I remember the first time I got my lip waxed like it was yesterday. A boy in middle school pointed out that I had upper lip hair, and I found myself at the salon that evening. Good for my self-image? Maybe not! But did it start me on a path of body hair literacy? Most definitely.
Now, this is not to say that you need to remove body hair at all. It's a personal preference to keep, maintain, or remove the hair you naturally grow -- and should you choose the latter, I've got you covered. I've tested and researched several hair removal products over the years, including creams, devices, shaving tools, and more, but I enlisted the help of a dermatologist to see which ones are really worth the hype.
"Topical creams like Nair and others may work, unless a person has a reactive rash or allergic or irritant contact dermatitis to any of the ingredients," says board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care. However, Kobets points out that these are temporary fixes, and laser hair removal is the better option for permanent results. "In my experience, facial hair growth is often hormonally driven, especially in cases of hormonal imbalance like PCOS," Kobets adds. Identifying the cause of your hair concerns is integral when picking which product is best for you -- more on that later.
Below, the 10 best facial hair removal products to try in 2025.
There are many methods for facial hair removal -- many of which have product recommendations above. However, they don't all offer the same benefits.
"Whether you're removing hair with a cream or using laser hair removal, the skin should be cleansed of any creams, makeup, or foundation," says Kobets. If you're prepping for a laser treatment, whether at home or in an office, Kobets recommends avoiding retinoids beforehand, as they can make the skin irritable or sensitive when topical numbing agents are used. However, the dermatologist believes that the long-term use of retinoids may even reduce the chance of hair regrowth and enhance the results of laser hair removal -- meaning you don't need to nix your go-to retinols forever.
"I recommend my patients -- especially those prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation -- start lightening agents one to three months before laser hair removal," Kobets adds. "This helps control melanocyte activity in skin of color."
"I recommend using post-procedure hydrocortisone if there's any redness or irritation -- especially in skin of color -- to reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation," says Kobets. "It is also important to wear a non-irritating sunscreen daily, especially post-procedure, as redness can persist and lead to pigmentation."
Kobets is here to shut down this rumor once and for all. "In some cases, it may feel thicker because a hair that hasn't been touched or shaved for a long time becomes thinner and lighter from environmental wear and sun exposure," she explains. "When you remove it and it grows back, it may feel coarser or darker than what it looked like before -- but it's not actually thicker than the original."
As someone who grew up experimenting with different facial hair removal techniques, I'm well-versed in the options on this list -- and so is my mom, who has mature skin. I included a few of my tried-and-true favorites, along with the recommendations of my mother, fellow editors with varied skin tones and textures, and a celebrated dermatologist with experience in hair removal -- specifically laser. I kept budget, inclusivity, result timing, and pain tolerance top of mind when curating this comprehensive list.
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products -- including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails -- while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.