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Our top pick is the Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream
There are so many different hair removal methods, including some more salon-worthy procedures, such as laser hair removal, and at-home methods, like waxing, epilation, and, of course, shaving. Although the best type of body hair removal can vary depending on your hair and skin type, preferences, and budget, some are certainly more impressive (and convenient) than others.
Body hair removal creams are one of these methods as their creamy, lotion-like formulas work sort of like magic to lift away unwanted stubble. Plus, they’re typically more gentle on the skin and an excellent — and longer-lasting — alternative to shaving. On top of that, they don’t come with some of the side effects that other hair removal methods have. “People can benefit from adding a depilatory cream to their skincare routine as it’s a fast way to remove body hair without shaving cuts or waxing [ingrown hairs],” Dr. Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine, tells PEOPLE.
But here’s the thing: Some body hair removal creams simply don’t work as well as others (and, in some cases at all). So, our PEOPLE Tested team set out to find the best body hair removal creams through extensive research and real-world testing.
After experimenting with nearly two dozen formulas, we landed on our top eight best body hair removal creams, shared below.
Best Overall: Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream
$13 at Cvs.com
See at Schick.com
Pros
The body hair removal cream has a lightweight consistency that is easy to apply and isn’t sticky or greasy.
It comes with a scraping tool, which makes it easy to remove with very little residue left behind.
You only have to wait about five minutes for hair removal on the legs.
Cons
We didn’t experience a cooling effect, though it was still very comfortable on the skin.
The Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream is our top pick for the best body hair removal cream. When testing this formula out, we were most impressed by its lightweight consistency, which isn’t sticky or greasy and very easy to apply using the included spatula. While we didn’t experience a cooling effect on the skin, the lotion-like formula is enriched with vitamin E, which nourishes and softens dry skin while removing unwanted hair.
As far as hair removal is concerned, this ultra-impressive formula works fast — you can remove leg hair in about five minutes — and doesn’t cause any irritation. While it did have a strong scent, it is for the most part easy to tolerate and isn’t as irritating (or stinky) as some other hair removal formulas. The cream is also easy to remove with the included scraping tool and hair grows back much slower compared to other methods like shaving.
Formula Type: Cream | Size: 8.4 oz. | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E
Best Overall, Runner-Up: WooWoo Tame It! Vegan In-Shower Hair Removal
See at Amazon.com
See at Freepeople.com
Pros
The formula is on the thicker side, which we found made it easier to apply to the skin in an even layer.
It’s designed to be applied while in the shower and only takes about two minutes to take effect.
It effectively removes all of the hairs, but you need to ensure you use enough formula in order to achieve this level of efficacy.
Cons
It’s a little tricky to remove but with a few extra wipes you can get all of the residue off.
We also love the WooWoo natural Tame It! Vegan In-Shower Hair Removal Cream. This cream features aloe vera and jojoba oil in its formula, which adds both a soothing and nourishing effect that feels nice on dry skin types. Additionally, it’s designed to be used in the shower, making it all the more convenient to use. On top of that, it only takes a couple of minutes to take effect, so it’s also an excellent fast-acting formula, too.
Since it’s meant for the shower, the formula features a thicker consistency that stays in place without melting away. This is great for hair removal but makes it a little tricky to remove, so make sure to use a loofah or washcloth to get all of the excess residue.
Formula Type: Cream | Size: 1.69 oz., 3.38 oz., 6.7 oz. | Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, jojoba oil
Best Foam: Completely Bare Easy Off Foaming Hair Removal Spray
$10 at Amazon.com
$10 at Target.com
Pros
The formula features shea butter which makes it really easy to smooth over the legs.
It’s an excellent formula for sensitive skin as it doesn’t cause any irritation.
It’s effective at removing most of the unwanted hair (though you might have a few stragglers, depending on your hair thickness).
Cons
The spray bottle makes it a little awkward to apply but, once in contact with the skin, it’s easy to spread over the skin.
If you prefer a foam texture, the Completely Bare Easy Off Foaming Hair Removal Spray is our top pick for this category. This spray hair removal cream essentially goes on like shaving cream, and while it’s a little trick to apply at first, the formula is easy to spread across the skin for an even layer.
Since it’s enriched with shea butter, the formula is also deeply hydrating and nourishing and feels especially nice on dry skin. On top of that, it’s on the gentler side, so it’s a great option for sensitive skin types.
Formula Type: Foam | Size: 5.8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Volcanic ash, shea butter
Best Scent: Flamingo Body Hair Removal Cream
$19 at Amazon.com
$10 at Target.com
Pros
It has a faint perfume scent, which is fairly uncommon for hair removal creams.
It’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin and you don’t have to worry about itching, burning, or redness.
You only need one round to remove all of the hairs.
Cons
Our hair grew back faster with this formula compared to some of the others.
Many hair removal creamsammonia hair dye
Plus, it’s highly effective at removing unwanted hair and, in most cases, you only need one round to remove everything. With that said, the hair does grow back a little faster compared to some of the other formulas on our list (though it was still much longer than with shaving).
Formula Type: cream | Size: 6.76 oz. | Key Ingredients: Not listed
Best In-Shower: Nair Shower Cream
$10 at Amazon.com
$10 at Target.com
Pros
It has a thick, buttery consistency that stays in place while in the shower.
The formula is easy to remove with a washcloth.
You only need one round of application to get rid of all of the unwanted hairs.
Cons
The cream doesn’t have a cooling effect but the skin feels ultra-smooth after application.
You have to wait 10 minutes for full efficacy, which is a little long for the shower.
The Nair Shower Cream is another great hair removal cream formula and our top pick for the best in-shower option. We love this one because it has a thicker, buttery consistency that stays in place while in the shower.
Although it takes around 10 minutes for full efficacy, the formula is highly effective at removing all of the unwanted hair, so you don’t need to worry about touching up with a razor. Since it includes argan oil in the formula, it’s also highly effective at nourishing the skin and gentle enough for sensitive skin, too.
Formula Type: Cream | Size: 13 oz. | Key Ingredients: Argan oil
Best Natural: Theorganicones Charcoal and Turmeric Hair Removal Mask
See at Theorganicones.com
Pros
Since the formula is thicker, it’s easier to apply and stays in place while working its hair removal magic.
It’s easy to remove with a warm washcloth and you don’t have to worry about any excess residue.
The scent isn’t nearly as strong as some of the other less-natural formulas we’ve tried.
Cons
It takes 15 minutes for hair removal, which is longer than most formulas on our list.
For a natural hair removal cream, consider the Theorganicones Charcoal and Tumeric Hair Removal Mask. This formula features a blend of turmeric, natural clay, and activated charcoal and works to effectively remove unwanted hair in around 15 minutes.
It’s a little thicker in consistency, which makes it easy to apply and keep in place (especially since it needs to stay on the skin for longer), and it removes easily with a warm washcloth. Since it’s a natural formula, it also doesn’t have the same stinky chemical aroma that often comes with this type of hair removal process, too, which we appreciate.
Formula Type: Clay | Key Ingredients: Turmeric, natural clay, activated charcoal
Best for Bikini Line: Uttes Intimate Area Hair Removal Cream
$16 at Amazon.com
See at Sears.com
Pros
The cream is super thick, so it’s easy to apply to small areas like the bikini line without worrying about it bleeding.
Our skin was soft and smooth after removal.
It effectively removes hair (and hair doesn’t grow back for a couple of weeks).
Cons
It doesn’t have a cooling effect and is slightly uncomfortable but not painful.
If you’re tired of shaving or waxing your bikini line and want something a little less painful and longer-lasting, the Uttes Intimate Area Hair Removal Cream is our top pick. This hair removal cream features an ultra-thick consistency that makes it easy to apply to the desired area without it bleeding or running off.
The cream isn’t necessarily cooling and it does have a slightly uncomfortable sensation, however, it isn’t painful or irritating like some other hair removal methods. On top of that, it takes hair two weeks to grow back, so it’s a great alternative to waxing.
Formula Type: Cream | Size: 4.1 oz. | Key Ingredients: Not listed
Best Spray: Veet Spray On Cream
$10 at Amazon.com
$15 at Walmart.com
Pros
The formula is lightweight and easy to apply with its spray applicator.
It’s enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E, which has a nourishing effect on the skin.
It has a slight floral scent.
Cons
If you use this for larger areas like the legs, you only get a couple of uses out of it.
The Veet Spray on Cream is our top pick for the best spray hair removal cream for its convenience and efficacy. This formula is enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E, which provides a nourishing sensation on the skin.
It also works well at removing unwanted hair in just a few minutes and, since it’s a spray-on, you don’t have to worry about spreading it around to get full coverage. It also has a pleasant floral scent which is a nice change-up from some of the more potent aromas that come with these types of formulas.
Formula Type: Foam | Size: 5.1 oz. | Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, vitamin E
Others We Tested
Neomen Hair Removal Cream: We also tested the Neomen Hair Removal Cream, which we loved for its smooth and easy-to-apply consistency. Additionally, the formula is highly effective at removing unwanted hair in one go — though it can get pretty messy — and leaves our skin feeling hydrated and soft. While we would have loved to add this body hair removal cream to our best of list, the formula’s scent (which is reminiscent of ammonia hair dye) was a tad too strong for our liking.
Nair Argan Oil Glide On: For a cooling formula, we also liked the Nair Argan Oil Glide On body hair removal cream. This formula also features a smooth, lotion-like texture and an applicator that makes application easy and mess-free. It’s also highly effective at removing unwanted hair, with just a few stragglers left behind. Similar to the Neomen Hair Removal Cream, the scent was a bit too overwhelming and unpleasant for us but, for under $10, it’s still a great body hair removal cream option.
What to Look for in Body Hair Removal Creams
Hair Type
Before selecting a body hair removal cream, Dr. Graf says to consider your hair type as this can impact the overall efficacy of a formula. “Some depilatory creams will only work on finer hair and others will work best on thicker hair,” she explains.
Skin Type
Similarly, Dr. Graf recommends choosing a formula that is safe for your skin type. Many hair removal formulas are compatible with several skin types, but some have additional benefits that are worth considering. For example, cream formulas with aloe vera can soothe and hydrate dry skin while also helping prevent irritation.
Our runner up pick for the best body hair removal cream, the WooWoo Natural Tame It! Vegan In-Shower Hair Removal Cream, is formulated with aloe vera gel and jojoba oil, which soothe and nourish dry skin. Similarly, our top pick for the best spray, the Veet Spray on Cream, also features aloe vera along with vitamin E. The Completely Bare Easy Off Foaming Hair Removal Spray is another dry skin-benefiting formula thanks to its inclusion of shea butter.
Patch Testing
In addition to what to look for, Dr. Graf says a patch test on a smaller surface area is the most important thing to consider, as some formulas might cause irritation due to area of the body, skin sensitivity, and, in some cases, allergies. “Inner thighs might be more sensitive than outer and lower legs,” she notes, adding that underarms also tend to be more sensitive compared to other parts of the arm. By patch testing, you can avoid possible irritation.
How We Tested
To find the best body hair removal creams, our PEOPLE Tested team conducted real-world testing on 22 formulas over a six week period. During this time, we tested each product to get a better idea of its overall performance, including the ease-of-use, efficacy at removing hair, and overall comfort.
We also considered the consistency — especially in formulas meant for the shower — and removal process as well as the aroma (since many hair removal creams come with a potent stench). After thorough testing, we compiled all of our notes and compared each experience to determine which formulas work best at removing hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is body hair removal cream better than shaving?
This depends on an individual’s preferences, but Dr. Graf says that, for the most part, body hair removal cream is better than shaving. “It can be considered safer to use hair removal cream as shaving can cause more adverse effects such as irritation, knicks, and razor bumps,” she explains, adding that hair removal creams are usually painless and fast working.
Can you use body hair removal cream everywhere on your body?
Body hair removal creams are safe to use everywhere on your body, but Dr. Graf recommends first conducting a patch test to ensure you don’t experience any negative reactions. “You also want to avoid sensitive areas like the face, or anywhere you may have an open wound,” she explains.
Does body hair removal cream hurt?
“One of the benefits of this hair removal method is that it is completely painless,” says Dr. Graf. With that said, some formulas can cause irritation on the skin, especially for those who might be more sensitive. To prevent potential discomfort from occurring, it’s best to patch test a small area of the skin before using the cream on larger areas.
Take Our Word For It
Jessie Quinnhair removal
Meet Our Expert
Dr. Jeannette Graf is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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