Gillette SkinGuard Sensitive Razor + 1 Razor Blade for Men, for Sensitive Skin and Prevents Skin Irritation

Gillette SkinGuard Sensitive Razor has quietly become one of those everyday tools that I now consider indispensable—not just because of how well it performs, but because of how it performs consistently and reliably over time, across a variety of conditions, uses, and skin types. I’ve always been someone who struggles with shaving. I’ve tried every iteration of blades, razors, electric trimmers, and even older-school safety razors, only to often end up with the same issues: irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs, particularly along the jawline and neck. So, when I first picked up the SkinGuard Sensitive, it wasn’t with high expectations. It was more of a “let’s just try this one too” kind of decision, something that, in retrospect, completely undersold what this razor was capable of. From the very first shave, the feeling was remarkably different—not only in terms of how the blade moved over the skin but also in how my skin felt afterwards. It was smooth, soothed, and free from that typical tightness and post-shave burn that I’d almost accepted as a given.What makes this razor so impressive to me isn’t necessarily the sharpness of the blade or even the ease of handling—which are excellent, by the way—but the careful balance it strikes between closeness and comfort. The standout feature, of course, is the SkinGuard bar itself, which sits between the two blades. It's not a gimmick. It's a genuinely clever bit of engineering that changes the dynamic of how the razor interacts with skin. It acts as a barrier, absorbing some of the pressure and reducing direct contact between the blades and the skin, which is what typically causes irritation. I’ve found that even with minimal lather and no pre-shave oil, this razor glides easily, almost effortlessly. It seems to find the right path without needing to apply much pressure at all, which for anyone with sensitive skin is absolutely key.The grip design is worth noting too. It has a rubberised texture in just the right places and feels solid in the hand. There's a sense of control without the need to clench or overcompensate, which not only improves the quality of the shave but also reduces fatigue during longer sessions. For example, if you're going in for a full beard removal or tidying up across the head and neck, it stays comfortable the whole time. I’ve used this razor both in the shower and at the sink, and it handles wet, slippery conditions perfectly—no awkward slips, no risk of nicking just because your fingers were damp.The razor head itself is relatively compact, which makes navigating around the chin, nose, and Adam’s apple much easier than wider, bulkier razors I’ve used before. Even the back of the jawline, which tends to be a tricky spot prone to missed patches or uneven texture, ends up smooth with just a couple of passes. And it’s not just about closeness; the SkinGuard system ensures you don’t have to go over the same spot multiple times. This, again, is a huge win for reducing post-shave redness and inflammation. I’ve always had trouble around the edges of my facial hair, where coarse hair meets thinner, sensitive skin. With this razor, even that transition area stays calm and bump-free.Now, let’s talk about the actual blade itself and the longevity of its performance. I was surprised—genuinely surprised—by how long the initial blade lasted. I tend to shave every two to three days, and the first cartridge stayed sharp for a good month before I noticed any drop in performance. That’s impressive in its own right, especially when considering that most sensitive-skin blades tend to lose their edge faster because they trade aggressiveness for gentleness. Here, Gillette seems to have hit a sweet spot. The blades are low-friction and coated in such a way that they maintain sharpness without being too harsh. They slice cleanly without tugging, even on denser areas like the chin or upper lip. It’s a kind of controlled sharpness, enough to cut efficiently but not so sharp that a single misstep leaves you bleeding.For the sake of curiosity and testing, I also had my wife try this razor on her legs and arms. She typically uses a women’s razor but was curious after hearing me go on about it. Her feedback mirrored mine: no irritation, no razor bumps, no drag, and incredibly smooth results. The only thing she noted was that for larger surface areas like legs, the smaller head meant more passes were needed. But even so, she said she would choose this over many of the bulkier razors marketed for women. The gentleness of the blade without compromising performance is what impressed her most—and she has even more sensitive skin than I do.We both tried this razor with various types of shaving cream, gels, and soaps—from inexpensive supermarket foam to luxury artisan lathers and even oil-based pre-shave products. In every case, the SkinGuard worked beautifully. It didn't clog up, it rinsed clean easily under water, and the blade mechanism felt like it was actively helping guide the shaving medium rather than fighting against it. I even did a few shaves dry—just to test the limits—and while I wouldn’t recommend that for daily routine, even that was surprisingly tolerable with minimal irritation.Price-wise, I think this razor is perfectly placed. At under £10 with one blade included, it feels premium without being inaccessible. Replacement cartridges are admittedly a bit pricier than some alternatives, but in my opinion, the longevity and quality easily justify the cost. I’ve tried razors that cost more and do less—and I’ve tried cheaper ones that you end up replacing twice as fast. The SkinGuard strikes a cost-effectiveness that feels sustainable. You're not burning through blades, and you're getting excellent skin protection in return.In terms of hair types, this razor seems to excel with medium to coarse facial hair. It cuts through thick stubble cleanly without clogging or pulling. On finer hair, like upper cheeks or neck, it's gentle enough to not cause any irritation at all. However, for those with extremely thick, curly beard types, it may require more passes or a second touch-up with a trimmer if you're aiming for absolute smoothness. It’s worth noting that it’s not intended to be a “one-pass super close” shave like the multi-blade aggressive razors; it’s a more measured, skin-first experience. That’s its strength, not a flaw.The lubricating strips are another unsung hero of this design. There’s one before the blades and another after, which work together to condition the skin as you shave. These strips aren’t greasy or overly slimy like some razors where it feels like you’re spreading lotion rather than shaving. They provide just enough glide to help the blade move without resistance, and they seem to last for the entire life of the cartridge. In fact, I found that the strip only started fading well after I’d already gotten a good 20 shaves out of the blade.Storage and hygiene are also made easy with this razor. It dries well. The handle material doesn’t hold onto water, and the metal components don’t rust or degrade. I’ve accidentally left it damp on more than one occasion, and it still looked and performed like new the next day. No weird discolouration, no strange odours, and no loosening of the blade head. Even the click-in mechanism for changing blades is satisfyingly secure. It gives you that tactile feedback that the new cartridge is locked in and ready to go, which is more than I can say for some competitors that feel loose or finicky.Aesthetically, the razor looks sharp. It’s sleek, slightly futuristic, and well-proportioned. It doesn’t scream “novelty” like some of the aggressively branded razors do, and it isn’t dull or industrial either. It hits a nice midpoint between design and function. I don’t usually comment on how a razor looks, but I’ve had visitors in the guest bathroom ask me what it is because they thought it looked interesting and modern.There’s also a subtle psychological comfort in using this razor. I’ve come to trust it. And that’s not something I say lightly. Shaving for people with sensitive skin is often an anxiety-inducing task. The fear of nicks, bumps, redness, and rawness can genuinely make you put off shaving altogether. But with the SkinGuard, I find myself going into the routine with a relaxed mindset. It doesn’t punish a rushed pass or punish you for not prepping the skin perfectly. It’s forgiving in a way that other razors simply aren’t. That confidence alone has changed my grooming habits—making them more frequent, more enjoyable, and a lot less stressful.Over the past six months, I’ve rotated between this razor and a few others for testing purposes, but I always end up coming back to this one. I’ve travelled with it, used it in various climates, and even relied on it during periods of skin irritation or minor breakouts when I’d normally avoid shaving altogether. In every instance, the performance has been steady, predictable, and gentle.I think that’s ultimately what makes the Gillette SkinGuard Sensitive stand out so strongly—it’s engineered with empathy. It understands that not everyone wants the sharpest, closest, most aggressive shave. Some of us just want to look tidy, feel clean, and avoid trauma to our skin. It fills that role perfectly, with no pretension and no overcomplication. It works, every single time. And for that reason alone, it’s become one of my most trusted grooming tools. I’ll continue to use it, recommend it, and keep it in my rotation, not just because it’s effective, but because it genuinely respects the skin it’s designed for.

Very smooth shave, big improvement to my old razor.

I have always had sensitive skin and normally use (successfully) a single blade disposable razor but, as I've got older my skin has changed and felt I needed something even gentler. This double blade razor gives a closer shave and is gentle on the skin, but it does have quite a large flat head - due to the addition of the 'gel' strips. The blades are located quite 'inboard' too. It is therefore impossible to reach every area, specifically just under the nose and also having to be careful around the lips. I had to finish off with my thinner single blade. Great for neck and cheeks though.I will persevere with it and see if I can change the way I shave (but that's not easy after a lifetime!).Everyones face and beard growth is different of course, so this may be ideal for some. The parts you can get it to work on, it works well!

Husband very pleased with razor, a smooth shave

Using it for my head I noticed a real difference between this and my normal Gillette razor labs. Before it using this my hair would drag it's fent horrible to shave no matter the length, and would always get shaving sports after, using the skinguard razor that all went away, it glided over my head no drag no spots completely change my shaving game.

Not a close enough shave, twice a day shave required

surprised again good smooth shave gritting older beard got lot harder good razor hard to find

This is a good buy