Editor Tip: If you want a formula that can be used outside of your shower, Divya Shokeen, MD, a Manhattan Beach, California-based board-certified dermatologist, recommends the original Nair Hair Removal Cream, which is also infused with vitamin E and cocoa butter but has the added benefits of aloe vera.
Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, vitamin E | Where To Use: Body
Best Body Butter: Nad’s 3-In-1 Body Butter Hair Removal Cream
Why It’s Worth It: Depilatory creams can dry out skin, but Nad’s 3-In-1 Body Butter Hair Removal Cream works overtime to replenish much-needed moisture. This four-minute formula tackles your coarsest body hairs as it enriches skin with a conditioning concoction of cocoa and shea butters for a velvety-smooth feel.
Editor Tip: Its thicker consistency prevents the product from dripping down your legs and arms.
Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, shea butter | Where To Use: Body
Best for Sensitive Skin: Veet Gel Cream Hair Remover
Why It’s Worth It: Dr. Shokeen’s choice of depilatory cream is Veet’s Gel Cream Hair Remover, which is formulated to diminish irritation as it takes care of body hair. “This product is specially formulated for sensitive skin, featuring aloe vera and vitamin E to soothe and hydrate the skin,” she says.
Editor Tip: Its gel-like texture may feel dense at first, but lather it in and watch as it transforms into a light cream, just like your favorite shaving cream.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, vitamin E | Where To Use: Body
Frequently Asked Questions
How do hair removal creams work?
Depilatory creams are far different than your average body moisturizer or wash. According to multiple skin experts, including Divya Shokeen, MD, a Manhattan Beach, California-based board-certified dermatologist, hair removal creams contain a chemical solution that breaks down the keratin structure of the hair follicle, weakening the strand at the skin’s surface so that it can be easily wiped away. “The active ingredients usually found in hair removal creams include calcium thioglycolate or potassium thioglycolate, which sever the hair’s protein bonds,” she adds. Since these creams target disulfide bonds to weaken them, they’re technically the complete opposite of bond-repair hair treatments.
Can you use hair removal creams everywhere on your body?
Before you slather a hair removal cream all over your bikini line, it’s important to note that these certain hair removal products can be harsh on skin, especially sensitive areas like your bikini area and underarms. To avoid any irritation and unwanted side effects like chemical burns, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, suggests always reading the instructions to ensure your cream is suitable for the areas of skin you’re applying it on. “There are some hair removal creams designed for more sensitive areas, but, regardless, I recommend patch testing on a small area of skin before applying to larger areas of your body,” she says. Dr. Murphy-Rose suggests waiting at least three to five days post-application to check for signs of both immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions. “If you notice burning, stinging, itching, or development of a rash, the product is probably not safe for you,” she says.
Can sensitive skin types use hair removal creams?
If your skin tends to react to hair removal products of any kind, Lauren Penzi, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, suggests to proceed depilatory creams with caution, even if they claim to be formulated for sensitive skin. “Chemicals like calcium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide can burn and irritate sensitive skin, especially if left on for too long” she says. This is why every dermatologist we chatted with recommends patch testing before applying all over larger areas like your legs—hey, it’s better to be safe than sorry (and covered in red, itchy blisters that can lead to scars and dark spots).