Before you dive in… For all you need to know about getting the most out of using hair removal cream, check out my beginner’s guide to finding (and using) the best hair removal cream.
As anyone who’s ever tried it probably knows, hair removal cream is messy business.
I’ve got quite a love/hate relationship with the stuff:
Love, because it’s the only way I know of getting a hair free hoo-ha with zero pain; hate because I usually end up with cream somewhere I never intended to put it (walls, bathtub, forehead- the list goes on).
But for those with sensitive skin, the problems don’t stop there.
Redness, rashes, itching and burning are just a few of the problems that sensitive skinned folk endure when using hair removal creams- these problems make it seem like hair removal options for sensitive skin are pretty limited.
Read this Article: Best Razor for Sensitive Skin: Top 7 Razors Reviewed and Compared
But I’ve got some good news:
It doesn’t have to be like this.
I went on a quest to find the absolute best hair removal cream for sensitive skin by trying and testing out all of the products I could get my hands on- and I found a winner.
This article is going to go through everything you need to know about picking out and using a sensitive skin hair removal cream; I’ll also go through 7 detailed reviews of the best hair removal products for sensitive skin (and tell you which one is the best overall).
- Why we need creams specifically for hair removal for sensitive skin
- How hair removal creams work (and what makes hair remover for sensitive skin different)
- Top tips for using hair removal cream on sensitive skin
- 1. Best for Whole Body: Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream, Sensitive Formula
- 2. Best with Improved Smell: AVON Fresh & Smooth Hair Removal Cream Sensitive Skin
- 3. Best for delicate facial skin: Surgi-cream Hair Remover Extra Gentle Formula For Face
- 4. Best for Bikini Area: Nair for Sensitive skin Bikini Cream Hair Remover
- 5. Best for Traveling: Veet Hair Removal Cream Sensitive Skin with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E
- 6. Best for Time Saving: VEET Spray On Hair Removal Cream Sensitive Formula
- 7. Best Moisturizing: Nad’s Sensitive Hair Removal Cream
- And the winner is…
Why we need creams specifically for hair removal for sensitive skin
Hair removal creams offer a fast, easy, and effective method of home hair removal, but the standard creams aren’t suitable for everyone- and those with sensitive skin often run into problems.
The most common complaints are pain, tingling, or burning sensations when the cream is applied- which is no surprise considering how harsh some of the chemicals contained in these creams can be.
Most people’s skin can withstand the abrasive quality of these chemicals, but those with sensitive skin stand absolutely no chance!
Thankfully, the guys in the lab have come up with special formulas that make safe depilation on sensitive skin possible.
How hair removal creams work (and what makes hair remover for sensitive skin different)
The chemicals in depilatory creams break down the keratin proteins in your hair, which turns each strand into a jelly-like substance which can then be wiped away (usually with a plastic spatula or sponge).
One awesome benefit of using hair removal creams is that this process takes place really close to (or even just below) the surface of the skin, leaving you with a super smooth, hair free finish.
The downside of this, however, is that these chemicals get really up close and personal with your dermis- which isn’t ideal if you’re prone to bad reactions from products like this.
Depilatory cream for sensitive skin is designed in such a way that the chemicals are strong enough to break down the hairs but gentle enough not to cause damage to the underlying skin.
Top tips for using hair removal cream on sensitive skin
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Always do a patch test first!At least 24 hours before you go whole hog with the rest of the cream, apply a small amount to an out-of-the-way patch of skin. Leave on for the recommended period of time and then observe for reactions over the course of the next few hours. If nothing happens, consider the product safe to use.
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Trim long hairs before you apply the cream:The longer your hairs are, the more time the cream will need to effectively dissolve the proteins. Leaving cream on for too long is the easiest way to end up with a nasty chemical burn, so spare yourself the agony by trimming down any extra long ones before you begin.
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Don’t shower beforehand:This is a game changer.Your body’s natural oils do a great job of protecting your skin from the harshness of the depilatory chemicals. Showering washes those oils away, leaving your skin more exposed to damage.
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Never leave on longer than the recommended time:As mentioned above, this is the single best way to ruin your hair removal cream experience. Leaving the cream on too long will most likely result in itching, prickling, rashes, and in the very worst scenario- chemical burns.
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Keep hydrocortisone cream handy in case of bad reaction.On the off chance that you end up with some discomfort, hydrocortisone cream is basically liquid gold.
Comparison Chart
Hair Removal Cream – VEET Silk and Fresh Technology Legs & Body Gel Cream Hair Remover, Sensitive Formula with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, Pump Bottle, 13.5 Fl Oz (Pack of 2)
1. Best for Whole Body: Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream, Sensitive Formula
Veet pretty much rules the roost in the world of hair removal, and having been a household name for years already you can be pretty certain that their products are of high quality.
This Veet hair removal cream for sensitive skin is an absolute winner in my books, not just for the fact that it’s insanely effective at removing every single hair on my body, but also because I love the design and functionality of the large sized pump bottle.
There’s nothing more annoying than trying to squeeze a slippery tube of hair removal cream when your hands are already covered in the stuff! Which is what’s so great about the pump head- no more mess, no more stress.
Plus, when you consider the size of the bottle, it’s super cost effective.
Pros
Cons
2. Best with Improved Smell: AVON Fresh & Smooth Hair Removal Cream Sensitive Skin
Avon have an awesome line of hair removal products for sensitive skin, and this one for the body is a best seller.
Not to be confused for their facial hair remover for sensitive skin, this one is for use on the body and the body only (more on facial hair removal for sensitive skin later).
I particularly like this product because it doesn’t smell that bad (at least compared to some of the other brands). It comes in a tube about the size as a normal face wash, so it’s handy to slip into a wash bag if you needed to take it on the road.
Overall, it’s pretty good at getting rid of hair. I wouldn’t say it’s as effective as some of the others (I had a couple teeny patches of stubble left after I washed it off) but that could also be because I left it on for less time than recommended. I think it could work perfectly if left on for the full time, but remember to do a patch test first just to be sure.
Pros
Cons
3. Best for delicate facial skin: Surgi-cream Hair Remover Extra Gentle Formula For Face
If you’re looking for a facial hair removal cream for sensitive skin, you can’t go wrong with the crowd favorite, Surgi-cream. It’s super important to use a cream that’s specifically designed for use on the face; creams for the legs and body will be way too harsh to use on your delicate facial skin.
Infused with aloe and cucumber, this cream is intensely moisturizing and is also incredibly good at removing facial hair. I left it on for 5 minutes (maximum is 8) and my lip “duvet”- as my boyfriend so adorably (and somewhat annoyingly) calls it- was gonezo.
It easily gets my vote for best facial hair removal cream for sensitive skin.
Pros
Cons
4. Best for Bikini Area: Nair for Sensitive skin Bikini Cream Hair Remover
I’ll admit the idea of putting hair removal cream near V-town was not super appealing to me in the beginning, but when I found this Nair sensitive hair removal cream I knew I had to give it a go.
It’s awesome because it provides an easy-to-use alternative to waxing and shaving (the latter of which always gives me awful ingrown hairs). The manufacturer reckons it works in as little as three minutes (after doing a patch test, I decided to leave it on for 5 and it worked really well). It’s packed full of green tea for added moisturizing benefits too.
This is definitely one of my favorite pubic hair removal creams for sensitive skin.
Pros
Cons
5. Best for Traveling: Veet Hair Removal Cream Sensitive Skin with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E
It isn’t the first time Veet has appeared on this list, and (*spoiler alert*) it won’t be the last, either. This formula is different to Veet’s big pink bottle of sensitive hair removal cream, but it’s designed for the same purpose.
It’s loaded with awesome ingredients like aloe and vitamin E which does an excellent job of keeping skin protected and moisturized during the hair removal process and making it feel silky smooth afterwards.
I also love the smaller tube size- it’s perfect for slipping into a cosmetics bag and taking with you on the go.
Pros
Cons
6. Best for Time Saving: VEET Spray On Hair Removal Cream Sensitive Formula
This Veet sensitive skin hair removal cream is pretty interesting:
I’m going to start this off by saying it didn’t remove hairs as effectively as the other Veet products I’ve reviewed, but it deserves a shoutout because it’s one of the only good in-shower hair removal creams designed specifically for sensitive skin- and the spray function is pretty cool too.
This is a great choice for those of you who always find they’re pushed for time in the bathroom, since you can combine your shower time with the hair removal cream time.
Plus, it’s also not a bad choice for those of you who- like me- usually end up painting the bathroom walls with the stuff. Much cleaner!
Pros
Cons
7. Best Moisturizing: Nad’s Sensitive Hair Removal Cream
This Nad’s sensitive skin hair removal cream earns itself a place on the list thanks to its improved smell and divine added ingredients such as melon, avocado oil, honey, and aloe vera. It’s super moisturizing and does a great job of protecting against irritation.
The bottle says it works in 4 minutes, but I found that time was ever so slightly too short for me (I left it on 5 and a half the second time and it worked much better). That said, always patch test first!
Pros
Cons
And the winner is…
I usually find it almost impossible to pick an overall winner from these review lists, simply because what works for me may not work for you too. However, today I can confidently say that the Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream, Sensitive Formula was a clear winner for me- and judging from the response I’ve heard from other users, it works for a lot of others too.
I love the large size; it means I don’t need to buy it too often. The pump head is a serious game changer too. Most of all, I love the fact that it truly is gentle enough to use anywhere on the body; I’m even confident using it on my bikini area.
Overall, I think it’s a solid choice for anyone who’s looking for a great all-rounder.
Happy hair removal!
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About the author Alyssa Kaye
Alyssa is a young, professional blogger living in Hoboken, NJ. Thanks to her Middle Eastern heritage, Alyssa is no stranger to unwanted hair. She has tried every laser hair removal product on the market in a quest to find the best!