Skip to Content

12 Hair-Removal Creams for Soft, Smooth Skin Without the Razor Burn

Ditch your razor and upgrade to one of these fast-acting depilatory creams.

By and
three women in blue bathing suits
Stocksy

If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

Let’s get real: Shaving is so overrated. Yes, it may leave you with super-soft, hairless skin, but it also comes with a slew of inconveniences: razor burn, cuts and nicks, and dull blades are just a few of them.

So, you can let the hair grow out and rock that as you please, but if you want go totally smooth, then opt for a hair-removal cream. It seems intimidating at first, but hear us out — it’s less painful than waxing, cheaper than laser hair removal, and it doesn't cause tiny cuts or red bumps like razors do. Need we say more?

What Are Hair-Removal Creams?

Rather than breaking out your razor or wax strips, these powerful hair-removal creams work to break down pesky hairs from the root so you can easily swipe or wash them away.

"Hair-removal creams contain ingredients such as sodium thioglycolate, calcium thioglycolate, and strontium sulfide," says Vanessa Thomas, cosmetic chemist and founder of Freelance Formulations. "These ingredients work by breaking down the protein bonds of the hair. In a water-based solution at the proper pH, these ingredients are converted to acid, which then affects the hair."

Thomas notes that these creams, which are also known as depilatories, are safe when used as directed on the label. However, if you're not cautious, you can easily burn and hurt your skin by leaving the product on for too long.

"These creams are also not recommended for sensitive areas such as the bikini area," says Thomas. "Depilatories react with protein in the hair first, and then the skin. For this reason, depilatories must be left on the skin for a certain length of time specified on the packaging."

The Best Hair-Removal Creams

If you're ready to break up with your razor, you're in luck: we scoured the internet for the most top-rated hair-removal creams that, well, actually work thanks to their impressive formulations. Below, check out our favorites:

1
Best Overall

Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream

Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream
Now 25% Off
$9 at Amazon$9 at Walmart

Formulated with soothing aloe vera and vitamin E, this hair-removal cream from Veet reaches down to the root, softening each individual strand for an easy, nick- and bump-free removal in less than 5 minutes.

More: How to Choose the Right At-Home Hair-Removal Method

This cult-favorite Amazon hair-removal cream is beloved by thousands of buyers for its intense follicle-dissolving formula that is gentle on skin.

It's packed with aloe vera, vitamin E, and baby oil to leave skin feeling moisturized and hydrated without leaving any nicks or bumps in its wake.

3
Fast-Acting

Nair Shower Power Sensitive with Coconut Oil

Nair Shower Power Sensitive with Coconut Oil

Gone are the days of red bumps and itchiness, thanks to this ultra-gentle formula. It's perfect for sensitive skin types thanks to its 100% natural coconut oil and vitamin E, plus it's free of dyes and dermatologist-tested.

This hair-removal cream also takes as little as 5 minutes to remove hair (no longer than 10 minutes!), and claims to give you stubble-free skin for up to 6 days.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4
TikTok-Approved

Softsheen-Carson Magic Razorless Shaving Powder with Fragrance

Softsheen-Carson Magic Razorless Shaving Powder with Fragrance

This impressive shave-free powder-to-cream depilatory went viral on TikTok for its awe-inducing ease of bringing even the roughest of body hair to an instant halt. 

This wonder powder turns into a rich cream as you rub it on, and in as little as five minutes you can get to wiping off all that unwanted hair in just a few strokes. This $2 tin of powder is so good it even won the hearts of our friends over at Allure and BuzzFeed.

5
Best for Pubic Area

NULL Hair Removal Cream

NULL Hair Removal Cream

This hair-removal cream from NULL offers effortless hair removal even on very coarse hair. It also promises low irritation, so this is a great option if you have sensitive skin. 

Bonus: It's gentle enough to use on your pubic area as well!

6
Best for Sensitive Skin

Nad's Sensitive Hair Removal Cream

Nad's Sensitive Hair Removal Cream

Perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin, this hair-removal cream from Nad's will eradicate unwanted hair without irritating your skin. Containing soothing ingredients like melon, aloe vera, avocado oil, and honey, it'll painlessly remove hair as little as 4 minutes!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7
Best for Facial Hair

Completely Bare ctrl+hair+DEL Facial Hair Removal Cream

Completely Bare ctrl+hair+DEL Facial Hair Removal Cream
Now 23% Off

Peach fuzz and upper lip hair are completely normal, but we understand if you'd rather get rid of it. This soothing formula from Completely Bare can help you do just that.

This hair-removal cream is formulated specifically for your face, so it's intense enough to disintegrate any unwanted hair from the root without causing burns or irritation. Containing good-for-your-skin essentials like argan oil, aloe vera, and cocoa butter, this hair removal cream will rid your skin of any unwanted facial hair without searing your skin in the process.

8
Best for In-Between Treatments

Completely Bare Don't Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor

Completely Bare Don't Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor

We may not be able to put hair growth on hold permanently, but we can extend the time in between hair-removal sessions.

Completely Bare's Don't Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor is an alternative type of hair-removal cream that moisturizes skin and smells amazing. It won't instantly take off hair, but it'll gradually limit growth on already smooth skin. Plus, this moisturizer also contains exfoliating white willow bark & moisture-packed shea butter to make your skin feel great even during its stubbly days.

9
Under-$10

GiGi Hair Removal Lotion

GiGi Hair Removal Lotion

This lotion from GiGi offers quick and easy hair removal for arms, legs, and the bikini area. It's affordable and glides on like a dream! it also includes soothing skincare ingredients like aloe vera, cocoa butter, vitamins C and E, and natural oils. Seriously, what's not to love?

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10
Dermatologist-Tested

Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover Kit

Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover Kit

The affordable Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover kits can help keep your face looking smooth for weeks. Specifically designed for facial hair, this dermatologist-tested hair-removal cream will effectively rid you of unwanted fuzz on the upper lip and chin area.

This kit also comes with an aftercare lotion, which includes collagen and vitamin E to soothe any irritated spots you may have.

11
Best for Dry Skin

Nair Clay & Seaweed Exfoliate & Smooth Leg Mask

Nair Clay & Seaweed Exfoliate & Smooth Leg Mask

Legs feeling a little rough? Then give them a 2-in-1 treatment with this exfoliating mask. It's meant to be used in between your usual hair-removal process to get rid of any stubborn stubble, but it doesn't stop there.

Its nourishing formula of natural clay and seaweed helps gets rid of dry patches, flakes, and dead skin cells to give your calves and thighs a velvety, smooth-to-the-touch feel.

12
Best Body Hair Bleach

Jolen Crème Bleach

Jolen Crème Bleach

Another option is to skip hair removal altogether, and try bleaching to make it less noticeable instead.

Jolen's popular creme bleach has been around for 50 years, and it's a quick, effective option that's most often used to lighten hair on the upper lip and eyebrows.

Headshot of Jennifer Hussein
Jennifer Hussein
Beauty Editor

Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.

Headshot of Ashley Phillips
Ashley Phillips
Beauty & Style Editor

Ashley is the beauty and style editor at BestProducts.com, and her work has been featured on Cosmopolitan and Town and Country. She has an obsession with designer handbags, Liberty prints, 1960s fashion, and owns more shoes than she’s willing to admit. She's been using her learnings from owning a boutique and her shopping addiction for good since 2015. She’ll never accept that black isn’t a color. Away from the computer, you’ll likely find the Texas native binging on a British period drama or theorizing over Game of Thrones. She has yet to find a real cup of queso in NYC.

Watch Next
 
preview for HDM All sections playlist - Best Products
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Skincare Products

red light therapy face masks

Best Red Light Therapy Devices, Per Beauty Experts

a person holding an led mask

9 LED Face Masks for Better Skin

woman using high frequency wand on cheek

7 Best High-Frequency Wands to Zap Away Acne

spf50 cabanaclear™ water gel serum, it cosmetics your skin but better cc plus cream, hydratint pro mineral broad spectrum sunscreen spf 36

The Best Sunscreens for Under Makeup

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below