If you've always been curious about the best hair removal creams, you should know they have come a long way from the smelly, stinging products of years past.
What's more, top picks from brands like Nair and Flamingo make getting rid of that rogue strand on your chin or extra-thick leg hair a breeze. Once your cream of choice is applied, allow it to sit for a few minutes, then watch these hardworking formulas do their magic on your unwanted body hair.
“The advantages of this kind of hair removal are that it’s painless, easy, fast, and relatively inexpensive,” dermatologist Hadley King tells Bazaar. "And compared to shaving, there is a decreased risk of cutting the skin."
Whether you're interested in an option for the face, arms, bikini line, legs, and more, there's likely a formula that suits your needs. Here, read on for some of the best hair removal creams worth adding to your beauty rotation.
Pros
Skin-nourishing ingredients- Works fast
Cons
- Smell may be off-putting to some
Made especially for facial hair, this roll-on easily wipes away peach fuzz in just a few minutes. The addition of collagen and coconut oil also helps soothe skin, as hair removal can be on the harsh side.
- Best for: Face
Customer review: "Tried it last night and it definitely removed the hair after 5 minutes. After I wiped it off it my skin stung a little and I was worried to have some sort of reaction but by the next day it was gone and my skin looked just fine." —Zeniae
Pros
- Minimal chemical smell
Cons
- Can be messy to use
Derm-tested and safe for use on sensitive skin, this new hair removal cream from Flamingo can be used on underarms, legs, and more.
- Best for: Underarms, arms, bikini, legs
Customer review: "I have pretty sensitive skin and this worked great for me! No super overpowering scent and I do feel like it helped a lot with getting a good shave. Skin definitely felt softer when using this." —sofi09
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Pros
- Works in under 10 minutes
- Safe for intimate use
- Applicator included
Cons
You first apply this cream to dry skin, then step into the shower to rinse it off—and your unwanted body hair along with it. Its gentle yet effective formula contains a blend of soothing aloe vera and softening jojoba oil, and nicely helps prevent ingrown hair.
- Best for: Underarms, arms, bikini line, legs
Customer review: "First time user. Applied for 6 minutes before heading to the shower. There were a couple of missed patches swiped with a razor after, but no pain or rashes. Easy to apply and the smoothest she has been! No more stubble or razor rash for that smooth feeling."
Best Foam
Completely Bare Easy Off Foaming Hair Removal Spray
Now 23% Off
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Works quickly
Cons
- Some reviewers say the nozzle gets easily clogged
Technically, this is a foam, but think of it like a shaving cream that removes hair. The creamy formula melts hair away within minutes and then slows hair regrowth over time. Aloe in the foam soothes irritation while shea butter and cocoa butter replenish moisture in the skin. Plus, the spray format is super easy to apply compared to slathering on a cream.
- Best for: Arms and legs
Customer review: "I was a bit nervous to use this product as I hadn’t had a great experience with Nair or other methods of hair removal in the past, but this one was great! As a brown girl, I have lots of coarse hair, but that was no issue for Completely Bare. I will continue using it for sure!" —Rachel Q.
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Pros
- Prescription strength
- Easy to use
Cons
- Over $50
This hair removal cream is available by prescription and made with with eflornithine to block an enzyme that leads to facial hair growth. It doesn't remove hair in one fell swoop, but rather it slows growth over time so you'll forget it ever existed in the first place.
- Best for: Face
Customer review: "At first I wasn't sure if was doing anything but after using this cream for 7 weeks, I can honestly see a huge difference in my facial hair growth!! Patience is definitely key and do not give up if you have some irritation, because that almost made me stop." —Angela R.
Pros
- Contains nourishing ingredients
- Smells better than other formulas
Cons
- Some users found the scent off-putting
Hair removal creams are often very smelly, but Wakse aims to change that experience, and does so with this Hair Dissolving Cream. The gentle formula is packed with moisturizing urea and glycerin, and masks the traditional chemical smell with a sweet guava fruit scent. If that's not your vibe, there are also cotton candy and mango scent options to choose from.
- Best for: Face, arms, underarms, legs, bikini area
Customer review: "It smells better than most I've tried. And within 8 minutes, it was all clean and removed. Leave my skin soft. Don't see myself not buying this again. Totally worth it." —Manny
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Pros
- Includes a calming serum
- Easy to use
Cons
Here's another popular hair removal cream option from the experts at Flamingo, this time for the face. Its formula is not only dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin, but also prevents new hair growth for up to a week after use.
- Best for: Face
Customer review: "I didn't realize how much fine hair was on my face. This product is amazing." —Jennifer L.
Pros
- Works quickly
- Contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera
Cons
- Tube size may not be as large as some others
Thousands of Amazon reviewers agree: This depilatory cream is one of the very best. Not only is it infused with aloe vera and vitamin E to calm redness and irritation, but it takes only five minutes to remove hair from your legs, arms, and more.
- Best for: Underarms, arms, bikini, legs
Customer review: "Make sure that you wait the 5 minutes. Get a warm wash cloth to remove the hair. So far I love it." —OSurfergirl
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Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Under $10
Cons
- Gel formula may not be ideal for those looking for a traditional cream
If the threat of ingrown hairs has caused you to take a break from shaving, consider reaching for Veet's gel-cream remover instead, which aims to reduce hair growth over time.
- Best for: Underarms, arms, bikini, legs
Customer review: "I have sensitive skin and have been using this product for over five years. It always removes all the hair and never gives me a reaction. Great product!"
Pros
- Under $10
- Formula is non-irritating
Cons
- Some reviewers say the scent is off-putting
For those with sensitive skin, this coveted removal cream uses a gentle formula to minimize potential irritation.
- Best for: Underarms, arms, bikini, legs
Customer review: "Ok, so honestly this product is amazing!! Used if for the first time today on my bikini area and I am one pleased customer! Apart from the smell everything is a 5/5." —Shantel
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Pros
- Mild scent
Cons
- May not work as quickly as other formulas
Made specifically for the more intimate parts of the body, this hair removal cream effectively and quickly (it boasts a 5-10 minute wait time) removes hair without irritating skin. It's also strong enough to use for the rest of your body, which is always a nice added bonus.
- Best for: Bikini, intimate area, face, underarms, legs, arms
What the reviewers are saying: "I loved this product. I’m a private person, so no wax shops for me. This product worked perfectly to remove underarm and intimate area hair. There is a mild scent to this product, but nowhere near overbearing. You will not be disappointed with this hair remover. I 100% recommend." — M. Wilkins
Pros
- Made with vegan ingredients
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- Over $40
Elaine Perine proves that there is such a thing as luxe hair removal. In addition to the sleek packaging, the hair growth inhibiting cream taps plant-based ingredients, such as willowherb, which slows the formation of keratin and prevents hair from regrowing. Saw palmetto and pumpkin seed work in tandem to slow and eventually stop hair growth on the body.
- Best for: Bikini, intimate area, underarms, legs
What the reviewers are saying: "I've been using it for a month, and it's working. Use it twice a day for better results. Scent is too good." —Swetha Agasthareddy
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Pros
- Great for travel
Cons
- Application mitt sold separately
The messiness of hair removal creams can be a deterrent, but HairSlayer eliminates that concern. Mix a small amount of the powder formula until it becomes a clay-like paste, swipe it onto skin, and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off. A combination of kaolin clay and urea exfoliates skin and clears pores as it eliminates hair. For a mess-free application, there's a mitt sold separately.
- Best for: Legs, arms, underarms, bikini area, chest, back, and butt
Customer review: "I was skeptical at first, but Hair Slayer totally proved me wrong. This hair removal powder is so easy to use and way more gentle than waxing or shaving. I just mixed it with water, applied it to my legs, and after a few minutes—boom—smooth, hair-free skin with zero razor bumps or irritation." —Iris R.
Meet the Experts
- Hadley King, M.D., is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist.
- Sarah Akram is a Dior master esthetician and the owner of Sarah Akram Skincare in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Are Hair Removal Creams Safe?
According to Sarah Akram, master esthetician and owner of Sarah Akram Skincare, hair removal creams are generally safe when used properly on the right candidate. However, "You’re essentially using a cream that will cause a chemical reaction to melt the hair off of the designated area," she explains, adding that she does prefer clients wax or shave over using depilatory creams.
Where Should I Use Hair Removal Cream?
"Stick to applying depilatory creams to legs, arms, and underarms—areas with thicker skin," recommends Akram. In other words, while there are products designed for the face and private areas, the pro does not recommend them.
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What's the Best Prep and After-Care When Using Removal Creams?
When applying the product, Akram advises wearing gloves. "Remember: harsh chemicals," she says. For after-care, she says, "Make sure you steer clear of direct sunlight, meaning don’t use a depilatory cream directly before lying in the sun all day." She also recommends this word of advice: "Avoid combining the use of depilatory cream and shaving. This will not lead to anything good for your skin."
When Should Hair Removal Cream Not Be Used?
"Avoid applying on sunburnt skin, or skin that has any cut or wound," says Akram. The esthetician also does not recommend depilatory creams for those who are sensitive. "Remember these creams are packed with chemicals which will lead to irritation," she says, adding that "darker skin tones may notice post usage pigmentation, just as they would from shaving. This is normal and should be avoided if this is a concern for you."
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Looking for More Hair Removal Ideas?
- The Best Bikini Trimmers for Touch-Ups, Trims, and More
- The Best Facial Laser Hair-Removal Devices for Smoother Skin
- The Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices, According to the Pros
- The Best Electric Razors to Upgrade Your Shaving Routine
- The Best Women's Face Razors That Won't Cause Nicks or Cuts
Why Trust Harper’s Bazaar?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
