The Best Creams, Lotions, and Dermaplaners for Irritation-Free Facial Hair Removal (2024)

The Best Creams, Lotions, and Dermaplaners for Irritation-Free Facial Hair Removal (1)

You may have clicked on this story to find an instant answer to your burning question regarding the best facial hair removal products. Nevertheless, we’re going to take a moment to remind you of one very important reality: Body hair is normal and what you do or do not do with it is entirely up to you. If you want to rock it, by all means, you should; if you want to remove it, that’s cool, too—and that’s where we come in. Instead of heading to your local drugstore and buying the first facial hair removal product you see, allow us to guide you to the perfect product for your facial hair removal goals.

"The key is to select a well-known brand, and to proceed with caution," says Jeffrey Fromowitz, M.D., a dermatologist based in Boca Raton, Florida. That, and to pick the proper hair removal method for your hair type and goals. After all, some facial hair removal products work well on peach fuzz but can’t cut it with thick hair. With this in mind, we scoured the web for the top-rated facial hair removal products and put them to the test, evaluating them on ease of use, effectiveness, and the resulting look and feel of our skin. Then, to fill in any blanks, we chatted with a few dermatologists for their expertise.

Our Top Picks

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Flamingo Facial Hair Removal Cream

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    4/5

  • Effectiveness

    4.6/5

  • Skin Look & Feel

    4.7/5

Why We Like It: It’s easy to apply thanks to a built-in applicator and it’s effective, offering notable results in just five to 10 minutes.

It’s Worth Noting: Your skin may look slightly flushed post-use.

The Flamingo Facial Hair Removal Cream is a TikTok cult fave and after testing it out firsthand, we can see why. For starters, the small tube mimics a lip balm tube—it has an angled tip that makes applying it to treatment areas easier than ever. Truly, we found that thanks to the angled applicator (and the static formula that stays in place once applied), there was no risk of accidentally spreading the facial hair removal cream to unwanted areas, which made it a stress-free solution overall. Simply swipe it on and wait patiently as it works its magic.

Speaking of, we found that the Flamingo Facial Hair Removal Cream works fast. It took just five minutes to fully remove the fine peach hair from our face—and it did so without causing any irritation in the process. That said, if you have coarser hair, you may need a 10-minute processing time. Though, keep in mind, the brand doesn’t recommend leaving the product on for longer than that.

Perhaps the best part about the cream is the fact that it not only removes hair effortlessly but it halts growth, too. After using the cream, we found that our peach fuzz didn’t return until the 3-week mark. Because of this, we noticed that our makeup applied more seamlessly, as there weren’t any tiny hairs getting in the way.

All this to say, we think that the Flamingo Facial Hair Removal Cream is the best of the best. It’s extremely easy to use, it removes the fear of accidentally over-removing hair, and it works quickly and comfortably.

Two things: First, the Flamingo Facial Hair Removal Cream has a strong scent—there’s no getting around it. Thankfully, it takes just five to 10 minutes to process and the scent goes away once the product is rinsed off. Second, although it’s a pain-free treatment, we did notice that our skin looked the tiniest bit flushed post-use but it subsided shortly thereafter. Still, to play it safe with this product—and all facial hair removal products and skincare products—it’s a good idea to perform a patch test on an inconspicuous area of skin before applying the product to larger areas.

Size:

1.35 fl. oz. | Method: Hair Removal Cream

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Best Budget

Kitsch Pro Dermaplaner Tool Set

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    4.5/5

  • Performance

    4/5

Why We Like It: The dermaplaning tool comes in sets of 12, making them not only a convenient on-the-go tool but a budget-friendly one, too.

It’s Worth Noting: These tools need to be cleaned between each use or tossed and replaced.

When you see that a beauty product has over 10,000 stellar reviews, you know it’s worth checking out. That’s why we put the Kitsch Dermaplaning Tool to the test—and we’re so glad we did. The small facial razors are designed to effortlessly trim peach fuzz along the cheeks and jawbone, as well as to touch up brows with ease.

While testing the Kitsch Dermaplaning Tool at a 45-degree angle, we found that the angled facial razors were gentle and effective—even if we do wish the handles were slightly thinner. We think it would make the tools more flexible, which could make navigating the contours of the face even easier.

Overall, we found that the Kitsch Dermaplaning Tool worked well to remove unwanted facial hair—especially considering the budget-friendly price. One thing to remember is that, while each of the tools comes with a protective sheath—which makes it seem endlessly reusable—these tools are meant to be disposable. If you want to use them for days or weeks on end, it’s imperative that you clean them after every use so as to not constantly retransfer exfoliated skin cells back onto your complexion.

Size:

7.75 in. | Method: Manual Dermaplaning Tool

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Best Splurge

Dermaflash Luxe+ Dermaplaning Kit

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    4/5

  • Effectiveness

    5/5

  • Skin Look & Feel

    4.5/5

Why We Like It: The wider head vibrates to make peach fuzz stand on end for easier removal.

It’s Worth Noting: It only comes with five single-use blades and a re-stock starts at $29.

Designed with a wide head and 14,000 sonic vibrations per minute, this luxury dermaplaning tool is as good as it gets. "This device helps to exfoliate and eliminate dead skin cells in addition to helping with hair removal, including peach fuzz, to leave the facial skin looking and feeling brighter and smoother," says Marisa Garshick, M.D., board-certified dermatologist. "By eliminating the dead skin cells and facial hair, it helps skincare penetrate better and makes makeup application easier." Which is why the Dermaflash Luxe+ is a mainstay in so many celebrity makeup artist's kits ahead of awards shows and other industry events. It's the ultimate secret for flawless-looking makeup.

When testing the Dermaflash Luxe+, we found that the ergonomic device was easy to maneuver across the contours of our complexion so long as we prepped our skin as directed, operated the device at a 45 degree angle, held our skin taut with the other hand, and applied just enough pressure. Applying too little pressure initially made us think it didn’t work well but once we hit that sweet spot, our peach fuzz buzzed off with ease.

Logistically, the Dermaflash Luxe+ includes the handheld device, a prep treatment (though, at just .33 oz, it runs out fast), and four single-use blade replacements. One thing to note is that ridding the device of one blade and inserting another can be a learning process (so make sure you thoroughly read the instructions). If loaded incorrectly, the blade will snap off the palette before being secure in the device, which breaks the locking tip and makes it ineffective. Long story short, take your time with it to prevent wasting blades.

One last thing: It’s normal to experience a little redness with this device—it’s also normal to experience quick regrowth. After all, the device exfoliates and essentially shaves skin, so it’s not pulling the hairs out at the root. That said, to keep your flush at bay, simply apply your favorite soothing moisturizer immediately post-use. And to maintain your smooth facial finish, be sure to work in a Dermaflash+ touch up once every week or so.

Size:

Handheld | Method: Dermaplaning Tool

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Best for Beginners

Finishing Touch Dermaplane Facial Exfoliator

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Why We Like It: It has a built-in light so you can easily see what you're doing.

It’s Worth Noting: The blades aren't as sharp as other dermaplaning devices.

Whether you're traveling, headed to a work event, or are simply craving a smaller dermaplaning device that packs a vibrating punch without a high price tag, the Finishing Touch Flawless Dermaplane Glo Lighted Facial Exfoliator is worth checking out. It's one of Amazon's best-selling personal microdermabrasion devices that removes the outermost skin cells to improve skin tone and texture. It has a built-in light that makes it easier for you to see exactly what you're doing, much like the devices you'd find in a professional setting.

Another highlight of this product? It has an angled head and a safety guard, so it will help you not only remove unwanted hair but protect your skin in the process, too.

In addition to being a really effective dermaplaning tool, it comes with six replacement heads — all for under $15. As such, each DIY treatment costs about $2.30, as opposed to the hundreds you would spend on a single session in a pro's office.

Size:

Handheld | Method: Dermaplaning Tool

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Best Cream

Gigi Sensitive Hair Removal Cream for Face

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    4.8/5

  • Effectiveness

    4.3/5

  • Skin Look & Feel

    4.5/5

Why We Like It: It’s effective and offers long-lasting results.

It’s Worth Noting: There’s a slight tingling sensation during use.

The GiGi Hair Removal Cream for Face with Slow Grow Soothing Cream might not look that exciting in its white tube with dated black text but when we tested it, we immediately knew why the product has become nothing short of a TikTok sensation, with over 15 billion views. The easy-to-distribute hair removal cream removes hair entirely within eight minutes—without causing any redness or irritation in the process. That said, it does trigger a slight tingling sensation, so if that’s not your thing, you may want to steer clear. Trust us though, with the results this cream offers, you really don’t want to.

Beyond its fast-processing time, the best part about this cream is that it smooths skin and drastically slows regrowth, so a dedicated use once every few weeks is enough to keep skin soft and facial hair at bay. What’s not to love about that?

Size:

1 oz. | Method: Hair Removal Cream

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Best for Thick Hair

Nair Hair Remover Moisturizing Face Cream

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    4.6/5

  • Effectiveness

    4.3/5

  • Skin Look & Feel

    4.7/5

Why We Like It: It's gentle and effective, and it's one of the more affordable facial hair removal options.

It’s Worth Noting: It can cause irritation when used in conjunction with retinoids.

Sometimes, classic beauty brands are a go-to for a simple reason: They just plain work. "Nair is still the tried and true depilatory cream," says Lora Condon, a licensed esthetician based in East Westfield, New Jersey. "This product will soften the hair to either remove it at the surface or soften it enough to remove it from the root."

For best results, she says that it's extremely important to follow the directions, otherwise you could potentially burn or irritate your skin. "You can test it on parts of the body that don't show just in case there's a reaction," suggests Condon. "Most prefer behind the ear, the back of the neck, thigh, or even the inside of the wrist." Stop using it immediately if you develop itching, raw or burned skin, or red bumps (cortisone cream can help soothe skin irritation).

Condon isn't the only skincare expert who's a fan of this facial hair remover, though. Dr. Garshick is, too. "This nourishing facial hair remover can be applied to the face, including the upper lip, chin, and cheeks to help remove hairs, including those that are fine to coarse." And since it's made with sweet almond oil, she says that it's less likely to cause irritation than some other hair removal options. A gentle formula is important when choosing a hair removal product, whether it be for the face or body, like Shape's 2023 Skin Awards winner Flamingo Body Hair Removal Cream.

That said, Condon recommends avoiding this product if you take prescription acne medications, including Retin-A, because the combo could make your skin hypersensitive and potentially lead to irritation.

You know who it works spectacularly for, though? Folks with thick hair. When we tested the Nair Hair Remover Moisturizing Face Cream firsthand, we found that a solid 10 to 15 minutes of processing time was plenty to seamlessly smooth skin and rid it of any and all unwanted hairs. That said, the cream itself takes a few swipes to remove, so patience is key. Another hot tip for using this product? Don’t let it overprocess. When we used it twice in two days on our initial test area (in which we let it sit for 10+ minutes each time), we found that our skin broke out from the overexposure. The following week, when we tried it again in one longer processing time (15 minutes), it expertly removed hair without any irritation in the process.

Size:

2 oz | Method: Cream

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Best Epilator

Braun Epilator Silk-Epil 9-720

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Why We Like It: It's very user-friendly and helps ensure safe, pain-free hair removal.

It’s Worth Noting: Even with how advanced it is, it can cause stinging.

"The Braun Silk-épil is great in that it can be used wet or dry — it's completely waterproof," says Hadley King, M.D., board-certified dermatologist. What's more, it's designed to vibrate to help decrease and distract from any discomfort (much like lasers use cool blasts of air to do the same thing). "The wider head removes more hair with each stroke, and it pivots to more easily accommodate body curves," she adds. "The newer models also have a smart sensor that helps to guide how much pressure to apply." No wonder it's one of the best epilators on the market.

For those that don't know, epilators are electrical devices that remove hair by the root in a similar fashion to waxing, says Dr. Fromowitz — and, luckily, they're more technologically advanced than they were a decade ago. "As long as you follow their instructions, they're safe for home use," he adds.

While the process does sting a bit — which can be expected from pretty much any facial hair removal technique, sans shaving — this epilator doesn't rip up the top layer of skin like waxing. Plus, it can be used on much shorter strands of hair (just half a millimeter) than wax.

Size:

Handheld | Method: Epilator

Best Wax Strips

Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for Face

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Our Ratings

  • Application

    4.8/5

  • Effectiveness

    5/5

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Skin Look & Feel

    4.6/5

Why We Like It: The wax strips are mess-free and easy to use, and as far as waxing goes, the strips are among the most comfortable we’ve tried.

It’s Worth Noting: You have to adjust your skincare routine to ensure you’re not using any products that will interfere with the wax.

If you prefer waxing above all facial hair removal methods, at the very least, do yourself the favor of trying the Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for Face. The kit includes 20 double-sided wax strips, six post-wax wipes, and one skin-calming serum. All you have to do is rip open the strip, flatten it on your face, and rip it off in the opposite direction.

While testing these strips, we found that the key to effective hair removal was to be quick, which is a mental thing since waxing is undeniably uncomfortable. That said, as far as waxing goes, the Athena Club Wax Strip Kit is among the most comfortable that we’ve tried—particularly because it comes with wipes to remove excess wax residue, as well as a calming serum to mitigate any post-pull pain.

Like any wax, the Athena Club Wax Strip Kit will take some time to get used to. Fortunately for you (and us), the wax pulls hairs from deep down, which prevents them from growing back as quickly. So, once you get the hang of the process, you can look forward to less frequent waxes overall.

Size:

3.5” x 1.38” | Method: Wax Strips

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Best Natural Wax

Moom Organic Hair Removal

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Why We Like It: It's all-natural, so you don't have to worry about any harsh, irritating chemical ingredients.

It’s Worth Noting: The wax hardens quickly, so you have to apply it with care.

This wax uses an all-natural, honey-like formula made of cane sugar extract, lemon juice, tea tree oil, and chamomile tea. What's more, while this wax is certainly gentle enough to be used on the face, it can also be used all over your body, so you really get the most bang for your buck.

To use, heat up in the microwave or on the stovetop, then apply to the skin. Next, place a waxing strip (bought separately) on top and pull it in the same direction as the hair growth for top-notch efficacy.

When it comes to safely waxing at home, Dr. Fromowitz stresses that "the key is to follow the directions carefully." Namely, be very careful about temperature to avoid burns, he says.

On the bright side, this is considered a sugar wax, which is generally thought to be gentler than traditional wax.

Size:

12 oz | Method: Sugar Wax

Best Hard Wax

Bliss Poetic Waxing Straight-From-The-Spa Hair Removal Kit

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    4.8/5

  • Effectiveness

    4.8/5

  • Skin Look & Feel

    4/5

Why We Like It: It’s more affordable than monthly waxes.

It’s Worth Noting: Hard wax is known to be messier, and will require a learning curve to perfect the application and removal process.

If you have a sweet spot for traditional hard waxes after years of booking in-salon waxing appointments, you may want to try your hand with the facial hair removal method at home. If that’s the case, consider the Bliss Poetic Waxing Straight-From-The-Spa Hair Removal Kit. It comes with safe, low-temp, no-strip wax (it simply hardens and you pull it off), spatulas for easy application, and Pre- and Post-Waxing Oil for a more skin-soothing experience.

Despite all the good intentions, we absolutely did experience discomfort during the hair removal process with the Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit. For starters, the hard wax doesn’t pull off in one fell swoop, which means more pulls, more pain, and more of a mess overall. Once we got the hang of pulling it off, though, we did find that our facial hair stayed at bay for longer durations. Is the pain worth it? Only you can decide. But perhaps the fact that over 117 million TikTokers swear by it will do the trick.

Size:

1 fl. oz. | Method: Hard Wax

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Best Wax Pen

Nads Precision Eyebrow Wax Wand

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    4.6/5

  • Effectiveness

    4.7/5

  • Skin Look & Feel

    4.6/5

Why We Like It: The small pen silhouette makes it easy to touch up brows.

It’s Worth Noting: Since the pen is rather small, it won’t last as long as other facial hair removal methods. That plus the fact that it only comes with 10 strips.

The Nads Hair Removal Precision Eyebrow Wax Wand is yet another TikTok famous facial hair removal product. The wind-up pen has a small canister of wax that disperses out of a brush tip. Because of the pen’s design, it’s easy to apply the wax to small areas of skin, whether it’s the brows, upper lip, or any other tight patches where stubborn hairs grow.

When testing out the Nads Hair Removal Precision Eyebrow Wax Wand, we found that a thin layer of wax was plenty to adequately remove unwanted facial hair. In the event that we did accidentally over-apply the product, we were able to wash it off with soap and water before it had a chance to process. We had to work fast, though, as this wax works quickly. Within just a few minutes of application—and with a quick pull using one of the included cotton strips—it unearthed brow hairs and peach fuzz between brows to reveal perfectly-sculpted arches. Suffice to say, we’re big fans.

Size:

6 g. | Method: Wax Strips

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Best Tweezers

Tweezer Guru Professional Slant Tweezers

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    4/5

  • Performance

    4/5

  • Grip

    4/5

Why We Like It: They're very precise — and they're sold in eight colors.

It’s Worth Noting: Tweezers are sharper than they appear — be careful not to grab skin along with the hairs.

If precision is your aim or you just need to pluck a few hairs, then you can't go wrong with a good pair of tweezers — and these are exactly that. These customer-favorite tweezers feature a strong, wide grip for easy grasping, along with sharp angled tips for seamless removal.

Speaking of the tips, they're made of hypoallergenic stainless steel that fares well when wiped down with alcohol, which is advised to prevent the transfer of any bacteria. While these tweezers are already a bargain, they also come with the option to buy them in 2-packs, so you can keep a pair in your medicine cabinet and one in your purse. With these tweezers in tow, never again will a stray chin hair haunt you.

Pro tip: When tweezing, as with waxing, it's best to pluck in the direction of hair growth to prevent causing any ingrown hairs.

Size:

Handheld | Method: Tweezers

Best Dermaplaning Tool

Schick Hydro Silk Touch-Up Razor

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    4.5/5

  • Effectiveness

    4.7/5

  • Skin Look & Feel

    4.8/5

Why We Like It: It's angled to safely work with the contour of the face.

It’s Worth Noting: Each blade should only be used once for sanitary purposes, so depending on how often you plan to use them, the cost can add up.

Concerned about peach fuzz? Consider exfoliating your skin and removing unwanted hair in one go with the help of a handy dermaplaning tool, such as this ultra-popular one from Schick—it's our drugstore pick for best at-home dermaplaning tools. Dermaplaning is a technique that involves using a sharp blade to remove fine, small hairs—basically shaving in a sense, Rachel Nazarian, M.D., a New York-based dermatologist and fellow at the American Academy of Dermatology, previously told Shape.

Schick's easy-to-use dermaplaning tool is a top purchase for Amazon shoppers — which is partly due to its ergonomic design. "If you're going to use a razor on your face, I like one that contours to the shape of your face which makes it less likely to cause bleeding and infection," says Dr. Greenfield, noting that the Sephora Collection dermaplaning tool is another top choice. Just be sure to use a new dermaplaning blade each time for safety ("to avoid bacterial buildup," Dr. Greenfield says) and efficiency — but that shouldn't be an issue, since you can get this pack of three for just $5 at Amazon.

For those wondering, when we tested the Schick Hydro Silk Touch-Up Exfoliating Dermaplaning Tool, we found that short, steady strokes worked best. When using this method, we didn’t have to perform any second strokes or touch-ups until two to three weeks after the initial removal process. To say this dermaplaning tool is impressive would be an understatement.

Size:

Handheld | Method: Dermaplaning Tool

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Best for Peach Fuzz

Gillette Venus Mini Facial Hair Remover

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    5/5

  • Effectiveness

    5/5

  • Skin Look & Feel

    4/5

Why We Like It: It’s travel-friendly.

It’s Worth Noting: It doesn’t remove hair at the root.

Looking for a facial hair removal tool you can toss in your carry-on and use on the go? The Gillette Venus Mini Facial Hair Remover is it. The battery-operated shaver is only slightly larger than a tube of lipstick and works efficiently to buzz off unwanted facial hair—especially since it has a pinpoint spotlight to help guide the way.

When testing the Gillette Venus Mini Facial Hair Remover, we found the teeny tool to be incredibly convenient to use. In addition to its suitable size, the shaver is super gentle, so you don’t have to worry about it triggering a skin flare after a quick touch-up.

One thing to remember here: This is a shaver. Unlike wax, it will not remove hair at the root. As such, you may feel stubble from the blunt edges of recently-trimmed facial hairs. That said, while testing this process, we felt that our skin felt smooth to the touch.

Size:

Exact measurements not advertised | Method: Electric Shaver

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Best for Eyebrows

Panasonic Facial Hair Remover and Eyebrow Trimmer

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    4.5/5

  • Effectiveness

    4/5

  • Skin Look & Feel

    4.3/5

Why We Like It: It comes with comb attachments to tailor your trim to your liking.

It’s Worth Noting: This is a facial trimmer, not a full remover.

If you love the idea of a facial hair razor dermaplaning tool but want to speed up the process and enhance the precision, opting for an electric angled trimmer is the way to go. Specifically, reach for the Panasonic Women’s Facial Hair Remover and Eyebrow Trimmer.

Beloved by our testers, the Panasonic Women’s Facial Hair Remover and Eyebrow Trimmer is sold in black and pale pink and features two eyebrow comb attachments to groom your arches into your ideal length and shape. While using a battery-operated trimmer may feel intimidating at first, we can attest that the rounded-edges of the tool’s blade make it a near effortless feat. Although the blade doesn’t pull brow hairs out at the root, it gets close enough to the skin to offer smooth margins and a quick collusion for unruly arches, visible peach fuzz, and other fine hair situations.

Just keep in mind, since this is essentially a glorified razor (similar to an electric bikini trimmer), it will require frequent touch ups to maintain the results. When testing the trimmer, we personally found that revisiting the device once a week did the trick.

Size:

6.1 inches | Method: Electric Trimmer

  • The Best Creams, Lotions, and Dermaplaners for Irritation-Free Facial Hair Removal (53)

  • The Best Creams, Lotions, and Dermaplaners for Irritation-Free Facial Hair Removal (54)

  • The Best Creams, Lotions, and Dermaplaners for Irritation-Free Facial Hair Removal (55)

  • The Best Creams, Lotions, and Dermaplaners for Irritation-Free Facial Hair Removal (56)

Best Kit

Sally Hansen Hair Remover Kit

The Best Creams, Lotions, and Dermaplaners for Irritation-Free Facial Hair Removal (57)

Our Ratings

  • Ease of Use

    4.5/5

  • Effectiveness

    5/5

  • Skin Look & Feel

    3/5

Why We Like It: It’s pre-mixed, fast-acting, and comes in a large tube that will last a while.

It’s Worth Noting: The hair removal cream can be uncomfortable, triggering tingling as well as potential rashes.

Looking for a kit that does it all? The Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover Kit comes with a tube of the Creme Hair Remover, as well as a smaller bottle of the brand’s ExtraSmooth After-Care Lotion. All you have to do is apply the cream to your target area, allow it to process for three or more minutes, and remove. Easy peasy. Truly, of all the hair removal methods we tried, we found the Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover Kit came out on top in terms of processing convenience.

Unfortunately, the Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover Kit is chemically-based and, as such, not entirely suitable for folks with more sensitive skin. One of our testers with sensitive skin experienced tingling and redness post-treatment, however this wasn’t the case with less reactive complexions.

Size:

2 oz. | Method: Hair Removal Cream

We Also Tested

TWEEZERMAN Smooth Finish Facial Hair Remover

The Tweezerman Smooth Finish Facial Hair Remover is designed to pluck hair from the skin with a tightly wound coil that’s maneuvered with two tiny handles. If it sounds painful, that’s because it certainly can be. That said, it does work well to remove peach fuzz and upper lip hair, so if that’s your goal—and if you have a high pain tolerance—it may be worth checking out.

JOY Glee Face Wax Strips Hair Removal

The JOY Glee Face Wax Strips were another popular facial hair removal pick we got out hands on. The pre-waxed strips come in a stack so that you can easily apply and pull off the strips, revealing smooth skin underneath. The problem is, these strips only work on ultra-fine hair.

Our Testing Process

With so many facial hair removal options on the market, the team searched high and low for the most effective, least-damaging products and devices available. We did so by focusing on product reviews, TikTok raves, and dermatologist recommendations. We created a list of 60 hair removal products and put them to the test. Over the course of several weeks, we smeared, plucked, and shaved our brow, lip, and chin hairs, as well as our peach fuzz, then analyzed their ease of use, overall effectiveness, and how our skin looked and felt post-use.

In doing so, we came up with the best facial hair removal products. We gathered all of the feedback from our testers to deliver in-depth reviews, pros and cons, and things to keep in mind about each product on our winning list.

What to Know About Facial Hair Removal Products

When deciding which facial hair removal method is best for you, take these factors into consideration.

Skin Type

Facial hair removal can be tricky. In fact, the very products used to remove facial hair can be pretty damaging. That's why it's so important to only use highly-rated, dermatologist-backed products and devices for hair removal.

If your skin is sensitive or prone to breakouts and ingrown hairs, you may want to opt for a removal method that takes hair from the surface rather than the root (like Flamingo Face Hair Removal Cream). You're less likely to experience irritation from a trimmer than a wax, for example (we liked Panasonic Eyebrow Trimmer).

Side Effects

Even when you do go with expert-recommended picks, though, it's important to know that side effects are possible. "Depending on the type of device, there may be a potential for scarring or hyperpigmentation as a result of irritation," says Dr. Garshick. It goes without saying that maintaining healthy skin is also essential to good results—and Selena Gomez's drugstore skincare routine proves that it can be easy and affordable.

The same goes for waxes and creams. "When applied incorrectly, these products can lead to superficial skin infections, cuts, scrapes, burns, and discoloration," warns Dr. Davis. Suffice to say, facial hair removal products need to be used with the utmost care. Applying a bit of Aquaphor Healing Ointment—a favorite of Billie Eilish—can help promote wound healing. If you're unsure of which device is best for you, consult a dermatologist for their expert opinion.

Longest Lasting Result

If your goal is to rid your face of hair for as long as possible, Dr. Greenfield says that you'll want to opt for methods that remove the hair from the follicle, such as waxing, tweezing, or using an epilator. Nads Precision Wax Pen, Braun Epilator Silk-épil 9, and Tweezerman Slant Guru Tweezers were some of the best in our testing. "Once removed, the hair shaft will take several weeks to regrow and push through the skin," she says.

While those at-home and in-salon methods tend to be most popular, Dr. Davis says that laser hair removal is the most effective treatment for long-term smoothness. "With each treatment, the hairs become finer and thinner and the hair follicle also decreases in its size," she says. "A lot of the treatments that are designed for over-the-counter hair removal simply remove the hair from the surface of the skin. But with laser hair removal you are shrinking the hair follicle and reducing the amount of hair that grows which can last a long time." It is even possible to try laser hair removal devices at home, we know, we tested 13 devices.

Still, if you find your facial hair is growing back rapidly, or if you simply don't know which hair removal option is best for you, speaking with a dermatologist can help. "It is important to speak with a board certified dermatologist about other treatment options, including a prescription cream Vaniqa which can slow down hair regrowth, as well as to evaluate any medical conditions that may be associated with increased hair growth," says Dr. Garshick.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How to remove facial hair when using retinol?

    Retinol makes skin more sensitive to sunlight, yes, but also increases the skin's sensitivity in general. As such, Dr. Greenfield says not to use wax or any harsh chemical or product on the skin while using retinoids. That said, if you want to remove hair from your face, she says you can do so after pausing retinol use for at least one week prior. "Shaving with a razor or tweezing is generally safe to perform while using a retinol product," she adds. Schick Hydro Silk Touch-Up Exfoliating Dermaplaning Tool is a great option to remove hair and dead skin cells from the surface.

  • What are the side effects of facial hair removal?

    According to Dr. Greenfield, the most common side effects of removing facial hair include contact rashes with cream hair removers and folliculitis with any hair removal product that can introduce bacteria into the hair follicles (such as unsanitized or re-used dermaplaning devices). Additionally, depending on how sensitive you are to pain, facial hair removal can hurt or sting. Lastly, there's always the possibility of ingrown hairs, though in terms of facial hair removal, those tend to be most common on the neck.

    While on the topic of side effects, Dr. King assures us that it's a myth that shaving and/or dermaplaning will cause the hair to grow back darker and thicker. "The characteristics of the hair are determined by the cells at the base of the hair follicle, and you are not changing their genetic programming by shaving," she explains. "I think people believe it because of their experience feeling stubble after shaving — which is because of the cut edge of the hair." So, if you want to rid your face of baby fuzz, do so without fear. You can always start off with an inexpensive tool like the Kitsch Dermaplaning Tool.

Why Trust Shape

Rebecca Norris is a freelance writer with over eight years of experience in beauty. She's well-versed in all the latest and greatest product launches, as well as the most alluring beauty trends and compelling ingredients on the market. For this story, she scoured the testing results sheets for insights as well as read about product formulations and technology. She then spoke with five dermatologists and one aesthetician about everything there is to know about facial hair removal products, including how to use them safely for the most effective and longest-lasting results.

The Best Creams, Lotions, and Dermaplaners for Irritation-Free Facial Hair Removal (2024)

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