The 10 Best Hair Removal Creams, Ranked According to Our In-Depth Tests (2024)

Who It’s For: Those looking for a vegan and convenient means for hairless, silky-smooth skin.

The Flamingo Body Hair Removal Cream stood out for not only its effective hair removal but its lovely scent, too. Where many hair removal creams that we tested developed into more chemical scents, the Flamingo Body Hair Removal Cream maintained a subtle, perfumey scent that felt like a delight to use.

Fragrance aside, the gentle formula applied smoothly (albeit a bit thickly). While it took a considerable amount of product to adequately cover our legs, the included spatula made it easy to apply. However, we found that the process was even more streamlined when we just used our hands (even if it was a bit messier overall). Once our legs were fully covered, the Flamingo Body Hair Removal Cream got right to work. In less than 10 minutes, we found that our legs were silky smooth, without any irritation, redness, or bumps in sight. Suffice to say, we’re a fan of the popular gentle formula, which has amassed millions of views on TikTok.

Our only complaint is that, since it’s recommended to use in the shower, it can be a bit annoying to wait for it to process. That said, if you have a large shower or one with a bench, that may not even cross your mind.

Nair is the classic hair removal cream brand and the Nair Shower Cream is the best in-shower cream in our book. The thick formula has a body butter consistency that feels smooth and glides on effortlessly. Since this cream doesn’t come with an applicator, we did find that it got a bit messy passing the bottle between hands while applying to each arm but that was hardly anything to deter us considering the stellar processing experience and results.

Since it’s thick, we found that it stayed in place even within a steamy shower, so it wasn’t annoying to wait for it to process for 10 minutes. Then, once we wiped it off, our arms were smooth and hairless, and not at all irritated. (Admittedly, when we tried the cream on our legs, we made the mistake of applying it over top of a bug bite, and that did cause a bit of redness—but that was user error, as the directions say not to use it on broken skin, as is the recommendation for all hair removal creams.)

One thing to keep in mind: While we didn’t find the Nair Shower Cream to have a residue, it did make our arms feel a bit off post-use. Not irritated or painful, but rather like something was lingering on the skin, despite no greasy residue. It subsided after an hour, though.

The Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream is a stellar pick for people with sensitive skin, as it’s formulated with the key hair-removing active ingredients (potassium thioglycolate and calcium hydroxide), as well as nourishing, vitamin E-rich sunflower seed oil and calendula extract. It’s also a solid choice because while removing hair, it gently exfoliates skin, which helps to prevent ingrown hairs, which folks with sensitive skin are even more prone to.

While testing the Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream, we found that it applied like a lotion—it wasn’t thick or watery, nor did it leave a greasy residue behind post-use. It also came with an application wand, which made it easy to spread and scrape off. Speaking of, when we washed it off, we loved how smooth and refreshed our skin looked. It took just seven minutes under our arms and five minutes on our legs to reveal picture-perfect, hairless skin. We were particularly impressed by this considering, unlike many hair removal creams, we only had to apply a thin layer of product to enjoy such smooth results.

The best part? Once our hair was removed, it stayed at bay for two full weeks! Needless to say, the Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream not only catered to our sensitive skin but our busy schedules, too.

One thing to note: When we left it on longer under our arms, we didn’t experience faint discomfort, though it was ultimately easy to ignore. The mild itching didn’t last beyond the processing time, so it wasn’t enough to detract from this product’s overall great performance.

The Theorganicones Charcoal and Turmeric Hair Removal Mask is a natural delight with a cooling feel and minty scent. Formulated with calcium salts, gently exfoliating activated charcoal, and anti-inflammatory turmeric extract, the viscous black cream stays in place once applied and takes around 15 minutes to adequately remove hair. That said, we did find that this hair removal mask works best on smooth surfaces (like legs) as opposed to creased surfaces (like the bikini line and underarms). While it sloughed away all the hair on our legs, it left patchy results on the other areas.

It’s also worth mentioning that while the brand suggests letting it process for 10 to 15 minutes, in some instances, we found that leaving it on for 30 minutes was most effective. While we wouldn’t normally suggest processing for longer than the recommended time, since this is a natural product, it runs less of a risk of chemical burn. That said, when one of our testers with psoriasis over-processed her underarms in hopes of a smooth result, she was met with stinging. While it subsided, she doesn’t recommend overdoing it.

It’s also important to highlight the longer time it takes to work. Since hair removal creams are messy (even if they apply neatly), it’s best to apply them while in the shower. With this product, that means spending 10 to 30 minutes in the shower, which isn’t feasible (or enjoyable) for all.

The Uttes Intimate Area Hair Removal Cream is our top pick for instant gratification because of how quickly it can be delivered, as well as the short processing time and how long the results last. When testing this hair removal cream, we found that it took less than 10 minutes to fully remove hair, and once rinsed away, our smooth, hairless skin lasted for a full week. Then, when hair began to grow again, it did so at a slower rate, which only added to our accolades for this cream.

The only downside of the Uttes Intimate Area Hair Removal Cream is that it has a typical hair removal odor. It’s not horrible but it’s not super pleasant either.

If you prefer a hands-free application, you’ll love the Veet Spray On Cream. This easy-to-use hair removal cream comes in a pressurized can and with a press of the nozzle, it evenly applies product to the targeted treatment area. In addition to its convenient design, the cream itself is super creamy and lightweight, so it doesn’t feel like it's stifling the skin while processing. After the suggested five-minute processing time, we found that our legs were notably smoother, but not entirely. It ended up taking a few more minutes for a fully smooth result. Even with the reapplication and additional minutes of processing, our skin felt fine, with no hints of irritation or pain.

Overall, as much as we’d love a hands-free hair removal cream that rids our body of hair in one go, given the convenience and gentleness of this product, it remains high on our list of recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do hair removal creams hurt?

  While hair removal creams don’t hurt to apply, they can be irritating once they begin to process. Although they’re generally pain-free, Schweiger Dermatology Group physician’s assistant Ami Dalal, PA-C says that “potential side effects include stinging, burning, and [developing a] rash.” Additionally, she says that if you leave it on longer than the recommended processing time, you could develop blistering and/or peeling.

  If you experience any pain with a hair removal cream, Murphy-Rose says to discontinue use immediately. Further use could trigger a chemical burn, which is more severe. “A chemical burn can lead to scarring, hyperpigmentation, and increased risk of skin infection,” she warns.

• Can you use hair removal creams on your bikini line?

  Sure can! That said, the bikini line is more sensitive—even if you don’t generally have sensitive skin—so it’s best to reach for ultra-gentle products, such as the Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream. This is an especially great pick because it will also work to prevent ingrown hairs, which are more common along the bikini line.

  Overall, Libby says it’s best to use hair removal creams formulated with aloe vera and shea butter on your bikini line. “They will help decrease sensitivity to the already sensitive body area,” she reveals.

• Is hair removal cream safe?

  Hair removal cream is safe when used appropriately Murphy-Rose says. That said, she emphasizes that the chemicals in depilatories can be harsh and even caustic—meaning they can cause severe burns. Because of this, she reiterates the importance of reading and following the instructions and performing a test spot before applying the product to larger areas of skin. “Ideally wait at least three to five days to check for both immediate irritation and a delayed hypersensitivity reaction,” she recommends. “If you notice burning, stinging, itching, or development of a rash, the product is probably not safe for you.”

• Is hair removal cream the best hair removal option?

  It all boils down to personal preference. “There are pros and cons to the different hair removal methods,” Murphy-Rose says. “If your skin does not react negatively to a depilatory, it may very well be a good option for you. The benefit to threading, over some other methods, is that you have a reduced risk of skin irritation from a product touching the skin. But threading is not a great choice for larger areas of the body. [Meanwhile,] when shaving, you are less likely to experience a chemical burn from skin exposure, but you still have the inherent risks of skin irritation, razor burn and nicking of skin. Waxing, too, has its own risks and benefits.” All this to say, it’s up to you to make the choice that best aligns with your skin’s tolerance and hair removal goals.