reviewsmag.co.uk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This does not affect the price that you pay and helps us to get the information to you for free.
A great shave can mean a lot to a person. It can affect how someone feels about themselves and how they present themselves to others. A great morning shave can start you off feeling fresh and well presented. So it’s understandable how frustrating it could be to find that after each shave, your skin is red and irritated; causing you a fair amount of discomfort. If you do, don’t panic, you are not alone. The truth is that sensitive skin is something that many have to deal with. So, what is the Best Electric Shaver for Sensitive Skin?
What is the Best Electric Shaver for Sensitive Skin?
In no particular order, here are our picks for the five best electric shavers:
Philips AquaTouch S5420/06 | £170
This is the one rotary that we can suggest for sensitive skin. Stylish and coming in multiple colours, this trimmer offers a MultiPrecision Blade System.
- Protects 10x better than regular blade, with less nicks and cuts
- Incorporates AquaTec, so it's completely waterproof
- 5- direction flexing heads for an unbeatable close shave
The three 5 directional flex heads provide independent movements that ensure a closer shave. 100% waterproof and providing an average of 50 minutes of rechargeable power, this shaver can keep going until the job is done.
Although it is designed to be used with foam, emulsion or gel, it can also be used dry. With its SmartClick precision trimmer attachment, you can get the same precise lines for sideburns that you’d expect from a Foil.
Braun Series 5 5140s | £199.99
This sleek electric shaver employs an auto-sensing motor that adjusts to the thickness of your beard for an efficient and clean stroke.
- Electric shaver with skin sensitive technology for maximum performance and excellent skin comfort
- Autosensing motor for efficient shaving in every stroke, even with dense beards
- 8-Direction Comfort flex head for constant skin contact, even in difficult areas
With an 8-Direction flex head, it allows for maximum skin contact that can perform excellently, even in those tough to reach areas.
Engineered for greater precision, this 100% waterproof shaver uses an ArctiLift Trimmer which is specifically designed for hair that grows in different directions. Rechargeable and with around 50 minutes of active shaving time, this shaver should be fit to last you well for a full 6 – 7 years.
Panasonic ES- LV9Q | £210
Panasonic’s cheaper alternative to the Braun Series 9, this 5 blade shaver sports the Multi-Flex 5D Head with pop up trimmer function that allows for a near Omni-directional shaving capacity.
- The 5 blade cutting system and the 14,000 CPM linear motor, deliver 70,000 cross cutting action/minute. This provide a smooth, fast shave every time with no power loses or missed whiskers.
- The Multi-Flex 5D Head enables closer following of facial contours and closer contact with less irritation for a smoother shave (the head slides, twists, moves up & down, left & right, forward & backward).
- The shaving sensor technology recognises differences in the density of your beard as you shave
A stunning yet functional design, the multi-fit arc blades fit with three distinct foil patterns capture and cut your beard with a unique uniformity.
With roughly 50 minutes in the tank on average for wet and dry shaves, a great included purchase with this device is the Cleaning & Charging Stand that gives you the feeling of a clean fresh shaver every time you pick it up.
Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s | £109.99
Back at it again, Braun powers in at number two with the Series 3 ProSkin 3040s. With three independent floating elements that efficiently flow across your face supplied by the specialised Micro Comb that catches more hair in one stroke, this option still has the pressure-sensitive technology that protects your skin.
- 3 independently floating shaving elements adapt to your contours for greater comfort
- A specialised Micro Comb captures more hair in each stroke, for a faster and gentler shave; versus previous Braun Series 3. Tested on 3 day beard
- 45 minutes of shaving with no performance loss, A 5 minute Quick Charge is enough for 1 shave
Displaying a built in pop up precision trimmer and being 100% waterproof, this shaver shares in the diverse practical uses we’ve come to expect.
Unfortunately, this design lacks the pivoting head and only has a 45 minute battery. Nonetheless, the Series 3 still offers an excellent wet or dry shave for a margin of the price of the series 9.
Braun Series 9 9370cc | £499.99
This, right here, is a fine shave – the Best Electric Shaver for Sensitive Skin! One of the world’s best with a close, gentle and efficient technique, it’s hard to top its functionality.
- World’s most efficient electric shaver*. Efficient, close and gentle, for a flawless shave
- Best efficiency: 5 shaving elements get more hair in one stroke than any other shavers
- Best for gentleness: sonic vibrations glide over your skin for maximum skin comfort
Five shaving elements and sonic vibrations to help it glide over your skin wet or dry, it also comes with a cleaning station and leather case. Over 20% more battery power than previous designs, it sports an average of 60 minutes of shaving time and can recharge in its cleaning station. Furthermore, depending on your shaving habits, it has been known to last around a month on one charge.
With a stunningly elegant yet functional design, the most noticeable aspect of the shaver is its price. Clocking in at half a grand with all the trimmings, it’s almost hard to justify it.
But, if you’re after the best, smoothest shave for sensitive skin, you can’t go wrong with the Braun Series 9.
How to tell if you have Sensitive Skin?
If you’ve found your skin suffers from a combination of the below, it’s likely you have sensitive skin:
- Redness
- Tightness
- Itching
- Acne
- Stinging
- Bleeding
- Photosensitivity
- Poor reaction to skin products
Many men think that tender skin is just a consequence of shaving, potentially mitigated by moisturizing a little afterward but for people with sensitive skin things are not so simple. If you’re dealing with persistent discomfort after shaving don’t fret, as you may be able to combat it.
Keeping your face hydrated and using a lot of shaving cream can help a lot, as it can keep the skin soft and smooth for an easier trim but the most crucial aspect is the shaver itself. A common mistake made by those purchasing a shaver is the idea that an expensive one will work fine. However, just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s a perfect fit for everyone. An electric shaver that works for others might not work for you and your specific hair type. You need to find the one that is best suited for your hair and skin.
What makes a good Electric Shaver?
There are a few things you should take into consideration when selecting a shaver. It’s key for a shaver to give you a satisfyingly close shave. It should glide evenly around the contours of your face. Comfortable and gentle on you, it mustn’t tug or nip at you and it must be suitable for your hair type as some weaker shavers can pull the hairs from your skin as opposed to cutting them.
It’s also important for it to have a decent battery that can last the better part of an hour, so you can give the required amount of attention to the task without it powering down half way through. A robust but sleek design, a shaver that can survive a drop alongside easy manual cleaning is ideal.
Finally, and what could be considered most importantly, the price. Yes, I will concede that, more often than not, a shaver on the higher end of the price range probably has a better build quality with more reliable functionality, but you don’t have to break the bank for a great shave.
Dry Shave Vs Wet Shave
Thanks to the marvel of technology, you are free to have an electric shaver that can be used for both a wet and dry shave. Nonetheless, it is worth considering the benefits of each as your method can factor in to your final choice.
For a dry shave, the main benefits are that it actually cuts the hair a certain distance from your face, avoiding rubbing or dragging against the skin and it is better for individuals with more sensitive skin. It’s also considerably quicker than a wet shave. The con to it is that it’s sometimes tough to get an even cut and you could wind up with minor skin bruising.
A wet shave means you soak the hair in water and/or gel to soften it and make it easier to cut. Wet shaves involve a lot more effort and time spent giving yourself as clean a cut as you want. There’s generally slightly more ceremony involved. The benefit is a more even finish but it does cut below the skin, potentially resulting in more irritation when hair grows back. Besides the time involved, another con can be the price of the additional goods required to keep your sensitive skin healthy and comfortable.
Your preferred method is just that, a preferred method. There’s no right way to do it, just the way you like, have time for or can afford, as budget is always a factor.
Rotary Vs Foil
Hold your horses! There is one further thing to consider before getting a peak at our picks for the best shaver, and that’s the two main types: Rotary and Foil.
Rotary shavers are usually comprised of three circular heads with internal spinning blades that glide across the contours of your face with greater ease. The circular motions and design of the shaver make it better suited for more difficult areas like the chin and neck. These shavers are best for those who don’t want to shave every day and have sharper features for the blades to navigate.
Foil shavers sport oscillating blades set in straight heads. These lack the rotational manoeuvrability displayed in a rotary but, with the inner design of the blade and head, they often provide a generally closer shave. These will suit those who are after a clean, bald look on the face or those who prefer to cut in straight lines to accommodate sideburns or sharper beard styles.
Most people find Rotaries to be inferior to Foils, which are kinder on the skin and are less prone to cause irritation and razor burn.
Final Word
Getting a clean shave from a great shaver is most of the effort, but, for people with sensitive skin, it’s always best to have a skin care routine that accommodates what works for you. Don’t forget to also consider the most appropriate technique, the most appropriate foams or gels and keep your skin hydrated.
Nonetheless, we hope the tips and list above have helped you get closer to a clean, comfortable shave with none of the pain.
If you enjoyed this article on Best Electric Shaver for Sensitive Skin you might also like to read about Best Hair Dryers For Curly Hair.