11 Hair Removal Creams We Tested That Work Quickly and Don't Irritate Sensitive Skin

Best Overall

Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream

View on Schick.com $10 at Walgreens $13 at CVS

The Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream is our best overall pick for its lightweight, non-sticky consistency, which is easy to apply and remove with the included spatula. While we didn’t experience a cooling effect on the skin, the lotion-like formula has vitamin E, which softens dry skin while removing unwanted hair in an impressive five minutes. 

While it did have a strong scent, it was tolerable and not as irritating (or stinky) as some other hair removal formulas. Hair grows back much slower after using this than other methods, like shaving.

Formula Type: Cream | Size: 8.4 ounces | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Veet Spray On Cream

$13 at Amazon $13 at Walmart

The convenience and efficacy of this Veet spray-on cream earns it a close second place for best overall. Like the Schick cream, it contains moisturizing vitamin E and skin-soothing aloe vera, providing a nourishing sensation.

It removes 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, a nice change-up from some of the more potent aromas that come with these formulas. Unfortunately, it’s not as long lasting as the Schick bottle.

Formula Type: Foam | Size: 5.1 ounces | Best for: Underarms, arms, legs, bikini area

Best Scent

Flamingo Body Hair Removal Cream

$19 at Amazon $10 at Target $13 at Walmart

Many hair removal creams have a stinky aroma that often smells like chemicals — like ammonia hair dye — but not the Flamingo hair removal cream. Its iris and suede aroma have a faint perfume scent, providing a much more pleasant experience for the senses.

Along with smelling lovely, it’s highly effective at removing unwanted hair; in most cases, you only need one round to remove everything. It’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin, as it doesn’t cause itching or visible irritation, and it includes a spatula for easy application and removal.

The hair grows back faster than other formulas on our list, though it took much longer than shaving. 

Formula Type: Cream | Size: 6.76 ounces | Best for: Legs, arms, stomach, bikini area

Best Foam

Completely Bare Easy Off Foaming Hair Removal Spray

$10 at Amazon $10 at Target $11 at Walmart

Consider the Completely Bare Easy Off Foaming Hair Removal Spray if you prefer a foam texture. This spray cream essentially goes on like shaving cream, and while it’s a little tricky to apply at first, the formula is easy to spread across the skin for an even layer. Its shea butter formula is deeply hydrating and nourishing, which feels especially nice on dry skin. It’s also gentler, so it’s a great option for sensitive skin types. 

Formula Type: Foam | Size: 5.8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Volcanic ash, shea butter | Best for: Arms, legs

Best In-Shower

WooWoo Tame It! In-Shower Hair Removal

$14 at Amazon View on Woowoo.fun $18 at Freepeople.com

We also love the WooWoo Natural Tame It! Vegan In-Shower Hair Removal Cream: With skin-soothing aloe vera and nourishing jojoba oil, it's perfect for dry skin. Its thicker consistency is designed to stay put without melting away in the shower and conveniently takes effect in just a few minutes. On the flip side, its resistance makes removing it a little tricky, so use a loofah or washcloth to get all the excess residue. 

Formula Type: Cream | Sizes: 1.69 ounces, 3.38 ounces, 6.7 ounces | Best for: Legs, bikini area

Best In-Shower (Cheaper)

Nair Shower Cream

$10 at Amazon $10 at Target $14 at Walmart

If you’re looking for a better value in-shower hair removal solution, opt for this Nair Shower Cream, which offers nearly half the price for almost double the size. Like the WooWoo formula, it has a thick, buttery consistency that stays put while in the shower. However, it takes five times longer to work (a.k.a. 10 minutes), which is a little long for the shower. 

Still, it’s highly effective at removing all unwanted hair, so you don’t need to worry about touch-ups with a razor. Since it includes argan oil, it’s nourishing and gentle enough for sensitive skin. 

Formula Type: Cream | Size: 13 ounces | Best for: Legs, arms, underarms, bikini area

Best Natural

Theorganicones Charcoal and Turmeric Hair Removal Mask

View on Theorganicones.com

Try the Theorganicones Charcoal and Turmeric Hair Removal Mask for a natural hair removal cream. This formula combines turmeric, natural clay, and activated charcoal to purify skin and 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), yet it easily comes off with a warm washcloth. Since it’s a natural formula, it doesn’t have the same stinky chemical aroma that often comes with this hair removal process, which we appreciate. 

Formula Type: Clay | Size: 8 ounces | Best for: Body, legs, bikini area

Best for Bikini Line

Uttes Intimate Area Hair Removal Cream

$16 at Amazon

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 ounces | Best for: Underarms, bikini area

Best for Men

SoftSheen-Carson Magic Shaving Powder for Men

$3 at Amazon

This men’s powder formula is worth trying for those who struggle with facial razor bumps after shaving, though the DIY application process has a learning curve. It took us a couple of attempts to know how much powder and water to mix in a container (not provided) to remove most of the facial hair after seven minutes. It left a slight stinging sensation after wiping it off with a damp washcloth, but we thankfully didn’t experience any ingrown hairs, and our hair grew back slower than it would typically from shaving. 

Formula Type: Powder | Size: 4.5 ounces | Best for: Facial hair

Best Glide-On

Nair Hair Removal Cream

$8 at Amazon

This cooling formula has a smooth, lotion-like texture and glide-on applicator, making application easy and mess-free. It’s also highly effective at removing unwanted hair, with just a few stragglers left behind. Like the Nair Shower Cream, it took about seven to 10 minutes to work, and our hair grew at the same rate as it would from shaving. The scent was overwhelming and unpleasant, but for under $10, it’s still a great option, especially if you prefer a roll-on stick.  

Formula Type: Stick | Size: 3.3 ounces | Key Ingredients: Moroccan argan oil | Best for: Underarms, arms, bikini area

Best Fast-Acting

Neomen Hair Removal Cream

$20 at Amazon $18 at Walmart View on Neomenstore.com

We loved how the Neomen Hair Removal Cream’s smooth, easy-to-apply formula quickly and effectively removed unwanted hair in one go, taking only five minutes. Its aloe vera, vitamin E, and baby oil left our skin hydrated and soft. Its thin, watery consistency was pretty messy, and the scent was a tad too strong for our liking, but it’s worth it when you need a quick or last-minute hair removal solution. 

Formula Type: Cream | Size: 3.7 ounces | Best for: Legs, arms, underarms, bikini line