While there’s nothing wrong with embracing your natural facial hair, it’s equally okay to prefer smooth, peach-fuzz-free skin. In fact, shaving your face can provide benefits beyond hair removal. According to celebrity aesthetician Vanessa Marc, face razors and dermaplaning devices also scrape away dead skin cells, providing exfoliation that “immediately brightens the skin, helps smooth out skin texture, and creates a more radiant-looking appearance.”
Below, we’ve highlighted 11 of the best face razors and dermaplaning tools based on recommendations from aestheticians, ELLE beauty editors, and thousands of online reviewers. We’ve also tapped our skin experts for tips on how to properly shave your face, effectively remove peach fuzz, and safely dermaplane at home. Whether you’re after an ELLE beauty award-winning device that’ll transform your skin texture or an affordable eyebrow razor for a quick touch-up before a special event, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for ahead.
Pros
Good for beginners
Cons
Only comes with one blade
Marc recommends first-timers start with this simple, user-friendly StackedSkincare face razor. “It was the first dermaplaning tool I used to practice with,” she tells ELLE. “I love this tool because it works to brighten skin, remove dead skin and peach fuzz hairs, even skin tone, and increase product absorption into the skin.”
Developed by aesthetician Kerry Benjamin, the stainless steel tool is gentle on the skin yet effective at removing unwanted hair. Users can swap between two head sizes, allowing you to reach smaller areas around your lips and eyebrows. Upgrade to the full at-home dermaplaning kit for $122, and you’ll receive three replacement heads, three precision heads, and a convenient storage case to keep everything organized.
Blades included: 1
A reviewer says: “Dermaplaning transformed my skin... Glad to have found a solution that is more affordable than professional treatments every month but still provides the same results.”
Pros
2024 Tools and Treatments Awards Winner
Includes facial cleanser to use before treatments
Cons
More expensive than disposable face razors
“This handheld tool uses micro-fine edges that safely glide over the skin to exfoliate and remove peach fuzz,” the ELLE beauty team writes of this 2024 Tools and Treatments Awards winner. “This also helps to boost cell turnover to reveal plump, youthful skin. Our tester reported that the tool was fast, easy to use, and left her skin looking and feeling refreshed.”
Blades included: 5
A reviewer says: “It’s straightforward and easy to use. It doesn’t hurt and it left my skin looking smooth and youthful. I also like that it came with a prep cleanser for a full skin care routine. The device itself is sleek and slim and fits perfectly in my palm.”
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Pros
Reusable metal handle
Built-in protective micro-guards help reduce nicks
Cons
Some reviewers found the blades too sharp
If you’re intrigued by the idea of dermaplaning at home but aren’t ready to commit to a high-tech device, try this budget-friendly face razor set from Billie. Though sharp enough to get the job done, the thin stainless steel blades are surrounded by micro-guards to help minimize cuts, making this a particularly great pick for first-timers. The reusable metal handle provides a steady grip while shaping up your eyebrows or removing peach fuzz from your cheeks—all while reducing your reliance on single-use plastics.
Blades included: 3
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve tried so many facial hair removers, and this one has worked the best by far. Many of the battery-operated ones I’ve had would always leave hairs behind and didn’t shave as closely as I wanted... Let me tell you, Billie is the bomb! It works beautifully. It shaves very close, leaving no hairs behind.”
Pros
Easily reaches small areas around the brows
Pointer finger pad provides comfortable hold
Cons
Some found the weighted handle a tad too heavy
“I was hesitant to dive into face shaving because of all the usual fears: hair coming back thicker, one wrong swipe and your eyebrow is gone, etc,” says Tatjana Freund, fashion and luxury commerce editor. “But this Flamingo face razor made it so easy. Not only did it keep my anxieties from coming true, but my skin immediately felt softer and looked more radiant. These days, I love using this tool to gently sculpt the top edge of my brows for easy upkeep.”
Blades included: 4
A Flamingo reviewer says: “This is my go-to. It’s easy to control, and I can get small areas as well as big. The first time I used it on my forehead, I was amazed by all the dry, dead skin that came off.”
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Pros
More hygenic than reusable tools
Under $10
Cons
Blades become dull after multiple treatments
If you prefer single-use, disposable face razors, stock up on this 12-pack from Kitsch. The affordable set is ideal for those looking to quickly touch up their brows or upper lip without booking a threading or waxing appointment.
Blades included: 12
An Amazon reviewer says: “These are so much less cumbersome and so much more effective than typical razors for legs. They leave my skin so smooth with no nicks.”
Pros
Offers more intense results than manual face razors
Silicone handle improves grip
Cons
There is a small learning curve
For more intense exfoliation, try Michael Todd’s Sonicsmooth dermaplaning tool. Its three-hour run-time ensures you make it through an entire treatment without needing to recharge. Plus, the electric face razor comes with eight single-use blade heads that’ll carry you through months’ worth of at-home treatments without a restock.
Blades included: 8
An Amazon reviewer says: “I had never used dermaplaning before, so I was a little intimidated to give it a go, but as soon as I received the product, I felt super confident because the instructions were so clear and the design of the product itself is super sleek and easy to maneuver... I immediately noticed my skin was so smooth and radiant.”
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Pros
Made from recycled PET plastic
Can be used multiple times before disposal
Cons
Better suited for small areas than the entire face
If you prefer shaving over hair removal options like plucking or waxing, try these mini face razors from Jenny Patinkin. Not only does the curved handle design feel more comfortable in your hand, but it also aids in reaching tight areas around the brow bone and nostrils. Plus, the ultra-thin Japanese stainless steel blades stay sharp through multiple uses, so they won’t need to be replaced as often.
Blades included: 2
A reviewer says: “I have trouble plucking my eyebrows, and when I can’t get them waxed, this tool works great to lightly shape and touch them up.”
Pros
Cons
Some have issues with the blade staying attached
Those whose primary goal is to remove upper lip hair should try The Skinny Confidential’s Hot Shave face razor. The curved handle and small blade size make it easy to get just the right angle around the corners of your mouth and under your nose, even if you’re new to the world of at-home hair removal.
Blades included: 3
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “Seeing the hair that comes off using this thing is crazy. It looks like a dust bunny. After I use it, my face is so smooth... It’s nice that you can change the blade and not have to throw away the whole tool each time.”
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Pros
Easy to sanitize between uses
Works well on cheeks and jaw
Cons
Some reviewers found it difficult to swap blades
This sleek stainless steel facial razor from Tweezerman is perfect for those who prefer to keep things simple. Though it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a high-end dermaplaning device, it can be an incredibly effective tool for removing unwanted peach fuzz and dead skin.
Blades included: 4
An Amazon reviewer says: “Feels expensive when you’re holding it. Gets more of those little hairs better and feels smoother, too.”
Pros
Built-in LED light
Travel-friendly design
Cons
Not precise enough to use for eyebrow shaping
This popular Finishing Touch Flawless Hair Remover device is particularly effective at removing peach fuzz. As opposed to your traditional blade, the small electric face razor removes hair using two spinning rings. Instead of scraping upwards, use small circular motions to painlessly clear away unwanted stray hairs and peach fuzz along your cheeks, chin, and neck.
Blades included: 1
An Amazon reviewer says: “Works extremely well and [is] small enough to throw in my purse for emergency hair removal situations... No pain, quick and easy.”
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Pros
Precision cover allows for better eyebrow shaping
Over 146,000 five-star Amazon reviews
Cons
Better for small areas than the entire face
If you’re after a product for quick hair removal around your eyebrows or upper lip, try these affordable Schick Hydro Silk face razors. They’re designed with a special blade cover that allows for more precise control while minimizing your risk of painful cuts. Grab the three-pack for under $7, or stock up with a nine-pack for under $12, so you’ll have them on hand for special occasions when you want to feel extra smooth.
Blades included: 3
An Amazon reviewer says: “Haven’t had to get my face waxed or my eyebrows threaded since discovering these. Easy to use, travel with, and touch up when you only have a few minutes... I was nervous that my hair would grow back faster and coarser, but that hasn’t been the case.”
Meet the Experts
- Vanessa Marc is an aesthetician, skin expert, and the founder of Vanessa Marc Spa in New York City. Her celebrity clientele includes Zendaya, Cardi B, Vanessa Hudgens, Justine Skye, and Winnie Harlow.
- Rachel Roff is a licensed medical aesthetician and founder of the medspa and skincare brand Urban Skin RX.
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Is It Good to Shave Your Face?
When done correctly, shaving your face can provide numerous skin care benefits. In addition to removing peach fuzz and unwanted hair, facial razors can exfoliate away dead skin cells, resulting in smoother, more radiant skin. This can also aid in skincare product absorption and even face makeup application.
With that being said, face razors aren’t for everyone. “If you are experiencing severe acne, it is best to skip facial razors to avoid cuts on your skin,” says Marc. She also recommends avoiding shaving after chemical peels and other intense treatments.
Is Dermaplaning the Same Thing as Shaving?
Though dermaplaning and face shaving both involve facial hair removal, they aren’t entirely the same thing. True dermaplaning involves scraping off layers of dead skin using surgical-grade tools and advanced techniques, meaning it’s something you should leave to the pros. But, removing a bit of peach fuzz from your upper lip or shaping your eyebrows is just fine to do at home.
“Dermaplaning is a manual exfoliation technique,” explains Marc. “It’s a specialized tool used to exfoliate dead skin and peach fuzz hairs on the face and chin areas. I highly recommend getting this process done by a licensed esthetician, or a skincare professional, especially if you have never used a facial razor. There’s a certain way to angle the razor and hold the face to get the best results. It’s best to learn from a professional because you can accidentally cut yourself.”
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How to Shave Your Face
Rachel Roff, licensed esthetician and founder of Urban Skin RX, stresses the importance of washing your face before beginning any type of at-home treatment. “I recommend double cleansing and then thoroughly drying your skin,” Roff previously told ELLE. “No skin care products should be on the skin when dermaplaning.”
Once you have dry, clean skin, take the blade in one hand and hold the skin taut with the other. Start at your jawline and work upwards, moving the face razor in short, gentle strokes. Continue until you have covered both cheeks and your entire jawline, being careful not to go overboard along your sideburns. Then, repeat the process on your chin, upper lip, forehead, and neck.
“When you’re dermaplaning your face, it’s best to work in small sections at a time, cleaning the blade often in between,” shares Katie Behron, beauty editor. She shaves her face every two to three weeks, advising to “change the blades often to avoid nicks from dull blades.”
When you’re done, apply a hydrating moisturizer to replenish the skin. Two to three days later, use a gentle exfoliator to help avoid ingrown hairs and maintain baby-smooth skin for longer.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items.
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