The 12 Best Razors for Women in 2022

No more razor bumps, that's for sure.

woman shaving her legs with a razor
(Image credit: Getty Images/Steve Mason)

Buying a new razor isn’t exactly something I normally get excited about. For the longest time, I just bought the same ones my mom used from the drugstore and assumed I was good to go. But with so many different styles and new emerging brands on the market right now, finding the best razor has become more of a process—in a good way. Now, instead of spending time and your hard-earned money on at-home laser hair removal devices, you can achieve a similar (and easier!) look at home. 

Whether you’re new to shaving (we have a whole guide about how to shave your legs if so), a seasoned shaving vet, or someone who only shaves every once in a while, finding a great new razor in 2022 can make all the difference between a super smooth shave and one that leaves you with razor burn or tons of little cuts. 

Plus, there are some razors that should only be used in the bikini line (see: Marie Claire’s guide to the best bikini trimmers for more on that), while others are great for shaving the hair all over your body. Because there are so many options to choose from these days, we turned to Maria Desmarais (opens in new tab), the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of body care brand Athena Club, for guidance. Keep reading to see her answers to your most common shaving questions and to shop her expert-approved picks. Or, keep scrolling to shop the top-rated razors on the internet from brands like Billie, Venus, Schick, and more. 

What to Look For in the Best Razors

While all razors promise to do the same thing, a few small details make some razors for women work better than others. One of Athena Club’s razor kits, for example, has technology that fights irritation and nicks. Desmarais told Marie Claire over email that a skin guard “sits at the bottom of each five spaced-out, stainless steel blades and helps prevent irritation, razor burn, and nicks” and “allows hair to seamlessly pass through without getting caught.” The guard is also outfitted with a water-activated moisturizing serum full of hyaluronic acid and shea butter.

Equally important to the blades themselves is the razor’s handle because it helps to “ensure you have full control while shaving,” Desmarais says. “Ours is ergonomic for this reason."

How Many Blades Do You Need?

While you might ignore the number of blades in a given razor, the amount of blades does actually make a difference in the quality of your shave. “When a razor has the appropriate number blades and they are spaced properly, it allows hair and shaving cream to pass through easily and ensures that no hair is missed,” says Desmarais. “This reduces the number of times you may need to pass the razor against your skin, limiting the risk of irritation.” 

That said, she notes that too many blades can actually harm your shaving experience. Any razor with more than five blazers “can cause razor burn."

The Best Razors Out There

What's The Best Way To Reduce Razor Burn?

While Desmarais recommends investing in a high-quality razor first and foremost, she says that the way you prep your skin can help when it comes to avoiding razor burn. "Exfoliating before you shave helps to smooth skin for less irritation," she says. Once you're in the shower, shaving with high-quality shaving cream like Athena Club's Cloud Shave Foam (opens in new tab) can also help you to avoid irritated skin. After you're done in the shower, immediately hydrate the area you shaved with a luxe body butter or body lotion. Desmarais recommends Athena Club's Dewy Body Lotion (opens in new tab) to "lock in moisture and soothe your skin." 

Does Shaving Exfoliate The Skin?

If you’ve heard that shaving can exfoliate your skin, I have mixed news for you. “Shaving does remove dead skin cells along with hair, but some people prefer to exfoliate prior to shaving to get skin extra smooth for an even closer shave with less risk of irritation,” says Desmarais. If you’re looking for a body exfoliator, check out our guide for the best (easy) homemade body scrubs. 

Meet The Expert:

Maria Desmarais
Maria Desmarais

Maria Desmarais is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Athena Club. (opens in new tab) Prior to co-founding the company in 2018, she worked for management and strategy consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, where she served as a Business Analyst. After spending two years in the corporate world, she left to follow her dream of transforming the personal care industry and created Athena Club, the first modern CPG company which offers consumers a way to get better quality self-care essentials more conveniently.

Maria earned her B.A in Political Science from Columbia University. Since launching Athena Club, she has received a number of accolades including being named a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient in retail and ecommerce (2019). 


Julia Marzovilla
Julia Marzovilla

Julia Marzovilla is an E-Commerce Writer at Marie Claire covering all things fashion, beauty, and entertainment. Offline, she’s most likely browsing the web for another pair of black boots or listening to music too loudly—often at the same time.