The Best Hair Removal Cream

Buying Guide

There are many ways to remove unwanted body hair, from waxing to lasers to epilators to old-fashioned razors. But one little-known method that’s been around for decades is something called depilatory hair removal cream.

With depilatory creams, you simply rub it on and wait. After a designated period of time has passed, you wipe the cream away using a damp washcloth or sponge. You’ll wipe in the opposite direction of hair growth, then rinse your skin with lukewarm water to make sure no cream remains.

How does this type of product work? Depilatory creams have chemicals like sodium thioglycolate, calcium thioglycolate and strontium sulfide that break down the protein bonds in your hair. It goes to work on the strand of the hair, not the root, so you won’t get the same experience you’d get from waxing or an epilator, but you also won’t get the painful experience you get when hairs are pulled out by the root.

However, depilatory creams have varying levels of effectiveness. They can especially face challenges with extremely coarse hair, which is harder to break down. But over the years, depilatory creams have improved so that they’re more effective, and some can even remove even the most stubborn hair.

What to Look For

• The chemicals in depilatories can be harsh. Even if one is labeled safe for sensitive skin, test on a small area of your body and wait a day or two before using it all over.
• Even if a cream is labeled for use everywhere on the body, take caution when using it in sensitive areas like your face or genitals.
• Apply depilatories to dry skin. Don’t use any cream or lotion on the skin before starting the hair removal process.
• Follow the directions carefully. Leaving depilatories on too long can damage the skin.
• At one time, the chemical odors emitted by depilatory creams were overwhelming. Today’s creams have been formulated to reduce that smell, but you might want to open a window to ventilate the area while using.
• Avoid using depilatory creams on any skin that’s irritated or inflamed.
• While applying the cream, you’ll likely feel a tingling sensation. However, if it starts to burn, immediately wipe the cream off and rinse the area.
• After wiping off the depilatory cream and any removed hair, rinse with lukewarm water until all traces of the cream are gone. Do not use any products like body wash in the time immediately following removal.

Hair Removal Cream Rankings

1. Nair Hair Remover Cream, 3.3-Ounce

2. Veet Gel Hair Removal Cream, 13.5-Ounce

3. Nad’s Hair Removal Cream, 5.1-Ounce

4. NEOMEN Skin Friendly Hair Removal Cream

5. Avon Skin So Soft Hair Removal Cream, 3-Pack

6. Chinoxia Painless Hair Removal Cream, 1.69-Ounce

7. GiGi Cucumber & Aloe Hair Removal Cream, 8-Ounce

8. POP MODERN.C Moisturizing Hair Removal Cream, 5.93-Ounce

More to Explore

Head hair grows about 6 inches per year, but body hair grows much more slowly than that. Researchers aren’t sure why there’s a difference, but body hair growth cycles are less intense than the cycles that affect the hair on our heads. Whether on the head or body, hair growth comes from follicles, growing from the root. The root is made of keratin and cell proteins.

Hair is the fastest-growing tissue in the body, but you’ll see even faster hair growth in warmer weather. That happens because heat stimulates circulation, which encourages growth. If you live in a hot climate, you may find that you need a haircut sooner than your friends who spend more of their year in colder weather.