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Fact: Your body grows hair for a reason. Yup, even the hardly noticeable peach fuzz that covers the majority of your skin—most notably your cheeks and face—is there to protect your skin and regulate your temperature. But I get it, sometimes I want to shave my face in the pursuit of smooth skin to fix cakey foundation, soften my skin texture, or because a TikTok video inspired me. And because I often find myself jumping down the #BeautyTok rabbit hole, my latest obsession has been dermaplaning. More specifically? How to do it at home with the right dermaplaning tools.
But first, you need to understand that dermaplaning is an in-office treatment—performed by a licensed medical professional—with a surgical scalpel that removes peach fuzz, oil, and the top layer of dead skin cells. This means that when you see videos of people 'dermaplaning at home,' you're actually seeing them shave their face with an eyebrow razor or face shaver in a technique that emulates dermaplaning but only really addresses peach fuzz. If you want a deep exfoliation treatment, you've got to leave it up to the pros. And since we're on the topic, I chatted with two experts to get all the deets about the DIY method and the best at-home dermaplaning tools, and I tested and reviewed them myself.
Our top picks for the best dermaplaning tools in 2024:
Cosmo editors tested and reviewed everything from holy grail favorites to the buzziest products on your social feeds and the newest dermaplaning tools to hit the shelves over the past year. We also consulted experts (hi, dermatologists) and evaluated each tool based on the material, safety features, and finally, results to compile this shoppable list of the nine very best at-home dermaplaning tools for your skin type and concerns, below.
Pros
- The angled handle allows for great control and better access
Cons
- Blade can get dull with more use and can cause injury if you don't change it often
If you're looking for a tried-and-true classic that checks all the boxes of what a dermaplaning tool should be, look no further than Tweezerman's Facial Razor. It's crafted with all stainless steel (i.e., it is corrosion-resistant and non-porous so it's easy to clean), and the tool makes it super easy to remove unwanted peach fuzz all while providing gentle exfoliation and removing dead skin cells. (S/o I personally have used this tool for a few years now and have yet to be disappointed.)
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Safety features: Storage safety caps, weighted handle
Glowing Customer Review: "I really love this tool. The angled handle sets it apart from the others. It allows for ease of use and also makes it safer to use. The handle is *perfectly* weighted - not too light but def not too heavy. I also like the added feature of the "guards" on the blade. Dermaplaning can be easily overdone at home and this tool does an excellent job. I recommend."
Pros
- Easy-to-use refillable blade system that prevents injury
Cons
- You may think that you don't have to replace the blades as often, but you definitely do
This pick is a pretty addition to your bathroom vanity, and it's also equally as effective at removing hair. But the best part of this tool is that it was designed to be totally plastic-free and eco-conscious. To meet those standards, the razor is crafted out of all-metal materials, and the blades are easily recyclable at your local scrap metal drop point or by sending them back to Leaf. The razor is also equipped with a really easy-to-use system that prevents injury when it's time to change your blade.
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Safety features: Storage safety caps, blade guards, weighted handle, safety system for changing blades
Glowing Customer Review: "Love this razor! So easy to install the blade, the blade is definitely sharp (be careful) but let me tell you, my face is so SMOOTH! My makeup sits better on my skin, my skincare absorbs better and all my little peach fuzz and PCOS facial hair are so much more manageable!"
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Pros
- Cult beauty favorite
Cons
- It doesn't come with as many razors as other disposable packs
We all know those coveted, cult-favorite beauty products, and these eyebrow razors by Tinkle that have been around forever happen to be one of them. Considering they've got almost 140,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, you can rest assured that they'll do the job. The single-precision stainless steel blades easily removed the peach fuzz on my cheeks and upper lip—I never had to go over a spot more than once.
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Safety features: Storage safety caps
Glowing Customer Review: "I love these facial razors! They are very easy to use and remove all of that peach fuzz that often makes makeup look off. They also work great for cleaning up around your eyebrows, as well as removing any lip or chin hairs that pop out."
Pros
- Super close shave sans the nicks or cuts other traditional razors can give
Cons
- Not budget-friendly
If you want a high-quality facial tool that uses technology to treat your face, consider this one from Dermaflash. The Luxe Anti-Aging Sonic Dermaplaning Exfoliation Tool uses sonic vibrations to effectively smooth your skin while offering an extremely close shave. Yes, it's an investment, but it is specifically made for at-home, DIY dermaplaning and will prevent any nicks or cuts that you can get easier from traditional face razors.
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Safety features: When not in use, the blade is covered
Glowing Customer Review: "I’ve been shaving and waxing my face for a while now. After I would do either, I would break out. This last time, with a fresh razor, I broke out the worst I’ve ever broken out in the last four years. I’m still dealing with the aftermath, so I decided to try something different. The price point is steep, but my goodness is it worth it. My acne is scabbing up and this tool gently exfoliates the dead skin. My skin is so smooth and my makeup is perfect."
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Pros
- Has a ton of safety features in place
Cons
- You'll run through the extra blades often if you change them as frequently as you should
This dermaplane razor kit from one of my favorite hair removal brands, Flamingo has become my newest staple in my self-care routine. I use it on my cheeks about once a month, but typically, you can find me shaving away the peach fuzz on my upper lip before I apply makeup, almost every other day. My skin can be sensitive when I use a facial razor, but I find that it doesn't react with this Flamingo one. My favorite feature of this heavy-weighted tool is the refillable design, allowing you to swap out blades, resulting in less waste and, IMO, a better quality product.
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Safety features: Storage safety caps, weighted handle, no-slip grip
Glowing Customer Review: "I’ve been using the cheap disposable ones and decided to try Flamingo. I love it, I don’t know why I didn’t try this sooner."
Pros
- Smaller size head, so you're able to get into tighter areas
Cons
- Blades dull rather quickly, so it's important to switch them out regularly
In order to prevent infections, rusting, and cuts, it's important to use a fresh, clean blade at least every three times (if not every time). That's where a disposable pack with 12 individual face shavers like this one from Kitsch comes in. The blades are also smaller in comparison to a lot of the others on this list, making them a great option for shaping your eyebrows and other areas of your face where you want to be more precise.
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Safety features: Storage safety caps
Glowing Customer Review: "I noticed my forehead had gotten dull and congested. My usual exfoliants weren't offering the results I wanted, so I decided to give dermaplaning a try. I won't be looking back! This will be a regular part of my routine from now on. My face is glowing, and my makeup applies so smoothly now. The process was super easy to DIY, and I had no issues with pain or irritation!"
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Pros
- Easy, safe, and simple to use
Cons
- Users say it's difficult to change the battery
So, maybe you're not ready to go at your face with a sharp blade (I don't blame ya!), yet you still want to remove that peach fuzz and aren't sure where to start. Enter: The best-selling Finishing Touch Flawless device with over 150,000 reviews on Amazon. It's essentially an electric razor made with a very small, gentle, vibrating head that's great for smaller areas and your face. This tool is great for beginners looking to remove facial hair painlessly and effectively.
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Safety features: Blade is covered by an extra plate for added safety, cap covers blade when not in use
Glowing Customer Review: "As a woman who needed to wax my lip area every week, this is a lifesaver. Now I use this every couple of days as needed. Much easier and it always looks clean!"
Pros
- Picks up a lot of peach fuzz quickly
Cons
- Super sharp, so beginners should opt for something else
This facial razor is definitely one of the pricier options on the market. However, after testing and reviewing it myself and reading a ton of testers' notes, I can confidently compare its efficacy to that of a professional tool. This razor is incredibly smooth when gliding across your face due to the (very!) sharp blade and the weighted handle. I also love how easy it is to change the blades when it's time to replace them, thanks to the snap-out design that's there to prevent injuries.
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Safety features: Pop-out snap blade for easy replacements, storage safety cap
Glowing Customer Review: "Peach fuzz cannot be avoided when getting older—it absorbs all my products meant for the skin and makes my makeup clumpy and uneven. The mini electric shavers did little to remove it, but it was amazing how much this little gem picked up in one swipe, I am sold."
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Pros
- Comes with a shaving cream made specifically for at home face shaving
Cons
- May take awhile to ship, some testers note
This two-in-one kit by The Skinny Confidential includes a facial razor with an ergonomic grip for easy shaving and a shaving cream that makes your skin feel oh-so-soft. It's made with rich emollients (hi, shea butter, vitamin E, and olive oil) and hydrating aloe, so not only will it give you a great smooth base during your shave, but it'll also leave your skin feeling and looking hydrated after.
- Blade material: Not specified
- Safety features: Storage safety cap, ergonomic handle with finger divot for better control
Glowing Customer Review: "Any time I’ve tried to use a similar razor for peach fuzz, I break out and it’s a whole hot mess situation from my ears to my jawline. Not anymore! This shave not only lasts much longer, but my face has never been smoother. I love a good professional dermaplaning treatment, but this is the next best thing!! P.S. My makeup also stays on and appears much more flawless after the shave as well!"
Pros
- Safe to use on majority of your body and face hair
Cons
- You're not able to change the blade so it'll dull out eventually
Not only is this dermaplaning tool great for removing the hair on your face, but it's also safe to use on any other part of your body. Yes, that includes sensitive parts—hi, nose, ears, bikini line! It comes with a comb attachment and a dual-trimming system that is equipped with a blade that can be rinsed for sanitary precautions. I love how the extra fine blade is small enough to get into the tighter areas of my face like above my lip. I also appreciate how the battery-powered tool adds a little extra power, so I know I'm getting every last bit of hair.
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Safety features: Storage safety cap, ultra-fine blade
Glowing Customer Review: "Easy to use. My trimmer came with instructions that had easy-to-understand wording and descriptive pictures to tell you exactly how to operate the trimmer, how to open the battery compartment, how to put the battery in, and how to turn on the trimmer. It works great to trim unwanted hair from small areas. It trims hair off of the chin, around the mouth, and eyebrow area. It works great!
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Is dermaplaning just shaving?
Dermaplaning and shaving are very similar, but they differ in a few ways: When it comes to face shaving, a clean, new razor is used to remove surface-layer peach fuzz. But when it comes to dermaplaning, a dermatologist or medical esthetician uses a surgical scalpel to carefully remove hair, peach fuzz, and even part of the stratum corneum (the top layer of the skin), dermatologist Estee Williams, MD, has explained to Cosmo.
Even though both dermaplaning and shaving involve razors or sharp edges, Dr. Gohara says, because dermaplaning is done in an in-office setting with a medical professional, the blade will be a surgical scalpel and, therefore, much more effective at exfoliating the skin. The best way to think about face shaving is as a DIY hair removal option that's both cheaper and easier.
Can you do dermaplaning by yourself?
It's best to leave dermaplaning to the professionals, but yes, you can safely shave your face at home. Again, although shaving your face won't give you that deep exfoliation that in-office dermaplaning will, it does eliminate peach fuzz if that's your thing. Dr. Gohara shares a few tips, but if you want a full, detailed explanation, check out our face-shaving guide.
- Begin by gently cleansing the face with a soap-free, hydrating cleanser.
- Don’t use a chemical exfoliant or retinol immediately before or immediately after using a face shaver.
- Get a shaving tool that has a handle and a straight edge. Make sure that it's a clean blade and that you dispose of it after using it one to two times.
- Place the blade at a 45-degree angle and apply gentle, soft pressure in downward strokes.
- A hydrating moisturizer will be most effective if applied immediately after.
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How to choose the best dermaplaning tool:
Understand your skin type
When taking a sharp blade to your skin, it's pretty obvious that you've gotta follow a few precautions, right? Right. That's why Dr. Gohara says that if you have sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or inflamed acne, you *absolutely* should not attempt to dermaplane your skin at home.
Evaluate the design of the razor
First things first: you want to buy a dermaplaning tool with a stainless steel blade—not only is it more hygienic, but it also is rust-resistant which is important when you're cleaning it. Then it's important to consider the handle. You want a long handle that offers a good grip considering, well, you're applying a sharp blade to the skin. And finally, if you're opting for a new, high-tech tool that isn't a regular 'ol eyebrow razor or face shaver, it's important to read all the details to make sure it's right for you and your skin type.
Meet the experts:
- Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, CT. Dr. Gohara is an associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine and president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical dermatology and skin of color.
- Estee Williams, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Madfes Aesthetic Medical Center in New York, NY, who specializes in cosmetic, surgical, and medical dermatology. Dr. Williams has previously spoken to Cosmopolitan about how to shave your face.
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Why trust Cosmo?
Siena Gagliano is an associate editor who writes beauty at Cosmopolitan and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing skincare stories, like the best ingrown hair treatments and the best eyebrow razors. She feels especially knowledgeable about dermaplaning at home, thanks to removing peach fuzz from her face monthly. She regularly tests and analyzes dermaplaning tools on her skin, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists, and hair removal experts to assess new formulas and products.
Siena Gagliano
Associate Editor
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.