Jenna Holtz
7 min
96.1K
Women aren't supposed to be hairy. At least that's the message we receive every day from the moment puberty sets in.
But what about the hair down there?
You know what we mean, even if we discreetly call it a bikini line. Believe it or not, pubic hair has a purpose beyond demonstrating the age of sexual maturity.
Public hair protects against viruses and diseases. Your pubic hair is also there to prevent skin irritations caused by friction.
However:
We understand that you'll remove whatever hair you want for vanity purposes. Even the ancient Egyptians shaved their pubes.
The truth is:
At some point, you're going to turn to facial hair removal cream or pubic hair removal cream. After all, that Veet hair removal cream works ever so well on your legs, doesn't it?
So what transforms a product into the best hair removal cream out there? In the hours we spent narrowing this list down to the top five products, we considered several factors so you can compare according to what matters most to you.
And now on to the best hair removal cream products on the market.
WHY TRUST US: Faveable spends thousands of hours researching, interviewing experts & testing products, to create carefully selected lists trusted by millions of consumers since 2013. Our independently chosen links earn us a commission. Learn more »
Have trusted our product reviews
This is a new facial hair removal formula from Sally Hansen; it has a much nicer, cleaner smelling scent to it. You'll also notice that it's pumped full of Vitamin E to soothe your skin.
Most reviewers don't experience an issue with irritation, but you may find it happens if you leave this product on for longer than five minutes.
You'll find a combination of Calcium Thioglycolate and Potassium Hydroxide. Okay, that's not all you'll find, but those are the powerful ingredients inside. Interestingly, you'll also find Willow Herb and Pumpkin Seed extracts; those are known to prevent hair regrowth which means you'll need to use this product less frequently than others.
Users need to apply this cream with their fingers in a thick layer without working it in the skin. After three minutes, check to see whether hair comes off quickly. It's so powerful, though, that you don't want to give it more than five minutes. A timer will save you from immense pain. Then apply the enclosed lotion; it's designed to strengthen your skin and reduce irritation.
This is designed for women and men may not enjoy using it.
Apply this hair removal cream to your upper lip and jawline. You could test in other areas, but other products are likely to be more effective off the face.
Of all the hair removal creams you will find for any part of the body, this one has to smell the best. We're not saying it smells like perfume, but the vanilla fragrance is nowhere near as medicinally strong as other products.
The MSRP is close to $10 for a pack which includes two ounces of hair removal cream and the bonus lotion. But, you'll probably pay something closer to $5 for the pack. That's $2.50 per ounce... not including the lotion. Score.
This super affordable product leaves skin hair-free much longer than shaving. You'll also notice a difference in the softness and smoothness of your skin.
It may be a terrific price, but you'll need to pay attention to the packaging. The bottle isn't as resilient as you may like; handle with care.
Yep, there are some Thioglycolates in here - a couple of them (though none are Potassium). All in all, though, this hair removal cream for women has a simple ingredient list. On the calming side, you'll find aloe and cucumber. Also Vitamin C, which helps protect and strengthen skin.
Unlike many hair removal products, you're supposed to dampen your skin before applying Gigi. After dampening, apply the cream in a thick layer without rubbing in. Do a spot check after five minutes. If the hair comes off quickly, then remove the rest of the cream with a damp cloth. Whatever you do, get this cream off your skin within eight minutes.
The manufacturer recommends this for women, but men have also used and reviewed it with positive results.
Get ready to use this just about anywhere on your body except your face. Gigi suggests using it on the bikini line, but you should absolutely do a patch test and be careful of using too close to the goods (front and back). Patch test... patch test... patch test...
Absolutely horrid. If you love the way this hair removal cream works, you'll need to get used to that.
You'll pay around $6 for eight ounces. Yep, that's approximately 75 cents per ounce. That's a steal.
This hair removing lotion is rich with vitamin E and cocoa butter. It has a refreshing smelling scent and leaves skin feeling smooth and refreshed.
Some users say it didn't completely remove stubble for them.
The Nair Cocoa Butter Hair Remover Lotion has vitamin E and nourishing cocoa butter. These ingredients help leave your skin feeling soft to the touch.
This hair removal is extremely easy to use. Simply squeeze lotion onto your hand, and then gently and evenly apply to the area of hair on your body. Rinse hands so they no longer have any product on them. Wait about 3-7 minutes, and then gently wipe off with a damp washcloth. Make sure not to rub this product onto skin as it is strong and could cause irritation.
Do not use this product on your face. It is strictly meant for legs, underarms, and bikini area. Do not use on sunburnt or broken skin as it may cause irritation.
This product creates a longer lasting shave than a regular razor. It's great for thick, hard to remove hair.
The scent of this product is very light and refreshing smelling. It's not super strong or chemical like.
Right now this product on Amazon is almost $10 off. It's valued at a great deal.
This facial hair removal cream for women is quick, gentle, and effective for most unwanted hair in this area. The formula makes use of Maple Honey to assist with moisture retention in the skin.
This does an incredible job on most unwanted facial hair, but it's not super effective on coarse hair. A stronger treatment may be needed.
There's a rather long list of ingredients in this product, but no Potassium Thioglycolate, well not specifically. You'll find Potassium Thioglycolates of other natures. What you will find in this mix is Maple Honey, along with extracts from olives, cucumbers, papaya, and aloe. If a natural ingredient is soothing, it appears that they've thrown it in here.
Start with clean dry skin. As with most facial hair removal creams, you'll want to apply this in a thick, even layer. Wait no more than four minutes before rinsing as thoroughly as you possibly can. Most users report needing to apply this hair removal cream every eight to ten days. That's three to four times in a month - and you probably don't want to overdo it.
This product is explicitly designed for women and seems to work remarkably well for post-menopausal women.
As per the packaging and all instructions, you'll use this for the removal of unwanted facial hair. That doesn't mean that it won't work elsewhere (though the manufacturer isn't going to tell you that). It does mean, however, that you can't expect it to extract coarse arm hair as well as other products.
This is strong stuff; so when you're using this product you'll want to make sure a window is open - or at least the fans are on high and the door is open.
The single package includes one ounce of product for about $8. But, you'll pay $14 for three tubes. That's a little more affordable at a little more than $4.60 per fluid ounce. It's definitely not the cheapest product, but it's worth it for those that battle sensitive skins.
This specially designed formula offers men and women plenty of Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. They're the ingredients that maintain and restore your skin's natural hydration levels.
Sadly, this doesn't work terribly well on strong, thick hair. You'll need to use too much of it for areas with extreme hair. Sorry.
The active ingredient in this hair removal cream is Potassium Thioglycolate. You'll also find Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. Your skin loves those ingredients, which maintain skin's natural softness. Combine all these ingredients and you've got a winning combination.
This hair removal cream works quickly; you could be hair-free in as little as five minutes. It's truly an amazing combination of powerful and gentle hair removal. You must read the instructions before using (especially on those sensitive parts of your body), but you can use it as often as you feel the need. Luckily, it comes in a pump bottle with a spatula for easy application and removal. If you still need assistance on the process for the easiest and best hair removal for men, we urge you to take a look at this video. (You may notice this vlogger is as serious about patch tests as we are!)
Both men and women can use this product, which is a bonus. However, the bottle is deceptively feminine.
It's not recommended for use on your face, though plenty of men report using it for manscaping down there without any problems. That said, you should always do a patch test before embracing widespread application.
You aren't faced with an overpowering scent here. But, you can't expect a hair removal cream to smell particularly pleasant, can you?
This is super affordable. You should be able to get it for less than $8. Most users score this incredible product for under 67 cents per fluid ounce. Really, that's not bad at all.
Let’s face it: shaving can be pretty annoying. Not only does it produce short-lived results, but it usually comes with pesky nicks, bumps, and razor burns, as well. Waxing and laser treatments give a longer-lasting effect, but setting up appointments and driving to a salon can be inconvenient and expensive.
Removing body and facial hair is, without a doubt, one of the most time-consuming aspects of our beauty routines. But for many of us, letting our hair grow wild and free just isn’t an option.
If you’re tired of shaving but you don’t want to go through the hassle (and pain!) of waxing and laser treatments, using hair removal creams is the way to go. Also called depilatory creams, they provide a quick, affordable, and convenient way to effectively remove hair all over your body.
Finding the best hair removal cream for your grooming needs can be truly life-changing. Can’t wait to enjoy smooth, fuzz-free legs? Read on!
No, they don’t. When you use a razor to shave, you’re cutting off body hair above the surface of the skin. This results in sharp stubbles, which explains why your legs can feel like sandpaper a few days after shaving.
Hair removal creams work differently. They contain chemicals that break down the internal structure of hair—therefore completely dissolving the hair strands instead of just cutting them above the surface of your skin. These chemicals are usually strong alkalines like sodium thioglycolate and strontium sulfide. Once the hair strands are dissolved, they turn into a jelly-like substance that can be easily rinsed or wiped off.
Pros:
Cons:
At this point, you’re probably itching to give hair removal creams a try. The recommendations we’ve given above should be able to help you decide which particular product is right for your needs. But if you’re still undecided, consider the following factors when choosing the right match.
1. Your skin type
It’s always smart to take your skin type into consideration when buying a depilatory. Different options are available to you whether you have dry, normal, or sensitive skin. Some creams come with moisturizing ingredients like natural butters and Vitamin E to help with dryness. Sensitive-skinned gals, on the other hand, will benefit from soothing ingredients like Aloe Vera.
2. The type of hair removal cream
There are hair removal creams that are specifically formulated for different purposes. When choosing a product, think about where you intend to use it. Are you trying to remove body hair or facial hair? Your target area matters a lot when choosing the correct formula.
3. Hair thickness
The thicker your hair is, the stronger the hair removal cream needs to be. Coarse body hair can be stubborn and challenging to remove. If you suspect that regular hair removal creams may not do it for you, look for products that are formulated specifically for thick hair.
4. Scent
Hair removal creams have a reputation for being pungent. This might be true for older formulations, but newer varieties have a more tolerable scent. Some even have added fragrance to help mask the strong smell of depilatories.
5. Waiting time
Hair removal creams are more convenient to use than razors and shaving creams, but they still require some time to melt off your hair. Different products will have different waiting times, so make sure to check the label when you’re shopping.
6. Price
Hair removal creams, in general, are pretty affordable. You can even score better deals at your local drugstore. However, they do vary in terms of how long each product lasts. Some creams require that you apply a thick layer to work, while others only require a small amount of product.
That said, it’s important to check both the retail price and the longevity of each product you’re considering. Reading reviews before you buy should help.
Hair removal creams can trigger irritation or allergic reactions for some people. To minimize the chances of experiencing these reactions, doing a patch test is important. A patch test will let you see if you’re going to have any sort of negative reaction to a product.
Even if you’ve used hair removal creams in the past, it’s important to perform a patch test every time you’re trying out a new brand. Again, these products use strong chemicals. Better safe than sorry!
To perform a patch test, pick a part of the body that is not usually sensitive. Many people perform patch tests on the inside of their elbows or their legs. Apply a small amount of the hair removal cream to your chosen area and leave it on for as long as the recommended waiting time. Next, rinse the area and pat it dry.
If the product is safe for you to use, there should be no burning sensation upon application and throughout the entire duration of the recommended waiting time. But it doesn’t end there. You must also wait several hours to ensure that your skin wouldn't have a delayed adverse reaction to the cream. At least 12 hours of waiting is ideal.
If you didn’t experience any sort of burning, itching, or abnormal redness, you’re good to go. If, on the other hand, adverse reactions appear, err on the side of caution and toss the cream. You’re better of purchasing a milder product than taking an unnecessary risk.
You might experience a slight tingling when you use a hair removal cream. This is normal, and it indicates that the product is working.
However, you should never be in pain. If your skin feels like it’s burning, immediately rinse off the cream under cold running water. Pain is a sign that your skin might be too sensitive for the product you’re using. Another possible cause is leaving the cream on your skin longer than the recommended time. You could also be allergic to one of the ingredients.
Whatever the reason may be, resist the urge to ignore the pain and discomfort you’re feeling. Otherwise, you might end up with nasty chemical burns.
Different products will come with different usage instructions. Because of variations in the formula, you can’t treat all hair removal creams the same.
That being said, the number-one thing you can do to ensure great results is to diligently read the manufacturer’s instructions. Some products will require you to wait longer than others. Likewise, some cream types will require a thicker application.
This is not the time to experiment—especially if we’re talking about removing pubic or facial hair. However, in spite of having unique instructions per product, all hair removal creams will benefit from the following practices.
Vote to enter our $100 Amazon Gift Card giveaway.
Katie’s Cleveland proud; but she’s also lived in Australia, Switzerland and now stays in South Africa. That’s a roundabout way of saying she can’t sit still; she’s always moving, always busy.
She has a BA in International Relations from Kent State University and work towards a Masters in Human Rights. She speaks French, is learning German and used to dream in Spanish. For years, Katie worked as a producer on fashion and advertising shoots before she realized her passion was the written word.
Katie’s far more interested in guy’s gear than women’s, except she has a wardrobe brimming with little black dresses. She drinks her beer out of the bottle and is raising her two boys to be better men.
Join the conversation
5 Best Hair Removal Creams for Women
Thanks for reading my article. I value your feedback and invite you to join the conversation:
- Share your opinion on the list
- Suggest an item for consideration
- Review items you've tried
— Katie