Any other tips for razor care or shaving

The best razors for women will give your body a quick, clean shave without irritating your skin or leaving a trail of nicks and ingrown hairs in their wake. Many women’s razors accomplish this with well-spaced blades that don’t clog easily, pivoting heads that can conform to all your body’s curves, and ergonomic rubber handles that won’t get slippery in the shower. Some women’s razors even offer inexpensive subscription services, so you can get fresh blades delivered when you need them—and a silky-smooth shave without ever having to leave the house.

But you don’t have to be a woman to use one: A “woman’s razor” is for anyone who wants to shave below the neck. Unfortunately, too many of today’s body razors are subject to what’s known as the “Pink Tax,” which means that women are charged more for the exact A smooth shave from five sharp blades. We rounded up the best women’s razors here that will give you a close, comfortable shave—without the unnecessary markup.

The Expert: To gain insight into the best ways to shave and what to look for in a good razor, I spoke with two dermatologists: Dr. Jennifer Krejci-Manwaring, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio; and Dr. Lauren Eckert Ploch, a board-certified dermatologist in Augusta, Georgia. While neither doctor contributed to the product recommendations, their expert insight informed the shaving advice here and helped me form criteria for selecting the best razors.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Razor for You

Number of Blades

The number of blades on your razor is a bit of a trade-off, particularly if you have skin that’s easily irritated. If you’re not prone to redness or razor burn, you might choose a razor with up to five blades. But less might be more if you have sensitive skin, according to Dr. Krejci-Manwaring. “The unfortunate paradox is that new developments in razors that create a smoother shave can also lead to razor bumps or irritation,” she says. “More blades means more sharp swipes against the skin, which means more chance for irritation. Fewer blades equals less irritation, but not as close of a shave.”

Dr. Ploch agrees that having too many blades can cause skin to react, but also says it “may be necessary if the hair is very dense” to minimize re-shaving and potentially irritating sensitive skin. “Unfortunately, when people use a single-blade razor, they feel the need to pass over an area multiple times to make sure all the hair has been shaved,” Ploch says. “I recommend a three-blade razor as the best of both worlds for most people.” (Note: These are far less common than the five-bladed style.)

Shape and Type

Most good razors can navigate around all the curves in your legs, armpits, and bikini line, which means they often have rounded and pivoting or rotating heads, and potentially even flexible blades or a pivoting handle that can move independently to access tight spaces. Sometimes these features are helpful—but other times they can complicate an otherwise simple shaving job. There’s no right or wrong type of razor for all shavers, as long as you’re maintaining yours well. “The most important thing is to make sure the razor is clean and not dull,” says Dr. Ploch.

Handle Type and Comfort

Razors with grippy rubber handholds tend to feel the safest in our hands because they’re not likely to slip in the shower and cause nicks or cuts. We also recommend ergonomically shaped handles that are easy to hold and have a sense of weight to them.

Easy-to-Replace Blades

Disposable razors aren’t much cheaper than the refillable kind—and they’re a steady waste of plastic. We looked for razors with replaceable heads that you can find in nearly any store for a low cost, or inexpensive blades you can order through a convenient subscription service.

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Tips for Getting the Best Shave, From Dermatologists Dr. Jennifer Krejci-Manwaring and Dr. Lauren Eckert Ploch

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J.K.M.: “Patients with very sensitive skin will want to avoid heavily fragranced products because perfumes can irritate the skin,” says Dr. Krejci-Manwaring. And everyone should make sure their skin is hydrated before shaving, which is easy to do if you’re already in the shower or bath. “You also want to lubricate the skin with shave cream or gel to help the razor slide more easily,” she adds.

RW: How often should you clean a razor? And what’s the best way to do it?

J.K.M.: “You should change disposable razors or blades every five to seven shaves to reduce use of dull blades,” says Dr. Krejci-Manwaring. “Using a dull razor can lead to more irritation because they are more likely to cause small nicks in the skin since they don't shave as smoothly. An older razor can also harbor bacteria that could cause infection.”

L.E.P. How often you need to clean a razor—and how you should do it—depends on the type of razor you’re using, says Dr. Ploch. “Assuming that we’re discussing nonelectric razors, rinse the razor under water as soon as it becomes coated with shave gel and/or hair,” she says. “Between shaving sessions, make sure the razor is free of hair and other debris and kept in a dry place to avoid dulling over time.”

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J.K.M.: “The best way to avoid razor bumps is to create the smoothest shave possible, make sure the skin is hydrated, only swipe once over any part of the skin, rinse your blade in between swipes, and shave in the direction of the hair,” says Dr. Krejci-Manwaring. “Arguably, this is not what most of us do to get that baby-soft skin from shaving, but it is the safest and least irritative way to shave any part of your body.”

L.E.P.: Dr. Ploch echoes that directional strategy. “Always try to shave in the direction of hair growth and avoid shaving against the direction of hair growth.” she says. She also says she occasionally recommends alpha hydroxy acid lotions or solutions as post-shaving treatment, but not when the skin is actively irritated.

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T.K.: “Keep your razor in a dry place when not in use,” says Dr. Krejci-Manwaring. “Don’t leave it in the shower or tub where it’s wet because this only increases the chance for bacteria to grow on the razor. If you do find yourself with a nasty case of razor burn or bumps, talk to your local board-certified dermatologist for treatment. Avoid harsh products like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-based astringents. Look for gentle cleansing products and moisturizers that are fragrance free or designated for sensitive skin.”

How We Evaluated These Razors for Women

Following the advice of dermatologists Dr. Krejci-Manwaring and Dr. Ploch, all of the razors here were selected based on their smooth-shaving performance and ease of cleaning. We also looked for add-on features like magnets and hooks that make it easier to keep a razor clean and dry between uses so you can get a safer shave. In addition to following the guidelines introduced above that define what makes a good razor, we also sought out the best based on value, durability, and style using personal experience, as well as crowd-sourced responses on social media. We also surveyed customer feedback on sites like Amazon, Walmart, and brand sites for positive reviews, and scanned for potential positives and negatives of each razor. In making our recommendations, we tried to include a variety of features and options for every type of shaver.