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

The TL;DR on the Best Facial Hair Removal Products

Size: 1.35 fl. oz. | Method: Hair Removal Cream

The small tube on the Flamingo Facial Hair Removal Cream 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. It took just five minutes to fully remove the fine peach hair from our face. 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. 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.

Size: 7.75 in. | Method: Manual Dermaplaning Tool

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.

Size: Handheld | Method: Dermaplaning Tool

Designed with a wide head and 14,000 sonic vibrations per minute, this luxury dermaplaning tool is as good as it gets. 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. 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). Take your time with it to prevent wasting blades. Also note it's normal to experience a little redness with this device. 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

The Finishing Touch Flawless Dermaplane Glo Lighted Facial Exfoliator is one of Amazon's best-selling personal devices for microdermabrasion 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: 1 oz. | Method: Hair Removal Cream

When we tested the GiGi Hair Removal Cream for Face with Slow Grow Soothing Cream, 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. 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: 2 oz | Method: Cream

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: Handheld | Method: Epilator

"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: 3.5” x 1.38” | Method: Wax Strips

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. 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.

Size: 12 oz | Method: Sugar Wax

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. 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: 1 fl. oz. | Method: Hard Wax

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. 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.

Size: 6 g. | Method: Wax Strips

The Nads Hair Removal Precision Eyebrow Wax Wand is yet another TikTok famous facial hair removal product. 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: Handheld | Method: Tweezers

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.

Size: Handheld | Method: Dermaplaning Tool

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.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. 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.

Size: Exact measurements not advertised | Method: Electric Shaver

The Gillette Venus Mini Facial Hair Remover 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: 6.1 inches | Method: Electric Trimmer

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: 2 oz. | Method: Hair Removal Cream

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.