About Schick
Overview
Schick is an American-origin shaving and personal care brand best known for its razors, razor blades, and hair removal products. Currently part of Edgewell Personal Care, a global consumer products company, Schick operates alongside sister brands such as Wilkinson Sword, which serves as the primary trade name in European markets. The brand traces its heritage to the 1920s and the innovations of inventor Colonel Jacob Schick, whose work significantly influenced the development of both electric and wet shaving technologies. Today, Schick positions itself around shaving innovation, skin comfort, convenience, and individual self-expression.1
Basic Information
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Brand | Schick® |
| Industry | Personal care / grooming |
| Main category | Shaving and hair removal |
| Origin | United States |
| Associated with | Jacob Schick |
| Heritage | 1920s |
| Current owner | Edgewell Personal Care |
| Major markets | United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Asia and other international markets |
| European counterpart | Wilkinson Sword |
| Core products | Men’s razors, women’s razors, disposable razors, razor cartridges and shaving systems |
| Notable product families | Hydro, Xtreme3, Intuition, Exacta and various sensitive-skin lines |
| Current positioning | Shaving designed around skin comfort, performance and individuality |
Edgewell identifies Schick as one of its principal shaving brands, while the company describes the label as having a “100-year tradition of looking forward.”1
Origins and History
The history of Schick is intrinsically linked to Jacob Schick, an American inventor dedicated to improving the shaving process. While official histories credit Colonel Schick with conceiving an electric shaver as early as 1910, the commercial brand entity developed throughout the 1920s. Edgewell currently cites “Schick—since 1926” as the definitive marker for the brand’s heritage, distinguishing the founding of the business from Schick’s earlier conceptual work on electric shaving.
Jacob Schick’s foundational philosophy was that engineering and innovation could make shaving more efficient and convenient. This technological approach established the brand’s identity, which continues to influence modern product development focused on blade mechanics, lubrication, ergonomics, and skin protection.2
Although initially famous for electric shaving technology, Schick eventually became a dominant force in wet shaving, specifically through cartridge and disposable razor systems. The brand has consistently introduced technologies aimed at resolving common shaving issues, including skin irritation, razor burn, cuts, and the need for better lubrication. Significant innovations identified by Edgewell include the Schick Intuition and Schick Hydro systems.7
Corporate Evolution
Merger with Wilkinson Sword
A pivotal moment in the brand’s corporate history occurred in 1992, when Schick merged with Wilkinson Sword. Wilkinson Sword possesses a distinct lineage dating back to 1772, when it was established as a weapons manufacturer in London before transitioning to blades and razors. Following the merger, the two names evolved into complementary geographic brands within the same portfolio.3
Acquisition by Energizer
In 2003, Energizer Holdings acquired the combined Schick-Wilkinson Sword business from Pfizer. At the time of acquisition, the entity was recognized as the world’s second-largest manufacturer and marketer of men’s and women’s wet shaving products.4 Energizer subsequently expanded this personal care portfolio through further acquisitions, transforming the division from a predominantly shaving-focused operation into a broader consumer products business.5
Formation of Edgewell Personal Care
In 2015, Energizer spun off its household products division, establishing the personal care segment as an independent publicly traded company named Edgewell Personal Care. Schick became a flagship brand within this new entity.6 As of 2026, Edgewell’s portfolio includes Schick, Wilkinson Sword, Edge, Skintimate, Personna, Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, Wet Ones, Playtex, Bulldog, Jack Black, Cremo, and Billie.6
Product Portfolio
Schick’s product range has expanded significantly beyond traditional disposables to address diverse grooming needs. The brand states it has patented more than 500 innovations across men’s and women’s categories.9
Schick Hydro
Introduced in 2010, the Hydro system is a key men’s shaving line designed to enhance skin protection and lubrication. The system features skin guards positioned between blade tips and a hydrating gel reservoir intended to provide continuous lubrication during use. Hydro represented a strategic response to the market demand for increasingly sophisticated cartridge systems.7
Schick Intuition
Schick Intuition is a prominent product family designed for women’s shaving. Its core concept integrates shaving and lubrication into a single unit, streamlining the grooming routine. This product exemplifies the brand’s strategy of prioritizing convenience and skin care over blade count alone. Edgewell highlights Intuition as one of Schick’s most notable product innovations.7
Xtreme3
The Schick Xtreme3 family comprises multi-blade disposable razors that emphasize flexibility and convenience. Designed for users seeking a multi-blade experience without a reusable handle system, Xtreme3 is sold in multiple international markets, including Malaysia and other Asian territories.8
Sensitive Skin Lines
Schick maintains specific product ranges for consumers concerned with irritation and sensitivity. These products typically combine specialized blades, enhanced lubrication, ergonomic handles, and moisturizing components. This focus reflects a broader industry shift where brands compete on skin comfort as well as shave closeness.
Brand Philosophy and Strategy
Individuality and Self-Expression
Modern Schick branding centers on the concept of individuality. Marketing communications emphasize that facial and body hair are forms of personal expression, whether consumers choose to be clean-shaven, maintain facial hair, or remove body hair. The stated philosophy asserts that shaving should facilitate self-expression rather than dictate appearance.9
Skin-First Grooming
A significant strategic evolution involves positioning shaving as an integral part of skin care. In April 2026, Edgewell launched the “Do Right By Your Skin” campaign featuring Nick Jonas, framing shaving as the first step in a skin care routine. This marks a departure from traditional marketing that prioritized blade count and closeness, moving instead toward a holistic model of shaving, skin protection, and overall grooming.5
Presence in Asia
Schick maintains a substantial presence in Asian markets, with Japan serving as a historically significant territory. Edgewell notes that 2025 marked Schick Japan’s 65th anniversary, indicating market entry around 1960. Japan also functions as a hub for advanced grooming concepts; in 2025, Schick Japan launched Progista, a premium total-grooming brand integrating pre-shave protection, shaving, and after-shave care.
In Southeast Asia, Schick is widely available through major retailers. Markets such as Malaysia carry extensive ranges including Xtreme3, Reload, Blossom, Sensitive Care, Exacta2 Sensitive, Pure Nourishment, and Hydro5. Retailers in the region describe Schick as a brand with nearly a century of grooming expertise rooted in the legacy of Jacob Schick.3
Schick vs. Wilkinson Sword
While both brands belong to the Edgewell shaving portfolio, they serve distinct geographic and market roles:
| Brand | Main Identity |
|---|---|
| Schick | Major shaving brand prominent in North America, Asia, and Australia |
| Wilkinson Sword | Major shaving and blade brand prominent in Europe and select international markets |
Products marketed under the Schick name in one region may appear under the Wilkinson Sword name in another, reflecting a geographic branding arrangement within the same corporate structure.3
Competitive Position and Sustainability
Schick operates in a competitive global landscape alongside manufacturers such as Gillette, BIC, Harry’s, and Dollar Shave Club. The brand differentiates itself through a combination of long-standing heritage, engineering expertise, extensive retail distribution, and proprietary shaving technologies, rather than competing solely on price.
Regarding sustainability, Schick has acknowledged the environmental challenges associated with disposable and cartridge razors. The brand has stated it is working toward greater use of sustainable materials, reduced plastic waste, and lower environmental impact through more responsible product development.
Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1772 | Wilkinson Sword’s predecessor established in Britain |
| 1910 | Jacob Schick conceives an electric shaver |
| 1920s | Schick develops into a commercial shaving brand |
| 1926 | Year used by Schick for its brand heritage |
| 1992 | Schick and Wilkinson Sword merge |
| 2003 | Energizer acquires Schick-Wilkinson Sword from Pfizer |
| 2010 | Schick Hydro launches |
| 2015 | Energizer’s personal care business becomes Edgewell Personal Care |
| 2025 | Schick Japan marks 65 years in Japan |
| 2026 | Schick launches its “Do Right By Your Skin” campaign |
Sources for the corporate timeline include Edgewell’s official history and corporate filings.
References
- About Us – Schick US
- epc-20200930
- Schick
- Schick US
- Schick Debuts Do Right By Your Skin Campaign to Reveal Its Skin-First Shave Approach, Featuring Global Superstar Nick Jonas – Edgewell Personal Care
- About Edgewell Personal Care | Schick
- Edgewell Personal Care & Schick Story | Schick AU
- Schick 舒適牌官網|舒適牌台灣
- Schick US





