explains Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. It helps to have a razor edge that uniformly stretches the surface flat to allow the blade to come through with minimal nicks, she says.
As for blades, razors can come in single- or multiple-blade formats and can be spaced differently. “Multiple blades can achieve a closer shave with fewer strokes,” says Dr. Ilyas. “Ideally, the blades should be closer together to avoid nicking the skin. If they are too widely spaced, once the first blade drags across a hair, the skin can start to bulge slightly and get nicked by the next blade. Lastly, the handle should be comfortable enough to avoid the need to vary the pressure applied during the shave.
What are cartridge razors?
Cartridge razors feature disposable cartridges, where two to six blades are tightly spaced for a quick, close shave. “The cartridge can often be flexible or gently bend to allow the blades in the cartridge to curve,” Dr. Ilyas notes, adding that they can be used in areas that require the blade to move with the contours of your skin. “This is a safe, close, but potentially pricey shave.” While the initial purchase may present cheaper than metal handled options, the price can add up over time due to the cost of regularly re-upping on cartridges. And the regular re-upping is key. Ifyou use a cartridge for too long, you may injure yourself. “Hairs often get trapped between the blades as well, making them less effective over multiple uses,” Dr. Ilyas explains.