Beauty The 9 Best Dermaplaning Tools for Softer, More Radiant Skin Dermatologists explain what dermaplaning is, how to master the anti-aging skin-care technique at home, plus the best dermaplaning tool for every budget. By Rachel Nussbaum Rachel Nussbaum Instagram Twitter Rachel Nussbaum is a journalist, writer, and editor who specializes in beauty and wellness topics. Shape's editorial guidelines and Kristen Geil, NASM-CPT Updated on March 15, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Shape / David Hattan More often than not, skin care is a long game. In fact, it can take up to 12 weeks for skin-care ingredients to start working — so if patience isn’t one of your virtues, you may struggle to figure out whether your products are actually benefitting your skin. But if instant gratification is more your style, facial dermaplaning might be your new favorite skin-care trend. ICYDK, facial dermaplaning (aka dermablading) is when you use a small razor to gently sweep away peach fuzz and dead skin on your face, and you can DIY at home without getting an expensive facial. The result? An immediate glow and softer, more radiant skin — all without blowing your budget. However, all dermaplaning tools aren’t created equal, and choosing the best facial dermaplaner is crucial for keeping your skin smooth and nick-free. We asked two expert dermatologists to weigh in on the best dermaplaning tool for at-home use and what to know before trying dermaplaning yourself. Our Recommendations Best Overall: Finishing Touch Flawless Dermaplane Glo Lighted Facial Exfoliator Best Budget: Schick Hydro Silk Touch-Up Multipurpose Exfoliating Dermaplaning Tool Best for Beginners: Kitsch Pro Dermaplaning Tool Set Best Splurge: StackedSkincare Dermaplaning Face Exfoliating Tool Best for Eyebrows: Ennva Eyebrow Razor Best Vibrating Tool: Spa Sciences SIMA Sonic Dermaplaning Tool Best for Travel: Feather Flamingo Facial Touch-up Razor Best for Upper Lips: Dorco Tinkle Eyebrow Razor Best Refillable Tool: Versed Instant Gratification Best Overall: Finishing Touch Flawless Dermaplane Glo Lighted Facial Exfoliator Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on Walmart Why We Like It: The added blue LED light may help treat mild to moderate acne.It’s Worth Noting: The dermaplane tool doesn’t vibrate. This nicely weighted dermaplaner is our pick for best dermaplaning tool thanks to the gentle exfoliation it delivers while sweeping away dead skin, giving your skin-care products better absorption and making your makeup appear smoother. Even better, it doesn't seem to leave any irritation once you're finished, making this dermaplaning tool a solid pick for those with sensitive skin. Our favorite feature, however, was the LED blue light. Not only does the light make it easy to see where you're dermaplaning, but blue light may help clear acne by killing acne-causing bacteria. Price at time of publish: $14 for 1 dermaplaning tool and 6 replacement heads Key Specs: Non-vibrating | Battery-operated | Safety guard included Best Budget: Schick Hydro Silk Touch-Up Multipurpose Exfoliating Dermaplaning Tool Target Buy on Amazon Buy on Target Buy on Ulta Why We Like It: The precision cover is perfect for hard-to-detail areas, such as eyebrows.It’s Worth Noting: Users with sensitive skin may experience irritation. Some dermaplaning tools reach into the $100 range, but Schick's proves you don't have to spend more than five bucks to get the best dermaplaning tool on a budget. The drugstore brand knows razors, and on top of being one of the most affordable face tools out there, it's one of the best for areas you really don't want to mess up, like all-important eyebrows. That's thanks to the handy precision cover it comes with; you just slip on the plastic protector, and it transforms the inch-long blade into a detailer, perfect for cleaning up small spaces. Price at time of publish: $6 for 3 Key Specs: Non-vibrating | Manual operation | Safety guard included Best Splurge: StackedSkincare Dermaplaning Face Exfoliating Tool Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Stackedskincare.com Why We Like It: You can choose between two different blade sizes.It’s Worth Noting: This dermaplaning tool is expensive for what you get. Been avoiding facials for a while? You're not alone, and if you're longing to scratch the itch, shoppers have claimed that StackedSkincare has the best dermaplaning tool to fully replace the spa experience and gets you that post-treatment glow. That's thanks to the surgical stainless steel blade, which is designed to give professional results. Plus, you'll have the option to use one of two blades: a longer, classic dermaplaning blade for larger swaths of skin, and a smaller, precision blade for tough-to-detail areas (think: around the eyebrow). As a brand, StackedSkincare offers several resources for learning how to use a dermaplaning tool, and they suggest products from their skincare line that will help you maximize your results. Price at time of publish: $75 for 1 dermaplaning tool with 1 blade Key Specs: Non-vibrating | Manual | Safety guard included Best for Beginners: Kitsch Pro Dermaplaning Tool Set Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on Target Why We Like It: The blades are lightweight and easy to handle.It’s Worth Noting: This dermaplaning tool is best used with downward strokes, which limits which areas of your face you can exfoliate. If the thought of dermablading still mildly freaks you out, take it from these shoppers: Kitsch's has the best dermaplaning tool for beginners to make it beyond easy to do, and the $8 set of 12 replicates $150 dermaplaning spa facials for a fraction of the cost. In fact, you can even use these budget dermaplaning tools on your bikini line — see ya later, waxing and plucking. Price at time of publish: $8 for 12 Key Specs: Non-vibrating | Manual | Safety guard included Best for Eyebrows: Ennva Eyebrow Razor Walmart Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Ennva.com Why We Like It: This biodegradable eyebrow razor is eco-friendly.It’s Worth Noting: The blades might be a little long for easy shaping. If the thought of adding to mounting landfills and ocean garbage patches makes you uncomfortable, genius brand Ennva came up with a solution: biodegradable face razors made from corn straw and wheat, making the single-use item less detrimental to the environment. The quality of these dermaplaning tools is also brag-worthy: The angled razor isn't dangerously sharp, yet gives you incredibly silky, smooth skin. The handle is easy to grip and has a comfortable weight, so it feels like a natural extension of your hand when you're using it. Price at time of publish: $9 for 6 Key Specs: Non-vibrating | Manual operation | Safety guard included Best Vibrating Tool: Spa Sciences SIMA Sonic Dermaplaning Tool Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Target Buy on Walmart Why We Like It: Makeup blends beautifully after using this sonic dermaplaning tool.It’s Worth Noting: The blades are all single-use blades. As you've probably noticed, a mix of innovations are at play in the dermaplaning market. Spa Sciences brings in one more to nab the title of best dermaplaning tool with vibration, using sonic speeds upward of 250 movements per second to remove unwanted facial hair, improve the look of enlarged pores, and improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and fine lines. You can choose from three different speed/power settings to personalize your at-home facial to your specific needs. Price at time of publish: $30 for 1 dermaplaning tool with 7 blades Key Specs: Vibrating | Rechargeable | Safety edges on blade Best for Travel: Feather Flamingo Facial Touch-up Razor Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Why We Like It: The foldable razor is safe and compact for easy storage in travel cosmetics bags.It’s Worth Noting: You may have to to press down hard to remove hair. If you're heading out of town for a wedding and want to look your best in photos, the foldable face razors from Feather are your home run. At $7 for a pack of three, they're also immensely affordable, and they're especially effective at prepping skin for makeup application. By gently exfoliating and removing peach fuzz, any makeup will glide on smoothly and stay in place for hours for a flawless yet unfiltered look. Price at time of publish: $7 for 3 Key Specs: Non-vibrating | Manual | Safety guard included The 14 Best Facial Hair Removal Products of 2023, According to Dermatologists Best for Upper Lips: Dorco Tinkle Eyebrow Razor Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Why We Like It: They’re easy on the wallet.It’s Worth Noting: The sharpness of the razors in one package seems to vary. These inexpensive razors are another favorite, especially when used on mustached upper lips. These dermaplaning tools may be lower in price than other options, but they're still mighty effective at tackling upper lip hair of all shades and textures. The blade length is well-suited to handling the Cupid's bow area — not too long, not too short, juuuust right. Price at time of publish: $6 for 2 packs of 3 razors Key Specs: Non-vibrating | Manual | Safety guard included Best Refillable Tool: Versed Instant Gratification Versed Buy on Versedskin.com Why We Like It: You can set up an auto-subscription for replacement blades.It’s Worth Noting: The blades felt more fragile and breakable than others. If you're planning on including dermaplaning in your routine for the long haul, it pays to get a tool with a replaceable blade. This one from Versed fits the bill, making for amazingly smooth skin that feels buttery soft. The brand says that you should only go over each area with the blade once for best results, and that's all it takes to get skin that feels like velvet for weeks. And to take the headaches out of remembering to re-order blades, Versed offers automatic subscriptions for three blades at a time. Price at time of publish: $20 for 1 dermablade tool with 2 blades Key Specs: Non-vibrating | Manual | Safety edges on blades How We Selected To choose the best dermaplaning tool, we first consulted with two dermatologists to learn more about facial dermaplaning benefits as well as the best tips for at-home dermaplaning. They also weighed in on what features to consider when searching for the best dermaplaning tool, depending on what your needs are. With their expertise, we then researched several brands of dermaplaners to narrow down the options with dermatologist-recommended features. Finally, we did a deep dive into product specifications to confidently recommend the best dermaplaning tool for every budget and need. What to Know About Dermaplaning Tools Board-certified New York dermatologist Michele Green, M.D., notes that the best tools for at-home dermablading are different from the scalpels used by skin professionals, and your pick should be well-made and simple to use, plus easy to clean or disposable so you don't spread bacteria on your face. Consider how easy the handle is to hold, the length of the blade, and whether the tool is vibrating or includes a light for better detailing. Frequently Asked Questions What is dermaplaning? Facial dermaplaning (aka dermablading) refers to using a small, single-blade razor to gently exfoliate the skin. It’s most often used for removing peach fuzz, shaping eyebrows, removing upper lip hair, and exfoliating the skin for smoother makeup application. What are the benefits of dermaplaning? "Removing those sticky cells gives the skin more immediate radiance,” says Mona Gohara, M.D., an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale's School of Medicine. “Dead skin cells can definitely make the skin look duller, and [dermaplaning] also allows for products to penetrate more effectively." Meaning, if your skin-care routine includes anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, bakuchiol, or vitamin C, you'll be getting more bang for your buck when they follow dermaplaning. Dr. Gohara calls the practice one of her favorite at-home "tweakments" for people looking for a little extra boost, and don't worry — facial hair doesn't grow back any darker, thicker, or spikier after shaving it off. Is it safe to dermaplane at home? Yes, it is safe to do at-home dermaplaning says Dr. Green. For the easiest experience, applying a basic face oil such as jojoba prior to dermaplaning lets the razor glide over your skin, although this step isn't necessary. You can just use short strokes with the blade in the direction of hair growth, and try not to go over areas twice to avoid over-exfoliation.And while dermaplaning is safe to practice at home without an expert's supervision, Dr. Green cautions that if you have acne breakouts, rosacea, sensitive skin, skin tags, raised bumps, or moles, you should avoid the treatment because it can aggravate or cut the bumps; otherwise, Dr. Gohara gives the go-ahead. Why Trust Shape Rachel Nussbaum is a journalist, writer, and editor who specializes in beauty and wellness topics. After graduating from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in 2015 and interning at Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, and Stylecaster, she secured a position as an assistant editor at Greatist, where she covered health, wellness, and skincare. From there, she joined Allure as a freelance beauty assistant, then struck out as a freelance beauty writer for Fashionista, Bustle, and Vox's Racked. She then joined Glamour as the magazine's beauty writer. After covering Hawaii's landmark decision to ban oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens for Glamour, she set out to learn about phthalates and parabens in personal care products and cosmetics from epidemiologists. She is working on a book about the issue and accompanying topics like asbestos in talc, PFAS in long-wearing cosmetics, and formaldehyde in hair products. That project was put on hold to join the Dotdash Meredith team as a beauty expert, where she covers beauty for Byrdie, InStyle, Real Simple, Health, Travel + Leisure, and other publications. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit