The Best Electric Shavers For Sensitive Skin In 2025 • ShaverCheck (2025)

One of the reasons why men switch to electric razors is to avoid the discomfort of shaving with a blade.

Whether you’re coming straight from traditional wet shaving or you just want to upgrade your current shaver, you’ll probably want two things: a close shave and a comfortable, pain-free experience.

However, finding the right shaver is not so straightforward.

There are lots of options available and also some conflicting information on which one would be best for sensitive skin.

I’ve been dealing with razor burn and post-shave irritation for most of my teenage and adult life and shaving was always a challenge.

After owning and reviewing dozens of electric razors (and lots of trial and error), these are my top picks in 2025 for men with sensitive skin:

Hopefully, this article will help you choose the right tool so you can finally enjoy an irritation-free shave.

Are electric shavers good for sensitive skin?

This continues to be one of the more popular questions when it comes to electric shaving.

Fortunately, the answer is yes, they certainly can be.

With the right shaver and proper technique, I think most men will find electric razors beneficial when dealing with certain skin issues.

For example, shaving with a blade when experiencing razor bumps will only make things worse.

If your facial hair has a tendency to become ingrown, an electric shaver is also a much better option.

Granted, a mild double-edge razor and a high-quality shaving cream can also work well — definitely better than cartridge razors and canned foam.

But your skin will still take a toll compared to using a gentle electric razor.

The actual blades of a shaver don’t come in contact with the skin.

Instead, they oscillate behind a perforated thin metal screen, cutting the hairs as they protrude through the holes.

In addition to the standard perforated foils, most modern electric razors have at least one cutting element specifically designed to cut difficult hairs.

And by difficult hairs I refer to longer, flat-lying hairs that are sometimes left behind by less capable shavers.

In the image above you can see two such elements (HyperLift&Cut, Direct&Cut) on the shaving head of the Braun Series 9 (for a total of four).

Hallmarks of a skin-friendly electric razor

Even though many electric shavers will work just fine for some men, there are a few things to keep in mind if your skin is prone to irritation, razor burn, or ingrown hairs.

As someone who had to deal with this for years, I had to try many shavers before finding the ones that wouldn’t leave my face burning.

Here are what I consider to be the most important traits of an electric shaver suitable for sensitive skin.

Sharp blades.

It may be a bit surprising to start with this one, but high-quality, sharp blades are one of the key elements of a comfortable electric razor.

Dull blades can cause the shaver to pull the hairs instead of cutting them clean and the closeness will suffer as well.

This will eventually lead to more pressure being applied and will force you to do excessive passes, increasing the risk of razor burn and irritation.

An example of quality blades is Panasonic’s30-degree nano blades that have an aggressive 30-degree bevel (as the name implies).

This allows the blades to cut the hairs clean, efficiently and without pulling or yanking them.

As a side note, you should also consider the replacement foils and blades when looking to buy a new electric shaver.

They should be readily available and ideally not too expensive.

Gentle and powerful.

Razor burn, rashes, and micro-cuts occur when a very thin layer of skin cells is being scraped off by the blades.

It’s usually the skin around hair follicles that pokes through the perforations in the foils.

Some electric shavers are more aggressive than others and will leave you with a nasty, painful rash even if you’re very careful and use light pressure.

Also, you will definitely feel the difference between a shaver fitted with a motor that runs at around 7000 CPM (cycles per minute) and one that operates at 10 000 – 14 000 CPM.

A shaver fitted with a powerful motor will shave faster, smoother and in fewer passes and will provide a comfortable shave.

Granted, there’s more to an electric shaver than just numbers and specs, but a punchy and torquey motor is a good starting point.

A shaving head that doesn’t get hot during operation.

This is yet another important and poorly documented aspect in most reviews out there.

If the shaving head gets very hot due to the friction between the blades and the foils, it will cause a great deal of discomfort.

You should alsolubricate your razor regularly to reduce the heat generated during use and minimize blade wear (more on that later on).

Some shavers do remain cool and comfortable during use (even in the case of an extended shaving session) as we’ll see later on.

Being able to shave longer hairs that stay flat on the skin.

As someone with sensitive skin, you’llsometimes have to wait a couple of days or even more between shaving sessions.

Your skin may need some time to recover and heal before subjecting it again to a potentially irritating factor, like shaving.

Therefore, the shaver must cope well with longer hairs.

Many shavers have trouble catching flat-lying hairs that grow in different directions, especially on the neck, requiring multiple strokes and thus increasing the chances of irritation.

An electric razor suitable for sensitive skin should also perform well on a longer beard (up to 4 days between shaving sessions).

Wet & dry operation.

Wet shaving with an electric razor can be extremely beneficial to men with sensitive skin.

Even though it takes longer and requires more prep work, it can make a big difference in some cases.

I encourage you to give it a try if your razor is suitable for wet/dry operation.

Some electric razors are a lot gentler to the skin when used with a quality shaving cream vs just shaving dry.

Rotary vs foil: which one is better for sensitive skin?

Recommending one type of shaver vs another based on anecdotal findings will always be somewhat subjective.

And that’s the case here as well.

I do prefer foil shavers as I’ve always found them to be more comfortable and easier to use.

I also feel more confident and in control with a foil shaver compared to using a rotary razor.

Moreover, some rotary razors, especially the older Philips with Super Lift&Cut blades, have a tendency to pull and yank the hairs when you’re a bit sloppy and can also cause some stinging and discomfort.

There are of course users who are not affected by these issues (or only to a small degree) and actually prefer rotary razors.

However, most men who have used both types seem to be on the same page as me when it comes to rotary vs foil shavers for sensitive skin.

For these reasons I consider foil razors to be generally a safer choice.

Choosing a shaver ultimately comes down to the user’s particular needs and personal preferences.

You should always choose whatever seems to work best for you.

Now that we’ve covered the boring part, let’s check out some actual shavers for different budgets and needs so you can narrow down your options.

Top 8 best electric shavers for sensitive skin (2025)

1. Braun Series 9 Pro

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Braun.com.

Deal alert: The newer Braun Series 9 PRO+ 9517s costs even less and it’s a great alternative if you don’t need a cleaning station. The shaving performance is identical.

The Series 9 family is the latest and greatest from the popular German brand and represents an evolution of the iconic (and discontinued) Series 7.

The Series 9 is a more powerful and advanced electric shaver and it’s an excellent choice for men with sensitive skin.

The latest iterations are the Series 9 Pro and Series 9 PRO+ which bring marginal improvements over the standard (non-Pro) Series 9.

And given the current prices and availability, the Pro and PRO+ are probably the ones to buy in 2025.

Fun fact: the only real difference between the Pro and PRO+ is a slightly better slide-out hair trimmer in the case of the latter. That’s really it. More details here.

Shaving with the Series 9 has always been always an enjoyable experience for me.

The foils remain cool during use and the shaver is supremely comfortable, with no hairs getting pulled even when shaving a three-day beard or even more.

The addition of the fourth cutting element called a Direct & Cut trimmer, makes the Series 9 very effective at cutting longer hairs that grow in different directions, requiring fewer strokes compared to most other foil shavers.

The Series 9 is really impressive in how it manages to provide close shaves while being very gentle to the skin.

It feels effortless to use and will have no trouble shaving even very coarsestubble.

For these reasons, the Series 9/Pro/PRO+ is probably the best electric razor out there for most men with sensitive skin, provided that the budget is not a constraint.

There are several variations available, all of them offering pretty much the same performance.

The cc models include an automatic cleaning station, while the s models do not.

The 9465cc/9460cc seems to be the best option (at least in the USA) as it generally costs less than other cc models and is suitable for wet and dry use.

However, most users will probably stick to shaving dry and with the Series 9, that’s perfectly fine because the razor is already very gentle and forgiving.

Since all Series 9 Pro variations shave the same, you should simply buy the one available in your country for the best price.

I’d recommend you opt for a cc Series 9 that also includes an automatic cleaning station.

It works great, it’s very practical and makes cleaning a non-issue.

Even if you don’t use it after every shave (and you probably shouldn’t), it’s really handy to have and get the shaving head thoroughly cleaned and lubricated every once in a while.

This will prevent dirt from accumulating inside the head that would otherwise be more difficult to remove manually.

Besides, there are inexpensive third-party cleaning solutions available as well.

With that said, the Series 9 Pro is a bit pricey and other less expensive options could also work just fine.

2. Braun Series 8 8457cc

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Braun.com.

Buying tip: If you don’t want a cleaning station, the Braun Series 8 8517s is more affordable and shaves exactly the same.

In the past, I used to recommend the old, original Series 7 as a more affordable alternative to the Series 9.

Since it has been discontinued, the Braun Series 8 is now the next best thing.

Performance-wise, the Series 8 is extremely similar to the old Series 7 and inherits most of its good traits.

While the name might suggest a superior line of shavers — after all, 8 is greater than 7 — the Series 8 is essentially a rebranded Series 5 (the old and excellent generation).

It comes with a nicer design and a larger battery as well for 60 minutes of cordless shaving.

And while the old Series 7 still has the edge in my opinion, being more refined and better at capturing longer, flat-lying hairs, the Series 8 is an excellent performer as well.

What’s more, it’s very gentle and forgiving, something we’re particularly interested in.

The shaving head is comprised of three individual cutting elements and it’s immediately obvious that it looks almost identical to the old Series 7:

The similar performance is no surprise and in 2025 the Series 8 is probably the best alternative to the iconic Series 7.

Moreover, the price is also pretty reasonable, undercutting the Series 9 by a lot.

It’s particularly the case with the solo models like the Series 8 8517s, but I would personally consider a cc variation (with a cleaning station) like the 8457cc/8567cc or an older 8370cc.

I own the latter and I’ve been really happy with it for the past 5 years.

Also, no matter which Series 8 you end up buying, the shaving performance will be identical.

The latest 85xx Series 8 models are absolutely identical to the 84xx (like the 8457cc) in terms of performance and features.

A solo Series 8 like the 8517s will actually work with a compatible cleaning station purchased later on (more details on that here).

Shaving with the Series 8 is an enjoyable experience, but a Series 9 Pro will feel just a bit smoother and faster.

The closeness is also almost as good, which for the vast majority of men will be satisfactory.

I prefer to shave with the Series 8 dry along with the Speick pre-shave lotion, but you can also use shaving cream or gel.

See the price on Amazon

The S8 works great on short to moderately long stubble (up to 3 days of growth, maybe even 4) and deals surprisingly well with flat-lying hairs.

The Series 9 is still the best in that regard, but again, the Series 8 is quite capable for a foil razor.

If you don’t want to spend a premium on a Series 9, the Series 8 is a solid alternative that will be perfectly suitable for sensitive skin.

3. Panasonic Lamdash Pro 6 (2024)

See on Amazon.co.jp

The 2024 Panasonic Lamdash Pro 6 is the latest entry to this list.

And I’ll be honest, if it weren’t for the limited availability of this shaver (it’s sold exclusively in Japan), it’ll probably be at the top.

And that’s because no other electric razor I’ve used manages to shave so close while staying supremely comfortable.

It’s just as gentle as the Braun Series 9 for example, but is able to cut the hair even closer to the skin.

And this is incredibly difficult to achieve.

But somehow Panasonic managed to do this with the 2024 generation of their 6-blade shaver, known as the Arc 6 to most of us.

Side note: Panasonic calls it Lamdash Pro 6 instead of Arc 6 in Japan.

This Japanese Arc 6 comes with a brand new head that uses even thinner foils for a closer shave.

Compared to the globally available models (ES-LS8A, ES-LS9A), it is smoother and as stated before, shaves even closer.

And while a very close shaving razor would normally inflict some razor bumps, I haven’t had any such issues with this shaver.

It’s incredibly smooth, powerful, and refined.

I would however use it more often as it’s not as good as the Braun Series 9 Pro at catching longer, flat-lying hairs and the large 6-blade head is more cumbersome in tight spots.

So anywhere from daily and up to every 3 days would be ideal.

The pop-up hair trimmer is also the best I’ve ever used.

So why just the number 3 spot?

Well, as mentioned before, the 2024 Arc 6 generation is, at least for now, only available in Japan.

So you will need to import it and possibly pay more on shipping and customs fees.

Also, the warranty can be an issue as the shaver will probably need to be sent to an authorized center in Japan since it’s a shaver intended for the Japanese domestic market.

Charging the shaver in Europe and the USA is a non-issue and the wet/dry models feature a USB-C port.

If importing it sounds like a lot of trouble, you can buy the global Arc 6, even though it’s not quite as good and doesn’t have a USB-C port.

However, you can upgrade it with the latest foil head of the 2024 generation (part number ES9610) and get most of the benefits.

For more info and how to import the shaver from Japan, you can check out my detailed Panasonic Arc 6 2024 review.

4. Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV6U

See the price on Amazon

If you thought the 2024 Arc 6 above was too much of a hassle to buy (or too expensive), enter the new Arc 5 ES-LV6U.

While it isn’t the latest Arc 5 anymore, it’s still a very compelling shaver, especially for European buyers where it can cost half the price of the Arc 6.

What makes this Arc 5 special compared to the older generations (like the ES-LV65 or ES-LV67) is its improved comfort.

Even though it’s not quite as gentle as the Arc 6, it is significantly better than before and finally a worthy option for men who also want a very close shave.

Braun electric razors, especially the Series 9 and 8, are the default choice if you suffer from razor burn, ingrown hairs or pseudofolliculitis.

They don’t however shave quite as close are the Arc 5 and Arc 6 from Panasonic which again can be a plus in this context.

If however the problem is less severe and you generally shave often, I think this Arc 5 is a worthy alternative.

The defining characteristic of Arc 5 family of shavers is the (rather excessive) 5-blade shaving head.

Coupled with an industry-leading 14 000 CPM linear-drive motor, the Panasonic Arc 5 is a fantastic performer that excels at providing very close shaves.

While the previous generation did so at the expense of comfort, the ES-LV6U is better in this regard and a solid choice for men with sensitive skin.

The foils were tweaked to be gentler and two rollers were added to improve the gliding of the head and prevent you from applying too much pressure.

I was skeptical at first, but after using several of the new Arc 5 models I can honestly say that the changes really work.

I own the ES-LV5U model (blue), but the global ES-LV6U (black) is currently the easiest to get worldwide and the one I’d recommend for precisely that reason.

The ES-LV6U is readily available in Europe, but can sometimes be difficult to find in North America as it wasn’t officially released there.

Side note: In Europe it is sometimes called Series 900 instead of Arc 5.

I picked this Arc 5 model over the older ones mainly because of the redesigned outer foil which is in my experience more comfortable and forgiving.

The 6-blade Panasonic Arc 6 is slightly gentler, but the price is still outrageously high.

The ES-LV6U shaves very close while remaining adequately comfortable.

There is a caveat though — it works best on short facial hair and you must be a bit more mindful about the pressure as it’s not as forgiving as a Braun S9.

But the Arc 5/Series 900 should nevertheless be comfortable enough.

I’m able to use it dry without any discomfort, provided I shave every two days or so.

Panasonic razors aren’t as good at catching those flat-lying hairs, which is why shaving more often would give you the best results.

The Arc 5 also has a massive shaving head, so it will take some getting used to. A Braun Series 8 (or even 9) is nimbler and easier to use.

Despite some impressive flexing of the Panasonic shaving head, it’s not as effective in practice as the simple front-to-back swivel of the Braun Series 8 or 9.

The Panasonic is also really powerful and smooth and works effortlessly on coarse and dense stubble.

It’s very easy to clean manually.

It is however also available with a cleaning station (ES-LV9U).

Despite being an excellent system, the Panasonic station isn’t as practical as the ones from Braun.

The concentrated detergent is mixed with water in the station’s tray and you cannot just take it out and store it like you can with the Braun cartridges.

Moreover, you don’t have nearly as many options for third-party cleaning solutions.

I always clean my Panasonic razors with water and soap; it’s fast and effective and I also save some money doing so.

The Panasonic Series 900 works incredibly well with shaving cream.

While it can be comfortable enough when shaving dry, adding a quality shaving cream will give you one of the closest and most comfortable shaves possible.

My shaving cream of choice is the one from Speick, but I also use the Beard Lube shaving balm from Jack Black.

Both work incredibly well if you have very sensitive skin.

I also wrote a detailed guide on how to wet shave with an electric razor if you want to check it out.

Bonus tip: the foil that comes with the Panasonic Series 900 is backward compatible with older Arc 5 shavers like the ES-LV65 or ES-LV67.

So you can upgrade yours and make it more comfortable. More details about the exact part numbers of the foils here.

5. Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Philips.com.

So far we’ve only looked at foil shavers as the go-to option if you have sensitive skin.

And as I mentioned at the beginning, I do think a foil razor should be the default, safer pick for most users.

However, when nothing seems to work or you know from previous experience that your skin gets along better with rotaries, you shouldn’t rule them out.

While in the past I found rotary razors to be quite harsh and aggressive, some recent models are remarkably comfortable.

The new Philips S9000 Prestige is without a doubt one of the most gentle and forgiving rotaries I’ve ever used.

It handles longer, flat-lying hairs incredibly well and it’s at least as capable as the Series 9 from Braun in that regard.

Because the slits in the heads are wider, it is very effective on thick stubble as well.

But I think men who shave less often (even 5 days between shaves) should primarily be the ones to consider a rotary like the Prestige.

It won’t snag the hairs and despite the use of Lift&Cut blades, there’s none of the constant pulling and pinching specific to the older models.

The closeness is excellent, which is again something other rotary models can’t provide.

I personally find the Braun Series 9 and Panasonic Arc 5/Arc 6 to shave a bit closer, but that can be different for users who prefer rotaries.

Also, the wet shaving performance of the Prestige is outstanding and it’s one of the best shavers you can use with shaving cream.

The S9000 Prestige is currently the flagship shaver from Philips, so it has a premium price tag as well.

It’s similar in that regard to the Braun Series 9 for example, but the Prestige doesn’t come with a full-fledged automatic cleaning station.

Instead, you only have the option of a so-called Quick Clean Pod.

This is a very basic, almost rudimentary cleaning device that’s powered by the shaver’s motor and uses a detergent-based solution.

During the cleaning process, the solution is pumped through a duct into the shaving head, removing dirt and hairs.

There are a couple of intrinsic cons of this system, like the fact that it doesn’t have a mesh filter and the solution foams up quite a bit.

You can read my review of the Prestige for all the details.

But the Pod is practical, economical and easy to store.

The rotary heads of the Prestige will last longer compared to foil cutters, which means a lower cost of ownership.

The guards are a lot thicker and also don’t get hot, which means you don’t really have to worry about lubricating them.

The shavers listed so far are some of the best out there, but they may not be for someone on a tighter budget.

Sharp blades, fast motors, premium features and an overall high-quality shaver usually come with a higher price tag.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a comfortable shaver that’s also easy on the wallet.

Granted, they won’t match the performance of the high-end razors, but they can do a very decent job, especially if you shave more often.

6. Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Braun.com.

A great inexpensive option is another foil razor from Braun, the Series 3 ProSkin 3040s that I reviewed in detail here.

It’s a very decent budget shaver that’s able to provide a gentle shave.

You won’t get the same closeness and performance as with the more advanced Series 8 or 9, but then again the 3040s costs significantly less and will be good enough in many situations.

If you have light to medium facial hair, the Series 3 should be a suitable choice.

You should also consider it if you shave daily or every other day and you’re more interested in comfort than getting a very close shave.

Compared to other similarly priced foil shavers like the Panasonic Arc 3, it does a surprisingly decent job at shaving a 2 to 3-day beard as well.

But again, don’t expect a Series 9 level of performance.

I highly recommend the use of a pre-shave lotion with any of the razors recommended in this article, particularly with the less advanced ones like the Series 3.

The Series 3 3040s also offers excellent value for money as it has a very reasonable price and the replacement shaving heads (32b) are inexpensive and durable.

It’s no surprise that this particular model continues to be one of the most popular Braun models even in 2025.

7. Philips Norelco OneBlade

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Philips.com.

The OneBlade from Philips (Norelco) is a unique device in the sense that it’s not a foil nor a rotary shaver.

Instead, it uses shearing blades with rounded tips for a very gentle shave.

This type of shaving system will however cut the hair right above skin level.

If not getting a close shave is not a deal breaker, the OneBlade can be a very good option for men with more severe skin issues.

As we know, acne, razor bumps and ingrown hairs are generally made worse by a very close shave.

And even though a gentle electric shaver (foil or rotary) will be much better than a razor blade, it can still not be enough in some cases.

Because the OneBlade cuts the hair slightly above skin level and the process is very gentle, it can be a great compromise.

It’s also quite effective even if the hair is longer or stays flat on the skin.

However, it’s not very powerful and if your beard is very coarse and dense, it will struggle.

Beginners and teenagers dealing with the aforementioned skin issues should consider it as well.

The Philips OneBlade can also work as a body hair trimmer, but I would suggest using a different shaving head for that.

Fortunately, the replacement heads are readily available and quite affordable.

8. Xiaomi Braun Travel Shaver

See the price on AliExpress

Finally, I thought I should include a compact travel shaver as well.

The problem with most of these basic, portable shavers is that they either don’t shave well enough or are harsh on the skin.

And you may not always want to bring your expensive Series 9 or Arc 5 when going on a vacation.

Approximately one year ago I stumbled upon this really interesting shaver which is a collab between Braun and Xiaomi.

Braun probably brought their expertise and know-how when it comes to foil shaving systems, while Xiaomi did the rest.

And they actually managed to come up with a remarkable shaver.

Precisely, the comfort of this tiny double-foil shaver is outstanding.

And not only by travel shaver standards — it’s one of the most comfortable shavers I’ve used.

I didn’t have high expectations as I never really liked compact shavers (too many compromises).

However, I was surprised by the performance of this unique shaver.

The shaving head has an interesting structure and is comprised of a foil element and a slit cutter.

When shaving, you would ideally lead with the slit cutter to pre-trim the longer hairs and the remaining stubble will then be cut at skin level by the foil.

And it works really well.

I wouldn’t use it on anything more than a 2-day beard, although I think it can even manage 3.

But your shave will then take a lot longer to complete.

So you’ll want to use this shaver more often to get the most out of it.

It feels a lot more capable than most similar travel razors and I actually enjoy shaving with it.

And that’s something I can’t say about the rest– except for the Arc 5 CV70 which is really expensive.

This Xiaomi Braun is very compact and lightweight, easy to use and clean and comes with a special cable you can connect to a USB-A charging port.

The build quality is solid and includes a protective cover as well.

It is an excellent choice for someone with sensitive skin for shaving on the go.

I never experienced the slightest discomfort or razor burn during or after the shave.

The closeness isn’t quite as good compared to the full-fledged shavers above, but it’s still perfectly acceptable.

The only real issue with this shaver is the limited availability.

Precisely, you will need to buy it from China (AliExpress), so the shipping time will be long.

Shaving tips for men with sensitive skin

Now that you’ve hopefully decided which electric shaver would be more suitable for your needs and budget, it’s time to put it to good use.

Getting the basics right is key to getting the most out of your shaver, especially if you’re dealing with post-shave rashes, razor bumps or ingrown hairs.

So how do you shave with an electric razor without irritation?

Here are a few tips that I consider to be particularly important and effective.

1. Your skin should be as dry as possible during a dry shave.

Most men who use electric razors prefer to shave dry because it’s fast and convenient.

And a dry shave will always be more effective, more comfortable and will take less time if the skin is dry.

If you take a shower or wash your face right before shaving, it will likely hurt the quality of the shave.

Sweat can have the same effect, so I like to crank up the AC during hot summer days.

It’s therefore recommended to shave before you shower or if your routine doesn’t allow it, a pre-shave lotion could help.

Some users are affected to a lesser degree by this and actually prefer to shower before a dry shave.

However, in most cases, having your skin as dry as possible will be preferable.

2. Do not apply excessive pressure and use short, slow and controlled strokes.

This is pretty self-explanatory but very important for users with irritation-prone skin.

Even if the razors recommended in this guide are more forgiving than most out there, you should still proceed with caution and patience, especially when shaving the neck area.

Let the razor do the work and simply guide it using the slightest pressure, but always keeping the shaving head flat on the skin.

You may be tempted to press harder to get a closer shave or capture some stubborn stray hairs, but that will only result in discomfort.

As mentioned in the beginning, pressing too hard will cause small bits of skin to poke through the foil and get cut by the blades.

This will be even worse if your skin is already tender from a previous shave.

A better approach would be to use the built-in hair trimmer to cut the stray stubborn hairs and then follow up with the shaving head.

3. Always shave against the grain.

If you’re coming from a cartridge or DE razor, this may sound a bit counterintuitive to someone with sensitive skin.

You’ve probably read countless tips saying that you should shave with the grain (or possibly across) in order to avoid all the bad stuff.

And that’s true in the case of traditional shaving (with a razor blade).

With electric razors, you’ll want to shave against the grain to get a smooth and comfortable shave.

That’s because of the very way they work: shavers are only effective at capturing and cutting hairs when going against the grain.

Make sure to adjust the direction of the stroke if you have patches of hair that grow in a different direction than the rest.

You can use your free hand to stretch the skin on your neck as this will make the hairs stand upright and the shaver will catch them more effectively.

4. Allow your skin a few days to heal before shaving again.

As mentioned, if the skin is still tender from the previous shave, you’ll just make it worse by shaving again.

In this case, it’s best to let it heal for another day or two.

Try experimenting with shaving more or less often to see what works best in your case.

If shaving every few days seems to yield the best results, a Braun shaver like the Series 9 or 8 will be ideal since those can deal with longer facial hair really well.

5. Try a pre-shave lotion.

Most men will notice an improvement in both comfort and closeness when applying a pre-shave lotion before a dry shave.

Again, how significant this will be tends to vary a lot, but it’s worth giving it a try, especially if you have flat-lying or coarse hair.

A word of caution: most pre-shaves contain alcohol and perfume, so if those are known to be irritating factors to your skin, you may want to stay away from them.

The Lab Series pre-shave solution for example is fragrance-free.

6. Clean and lubricate your shaver regularly.

This is always good practice, but even more important if you have some post-shave skin issues.

Cleaning your shaver after every use, either manually or via the automatic cleaning station is vital for the hygiene of your shaver.

Here’s my guide on how to properly clean an electric razor manually (spoiler: it takes less than a minute).

Lubricating your shaver will however have the greatest impact.

Lubrication will reduce the friction and heat generated during use and your razor will shave faster, more efficiently and with greater comfort.

I find lubricating sprays to work the best, but you can also use any light mineral lubricants like clipper oil.

You can refer to this guide for information on how and when to lubricate your shaver.

7. Use a calming, hydrating aftershave balm.

Rinsing your face with cold water and following up with a soothing balm are the single best things you can do after shaving.

There are various options out there that are both inexpensive and effective.

In my case an alcohol-based aftershave balm works best.

I’m currently using the Tabac Original balm and it has helped me eliminate razor bumps completely.

Takeaway

This completes my guide on buying an electric razor when dealing with various skin issues.

I think in most cases a foil shaver will have a greater chance of providing a comfortable (and close) shave.

If you prefer rotary razors, there are some solid options out there, like thePhilips Norelco S9000 Prestigeor the more affordable Series 3000 or 7000.

The Philips OneBlade is also a viable option if you don’t mind leaving a bit of stubble in order to minimize razor bumps.

A pain-free shave comes down to getting the prep right, taking your time, using the right technique and, of course, the right shaver.

If you have any other questions make sure to post them in the comments below.