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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 13:55 BST
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
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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
  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
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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
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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
  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
  1.  £6 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
Back to top

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
  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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