Best hair removal creams tried and tested: A pain-free way to achieve silky-smooth skin

Finding a hair removal cream that can work on all parts of the body (even intimate areas) can be tricky, so Woo Woo is a wonderful find. While it has that distinctive hair removal cream smell, its formula is created with softness in mind, housing jojoba and aloe vera for more of a moisturising finish. Included is a small spatula for easy application, and the best thing about it is it can be used in the shower, cutting down the time you have to stand in that awkward wide-leg naked pose in the bathroom. Just be careful that the water isn’t too hot, so you don’t irritate the skin. And keep to the six-minute maximum, to ensure smooth skin doesn’t come with any unwanted consequences.

Using a hair removal cream on your face can be nerve-racking. After all, it’s one of the most sensitive areas of skin on the body, and a chemical burn could cause some real damage. So please, proceed with caution, patch test first and never exceed the maximum amount of time stated in the instructions. But pre-warning aside, this Veet face cream certainly did impress. Coming in a set with both a facial hair removal cream and a post-removal soothing cream, it was easy to use, didn’t have the overpowering hair removal cream smell and, when following the instructions, worked wonders. On finer, thinner hairs, five minutes was enough to leave the skin silky smooth, while coarser strands took nearer the 10-minute mark. No redness, itchiness or sore feeling occurred at any time, and the soothing cream was a great addition to help keep things hydrated. The only point we would note is that our skin did feel dry post-use, so keep applying the after cream as needed and remember to stay away from any exfoliating or harsh skincare products for a good few days (or even a week) post-use.

Sensitive skin and hair removal creams are far from a match made in heaven. In fact, if you are more on the sensitive side, you need to take even more caution before using these creams – if the skin is irritated, broken or damaged, best to avoid them altogether. But if you do still want to give them a go, this Nair option may be your best bet. With aloe vera extract, it soothes while smoothing away hair quickly, easily and without any pain. A spatula is included for easier application, and, after five minutes, you can start to see the cream get to work. In fact, we’d recommend it for those trying hair removal creams for the first time, too, as it’s just that little bit gentler, which will only help you get your bearings with it.

This Boots own-brand hair removal cream didn’t have as clear instructions as some of the other options we tested, so we’d say it’s best for those who are already pretty confident with this type of product. But once you get the hang of it, it’s sure to do the trick. Included is a rather large spatula for easy application, and the smell isn’t as severe as some other options, which is a pretty big plus point.

Being only 100ml, we did use the whole tube to cover both legs, but at less than £5, this was much cheaper than a wax, and the results lasted for around two weeks (but, obviously, this will differ from person to person).

Aloe vera and shea butter are included to make it less harsh on the skin, too.

The Hoosh cream works incredibly quickly, with results in as little as three minutes, making it great for those in a rush. It seems to be a little bit stronger than some other options too, when it comes to tackling thicker, darker, more stubborn hairs. So, if you’re someone who needs that extra push, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Inside the box is a spatula for easy application, along with the 100ml tube of cream. Provitamin B5 and witch hazel are included to help with the skin healing process post-use, giving it a slightly cooling feeling too. Just be sure to take extra care when watching the clock, as it works so fast. By the time we finished covering both legs, it was nearly time to remove the cream, so you do have to be rather speedy.

We couldn’t quite work out what made this product gender specific, as the ingredient list is almost identical to some of our other options. But if you feel more comfortable buying a gender-tailored product, you’re in luck. Included is a large curved spatula, making for very easy application, and the 200ml tube is big enough to cover the majority of the body – legs, chest, arms and more. It’s quick, pain-free and has a subtle aftershave scent that we quite enjoyed, while shea butter added an element of softness to the skin. Just be sure to watch the clock carefully, so as not to exceed the 10-minute mark.

For those with really sensitive skin, hair removal cream may fill you with dread as the pretty potent formulas certainly aren’t the gentlest. Luckily, Jolen was designed with that in mind, with a clever application process created for those who wouldn’t usually dare touch the stuff. Inside the kit is a skin-guarding balm, which looks a lot like a lip balm, and should be applied before coming to the removal cream.

Although a very useful step, protecting the surface of the skin from the hair-melting chemicals, we found it a little tricky to use. Too much and you run the risk of no hair getting hit, too little and there’s no protection at all, so finding the sweet spot may take a bit of time, but once you get there, it’s hard to go back. After the balm, smooth on a layer of the removal cream as normal, and, after five to eight minutes, your brows, cheeks or chin should be silky smooth.

While most hair removal creams tend to have longer-lasting results than shaving, this one particularly impressed with its near week-long results. Coming as a full kit, a 200ml hair removal cream comes coupled with a wooden spatula and a soothing cream to use afterwards. Our favourite part about it, aside from the longer-lasting results, is that the scent is much less pungent than some other options, despite still being pretty potent in its formula.

It’s easy to use, with the added benefit of a soothing cream to help seal moisture back into the skin, and we were pretty impressed. However, we much prefer plastic spatulas over the wooden one that comes with this kit, so will be swapping it out for a replacement next time.