A Comprehensive Review of the Top 10 Hair Removal Creams in 2023

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No one is going to stop you from letting your body hair grow because it is beautiful in its own way. But if you prefer to remove it, finding the best hair removal method can be a long process of trial and error. Shaving can give immediate smooth skin, but it needs to be done almost every day to maintain the smoothness. Not to mention potential for nicks, razor burns, and ingrown hairs. Monthly waxing appointments can eat a lot of time and can be painful. Electrolysis, or laser hair removal, offers more permanent results, but they come at a high cost.

But what if we were to talk about hair removal creams? They've improved significantly from the somewhat unappealing ones you might remember from your teenage years. Today's best hair removal creams are fast, painless, and suitable for almost everyone. (Still love your razor? We recommend trying the best shaving creams, gels, and oils suggested by dermatologists.) Are you hooked yet? Continue reading to discover the most effective hair removal creams of 2023.

We found the WooWoo Natural Tame It! Vegan In-Shower Hair Removal Cream to be the best during our weeks-long test. The thick formula was easy to squeeze out of the tube and apply, using the provided applicator wand. For the best outcome, we found that applying it thickly got the job done. After just two minutes, we were rewarded with smooth, hair-free armpits. We had to rinse it off, which took a bit of effort, but was not overwhelming.

The most challenging aspect of using the WooWoo Natural Tame It! Vegan In-Shower Hair Removal Cream was to stand still in the shower during processing. Two minutes can feel long when you're trying not to get your armpits wet in a shower.

Note that while the cream has a nice, natural scent at first, as it processes, it develops a slightly less pleasant (yet not fully off-putting) smell. However, we noticed that the scent didn't linger after rinsing off the cream, so it didn't dissuade us.

In conclusion, the ease of use, quick processing time, and effective results made the WooWoo Natural Tame It! Vegan In-Shower Hair Removal Cream our top choice.

The Flamingo Body Hair Removal Cream was distinctive not just for its effective hair removal but also for its pleasant fragrance. This cream retained a subtle, perfumey scent, different from the more chemical-like smells of many other creams we tested. This cream was also gentle, applied smoothly (though a bit thick), and came with a spatula for easy application. Using our hands for application made the process messier, but quicker. Once we fully applied the cream to our legs, it started working in less than ten minutes, leaving our legs silky smooth with no irritation, redness, or bumps. Considering its popularity on TikTok, we have to say, we're fans.

The only issue was that since it is suggested to apply in the shower, waiting for it to work could be slightly bothersome. Of course, this may not be as annoying if your shower is spacious or has a bench.

The classic Nair brand offers the Nair Shower Cream, which we consider to be the best in-shower cream. The thickness of the cream provided a smooth, body butter-like feel, and it was easy to apply. However, since this cream doesn't come with an applicator, applying it was a bit messy. But that was a small inconvenience given the excellent experience and results we had during processing.

We found that the thick cream stayed in place, even in a steamy shower, and it was not annoying to wait for it to work for 10 minutes. Once we wiped it off, our arms were smooth and hair-free, with no irritation. We made an error of applying it over a bug bite on our legs, which caused some redness— a clear indication of why the directions tell you not to apply on broken skin, as is the general recommendation for all hair removal creams.

One thing to remember is that while Nair Shower Cream didn't leave a residue, our arms felt somewhat peculiar after use. Nothing painful or irritating, just a faint, lingering sensation, which faded after an hour.

The Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream is an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin, due to its formulation with key active ingredients for hair removal; potassium thioglycolate and calcium hydroxide. It is also enriched with vitamin E-rich sunflower seed oil and calendula extract. The cream not only removes hair but also gently exfoliates the skin, this aids in the prevention of ingrown hairs which individuals with sensitive skin tend to experience more.

In our test of the Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream, we found it applied similarly to a lotion, neither thick nor watery, and did not leave a greasy residue after use. It came with an application wand which made spreading and removal straightforward. When rinsing, we noticed how our skin had become smoother and refreshed. Our underarms and legs were left hairless within just seven and five minutes respectively, this was particularly impressive especially because unlike many other hair removal creams, only a thin layer of this product was needed.

The highlight of this products use was that our hair remained removed for a full two weeks. This means the Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream not only catered to our sensitive skin but also complimented our busy schedules well.

However, note that when left on the underarms for too long, some minor discomfort was experienced, though easily ignorable. The slight itching did not last longer than the processing time, so it did not negatively affect our overall positive experience with the product.

Moving onto the Theorganicones Charcoal and Turmeric Hair Removal Mask, this product is a natural delight with a cooling sensation and minty fragrance. Its formulation with calcium salts, mildly exfoliating activated charcoal and anti-inflammatory turmeric extract, enables the thick black cream to stay once applied and efficiently remove hair within approximately 15 minutes. Note that we found this hair removal mask to perform best on smooth surfaces (such as legs) compared to creased surfaces (like the bikini area and underarms).

Interestingly, although the brand suggests letting the mask process for 10 to 15 minutes, our trials found that leaving it on for 30 minutes produced the best result. Despite this contradicting the brand's recommendation, the natural composition of this product reduces the risk of chemical burns. However, it should be noted that one of our testers with psoriasis experienced stinging when they over-processed her underarms, though it subsided. Given this, it is wise not to overdo it.

Another factor to take into account is the longer working time of the mask. The expectation would be to apply this while in the shower due to the messy nature of hair removal creams, but with this product that means spending 10 to 30 minutes in the shower, a request which may not be reasonable (or pleasurable) for everyone.

The Uttes Intimate Area Hair Removal Cream is our top recommendation for immediate results due to its prompt delivery, quick processing period and the longevity of the results. Our test found that less than 10 minutes were taken to completely remove the hair, and our skin remained smooth and hairless for a complete week. Furthermore, when hair began growing again, it did so at a slower pace, which added to our approval of this cream.

The only negative aspect of the Uttes Intimate Area Hair Removal Cream is that it has a typical hair removal scent. It's not repulsive, but it's not particularly pleasant either.

If you prefer a hassle-free application, you'll appreciate the Veet Spray On Cream. This user-friendly hair removal cream comes in a pressure can and with a squeeze of the nozzle, the cream evenly applies to the targeted treatment area. In addition to its convenient design, the cream itself is extremely creamy and lightweight, so it doesn't feel as if it's suffocating the skin while processing. After the suggested five-minute processing period, we found our legs were noticeably smoother, but not fully. It ended up taking several more minutes for a fully smooth result. However, despite the reapplication and additional minutes of processing, our skin felt fine, showing no evidence of irritation or discomfort.

In conclusion, as much as we would desire a hands-free hair removal cream that effortlessly eradicates body hair in one application, the Veet Spray On Cream, due to its convenience and gentleness, remains high on our list of recommendations.

The Nair Argan Oil Glide On was a dream from an application perspective. It was refreshing to apply thanks to its cooling effect and it was totally hands-free since you simply have to glide it on. Unfortunately, the product smelled like rotten eggs and we found it to be difficult to rinse off. Additionally, it removed hair in a patchy pattern, so it wasn’t a solid solution for convenient and effective hair removal.

We found that the NATURE NATION Hair Removal Spray Foam was easy and comfortable to apply. However, it smelled fairly unpleasant and required two rounds to offer any noticeable hair reduction—and even then, it wasn’t entirely effective.

When testing the Neomen Hair Removal Cream, we were impressed by the smooth texture of the product, its gentle nature, and how little it took (just two tablespoons) to adequately cover (and remove hair from) the underarm area. That said, it smelled like ammonia hair dye and the application was a bit messy.

Basically, hair removal creams work by creating a chemical reaction when applied to hair. 'This chemical reaction causes the hairs to swell and breaks the keratin proteins and disulfide bonds, which leaves the hair weak or dissolved in the hair follicle,' explains Diane Madfes, M.D., dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Once the bonds are broken, hair can simply be wiped away, without the need for a razor or tweezers.

Hair removal creams, also called depilatory creams, dissolve the hair at the surface of the skin, similar to shaving. However, these creams go a step further and actually penetrate into the hair follicle, so the hair breaks off lower into the skin's surface than shaving. This means you can go a few more days in between treatments (praise hands) — but the results still won't last as long as waxing, which yanks the hair completely from the root. (If you prefer waxing, but can't get to the salon, try the best at-home wax strips, according to customer reviews.)

If you're worried about using a hair removal cream on or near your more delicate areas such as the upper lip and bikini line, you should know that they are safe to use on all parts of the body. If you've never tried one of the best hair removal creams before, do a patch test on a small area on your inner arm, and wait 24 hours to ensure there is no irritation before proceeding with using the product, Madfes says.

Each hair removal cream comes with specific application instructions unique to the product and its ingredients. With this in mind, it’s best to fully read the instructions before applying any hair removal cream on your skin. Additionally, most hair removal creams suggest a processing interval, as opposed to a single set duration. When first experimenting with a hair removal cream, it’s best to err on the side of caution and start with the shortest duration before exposing your skin to the longest. Doing so will allow you to gauge and avoid potential irritation.

Hair removal creams can be formulated with several ingredients. According to Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, the most popular hair removal cream ingredient is  thioglycolic acid. “Most depilatory creams contain thioglycolic acid that disrupts the disulfide bonds of hairs, breaking down hairs to be rinsed away,” she says. Nair, a popular hair removal brand, contains potassium thioglycolate and calcium hydroxide that work together to dissolve hairs.” This includes the Nair Shower Cream Hair Remover, which made our Best Of list.

While Nair was the first brand to introduce calcium hydroxide to the mix, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tiffany J. Libby says that most common hair removal and depilatory creams contain the ingredient now. “Thioglycolate or thioglycolic acid mixed with sodium or calcium hydroxide works to chemically break down the keratin in hair to make it easier to wipe or rinse away,” she explains, mirroring Murphy-Rose’s sentiment.

While thioglycolic acid and sodium or calcium hydroxide are the most common active ingredients in hair removal creams, skin-soothing ingredients to counteract the abrasiveness of those can be present as well. As such, if you have sensitive skin, Madfes recommends creams that contain an anti-inflammatory ingredient, such as aloe vera, vitamin E, chamomile, or almond oil, to decrease irritation. Veet Spray On Hair Remover Cream, Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream, and Flamingo Body Hair Removal Cream all tout such ingredients.

Rebecca Norris has covered women’s beauty content for the past 10 years. For this story, she spoke with three dermatologists and a cosmetic dermatology physician’s assistant to determine the best hair removal creams of 2023, as well as what precautions to take while using them. With their expertise in mind, she presents the best hair removal creams of 2023.