Sensitive skin sufferers know that shaving can often be a nightmare, with too sharp blades causing nicks and scratches, and cheap plastic designs scraping curves and causing rashes. I’ve tried many women’s razors over the years and dealt with the uncomfortable after effects, but once in awhile a product comes along that really does work well on sensitive skin. Schick, Gillette, and Conair have each designed women’s razors that suit different shaving needs but are all gentle for sensitive skin.
At first glance the Schick Intuition razors seem like a crazy idea, with a large block of Sensitive Care moisturizer built around each triple blade cartridge. These razor moisturizers are miracle workers, however. Activated by water, they suds up and lubricate the leg, allowing the blades to slide over your sensitive skin easily. The follow-up glide of the moisturizer below the blade softens and protects the skin from further irritation. The Intuition razor provides a ridiculously close shave and at the same time conditions sensitive skin, so legs will feel silky smooth.
The regular Schick Intuition sensitive skin razor has two blades and a solid structure. Most stores have migrated, however, to the triple blade pivoting head Intuition Plus. The Plus version is not enough of an improvement to warrant the two dollars extra charged for replacement cartridges, but it does still provide a close comfortable shave for sensitive skin. The thick rubber handle provides an easy, non-slip grip that’s perfect for shower or tub use.
Use the Schick Intuition razor under running water for extremely gentle and smooth results. Direct water does cause the moisturizing block to run out faster, however, so wetting the leg and then periodically wetting the shaver in the spray from the shower will help you get more use out of your blades. Once the sensitive skin moisturizing block is gone, the razor won’t glide properly over your skin and will need to be replaced. The pricey sensitive skin replacement razor cartridges only last for about 2 full leg shaves or 4-5 touch-ups, unfortunately, but I’m willing to pay a little extra to get smooth legs without all the cuts and scrapes from traditional razors.
Be aware that the Schick Intuition razor is designed for sensitive skin leg shaving, and its blocky structure won’t do you any good for underarm or bikini area shaving. Make sure to buy the Sensitive Care replacement cartridges for best results. For those with super sensitive skin, I recommend applying Curel Ultra Healing moisturizer after the shower–the combo of the Intuition razor conditioners and the Curel will soothe any irritation and lock in moisture.
For a more versatile sensitive skin razor, look into the Gillette Venus Divine razor. Virtually identical to the men’s favorite Mach 3 Turbo razor, the Venus Divine rates highly among users at Amazon, eBay, Drugstore.com, and AmericanRx. The three blade pivoting head provides a close shave, and the rounded head prevents those annoying scratches to sensitive skin that sharp-edged rectangular razor heads can inflict.
The Gillette Venus Divine razor competes with the Schick Intuition razor by including moisture strips above and below the blades to soothe and condition sensitive skin. Unfortunately these strips wear out much faster than the large block of moisturizer the Intuition provides. The Venus Divine razor design, however, allows you to continue using the blades even after the strip is gone. Add a moisturizing shaving gel to protect your sensitive skin after the strip has worn away.
The smaller, oval razor head design and ergonomic handle of the Gillette Venus Divine razor work well for underarm and bikini area shaving as well as legs. The replacement razor cartridges for the Gillette Venus Divine are also expensive, but with added shaving gel can last a lot longer than Intuition’s blades. The Venus Divine razor is more versatile and a better buy than the Intuition for daily use, but nothing beats the intense moisturizing and silky smooth results of the Schick Intuition razor for sensitive skin.
A third option for treating sensitive skin with care is the Conair Satiny Smooth Ladies Wet/Dry rechargeable razor. Most electric razors require a lengthy breaking-in period before your sensitive skin gets tough enough to use it. This is the first electric razor I’ve used that was gentle right from the beginning. The trick is to use the razor in a smooth, fluid motion–rushing or dragging the Conair razor across skin can lead to scratches from the extendable trimming blades.
The Conair Satiny Smooth electric razor is perfect for sensitive skin sufferers, particularly for the underarm and bikini area. With its narrow design, it fits curves better than larger razors, and the protected blades make it virtually impossible to cut yourself with. The Conair extendable trimmers work wonders for the bikini area, smoothing away any longer hairs without snagging or pulling. Razor bumps and rashing are common after shaving the sensitive bikini area, but with this razor the skin irritation is minimal.
Electric razors don’t achieve as smooth results as straight razors, but the Conair Silky Smooth razor does a fine job particularly in the bikini and underarm areas. The narrow head and gentle razor action can make it a lengthy chore for doing your entire legs, however, so I recommend it for sensitive areas and touch-ups rather than as your regular all-leg shaver. For the Conair, as well as all electric razors, dry use works best and adding a little brush of baby powder prepares sensitive skin and eases the glide of the blades.
I’ve never been a fan of rechargeable razors as they don’t hold the charge all that well and the battery’s usually the first thing to go on an electric razor. I leave the Conair Silky Smooth razor plugged into the charger at all times so it’s ready to go when I need it. Constant charging hasn’t affected its performance in over a year, and its inexpensive price tag means it’s easy to replace.
Visit the Conair, Gillette Venus, and Schick Intuition websites for more information. Buy Conair razors at BizRate, Gillette Venus razors and razor blades at Shopping.com, and Schick Intuition razors and replacement blades at Drugstore.com.
