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Let’s get real: Shaving is so overrated. Yes, it may leave you with super-soft, hairless skin, but it also comes with a slew of inconveniences: razor burn, cuts and nicks, and dull blades are just a few of them.
So, you can let the hair grow out and rock that as you please, but if you want go totally smooth, then opt for a hair-removal cream. It seems intimidating at first, but hear us out — it’s less painful than waxing, cheaper than laser hair removal, and it doesn't cause tiny cuts or red bumps like razors do. Need we say more?
What Are Hair-Removal Creams?
Rather than breaking out your razor or wax strips, these powerful hair-removal creams work to break down pesky hairs from the root so you can easily swipe or wash them away.
"Hair-removal creams contain ingredients such as sodium thioglycolate, calcium thioglycolate, and strontium sulfide," says Vanessa Thomas, cosmetic chemist and founder of Freelance Formulations. "These ingredients work by breaking down the protein bonds of the hair. In a water-based solution at the proper pH, these ingredients are converted to acid, which then affects the hair."
Thomas notes that these creams, which are also known as depilatories, are safe when used as directed on the label. However, if you're not cautious, you can easily burn and hurt your skin by leaving the product on for too long.
"These creams are also not recommended for sensitive areas such as the bikini area," says Thomas. "Depilatories react with protein in the hair first, and then the skin. For this reason, depilatories must be left on the skin for a certain length of time specified on the packaging."
The Best Hair-Removal Creams
- Best Overall: Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream
- Cult-Favorite: Neomen Hair Removal Cream
- Fast-Acting: Nair Shower Power Sensitive with Coconut Oil
- TikTok-Approved: Softsheen-Carson Magic Razorless Shaving Powder with Fragrance
- Best for Pubic Area: NULL Hair Removal Cream
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Nad's Sensitive Hair Removal Cream
- Best for Facial Hair: Completely Bare ctrl+hair+DEL Facial Hair Removal Cream
- Best for In-Between Treatments: Completely Bare Don't Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor
- Under-$10: GiGi Hair Removal Lotion
- Dermatologist-Tested: Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover Kit
- Best for Dry Skin: Nair Clay & Seaweed Exfoliate & Smooth Leg Mask
- Best Body Hair Bleach: Jolen Crème Bleach
If you're ready to break up with your razor, you're in luck: we scoured the internet for the most top-rated hair-removal creams that, well, actually work thanks to their impressive formulations. Below, check out our favorites:
Formulated with soothing aloe vera and vitamin E, this hair-removal cream from Veet reaches down to the root, softening each individual strand for an easy, nick- and bump-free removal in less than 5 minutes.
More: How to Choose the Right At-Home Hair-Removal Method
This cult-favorite Amazon hair-removal cream is beloved by thousands of buyers for its intense follicle-dissolving formula that is gentle on skin.
It's packed with aloe vera, vitamin E, and baby oil to leave skin feeling moisturized and hydrated without leaving any nicks or bumps in its wake.
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Gone are the days of red bumps and itchiness, thanks to this ultra-gentle formula. It's perfect for sensitive skin types thanks to its 100% natural coconut oil and vitamin E, plus it's free of dyes and dermatologist-tested.
This hair-removal cream also takes as little as 5 minutes to remove hair (no longer than 10 minutes!), andclaims to give you stubble-free skin for up to 6 days.
This impressive shave-free powder-to-cream depilatory went viral on TikTok for its awe-inducing ease of bringing even the roughest of body hair to an instant halt.
This wonder powder turns into a rich cream as you rub it on, and in as little as five minutes you can get to wiping off all that unwanted hair in just a few strokes. This $2 tin of powder is so good it even won the hearts of our friends over atAllureand BuzzFeed.
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This hair-removal cream from NULL offers effortless hair removal even on very coarse hair. It also promises low irritation, so this is a great option if you have sensitive skin.
Bonus: It's gentle enough to use on your pubic area as well!
Perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin, this hair-removal cream from Nad's will eradicate unwanted hair without irritating your skin. Containing soothing ingredients likemelon, aloe vera, avocado oil, and honey, it'll painlessly remove hair as little as 4 minutes!
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Peach fuzz and upper lip hair are completely normal, but we understand if you'd rather get rid of it. This soothing formula from Completely Bare can help you do just that.
This hair-removal cream is formulated specifically for your face, so it's intense enough to disintegrate any unwanted hair from the root without causing burns or irritation. Containing good-for-your-skin essentials likeargan oil, aloe vera, and cocoa butter, this hair removal cream will rid your skin of any unwanted facial hair without searing your skin in the process.
We may not be able to put hair growth on hold permanently, but we can extend the time in between hair-removal sessions.
Completely Bare's Don't Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor is an alternative type of hair-removal cream that moisturizes skin and smells amazing. It won't instantly take off hair, but it'll gradually limit growth on already smooth skin. Plus,this moisturizer also contains exfoliating white willow bark & moisture-packed shea butter to make your skin feel great even during its stubbly days.
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This lotion from GiGi offers quick and easy hair removal for arms, legs, and the bikini area. It's affordable and glides on like a dream! it also includes soothing skincare ingredients likealoe vera, cocoa butter, vitamins C and E, and natural oils. Seriously, what's not to love?
The affordable Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover kits can help keep your face looking smooth for weeks. Specifically designed for facial hair, this dermatologist-tested hair-removal cream will effectively rid you of unwanted fuzz on the upper lip and chin area.
This kit also comes with an aftercare lotion, which includes collagen and vitamin E to soothe any irritated spots you may have.
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Legs feeling a little rough? Then give them a 2-in-1 treatment with this exfoliating mask. It's meant to be used in between your usual hair-removal process to get rid of any stubborn stubble, but it doesn't stop there.
Its nourishing formula of naturalclay and seaweed helps gets rid of dry patches, flakes, and dead skin cells to give your calves and thighs a velvety, smooth-to-the-touch feel.
Another option is to skip hair removal altogether, and try bleaching to make it less noticeable instead.
Jolen's popular creme bleach has been around for 50 years, and it's a quick, effective option that's most often used to lighten hair on the upper lip and eyebrows.
Jennifer Hussein
Beauty Editor
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.
Ashley Phillips
Beauty & Style Editor
Ashley is the beauty and style editor at BestProducts.com, and her work has been featured on Cosmopolitan and Town and Country. She has an obsession with designer handbags, Liberty prints, 1960s fashion, and owns more shoes than she’s willing to admit. She's been using her learnings from owning a boutique and her shopping addiction for good since 2015. She’ll never accept that black isn’t a color. Away from the computer, you’ll likely find the Texas native binging on a British period drama or theorizing over Game of Thrones. She has yet to find a real cup of queso in NYC.