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Allow us to be candid—the options for hair removal aren't great. Many of the solutions to get rid of unwanted hair (waxing, shaving, laser ) are either painful, high-maintenance, or both. If you're looking for a pain-free alternative to waxing or can't stand shaving your legs every day, consider using a hair removal cream.
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Nair Glides Away Sensitive Formula Hair Remover
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Best for Slowing Hair Growth
Completely Bare Don't Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor
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Best Multitasking Hair Remover
Nads Natural 3-in-1 Body Butter Hair Removal Cream
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Best for Bikini Area
Bikini Zone Creme Hair Remover for Bikini Area
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If the thought of using a depilatory cream is giving flashbacks to irritation, rashes, and the smell of a fire burning, rest assured the formulas available nowadays are way better than you might remember. You also have a good amount of options to choose. Aside from Vaniqa, an FDA-approved hair-removing prescription cream, there are now a wide variety of over-the-counter options for every part of the body, including the legs, face, and yes, even the bikini area. Not to mention, you can also shop formulas made specifically for sensitive-skin types or those with coarse hair.
Here, keep reading for the best hair removal creams for the job.
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Best for Coarse Hair
NEOMEN Hair Removal Cream
Neomen's product gets rave reviews on Amazon for its ability to eradicate thick and coarse hair—without irritating sensitive skin. The popular cream also acts as a great moisturizing agent, thanks to aloe vera, vitamin E, and baby oil.
| Key Ingredients | Aloe vera, vitamin E |
|---|---|
| Good for | Thick and coarse hair |
| Recommended for | Legs, arms, underarms, bikini area |
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Nair Glides Away Sensitive Formula Hair Remover
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Nair Glides Away Sensitive Formula Hair Remover
Whether you have sensitive skin or are removing hair from traditionally sensitive areas, like the underarm and bikini line, you need a gentle—but hardworking—formula to minimize the burning sensations often associated with hair removal creams and any resulting irritation. This dye- and paraben-free stick does the trick. It's just as effective as Nair's traditional formula but contains 100 percent natural coconut oil and vitamin E to nourish and soothe skin at the same time.
| Key Ingredients | Coconut oil, vitamin E |
|---|---|
| Recommended for | Sensitive skin and sensitive areas |
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Best for Slowing Hair Growth
Completely Bare Don't Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor
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Best for Slowing Hair Growth
Completely Bare Don't Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor
Though hair removal creams aren't permanent, this moisturizer is a great long-term option for those seeking lasting results. It's not quite a hair removal cream, but it does contain a special blend of ingredients that work to reduce hair density and length, as well as inhibit growth over time.
| Key Ingredients | White willow bark, shea butter |
|---|
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Best Application
Nair Hair Remover Body Spray
This hair removal cream comes in a convenient spray bottle (similar to an aerosol sunscreen) for easy application. Simply spray on, let sit for four minutes, then step in the shower to rinse the formula—and your hair—right down the drain.
| Key Ingredients | Argan oil, orange blossom, |
|---|---|
| Recommended for | Arms, legs, bikini |
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Best Gel Cream
Veet Gel Cream Hair Remover
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Best Gel Cream
Veet Gel Cream Hair Remover
A gentle formula is necessary for sensitive skin types, says Rina M. Allawh, a board-certified dermatologist in Pennsylvania. This formula by Veet is a great choice, because it contains hydrating ingredients like aloe vera that create a buffer against irritating hair “dissolving” ingredients. Just don't leave the formula on for longer than 10 minutes, and consider applying refrigerated Vaseline to the area afterward to soothe, she says.
| Key Ingredients | Aloe vera, vitamin E |
|---|---|
| Recommended for | Legs, arms |
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Best Facial Hair Remover
Nair Hair Removal Cream for Face
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Best Facial Hair Remover
Nair Hair Removal Cream for Face
Forget wax—this hair removal cream is just as fast and lasts just as long but doesn't hurt at all. And because it's specially formulated for the upper lip, chin, and face, it contains extra-gentle and nourishing ingredients, like sweet almond oil, to minimize inflammation.
| Key Ingredients | Sweet almond oil |
|---|---|
| Recommended for | Face |
| Good for | Slowing down hair growth |
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Best Multitasking Hair Remover
Nads Natural 3-in-1 Body Butter Hair Removal Cream
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Best Multitasking Hair Remover
Nads Natural 3-in-1 Body Butter Hair Removal Cream
Remove hair, exfoliate, and smooth skin in just four minutes with this creamy formula. It's safe to use on the arms, legs, and bikini area.
| Key Ingredients | Cocoa and shea butter |
|---|---|
| Recommended for | Arms, legs, bikini area |
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Best for Bikini Area
Bikini Zone Creme Hair Remover for Bikini Area
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Best for Bikini Area
Bikini Zone Creme Hair Remover for Bikini Area
Now 32% Off
This hair removal cream is specifically made to use on the bikini area so you can expect minimal to zero irritation, pain, or bumps. The formula also includes nourishing and soothing ingredients like green tea, aloe, and chamomile.
| Key Ingredients | Green tea, aloe vera, chamomile |
|---|---|
| Recommended for | Bikini area |
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Best Kit
Sally Hansen Cream Hair Remover Kit
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Best Kit
Sally Hansen Cream Hair Remover Kit
Keep your upper lip and chin free of unwanted hair with this fast-acting, pain-free depilatory kit that comes with the hair removal cream and a moisturizing lotion made with collagen and soothing vitamin E.
| Key Ingredients | Collagen, vitamin E |
|---|---|
| Recommended for | Face |
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
