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Best hair removal creams for a pain-free way to achieve silky-smooth skin

For your feet, face, and everything in between, these are the hair removal creams to try

Lauren Cunningham
Monday 22 April 2024 08:55 EDT
The creams weakened strands enough that we could simply wipe them away
The creams weakened strands enough that we could simply wipe them away (iStock/ The Independent)
Our Top Picks

For those of you who choose to remove hair from various parts of your body, we don’t have to explain how annoying this process can be. From razor bumps to ingrown hairs, there are a whole host of issues that come with being clean-shaven, so you may want to rid your hair with something other than a razor.

Of course, shaving has its benefits. It’s quick, easy and delivers immediate results that are often pain-free, so long as you don’t cut yourself. While waxing may be preferred for those in search of a longer-lasting result, it can be painful. Meanwhile, IPL and other laser machines make for a near-permanent solution when it comes to getting rid of unwanted hair, but such gadgets tend to come with a hefty price tag.

So, is there a solution that’s pain-free, easy to use and not too costly? The simple answer is yes: hair removal cream. Also called depilatory creams, hair removal creams “contain certain alkaline chemicals that safely react with the hair on your body,” as explained by hair removal brand Veet. “They break down the keratin (the protein structure of your hair), causing it to weaken and dissolve. This leaves the hair in a jelly-like state, which can be easily wiped away with the cream.”

Sound simple? It is but, as they contain chemicals strong enough to break down keratin, you need to proceed with caution, so please follow all instructions carefully, patch test before use and seek a doctor’s opinion if you have sensitive skin or any other concerns.

With that in mind, keep reading this article to find out which creams performed best during our testing.

How we tested the best hair removal creams

We put a selection of formulas to the test
We put a selection of formulas to the test (Lauren Cunningham)

Our tester couldn’t have been more perfect for this process, as they are incredibly hairy. So pain-free, quick and easy hair removal solutions certainly catch their eye. From shaving to waxing to laser hair removal, there’s next to nothing they haven’t tried to banish the strands from their body, but could hair removal creams come to the rescue?

Looking at ease of application, how they felt and the result post-use, our tester spent one whole month trying each of the hair removal creams out – and these were their favourites.

The best hair removal creams for 2024 are:

  • Best hair removal cream overall – Woo Woo tame it! vegan in-shower hair removal: £5.24, Lookfantastic.com
  • Best budget hair removal cream – Boots smooth care hair removal cream: £5.59, Boots.com
  • Best hair removal cream for sensitive skin – Nair hair remover sensitive cream: £5.15, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best long-lasting hair removal cream – Wilkinson Sword intuitive hair removal cream kit: £6.66, Boots.com

Woo Woo tame it! vegan in-shower hair removal

best hair removal cream
  • Best: Overall hair removal cream
  • Suitable for: Everywhere from legs and arms to bum and bikini line
  • Leave on for : 3–6 minutes
  • Size: 100ml
  • Spatula included: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Works all over
    • Easy application

Finding a hair removal cream that can work on all parts of the body (even intimate areas) can be tricky, so Woo Woo is a wonderful find. While it has that distinctive hair removal cream smell, its formula is created with softness in mind, housing jojoba and aloe vera for more of a moisturising finish. Included is a small spatula for easy application, and the best thing about it is it can be used in the shower, cutting down the time you have to stand in that awkward wide-leg naked pose in the bathroom. Just be careful that the water isn’t too hot, so you don’t irritate the skin. And keep to the six-minute maximum, to ensure smooth skin doesn’t come with any unwanted consequences.

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Boots smooth care legs hair removal cream sensitive skin

best hair removal cream
  • Best: Budget hair removal cream
  • Suitable for: Legs
  • Leave on for : 5–10 minutes
  • Size: 100ml
  • Spatula included: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Budget-friendly
  • Take note
    • No clear instruction

This Boots own-brand hair removal cream didn’t have as clear instructions as some of the other options we tested, so we’d say it’s best for those who are already pretty confident with this type of product. But once you get the hang of it, it’s sure to do the trick. Included is a rather large spatula for easy application, and the smell isn’t as severe as some other options, which is a pretty big plus point.

Being only 100ml, we did use the whole tube to cover both legs, but at less than £6, this was much cheaper than a wax, and the results lasted for around two weeks (but, obviously, this will differ from person to person).

Aloe vera and shea butter are included to make it less harsh on the skin, too.

  1.  £5 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
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Nair hair remover sensitive cream

best hair removal cream
  • Best: Hair removal cream for sensitive skin
  • Suitable for: Legs and body
  • Leave on for: 5–10 minutes
  • Size: 200ml
  • Spatula included: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Soothes while removing hair
    • Easy application

Sensitive skin and hair removal creams are far from a match made in heaven. In fact, if you are more on the sensitive side, you need to take even more caution before using these creams – if the skin is irritated, broken or damaged, best to avoid them altogether. But if you do still want to give them a go, this Nair option may be your best bet. With aloe vera extract, it soothes while smoothing away hair quickly, easily and without any pain. A spatula is included for easier application, and, after five minutes, you can start to see the cream get to work. In fact, we’d recommend it for those trying hair removal creams for the first time, too, as it’s just that little bit gentler, which will only help you get your bearings with it.

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Hoosh hair removal cream

best hair removal cream
  • Best: Hair removal cream for stubborn hair
  • Suitable for: Chest, legs, arms, back and underarms
  • Leave on for: 3–6 minutes
  • Size: 100ml
  • Spatula included: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Works fast
    • Easy application

The Hoosh cream works incredibly quickly, with results in as little as three minutes, making it great for those in a rush. It seems to be a little bit stronger than some other options too, when it comes to tackling thicker, darker, more stubborn hairs. So, if you’re someone who needs that extra push, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Inside the box is a spatula for easy application, along with the 100ml tube of cream. Provitamin B5 and witch hazel are included to help with the skin healing process post-use, giving it a slightly cooling feeling too. Just be sure to take extra care when watching the clock, as it works so fast. By the time we finished covering both legs, it was nearly time to remove the cream, so you do have to be rather speedy.

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Jolen facial hair remover kit

Jolen facial hair remover kit.jpg
  • Best: Hair removal cream for sensitive face
  • Suitable for: Face
  • Leave on for: 5–8 minutes
  • Size: 19g
  • Spatula included: No
  • Why we love it
    • Suitable for sensitive skin
  • Take note
    • Tricky to work out

For those with really sensitive skin, hair removal cream may fill you with dread as the pretty potent formulas certainly aren’t the gentlest. Luckily, Jolen was designed with that in mind, with a clever application process created for those who wouldn’t usually dare touch the stuff. Inside the kit is a skin-guarding balm, which looks a lot like a lip balm, and should be applied before coming to the removal cream.

Although a very useful step, protecting the surface of the skin from the hair-melting chemicals, we found it a little tricky to use. Too much and you run the risk of no hair getting hit, too little and there’s no protection at all, so finding the sweet spot may take a bit of time, but once you get there, it’s hard to go back. After the balm, smooth on a layer of the removal cream as normal, and, after five to eight minutes, your brows, cheeks or chin should be silky smooth.

  1.  £4 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
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Wilkinson Sword intuitive hair removal cream kit

Wilkinson Sword intuitive hair removal cream kit.jpg
  • Best: Long-lasting hair removal cream
  • Suitable for: Whole body except face, head, breast or genitals
  • Leave on for: 3–7 minutes
  • Size: 200ml
  • Spatula included: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Easy to use
    • Helps look after skin

While most hair removal creams tend to have longer-lasting results than shaving, this one is particularly impressive with its near week-long results. Coming as a full kit, a 200ml hair removal cream comes coupled with a wooden spatula and a soothing cream to use afterwards. Our favourite part about it, aside from the longer-lasting results, is that the scent is much less pungent than some other options, despite still being pretty potent in its formula.

It’s easy to use, with the added benefit of a soothing cream to help seal moisture back into the skin, and we were pretty impressed. However, we much prefer plastic spatulas over the wooden one that comes with this kit, so will be swapping it out for a replacement next time.

  1.  £6 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
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Veet pure inspirations face hair removal kit

best hair removal cream
  • Best: Hair removal cream for face
  • Suitable for: Face
  • Leave on for: 5–10 minutes
  • Size: 2 x 50ml
  • Spatula included: No
  • Why we love it
    • Easy to apply

Using a hair removal cream on your face can be nerve-racking. After all, it’s one of the most sensitive areas of skin on the body, and a chemical burn could cause some real damage. So please, proceed with caution, patch test first and never exceed the maximum amount of time stated in the instructions. But pre-warning aside, this Veet face cream certainly did impress. Coming in a set with both a facial hair removal cream and a post-removal soothing cream, it was easy to use, didn’t have the overpowering hair removal cream smell and, when following the instructions, worked wonders. On finer, thinner hairs, five minutes was enough to leave the skin silky smooth, while coarser strands took nearer the 10-minute mark. No redness, itchiness or sore feeling occurred at any time, and the soothing cream was a great addition to help keep things hydrated. The only point we would note is that our skin did feel dry post-use, so keep applying the after cream as needed and remember to stay away from any exfoliating or harsh skincare products for a good few days (or even a week) post-use.

  1.  £5 from Ocado.com
Prices may vary
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Hair removal FAQs

What are the different hair removal methods?

There’s no such thing as one method that suits all when it comes to hair removal techniques, it really is up to the individual to find what works best for them.

IPL lasers – can lead to permanent hair-free results, but they’re costly and don’t work for everyone.

Waxing and epilating – removes hair at the roots for longer-lasting results, but it’s painful for some, tricky to do on yourself and then there’s the awkward regrowth stage.

Shaving – the quick and easy hair removal option, but there’s a chance of nicks, cuts, shaving rashes and ingrown hairs.

Hair removal creams – remove hair just below the skin’s surface, leaving you hair-free slightly longer, and hair tends to grow back softer.

The verdict: Hair removal creams

If you’re looking for a pain-free way to remove unwanted hair, hair removal cream could be your answer. So long as you take care to follow all instructions, patch test before use, and ensure your skin is in good nick before applying, you may find the product to be quite miraculous.

While we were impressed with all those we tested, Woo Woo just nicked the top spot, thanks to its rapid results, wide-reaching areas and the fact you can use it in the shower. For stubborn hair, you’ll want to reach for Hoosh and sensitive-skinned folk should give Nair a go.

To keep strands away for longer, we also applied the Skin Doctors hair no more inhibitor spray two days post-cream application, to boost the performance of the hair removal creams. So, take care, and you should be silky smooth in no time.

Looking for more hair removal methods? Find out why we love Estrid

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