Using the best hair removal cream as a regular chemical depilatory is a criminally underrated method in the world of hair removal products. Depilatory creams have drastically changed since they first became popular, and lucky for us, formulas have improved tenfold, reinstating hair removal creams as one of the simplest hair-removal methods. Forget razor burns or bumps from your favourite razor or pesky ingrown hairs. Hair removal cream is, without a doubt, one of the most hassle-free methods used to eliminate hair. It's also a painless method compared to a Brazilian wax or bikini wax at a salon.
Hair removal creams, or depilatory creams as they're otherwise called, work via alkaline chemicals. These chemicals safely break down and dissolve the Keratin in one's hair. This causes the hair follicles to collapse. This is why, after five to ten minutes of the cream sitting on your skin, you can easily wipe them off the surface (with either a spatula, flannel or sponge).
The best hair removal creams at a glance:
• Best hair removal cream overall: Veet Silky Fresh Hair Removal Cream - View offer on Amazon UK
• Best hair removal cream for dark hair: Nair Tough Hair Removal Cream - View offer on Amazon UK
• Best facial hair removal cream: Nad's Facial Hair Removal Cream and Soothing Balm - View offer on Amazon UK
Hair removal creams can be applied to pretty much any area of your body; legs, bikini line, face - you name it and are great for keeping on top of your Brazilian or Hollywood wax! You can buy specialised hair removal creams for certain areas such as the face, though you shouldn't apply them directly to sensitive areas and should pay attention to what the packaging on your chosen cream says. Plus according to Nair, one of the best retailers for hair removal cream, due to the chemical reaction that takes place, results can last days longer compared to shaving.
An easy and effective way to remove hair, we've shared the best hair removal creams available to buy in the UK, including favourites from Veet, Nair, and Nad's.
Best hair removal cream to buy
Best hair removal cream overall
It is universally agreed that the most stressful part of the body to remove hair from is the private parts. Shaving can leave red rashes, and tweezing takes forever and is unbelievably painful. If only there was a hair removal cream that one could use down there. Well, there is! The Woo Woo Tame It! In-shower cream can be used anywhere on the body, including intimate areas, with amazing results. Formulated with aloe vera and softening jojoba oil, this cream is also completely vegan. Prices start from £6.99 for 50ml (perfect if you are curious and want to try it out) up to £18.95 for 200ml.
Customer review: "Just wow. I used this cream cause I was so done with razor rash, and the effort of getting it waxed didn't fit into my schedule. This is so much easier and works a lot quicker. I had to apply a couple of times before I got a full hair removal, but that's because I had just let it grow for a little while. But when you get that smooth skin, it's honestly the best feeling and makes you feel so confident in yourself. I will definitely be restocking cause I could never go back to razors now!"
Pros
- Choice of package sizes
- Can be used all over the body
Cons
- May not work for all hair types
For use on: | Bikini line, undercarriage, legs or bum |
Best value hair removal cream
No matter whether your skin is sensitive or tough as nails, Veet's long beloved hair removal cream is bound to work for you. Although it does have the classic hair removal cream scent, the smell is non-ammonia, so won't knock your nostrils out. This is because they've recently changed their ingredients to have 35 per cent fewer chemical ingredients. That means no burning or irritation. Overall, Veet's cream is a tried and tested favourite and is a reliable product to get the results you want.
Customer review: "My daughter got this she has quite coarse hair and we have found other products do not do the job!! She has got really sensitive skin but this had such good reviews we thought to give it a go !! A little tip is to use the spatula to remove most of the hair then apply a warm flannel wipe and it will remove the stubborn hairs. I was very pleased with it and the smell is ok too!"
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin
- Comes with a spatula
Cons
- Some reported it had a strong smell
For use on: | Legs, bikini line, underarms, and arms |
Amazon favourite
Rated Amazon's Choice for "hair removal cream", Veet succeeds again on making our list, but for a slightly different reason this time. Although the ingredients are identical to that above, we love this Pure Inspirations version because of its pump bottle. This makes applying in places like the shower so much easier than squeezing cream out of a tube. This version of Veet's formula contains aloe vera and Vitamin E, hydrating the most sensitive of skin.
Customer review: "I have dark thick hair and loads of it. The last time I tried this product was five years ago. They have definitely changed the formula, as it works way better now than it did back then. The hair is removed quickly and doesn't need a massively thick layer to do so. However, it doesn't remove down to the root - you get a result similar to, or slightly better than, shaving. Hair grows back at the same rate as shaving. That said, it's about as fast as shaving and doesn't cause any cuts or bumps, and regrowth is not red and bumpy either. I'd say it's better than shaving if you have sensitive skin."
Pros
- Large size
- Effective on short hair
Cons
- Some found it was a bit hit and miss depending on location of the body in terms of full hair removal
For use on: | Legs, bikini line, underarms, and arms |
Best hair removal cream for thick dark hair
If your family genes have blessed you with thick, dark hair on your body, you know the struggle of finding a hair removal cream that'll properly work. Nair's tough hair cream is specially formulated to tackle this problem. Although it eliminates tough hair with ease, it is also extremely moisturising. With lily flower extract & cotton seed, the formula is enriched to make it suitable for even dry or sensitive skin.
Customer review: "I have very coarse dark hair and my previous hair remover just wasn't working, I had to keep it on far too long and it still didn't remove all the hair. I used Nair for the first time and it worked perfectly. I kept it on for 10 mins but I don't even think I needed that long because it removed all that stubborn coarse hair smoothly and with no burning sensation. I used this under my chin. Very happy with this product."
Pros
- Effective on tough hair
- Deeply moisturise skin
Cons
- It's strong, so may not be suitable for sensitive skin
For use on: | Legs, arms, chest, back, feet, bikini line and armpits |
Best facial hair removal cream
You have to be careful finding a facial hair removal method because although you can hide a bad shaving rash under your trousers, you can't get away with hiding your face. However, we've done the research and one of the best hair removal creams for facial hair is Nads. This kit includes both the pain-free cream, which works in as little as four minutes, as well as a soothing moisturising balm. With cocoa and shea butter extracts, this balm helps calm any redness and helps rejuvenate the skin cells. Make sure to do a patch test before diving in. If hair removal cream doesn't work, we also recommend giving waxing your face a go.
Customer review: "I've tried all sorts of 'sensitive' hair removal cream brands with all manner of nasty results. This product is the only one I've used with no nasty side effects. It did take 2 applications to totally remove all the facial hair, but I'm so pleased I've found something I can use."
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Fast working
Cons
- Some found not all hairs were removed
For use on: | Face, chin and upper lip |
Best spray-on hair removal cream
The only downside to using hair removal cream is that it can take a while to apply to the skin. You want to get a good layer on there, without getting the cream anywhere it shouldn't be. If you want to cut down your time using hair removal cream - why not try Veet's spray-on version? As always, Veet's cream is formulated for sensitive skin, with aloe vera and vitamin E. Plus, with this spray-on method, it's easier to get to hard-to-reach places like your back or the backs of your legs. Just apply in a place with easy clean-up in case you spray off kilter (like a bathroom or outside).
Customer review: "Great hair remover. So much easier spraying it on, instead of having to get messy with your hands. I just about covered all areas with one spray bottle. A bit expensive, would defo buy more if it was cheaper."
Pros
- Quick and easy to apply
- Gentle on skin
Cons
- The application can be a bit messy/ cause your bath or shower to become a little slippy!
For use on: | Legs, underarms and bikini line |
FAQs
Are depilatory creams the best way to remove hair?
If you worry about cutting yourself with a blade, want to avoid razor burn, or don't have time to laboriously remove strands with a device or tool - hair removal cream is the method for you. Unlike shaving where, due to a blunt razor, strands can grow back stubbly, depilatory cream makes sure it grows back finer and softer.
Having said that, please note that hair removal cream destroys the hair shaft, not the root (like cold or warm waxing achieves). This means hair, depending on your genes, tends to grow back within five to fifteen days. These creams have proven to keep hair away about the same time, or slightly longer, than shaving with a razor. However, if you're looking for a longer-term solution, gadgets like epilators or IPL laser devices may be more suited to you.
Without further ado, let's dive into the best to buy on the UK market, with formulas for every situation, as well as reviews by the general public.
Does hair removal cream make hair thicker?
Hair removal cream does not affect the thickness of hair growth once used, nor does it affect the speed of growth. However, because hair removal cream does not remove the hair from the root, you may still be able to see a very small shadow of the root under your skin after using it.
Does hair removal cream cause ingrown hair?
The risk of ingrown hair after using a depilatory cream is much lower than, for example, after using a razor because instead of cutting the hair, hair removal cream dissolves the follicle itself. However, if you've used methods that have caused ingrown hairs before starting to use cream, we recommend exfoliating in between uses to tackle any leftover pesky ingrown hairs that have stuck around. You can exfoliate in a variety of ways, either with an exfoliating scrub or a skin brush. This will prevent dirt, oils and dead skin cells from building up and clogging your follicles.
Ruby Barry is a Product Writer for Yours, specialising in fashion and beauty. She loves finding dupes for dresses worn by celebs such as Kate Middleton. Saving money whilst looking fabulous is her prerogative.