Best Epilator for Sensitive Skin – Top 5 [NEW]
If you have sensitive skin, then you know that you have to be careful which products that you use. It may be worth your while to use an epilator to remove your hair instead of waxing or shaving but you need to make sure you get the right product for you skin type.
If you still want to give epilation a try, we hear you, which is why we've taken a close look at a few epilators. Check out our pick for the best epilator for sensitive skin.
List of Best Epilators for Sensitive Skin
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Product Summary: Best Epilators for Sensitive Skin
When choosing the best epilator for sensitive skin, there are a few features to look for. Not every epilator has these features, and in some cases, it all comes down to personal preference.
- Wet vs. dry use. Some manufacturers, like Braun, recommend wet epilation for improved comfort and reduced irritation. Of the best epilators for sensitive skin, only one of our picks (The Philips Satinelle Essential) is meant for dry use only.
- Massaging heads. Massaging the skin as you epilate helps to improve the process. Three of our picks, the two models from Braun and the Philips Satin Perfect epilator, include a massage feature.
- Attachments. If you’ve got sensitive skin, using fewer tweezers at a time can improve comfort. The Panasonic Wet/Dry Epilator and Shaver included multiple caps for limiting irritation.
Best Epilator for Sensitive Skin
Panasonic ES-ED90-P Wet/Dry Epilator and Shaver – Best Overall Epilator for sensivite skin
The Panasonic ES-ED90 epilator and shaver includes both an epilating head and a shaver head attachment. It’s a wet/dry device, which is part of what makes it the best epilator for sensitive skin.
Another feature that makes the epilator ideal for sensitive skin is the gentle epilator cap, which covers part of the epilator head.
The cap makes it so that fewer tweezers are in use, which can help to reduce discomfort and sensitivity. While more tweezers can mean quicker epilation, many people with sensitive skin find that more tweezers aren’t ideal.
Along with the gentle cap, the epilator includes an additional, small epilator head. The smaller head is meant for use on delicate areas, but can be perfect for allover use by people with sensitive skin.
Compared to waxing, people who have used the Panasonic Wet/Dry Epilator find that it’s a better experience. If there’s one complaint people have had, it’s that the epilator doesn’t seem to be particularly good at removing finer or more delicate hair.
Things We Liked
- Includes six attachments, among them two epilator heads designed for comfort.
- Works wet or dry
- You can use it with shaving cream or gel to improve your comfort
- Has two speed options
Things We Didn’t Like
- Takes its time charging up
- Battery lasts for a maximum of 30 minutes
Braun Silk-épil 9 9-521 Women’s Epilator – Best Wet/Dry Epilator for Sensitive Skin
Braun produces an entire line, with multiple series, of epilators. We find that their Silk-épil 9 9521 is the best epilator for sensitive skin.
The Silk-épil 9 9521 makes a few claims. First, recognizes that epilating can be painful, even for people without sensitive skin.
It then offers solutions to ease the comfort and reduce sensitivity. One of those options is to use the device in the bath or shower.
Another solution offered by the Silk-épil 9521 is the size of the epilator head. While some argue that smaller is better when it comes to improving comfort, the Braun Silk-épil believes that bigger is better.
Its epilator head is about 40 percent wider than most other models. That means it’s better able to remove more hair in a single stroke and can mean that you need to epilate less frequently.
Another feature that makes the Silk-épil 9521 an excellent pick for people with sensitive skin is the massaging head. The device vibrates at a high frequency as you use it, which can help ease any discomfort and prevent irritation.
Many people who have used the Silk-épil 9521 have been happy with it and has been pleased with the results they got. Some have been quick to point out that the wider head isn’t a benefit, though.
They note that the head has the same number of tweezers are other models, but the tweezers are more spaced out. For people who aren’t happy with the Silk-épil 9521, the wider spacing between tweezers can make epilating more of a challenge.
What We Liked
- Includes a massage feature
- Comes with a contact cap to improve contact
- Can be used wet or dry
- Works for up to 40 minutes after charging
What We Didn’t Like
- Whether the wider head is useful or not is up for debate
- Some people think the epilator works less well when used in wet conditions
Philips Satinelle Essential HP6401 – Best Compact Epilator for Sensitive Skin
Sometimes, simple is best. That can be particularly true when you have sensitive skin.
The Philips Satinelle Essential doesn’t have a lot of (or really, any) bells and whistles. It includes an efficiency cap for use in sensitive areas, and that’s about it.
But what the Satinelle Essential lacks in add-ons, it makes up for in effectiveness. The epilator has around 20 tweezers, which makes it a more comfortable experience for people with sensitive skin and for people who are new to epilating.
Another feature of the Satinelle Essential is that it’s corded. That does mean you can only use it under the conditions (don’t bring it into the bath or shower!).
Some people find that using the epilator on dry skin allows them to get better results and helps the epilator remove hair more efficiently.
You also don’t have to wait for the epilator to charge up or worry about it dying on you in the middle of a hair removal session.
Despite the fact that the Satinelle Essential plugs in and has an unlimited power supply from an outlet, some people who have used it have stated that it doesn’t seem to have much “oomph” behind it. A common complaint is that it breaks the hair, instead of pulling it out from the root.
What We Liked
- Simple, no-frills design
- Plugs into an outlet (no waiting for it to charge up)
- Small head size is ideal for sensitive skin or beginners
What We Didn’t Like
- Can only be used dry (this can be a pro and a con, depending on your preference)
- Might break more hairs than it plucks
- Corded design can limit where you can use it — you need to be near an outlet.
Braun Women’s Epilator, Silk-épil 7 7-561 – Best Multi-Use Epilator for Sensitive Skin
Braun’s Silk-épil 7 7561 is less advanced than the 9 series, but still has plenty of features that make it ideal for people with sensitive skin.
When it comes to the Silk-épil 7 7561, Braun seems to have taken the approach of putting everything into a box and hoping that a customer can make use of it. Not only does the epilator come with a series of caps (including an efficiency cap, a precision cap, and a facial cap), it also has a shaver attachment.
Plus, the epilator includes a separate bikini trimmer. The trimmer can be useful if your bikini area is particularly sensitive and you’re worried about irritating it with hair removal.
The Silk-épil 7 7561 has many other features in common with the 9 series. Like the 9 series, it offers high-frequency massage to make epilating more comfortable.
Additionally, the epilator works under both wet and dry conditions, so you can experiment and find out which one you prefer.
People who have used the epilator have expressed surprise and delight that it was a lot more comfortable and less painful to use than they were expecting.
Things We Liked
- Multiple attachments help you customize your epilation experience and reduce sensitivity
- Includes a bikini trimmer
- Works in both wet and dry conditions
- Can hold a charge for up to 40 minutes
- Has a massage feature
Things We Didn’t Like
- It can take some time for the epilator to remove hair fully
- Shaver attachment seems a bit redundant
- Some have complained that it leaves stubble behind
Philips HP6574/50 Satin Perfect Cordless Epilator – Best Epilator for Sensitive skin for the Money
A few features make the Philips Satin Perfect Cordless Epilator the best epilator for sensitive skin. One is the ceramic tweezers.
It might not seem like a big deal, but metal tweezers can rust, especially with repeated use in wet conditions. Rusty tweezers aren’t just gross; there’s also a high risk for irritation.
Ceramic tweezers, on the other hand, are hypoallergenic and less likely to irritate sensitive skin.
Another feature that makes the epilator ideal for sensitive skin is the massage system and hair lifter. When hairs lie flat against the skin, it can be difficult for the epilator to grab them.
The Philips epilator has a comb that gently picks up individual hairs and guides them towards the tweezers. Meanwhile, the massage feature helps to improve comfort.
People who’ve used the epilator have been happy with the results, but quick to point out that it does hurt. Some have noted that the epilator has been difficult to clean, as you can’t access the tweezers to remove stray hairs.
What We Liked
- Works under wet and dry conditions
- Has a massage feature
- Holds a charge for up to 40 minutes but also works while plugged in
- Hair lifter helps to reduce irritation
What We Didn’t Like
- Some have complained that it doesn’t pull hair out well
- Works best on longer hair
What is Sensitive Skin?
If you’ve ever had an adverse reaction to a skincare product or ended up with red, bumpy skin after waxing or shaving, you’ve probably wondered if you have sensitive skin.
It’s not uncommon for people to think that they have sensitive skin even when they don’t, according to WebMD. There are a few things that dermatologists look for when diagnosing sensitive skin.
Those things include:
- Skin the flushes or turns red easily
- Bumps or pustules that develop on the skin
- Skin that is so dry the nerves are irritated
There are different degrees of skin sensitivity. Some people have skin that is so sensitive it is continuously inflamed and causing discomfort.
Other people have a mild sensitivity and might only react to certain things on their skin or in the environment.
Whatever level or degree of sensitivity you have, the important thing to do is minimize any conditions or triggers that can irritate.
How to Epilate Sensitive Skin
Compared to other hair removal methods, such as shaving and waxing, epilation is pretty easy on the skin.
Shaving, as you know, can involve scraping off the top layer of skin. For people with sensitivity, shaving can cause rashes and itchiness.
Waxing is similar. It pulls out hair from the roots or follicles but also removes the top layer of skin cells at the same time.
Some people who start waxing or shaving end up developing sensitive skin because of the repeated stress on their skin caused by the hair removal.
Epilating sensitive skin isn’t too difficult. To avoid any irritation and discomfort, here’s what to do.
- Shower first. Washing the area you’re about to epilate will help to soften the hair and loosen up the follicle.
- Lather up the skin with shaving cream or gel. Creating a barrier between the skin and the epilator will help to protect the skin from any irritation.
- Go slowly and pull the skin taut. The smoother and flatter your skin, the easier the epilation process.
- Hold the epilator at a 90-degree angle. Keep the epilator head flat on the skin. Even better, choose an epilator with a head that pivots and tilts as you work.
- Take your time. If you’re starting to get overwhelmed by the pain or discomfort of epilating, taking a break.
Tips for Epilating Sensitive Skin
- Exfoliate first. Exfoliating before you epilate will remove dry, dead skin cells and reduce the risk of irritation and ingrown hairs.
- Try epilating in the shower or bath. Use a wet/dry epilator and try it in the bath or shower. Many people find epilating under wet conditions to be a lot more comfortable than trying to do it under dry conditions.
- Don’t panic if you see redness. Some redness is common after epilating, whether you have sensitive skin or not. It’s a good idea to epilate about 24 hours before a big event, to give your skin time to calm down.
Review of List for Best Epilators for Sensitive Skin
Final Thoughts on the Best Epilator for Sensitive Skin
Which is the best epilator for sensitive skin? Our pick is the Panasonic ES-ED90-P Wet/Dry Epilator and Shaver.
It’s got the greatest number of attachments, allowing you to enjoy a truly customized epilation experience. Additionally, the epilator works under wet and dry conditions and can be used with a cream or gel to further reduce irritation.
If you’re looking for the best epilator for sensitive skin, you can’t go wrong with the Panasonic.
If you want more of a general idea of the best epilator overall, click here.
