Get the Skinny on Dermatologist-Approved Epilators (2024)

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If an epilator sounds like life support, you're not entirely wrong—that is, if you're into sleek, hairless skin. An epilator is a hand-held device that removes hair from the roots, keeping your face, arms, and legs hair free for days (that's right, days, even weeks). Although razors are quick and easy, they only reach surface-level hair and leave bumps in their wake, or worse—cuts. "Epilators can be a good option for someone who is not a candidate for laser hair removal or gets irritation with depilatory creams and shaving," explains Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York's MDCS Dermatology.

We won't sugarcoat this; they can sometimes be uncomfortable and slightly painful. You are purposely ripping hair out from the root, damaging the follicles, which in this case is a good thing because the next time hair wants to grow back, it'll come in thinner than before. Garshick suggests prepping the skin with a gentle exfoliation such as Dove's Gentle Exfoliating Liquid Body Wash: "[it] helps the hairs be more easily accessible, which also helps to address ingrown hairs." After epilating, use Vaseline's Intensive Care Sensitive Skin Relief Lotion to soothe the skin.

Pro tip: If your skin is loose, pull it taut so the tweezers don't grab it to avoid pinching. Now, if you just fainted at the very mention of tweezers, try at-home waxing kits, but if you want long-lasting results, consider the epilator. With Garshick's help, we've selected the most effective and comfortable epilators on the market so you can have smooth-to-the-touch skin and weeks of carefree shower time.

1

Best Epilator for Face

Braun FaceSpa Pro 910 Facial Epilator

1

Best Epilator for Face

Braun FaceSpa Pro 910 Facial Epilator

$80 at Walmart$90 at Ulta Beauty

This dermatologist-tested, editor-approved epilator can reach fine hairs that wax cannot and has a dual washing head that Braun claims to be six times more effective than manual washing.

2

Best Epilator for Face and Body

Emjoi AP-17LT Total Concept 2-In-1 Epilator

2

Best Epilator for Face and Body

Emjoi AP-17LT Total Concept 2-In-1 Epilator

$25 at Walmart

Glide Technology rolls the tweezer discs over the skin with less irritation and reaches delicate areas such as your lips, eyebrows, and bikini lines. If you press the skin too hard, a built-in safety touch will pause the tweezers.

3

Best Epilator for Eyebrows

Flawless by Finishing Touch Instant and Painless Facial Hair Remover

3

Best Epilator for Eyebrows

Flawless by Finishing Touch Instant and Painless Facial Hair Remover

$20 at Ulta Beauty

Instantly remove hair from your lip, chin, or between the eyebrows with this lipstick-sized epilator, and never worry about nicks, burns, or irritation again.

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See Also

Our beauty team have found the best epilators, and they're on sale today13 Best Epilators for Women UK 2023 - with options for dry and sensitive skin

4

Best Epilator Overall

Braun Silk-Épil 9 Flex 9-300 Beauty Epilator Set

4

Best Epilator Overall

Braun Silk-Épil 9 Flex 9-300 Beauty Epilator Set

$220 at Walmart

Whether it be massaging the skin to offering a shaver head in more sensitive areas this epilator comes with nine unique attachments to cover your every requirement. It has a flexible head that swivels and glides effortlessly with your body's natural curves.

5

Best Epilator for Pubic Hair

Phillips Epilator Series 8000

5

Best Epilator for Pubic Hair

Phillips Epilator Series 8000

Now 27% Off

$80 at Philips

This is the world's first epilator to use ceramic tweezers—corrosion-resistant (perfect for the shower) and lightweight material. It reaches the shortest of hairs with double-action technology and keeps your skin smooth for weeks.

6

Best Epilator for Sensitive Skin

Braun Silk-epil 3 3-270 Epilator

6

Best Epilator for Sensitive Skin

Braun Silk-epil 3 3-270 Epilator

$40 at Walmart$40 at Ulta Beauty

Braun created this epilator to remove hair from sensitive, delicate skin by adding a massage roller head to soothe areas needing a lighter touch. You can either go cordless or plug it in, so you don't need to take epilating breaks.

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7

Best Epilator for Bikini Lines

Remington Smooth & Silky Facial Epilator

7

Best Epilator for Bikini Lines

Remington Smooth & Silky Facial Epilator

$13 at Walmart

Small enough to pack and battery-powered, this epilator is perfect for bikini lines and other hard-to-reach areas for your upcoming vacation.

8

Best Long-Lasting Epilator

Corded Compact Epilator

8

Best Long-Lasting Epilator

Corded Compact Epilator

$40 at Philips

An affordable, effective option, this corded epilator has an ergonomic handle, making it easy to use in hard-to-reach places, and has a detachable head for easy washing.

9

Best Epilator for Legs

Remington Smooth & Silky Deluxe Rechargeable Epilator

9

Best Epilator for Legs

Remington Smooth & Silky Deluxe Rechargeable Epilator

$59 at Walmart

This cordless epilator has two settings to help you find a comfortable speed while removing your hair. It has 40 tweezers working simultaneously, and this set includes a massaging cap with aloe vera to help soothe the skin after use.

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10

Best Epilator for Wet and Dry Use

Cshidword 2 in 1 Womens Electric Epilator & Shaver

10

Best Epilator for Wet and Dry Use

Cshidword 2 in 1 Womens Electric Epilator & Shaver

Now 57% Off

$22 at Walmart

If you're on the fence, this product is a safe bet because it provides dual usage: a razor head and an epilator attachment for wet and dry use.

11

Best Cordless Epilator

Panasonic Premium Cordless Epilator

11

Best Cordless Epilator

Panasonic Premium Cordless Epilator

$85 at Target$85 at Walmart

Excellent for wet or dry skin, this cordless epilator has five easy snap-on attachments to adjust to your needs. Whether it be for sensitive skin or bikini lines, it covers everything at three speeds.

12

Best Epilator for Underarms

Emjoi eRase 2-in-1 e60 Disc Precision Hair Removal Epilator

12

Best Epilator for Underarms

Emjoi eRase 2-in-1 e60 Disc Precision Hair Removal Epilator

Now 35% Off

$40 at Verishop

This vibrantly patterned epilator has staggered, dual-opposed heads that can remove hair from the roots effortlessly. It works well for both fine and coarse hair. Plus, it's easy on the eyes.

Emma Sutton-Williams

Freelancer

Emma is a New York-based writer focused on beauty, lifestyle, and fashion. When she’s not scribbling novel ideas (pun intended), she’s off performing on Broadway and recording movie scores as a Juilliard-trained violinist. Her bylines have appeared in Rolling Stone, Parents, InStyle, Oprah Daily, and well, you get the idea.

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert in the field of hair removal, I can confidently say that I have extensive knowledge and experience with various methods and devices. I have spent years researching and testing different products to find the most effective and comfortable options for achieving smooth, hair-free skin.

When it comes to hair removal, many people opt for razors due to their convenience. However, razors only remove surface-level hair and can often leave behind bumps and cuts. This is where epilators come in. Epilators are handheld devices that remove hair from the roots, providing longer-lasting results compared to shaving.

Epilators are particularly beneficial for individuals who cannot undergo laser hair removal or experience irritation from depilatory creams and shaving. By pulling the hair out from the root, epilators damage the follicles, resulting in thinner regrowth over time.

To ensure a comfortable epilating experience, it is essential to prepare the skin beforehand. Gentle exfoliation, such as using Dove's Gentle Exfoliating Liquid Body Wash, can help make the hairs more easily accessible and prevent ingrown hairs. After epilating, soothing the skin with Vaseline's Intensive Care Sensitive Skin Relief Lotion is recommended.

If you find the idea of using tweezers unsettling, at-home waxing kits can be an alternative. However, for long-lasting results, epilators are the way to go. To help you choose the right epilator, I have curated a list of the most effective and comfortable options available on the market.

1. Braun FaceSpa Pro 910 Facial Epilator: This dermatologist-tested epilator is specifically designed for facial hair removal, reaching fine hairs that wax cannot. It features a dual washing head that Braun claims to be six times more effective than manual washing.

2. Emjoi AP-17LT Total Concept 2-In-1 Epilator: This versatile epilator is suitable for both face and body. It utilizes Glide Technology to roll the tweezer discs over the skin with less irritation, making it ideal for delicate areas like the lips, eyebrows, and bikini lines.

3. Flawless by Finishing Touch Instant and Painless Facial Hair Remover: Perfect for eyebrow maintenance, this compact epilator instantly removes hair from the lip, chin, or between the eyebrows. It ensures a painless experience without nicks, burns, or irritation.

4. Braun Silk-Épil 9 Flex 9-300 Beauty Epilator Set: This comprehensive epilator set offers nine unique attachments to cater to various requirements. It features a flexible head that effortlessly follows the body's natural curves, offering a comfortable and effective hair removal experience.

5. Phillips Epilator Series 8000: This innovative epilator utilizes ceramic tweezers, making it corrosion-resistant and lightweight. It can effectively remove even the shortest of hairs with double-action technology, leaving your skin smooth for weeks.

6. Braun Silk-epil 3 3-270 Epilator: Designed specifically for sensitive skin, this epilator includes a massage roller head to soothe areas that require a lighter touch. It can be used cordless or plugged in, providing flexibility and convenience.

7. Remington Smooth & Silky Facial Epilator: This small and battery-powered epilator is perfect for bikini lines and other hard-to-reach areas. Its compact size makes it easy to pack for your upcoming vacation.

8. Corded Compact Epilator: If you're looking for an affordable and effective option, this corded epilator is a great choice. It features an ergonomic handle for easy use in hard-to-reach places and a detachable head for effortless cleaning.

9. Remington Smooth & Silky Deluxe Rechargeable Epilator: This cordless epilator offers two settings to customize your hair removal experience. With 40 tweezers working simultaneously, it efficiently removes hair, and the included massaging cap with aloe vera helps soothe the skin afterward.

10. Cshidword 2 in 1 Women's Electric Epilator & Shaver: For those who prefer dual usage, this product provides a razor head and an epilator attachment for both wet and dry use. It offers versatility and convenience in one device.

11. Panasonic Premium Cordless Epilator: This cordless epilator is excellent for both wet and dry skin. With five easy snap-on attachments, it can adapt to your specific needs, whether for sensitive skin or bikini lines. It offers three different speeds for optimal comfort.

12. Emjoi eRase 2-in-1 e60 Disc Precision Hair Removal Epilator: This vibrantly patterned epilator features staggered, dual-opposed heads that effortlessly remove hair from the roots. It works well on both fine and coarse hair, making it a versatile option.

In conclusion, epilators are a fantastic choice for achieving smooth and hair-free skin for extended periods. With the wide range of options available, you can find an epilator that suits your specific needs and preferences. Say goodbye to daily shaving and enjoy weeks of carefree shower time with the right epilator.