Here are the best hair removal creams that actually work

Whether you have sensitive skin or can apply any old cream without a reaction, Veet's iconic Pure Hair Removal Cream has perfect results for every skin type. Although it does have the classic hair removal cream scent, the smell is non-ammonia, so there's no nose-wincing assault upon opening. A recent revamp in their formula has led to a 35 per cent reduction in chemical components, meaning no burning or irritation. Veet's cream has stood the test of time, emerging as a tried-and-true favourite. At only £4, it's a no-brainer buy for your beauty cupboard.

Amazon review: "My daughter got this she has quite coarse hair and we have found other products do not do the job!! She has got really sensitive skin but this had such good reviews we thought to give it a go and perfectly removed hair little tip use the spatula to remove most of the hair then a warm flannel wipe and it will remove the stubborn hairs very pleased with it and the smell is ok too."

When those family genes gift you dark body hair, the quest for the perfect hair removal cream gets real. Enter Nair’s dynamo hair cream, tailored to tame this challenge. The Nair Tough Removal Cream banishes stubborn hair whilst delivering some serious moisture to your skin. With lily flower extract & cotton seed, the formula is enriched to make it suitable for even dry or sensitive skin.

Amazon review: "I suffer really badly from razor burn when I shave my legs and end up scratching until I bleed. The red lumps were awful and unsightly - I worried I would never have smooth legs again as it was just too painful to shave. Then I saw this stuff suggested for me. The product smelt nice and went on in a nice even layer. I left the product on my legs for the full 10 minutes then I scraped the spatula up my leg and all the hair came clean off. I was so amazed, it was honestly so easy. This is my new absolute favourite and I’m currently online to buy another tube. I can’t believe I’ve finally found an answer to shaving rash!"

Love the formula above but want an easier application process? Veet also sells their famous Pure Hair Removal Cream in pump bottle form where you can purchase 400ml for under £10. This pump bottle innovation simplifies application, especially in spots like the shower, saving you from the tube-squeeze struggle. Within this rendition of Veet's formula, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E are the stand-out ingredients, providing even the most sensitive skin with powerful hydration.

Amazon review: "Handy-sized bottle at a reasonable price. This Veet hair removal cream has been around for decades and is always reliable and so, when I wanted to use such a product, I deliberately chose Veet. It goes onto the skin smoothly and works in a few minutes. It is easy to remove the cream with the provided scraper. I didn't have any sensitive response, even though I have sensitive skin. The skin was left smooth and soft and hairless.

Undoubtedly, we all agree that the trickiest area for hair removal is in the private regions. Imagine a solution that’s not only effective but gentle for those intimate areas. Look no further than Woo Woo's Tame It! In-shower cream. This versatile wonder works its magic all over the body, private parts included. Infused with calming Aloe Vera and silky Jojoba Oil, this cream ticks the vegan box too. Prices begin at £6.99 for a 50ml option – ideal if you want to give it a test run – and climb to £18.95 for a generous 200ml size. Reviews recommend you pair it with the WooWoo Soothing Balm (£6.75) for the best results. Read our in-depth WooWoo Tame It! review here.

WooWoo review: "Always struggled with ingrown hairs, red irritated bumps, the awkwardness of shaving and the whole process. This changed my life. I had a lump in my groin that grew due to the irritation of shaving - no matter how long the gaps I took between shaving, it ALWAYS came back and angrier each time even when it had gone and healed. This got rid of it all. It’s easy, it’s quick, I’m left clean, spotless, with no ingrown hairs, no awkwardness - everything you want. I do leave it on for 10 minutes (longer than stated) as I have stubborn hair but I gradually increased to this and it works perfectly for me, I haven’t looked back at all. I’ve even started using it on my armpits too I can’t get enough!!! Litre bottles please!!"

Navigating facial hair removal calls for finesse. After all, hiding a shaving mishap under clothing isn’t an option for your face. But fret not, Nad's has you covered with their Facial Hair Removal Cream, with over 3,000 five-star reviews. Within a mere four minutes, it does its hair removal magic, which you can combine with the provided moisturizing balm, enriched with almond oil and calendula to soothe afterwards. We also recommend pairing this with using a dermaplaning tool for smooth makeup application.

Amazon review: "OK, so I have VERY sensitive skin caused by an allergic reaction about 5 years ago. Since then I have been unable to use the Nair or Boots versions of this product that I had previously used. When I tried they caused swelling and a rash, and it was so uncomfortable that I haven't even tried anything else for over a year. But this stuff is the answer to my problems. I put it on my face for 5 minutes and the hair was gone. Admittedly my hair is fine and easy to remove, so I didn't need to leave it on any longer. It did leave the skin a little rough/dry, so I put a little dermal cream on instead of the provided balm (in case of a reaction that one reviewer had spoken of) and it was fine. No swelling or marks. Very happy with this and will keep using and buying it."

Although the products we've listed so far are suitable for sensitive skin, some people may have to be ultra-careful about what they put on their skin - due to its reactivity. If this is you, Nair Hair Remover Sensitive Cream is the way to go. At only £2, this sensitive hair removal cream is dermatologically tested for super-sensitive folks, and enriched with Argan Oil & Aloe Vera extract to soothe.

Sainsbury's review: "I normally get really bad rashes or irritated skin after using hair removal creams even if it’s for sensitive skin, I had no issues using this and would definitely use it again! The smell is quite strong but the results outweighed it!"

One thing you may be concerned about, if you suffer from dry skin, is how the hair removal cream formula will sap the hydration from your already dry-prone skin. To tackle this concern, Nad's Natural Hair Removal Body Butter 3-in-1 will be your knight in shining armour. Yes, you read that right - this is formulated as a body butter as well as a hair removal cream. This painless hair removal cream is made from 80% natural ingredients, including Shea Butter extract, to help hydrate and smooth skin, while gently removing body hair in up to four minutes.

Boots review: "This is a fast and effective way to remove hair when you don't want to try other methods. It's a thick body butter with a nice smell and it works I put it on before my shower so everything can be rinsed I don't have to use much and it works pretty fast. I used it on several different body parts and they all worked."