Hair removal isn’t something that many of us can say we truly enjoy, even if we do like the end results. It can be awkward and painful, and can potentially come with a whole host of complications, like ingrown hairs and skin irritation. That's why we jump with glee that hair removal cream exists - because it cuts out all the annoying side effects.
While life would be easier if we could pop to the salon and have a spa-like experience each time we want to de-fuzz, the reality is, it takes time and it can be an expensive monthly outgoing.
Whether you prefer sugaring, waxing or threading, sometimes our busy schedules (and bank balances) don’t allow us that luxury, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get the salon experience at home when you need it.
If you only have a few extra minutes to get yourself ready, a hair removal cream can really be your saviour. If you're sick of trying shaving hacks and can't quite afford your Brazilian or Hollywood wax this month, we've rounded up the best hair removal creams on the market for easy, fast and pain-free hair removal.
Top tip: Make sure to always patch test your skin before use and never leave the cream on longer than advised on the box.
SHOP: The best hair removal creams that are worth your £££
1 of 5Veet Hair Removal Cream
Best overall
As a market leader, it's no surprise that Veet's Hair Removal Cream features on this list. Working even on short hair, it's enriched with lotus milk, vitamin E and aloe vera to soften and hydrate the skin. Plus, it smells truly divine to mask any chemical odours. Included is a handy spatula to make light work of the task and it's suitable for use on legs, arms, underarms and bikini lines.
Customer review: "Silky smooth results inside 5 minutes, definitely will continue to use this cream VERY HAPPY."
2 of 5WooWoo Tame It! Hair Removal Cream
Editor's pick
Made with soothing aloe vera and jojoba oil, WooWoo is specially designed for your intimate area, and it's great for those with sensitive skin. Suitable for use in the shower, it delivers silky smooth results in under six minutes, with no redness, soreness or bumps. A best-seller on Amazon with hundreds of great reviews, you can't go wrong here.
Our review: "I've used a few hair removal creams before but with varying results. Some have a strange toxic smell, some barely touch the sides and some leave you with nasty burns (and they go straight in the bin). As WooWoo is specifically designed for down below, it's great for those with sensitive skin. I also love that it's cruelty-free and vegan - something that's important to me when choosing beauty products. As per the instructions, I slathered on a good amount with the spatula provided. I do wish the spatula had a slightly wider handle at one end, but overall it does the job well, allowing you to work around your curves easily. It smells amazing - a subtle floral scent, so if this isn't your bag, it may not be for you - but it'll definitely smell better than the chemical-laden products you've used in the past. The results are great - can't fault it - and I love the price point."
3 of 5Nair Tough Hair Removal Cream For Legs & Body
Best hair removal cream for coarse hair
Created for coarse hair, Nair's budget-friendly offering is dermatologically tested and can be used on legs, bikini and underarms. Enhanced with lily flower extract and cottonseed oil, it gently removes hair while soothing and nourishing the skin.
Customer review: "So this is a very effective hair removal cream, I have dark thick hair and mostly spend my time walking around like a gorilla under my clothes. I got this, used gloves and just rubbed it on, left for ten mins and now I'm hairless. No pain which is also great. I somehow got a dollop on my right nipple and it actually left burn marks, was killing me all day and I was wondering what was up with my nip. It's strong stuff and works well."
£3.99
- Rrp: £4.99
4 of 5Veet Hair Removal Cream for Sensitive Skin
Best hair removal cream for sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin, opt for a cream that's formulated just for you. This one from Veet promises up to a week of smoothness and hydrates skin for 24 hours after use. It's suitable for legs, bikini line, underarms and arms.
Customer review: "This is very effective. First did a 1 inch patch test to make sure I wasn't allergic, I wasn't and after 4 mins washed it off and voila - smooooth!"
£4.66
- Rrp: £5.49
5 of 5sunny - the body hair removal cream
**Recommended
**
Affordable and fuss-free, Sunny's hair removal cream has promising reviews from users so far. With a lovely honeydew melon smell and tested by dermatologists, you can be hair-free in three to seven minutes.
Customer review: "I love all Sunny products! Especially this removal cream it is perfect for a quick and easy job and doesn't smell like any others!! Totally recommend!"
How do hair removal creams work?
Hair removal creams are a quick, easy and effective way to feel silky smooth and they effortlessly fit into your weekly showering routine. Simply apply the cream, let the product go to work and wipe off all your unwanted hair - it couldn’t be easier. What’s more, they come jam-packed with nourishing skin ingredients to keep your skin feeling smoother for longer and help you avoid any nasty side effects.
Also known as depilatories, the lotions work by dissolving the hair close to the root and are completely painless and fuss-free. Lasting usually as long as shaving (if not longer), they provide skin exfoliation and a moisturising treatment all in one.
Can hair removal cream be used on private parts?
In short, kind of. You can use hair removal cream around your genitals but not on them.
According to Veet, you'll need to "take care not to make contact with your intimate areas [as] applying the product too close to the genital area can result in adverse reactions."
When used safely, the brand states that, after the first patch testing, you just need to apply the removal cream around the pubic region (but not on the actual genitalia), leave for six minutes, washing hands after you apply, before removing/rinsing the hair away with lukewarm water. You may find a flannel helpful with the removal, but make sure not to rub or irritate the area.
Does hair removal cream hurt?
As long as you patch-test your skin beforehand and don't leave the cream on for too long, you shouldn't have any reactions or feel a thing.
Also, don't use any products that are formulated for arms and legs on sensitive areas like the bikini line, underarms and face - make sure to invest in a cream that is specifically designed for those parts of the body. Essentially, using a hair removal cream should feel NOTHING like plucking your eyebrows, so if it starts to hurt or your skin reacts, you should stop using the product straightaway.
Because they are a mix of chemicals designed to literally degrade your hair, hair removal creams are strong, so it’s probably best to give yourself a couple of days’ break after usage.
Is hair removal cream better than shaving?
We're on the fence here and there's no right or wrong answer, it generally goes on personal preference. In terms of long-lasting results, you'll have more luck with hair removal creams as they target really close to the root of the hair. Shaving is much more convenient, but you'll see hair grow back quicker. As hair creams require a skin test before you use them, shaving may be the better option for those with sensitive skin.
Do you need to use anything after your apply hair removal cream?
It's important to exfoliate and moisturise your skin on a regular basis to help minimise the risk of ingrown hairs. However, as hair removal creams are made up of strong formula and most come with nourishing ingredients to help the skin recover - you don't have to use anything immediately after applying hair removal cream.
However, if you do want to, it's advised that you use hydrocortisone cream used after any hair removal treatments to help reduce irritation and inflammation, as long as you have no medical reasons prohibiting its use.