We Found the Best Hair Removal Creams of 2024 (2024)

• Our Picks

• What to Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust Byrdie

Hurrah! A hair remover cream that doesn’t smell terrible. This 2-in-1 formula not only has a pleasant scent but it removes hair while exfoliating the skin and minimizing ingrown hairs earning it our overall favorite award. When trying this out in our lab, the first thing we noticed was the texture which is a pleasure to apply with no stickiness or greasiness to report of.

It also slides onto the skin nicely making it easier to cover an area like the legs evenly. After removing the cream, we were left with clean, smooth, hair-free skin with no redness or itching. Our hair also grew back thinner.

Who It’s For

This is a great pick for anyone who suffers with sensitive skin and in-grown hairs when removing body hair. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free so is a solid clean option.

Size: 8.4 fl oz | Leave On Time: 3-7 minutes | Cruelty Free: Yes

Ah, the Brazilian wax—a ritual that not every person has experienced but one we’re all familiar with due to its infamous reputation. Luckily, you don’t have to go bleary-eyed in pain if you choose to shape up the bikini area with the WooWoo in-shower hair removal cream, which uses a calming vegan formula chock-full of vitamin-rich ingredients like aloe vera and jojoba oil that simultaneously help prevent irritation and smooth skin. During testing, we found it thick and easy to apply to the skin and it takes just two minutes to work its magic. We removed it with a loofah in the shower and found that it removed around 75% of hairs on the first use.

As a bonus, the brand says it’s dermatologist-tested and paraben-free, so it should be safe for sensitive skin (but we always recommend doing a patch test to be safe) Also, keep in mind that because it leaves out strong chemicals, we found it similar to shaving in regards to results, so it’s personal preference on which you prefer.

Who It’s For

If you find that shaving leaves your skin bumpy and red, this hair removal cream is a good alternative for very sensitive skin. This is also a good option if you find waxing too painful.

Size: 2 oz | Leave On Time: 3 minutes | Cruelty Free: Yes

Part depilatory cream, part skincare savior, this product has an all-star lineup of ingredients that’ll quench dry skin and leave it looking brighter and well-nourished. Aloe vera and shea and cocoa butter belies the cream’s skin-soothing properties—and with the inclusion of volcanic ash, you’re getting a gentle exfoliator that provides a radiant finish. What’s more, the cream’s unique formula contains a host of plant-based ingredients like sea kelp and vitamin E that can help skin look more lustrous. We must also tip our hat to its reliance on sodium hydroxide and potassium thioglycolate to get the job done without using sulfates, parabens, or phthalates.

We found the application super easy and although it burned slightly at first, this dulled down to nothing while we waited for it to work. We left it for just 10 minutes but next time we’d probably leave it a little longer for even better results. It took over a week for our hair to grow back again which we found pretty impressive. Our one gripe is the spray can get stuck in the nozzle, making it hard to release the foam from the can.

Who It’s For

This is one of our favorite choices for anyone with very dry skin on the legs as it leaves the skin hydrated and exfoliated. It also keeps hair away for longer than shaving.

Size: 5.8 oz | Leave On Time: 4-6 minutes | Cruelty Free: No

If you’re looking for an alternative to shaving or have very sensitive skin, may we recommend this hair removal cream from Flamingo. It’s formulated for use on the underarms, legs, and bikini area, and comes with an easy-to-use spatula that helps you apply the cream evenly and easily. It also has a suede and iris scent that’s a nice change from the horrible smell usually expected from hair removal creams.

We left the cream on for just under 10 minutes during testing and found that was enough time to remove the hair evenly. In terms of regrowth, our hair came back in just a couple of days but they did feel extra smooth before that.

Who It’s For

This is a good option for those with very sensitive skin or anyone that can’t shave for health reasons.

Size: 6.76 fl oz | Leave On Time: 5-10 minutes | Cruelty Free: Yes

Formulated with aloe vera, vitamin E, and baby oil, this easy-to-use hair removal cream is designed to leave the skin feeling hydrated and smooth. It took around two tablespoons to cover the area we were removing hair from, and we left it on for just a little over five minutes.

The formula is quite thick so it’s best to stay put while it’s working otherwise you might end up in a bit of a mess. It didn’t cause any irritation and left our skin feeling soft and hydrated without any noticeable residue. It also took just one application to remove all the hair from our underarms which surprised us. It’s worth noting that this can be used everywhere apart from the face.

Who It’s For

If you’re looking for a quick hair removal option, this cream is for you as it’s super speedy to use. It’s also a good multi-function option - just don’t apply it to the face.

Size: 3.7 fl oz | Leave On Time: 5-10 minutes | Cruelty Free: Yes

If you prefer to remove your own bikini-line hair at home rather than go to a salon, this is our recommended pick to do it. The cruelty-free, sensitive formula contains squalane, glycerin, and allantion to moisturize the skin while removing hair from the root.

The cream is quite thick but it’s easy enough to apply to the area, if not a little messy. We had to wait around five minutes before we could remove it in the shower with a cloth. You then wipe the cream away gently rather than scrub so it takes a few attempts to completely remove all of the product. While it is a bit awkward and messy, the results are worth it and we enjoyed a hair-free area for two full weeks.

Who It’s For

This formula is designed to remove coarse hair around the bikini line area in just a few minutes so it’s a great alternative to waxing. It’s also cruelty-free and safe for sensitive skin.

Size: 4.1 fl oz | Leave On Time: 5 minutes | Cruelty Free: Yes

Quick, easy, and painless, this spray-on cream from Veet is a great hair removal product to have in your arsenal. We applied it to our legs during testing and found that it took just over five minutes to work its magic. It has a pleasant floral scent and is easy to remove in the shower with a sponge or loofer. Once removed, our legs felt soft and smooth with more or less every hair removed. You can always repeat the process if you’ve missed a patch.

We found that our hair grew back at a similar rate to shaving but the hair that returned was definitely softer. Our only real complaint was that after covering both legs with the cream, we only got two uses out of one bottle so this perhaps isn’t a long-term option.

Who It’s For

This is formulated for use on the legs and is a good option for anyone who wants that super silky feel without using a razor.

Size: 5.1 fl oz | Leave On Time: 5-7 minutes | Cruelty Free: No

FAQ

• How do hair removal creams work?

  When you apply a hair removal cream, alkaline chemicals like thioglycolic acid break down bonds in the hair’s keratin until they are weakened and thin enough to seamlessly break away as you wipe away the product from your skin.

• Are hair removal creams safe?

  In general (and if you pay close attention to their instructions) hair removal creams are safe according to Dr. Mitchell, who tells us that while they cause a little atopic reaction in most people, the irritation usually fades quickly. However, like anything that contains chemicals they can potentially cause allergic reactions and skin damage for people with sensitive skin.
  “Your skin's pH level is mildly acidic, and the pH level of these creams can negatively affect your skin,” Dr. Mitchell explains, adding that you should use hair removal products with extreme caution if you have sensitive skin. Not sure if you fall into this category? It’s always worth a chat with your dermatologist or doctor to find out before using one of these products.

• Do hair removal creams hurt?

  The best part about hair removal creams is that they are a pain-free alternative to shaving and waxing, so any burning or discomfort is definitely not normal. If you start to feel irritation while using these products immediately remove it, and consult your doctor or dermatologist about potential allergens you may have to its ingredients.

• How often should you use a hair removal cream?

  Because hair removal creams can cause irritation, Dr. Mitchelle recommends waiting at least 72 hours between applications. The good news is that hair typically grows back slower and softer when using these kinds of products, meaning you shouldn’t need to use them as often as you would if you were shaving.