This page explains how Shave Magazine researches products and decides what to include in our buying guides. We want you to know exactly what our recommendations are based on, and what they are not based on.
Who we are
Shave Magazine is a small, independent website about shaving and grooming: razors, shaving creams, brushes, aftershaves, trimmers, epilators and beard care. We research products and write buying guides to help you compare your options.
We do not test products hands-on. We do not visit stores, and we do not use third-party testers or labs. Our guides are based on research: we gather published information from manufacturers, regulators and health authorities, compare it, and explain it in plain language.
How we research products
For each guide, we look at the following:
- Manufacturer specifications. Ingredients, blade type, power source and battery life, sizes, materials and care instructions, taken from the manufacturer or the retailer listing. When a detail comes only from the manufacturer, we say so.
- Ingredient facts. We check ingredient and labeling questions (for example fragrance, alcohol, “natural” or “hypoallergenic” claims) against U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance on cosmetics.
- Skin and shaving guidance. For topics such as razor burn, razor bumps, ingrown hairs, sensitive skin and skin conditions, we follow guidance from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other medical organizations.
- Safety notices and recalls. We check the FDA and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall databases for the products and brands we list.
- Owner feedback. We read public reviews from buyers to spot common patterns, such as recurring complaints about blades, batteries, scent or durability. We use this as background, not as proof.
- Price and availability. We check that a product is currently available to buy and compare price and what’s included.
How we choose products
We compare products on criteria that fit the category, such as ingredients and fragrance, blade or cutting system, corded or cordless use and battery life, wet or dry use, ease of cleaning, replacement blade or head costs, and price.
We do not give products numeric scores, star ratings or percentages. A product’s position in a list is not a score.
We leave out products that are under an active recall, that are not currently available, or that we cannot find reliable information about.
Health and safety content
When an article includes health or safety information, we check each claim against authoritative sources and cite them with numbered links listed at the end of the article, so you can read the original guidance yourself.
Our content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please see a doctor or dermatologist about skin conditions, infections, or bumps and ingrown hairs that don’t go away.
Updates and corrections
Products, prices and guidance change. We update articles when a product is discontinued or recalled, when prices change significantly, or when official guidance is revised.
Each article keeps its original published date. The “Last updated” date changes only when we make a real change to the content.
If you spot an error or out-of-date information, please tell us through our Contact page. We review every report and correct mistakes.
How we make money
Some links on this site are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn a commission from other retailers. This does not change the price you pay.
Affiliate commissions never affect which products we include or how we describe them. We do not accept payment from brands to be included in our guides. See our Affiliate Disclosure and Editorial Policy.