These Are the Hair-Removal Creams That Give Me the Smoothest Skin
If you’re over the razor cuts or wax appointments, the best hair-removal creams help eliminate unwanted hair in just a few steps at home. These products (also known as depilatory creams) are gentle enough for your face, bikini area, legs, and everywhere in between. Unlike painful wax strips, lotions remove hair from the root and are much cheaper than laser hair removal and electrolysis. Plus, many people “find shaving or waxing leaves irritation bumps or causes breakouts,” says Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. To help you find the right product for every area, we spoke to dermatologists for recommendations on gentle formulas, and then tested a handful of options ourselves. We found picks that contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera, and others that work on even the coarsest hair. (Pro tip: Experts always recommend patch testing before using them).
This hair-removal cream is considered one of the best by several experts. NYC esthetician Samantha Susca, likes that it’s formulated with anti-inflammatory bisabolol, urea, and shea butter to offset the thioglycolic acid—the chemical that removes hair. While these chemicals tend to have an unpleasant, sulfuric odor, this one has a light floral scent. “The shea butter and aloe vera help soothe and hydrate skin while effectively breaking down hair at the root for a smooth finish,” Dr. Spearman adds. “Unlike other creams that can leave skin feeling dry or irritated, this one is designed to be gentle on sensitive areas while still delivering fast and effective results.” Bonus: It comes with a spatula, so you can spread the product evenly without getting it all over your hands or bathroom.
“This buttery cream did a great job of removing hair on my legs without being too harsh. The consistency is easy to spread and stays put in all the areas I brushed it on without getting patchy or streaky. It definitely smells stronger than other hair-removal creams I’ve used, but it doesn’t necessarily smell bad. I was able to scrape off hair easily, and my legs were silky smooth post-application. Would definitely recommend it and can’t wait to use it again—it’s perfect for summer.” —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour commerce writer
“I have really sensitive skin, and this didn’t leave me with the redness or irritation that shaving does. It’s the only way I’m going to remove hair from that area from now on.” —Neha Tandon, Glamour contributor
Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, likes this gel because it contains vitamin E and aloe vera. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that provides barrier support and protects the skin from damage, while aloe vera is known to have soothing properties, though it can also address hyperpigmentation. “It’s a good option for those with sensitive skin and those looking to remove hair in sensitive areas,” Dr. Garshick says. Veet’s formula also comes in handy because it’s an in-shower product that only requires five minutes of downtime, not to mention you’ll get a pretty hefty amount of product for just under $10.
“This gentle hair-removal cream literally removed all of the hair on my legs in under five minutes. The bottle comes with a spatula that picks up the cream quickly when it’s time to remove it, and the formula itself was super hydrating and made my skin feel ultra-soft. The only thing I didn’t like about this formula was the smell, it’s definitely not the most pleasant, but that’s easy to overlook with the great results it gives you.” —A.M.K.
If you’re looking to gently remove hair in between your eyebrows and upper lip area, this gentle hair-removal cream won’t sting or cause redness. The formula is thick and creamy, and features almond oil to hydrate, so that your skin doesn’t feel stripped or dry after removing the cream. The best part? It also can help remove coarser hair that you’d find popping out of the chin area. While it does have a smell, it isn’t overpowering or offensive.
“I’ve been using Nair since I was about 12 years old thanks to my mom, who’s a long-time fan of the brand. While my youthful experiences with the product weren’t as pleasant (due to the fact that I was probably using the cream incorrectly and too consistently), I’ve now got a handle on how to use it, and it’s become a staple in my cabinet. The newer formulas (compared to the ones I used in the early aughts), are also a lot more soothing than their predecessors, thanks to added hydrating ingredients like almond oil. When I use this, it never irritates or causes redness on my upper lip or chin—instead, the hair glides away with ease and I’m left with smooth, stubble-free skin.” —A.M.K.
If you’ve ever removed hair from your bikini area, you probably already know that it’s more sensitive than other areas on your body. That’s why a hair-removal cream designed to be used on the bikini line includes soothing ingredients like aloe vera to prevent irritation and itchiness. “What makes this kit stand out is that it doesn’t just remove hair, it also helps prevent common post hair–removal issues like bumps, redness, and ingrown hairs,” Dr. Spearman says. The cream removes hair fast, and the kit also comes with an after-care treatment that has aloe vera in it to cool and relieve the area in which it’s used.
Susca recommends Woo Woo’s cream to her clients who are about to go on a photo shoot because they shouldn’t risk razor burn. This is a great option for sensitive skin as it’s fragrance-free and made with moisturizing jojoba oil and aloe vera, she says. In fact, she even recommends this for use on the face because of how gentle the formula is. What’s more is that people rarely complain about the scent of this product, which is practically unheard of with a hair-removal cream.
“It was actually an enjoyable experience to use it on my leg hair. I was nervous because I’ve been literally burned by hair-removal creams in the past, but this was actually super soothing and felt really nice. It’s a great hair-removal option.” —Archita Patel, Glamour contributor
If you’ve never used a depilatory cream, the best way to try one out is to do a patch test first on the area you’re hoping to remove the hair. “Test on a small part of your skin and wait 24 hours to get an idea of how you can handle the product,” Dr. Spearman says.
After the waiting period, make sure you’re applying an even layer if you want to remove all hair. Then set a timer for the amount of time listed in the product’s instructions, and make sure to rinse or wipe off the cream as soon as the wait time is over to avoid irritation.
“You should avoid using in the face or bikini area unless the product states it’s safe for that zone,” Dr. Spearman says. “For aftercare, you should apply a fragrance-free moisturizer or aloe vera.”
Additionally, she says you should avoid showering at overly hot temperatures or using any skin care products with harsh chemicals and ingredients—think actives like retinol and exfoliating acids—for at least 24 hours after use.
“If you have sensitive skin, depilatory creams could cause a reaction,” Dr. Spearman says. “Make sure to follow the instructions to ensure you aren’t leaving the cream on for too long and start with a small area to understand how your skin will react.” If you perform a patch test and find that your skin becomes irritated during or after the waiting period, it may be best to avoid using the depilatory cream altogether.
Because hair removal creams work by dissolving hair with strong chemicals, applying them over a mole is not a great idea. “The chemicals can irritate or burn the mole, and any resulting inflammation or color changes could make it harder for a doctor to spot warning signs of skin cancer down the road,” says Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Jersey. That being said, if you have a mole that grows hair that you want to remove, it’s best to check with your doctor on the best way to do so.
If a hair-removal cream irritates you, the first thing to do is to stop it immediately. Treat the area with a soothing moisturizer and use other hair-removal methods instead. Don’t use depilatory creams on skin that’s been recently treated (such as laser), is irritated or sunburned. “I also recommend avoiding potentially irritating products such as retinoids, exfoliating acids, or benzoyl peroxide for a day or two before and after treatment if your skin is prone to sensitivity,” says Dr. Rambhia. While hair-removal creams can be a convenient option, individuals with very sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea may be more likely to experience irritation and should proceed with caution.
We tested hair-removal creams by evaluating ingredients, consistency, smell, and effectiveness in removing hair. We tested them on our face, underarms, and legs. The ones that stood out featured moisturizing ingredients like almond oil and shea butter to deeply hydrate and replenish the skin post-removal. We also found that the best ones had minimal smells and did a good job of keeping the skin calm and non-irritated. Ones that made the cut were highly effective, and actually removed hair in five to ten minutes. The hair-remover creams we picked made us swap out our razors, which is huge for our at-home hair-removal routine.