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Creams? Razors? High-tech lasers? We got ’em and tried them. Zero Waste Reusable Metal Handle Eyebrow Razor
If you’ve been on TikTok recently, you already know that an ongoing trend has been all things facial-hair removal, including the best products and methods to remove facial hair for smoother skin and makeup. And after finally testing them myself, I am happy—and honestly shocked?—to report that getting rid of my peach fuzz was basically the key to air-brushed makeup and a cure to my cakey makeup days. While I personally tried the ol’ face-shaving method with a face shaver, you actually tons of options when it comes to facial hair removal, including facial waxing, dermaplaning, laser hair removal, epilating, and tweezing.
Overwhelming, right? So to help the process feel less confusing, we helped narrow down the best products for facial hair removal, and also got tips from three dermatologists—Mona Gohara, MD; Joshua Zeichner, MD; and Victoria Barbosa, MD—to help you choose. But first, here’s a peek at our top facial hair removal picks:
✔️ P.S., This is new, up-to-date info, bb. We updated this article in May 2023 to add new, first-person testing and reviews for top-rated products, delete outdated facial-hair removers, and check in with new experts for the latest in how to remove facial hair, just for you.
Now keep reading for everything you need to know about removing facial hair, including the best way to get rid of hair from your face, how to choose the best product, and more.
No joke: I actually own three of these types of facial trimmers—partially because I'm v bad at remembering to change batteries, but mostly because I love them that freakin' much. This facial hair removal tool has a pivoting head that fits along all of the nooks and crannies of your face to gently buzz away your fuzz, sans stubble.
THE REVIEW: "I was concerned the razor would be sharp or hard to control and I’d end up cutting one of my eyebrows off," one reviewer writes. "Luckily, it’s extremely easy to hold and use. The blade is sharp, but will only cut the actual hair/fuzz on your face. I was pretty harsh with it and pushed it on my skin, and it didn’t cut me at all. I was quite impressed!"
If you know anything about epilating, you know that it's commonly thought of as hella painful, thanks to the fact that it plucks each hair from its root (so you stay hair-free for longer), like a bunch of tweezers operating all at once. But (!) epilators have come a long way since your grandma's day—so much so that one Cosmo editor wrote a love letter to this exact Braun epilator for being virtually painless (yes, really).
The cordless and waterproof device is equipped with 40 tiny tweezers to remove facial hair (or whatever kind of hair) with each pass, and, unlike with waxing, it can also grab super-short hairs, so you don't need to wait a few weeks for it to grow out between treatments. And if epilating scares you, know worries—it also comes with a shaving attachment and a trimming attachment, so you can remove your hair however TF you want.
THE REVIEW: "I was tired of shaving and having stubbly legs only a day or two later, and I didn't want to go through the hassle or expense of waxing or laser hair removal, so I started looking into epilators," reads a product tester's review. "Overall, the level of discomfort is totally manageable, though the first time you use it it will be the most uncomfortable because it has the most hairs to pull out."
If you're not feeling your upper-lip hair, but you're also tired of trimming it every single week, try this pocket-size electric razor with 90,000 five-star reviews (which, for reference, is more people than in the crowd of a Taylor Swift Eras tour concert). As far as facial hair removal products go, the packaging on this one is cute and minimal—it’s designed to look like a lipstick—and, according to testers, it closely cuts your hair without any pain or irritation.
THE REVIEW: "As a woman that needed to wax my lip area every week, this is a life saver. Now I use this every couple of days as needed. Much easier and it always looks clean!" one reviewer writes.
Nair is the O.G. brand when it comes to facial hair removal products—and for good reason: The formulas work incredibly well. This formula (which has more than 13,000 Amazon reviews) is spiked with sweet almond oil and mineral oil to help moisturize your skin and mitigate irritation or dryness. Just keep in min that hair-removal creams aren't a great fit for everyone. “Depilatories can be very irritating,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “So I’m very cautious in recommending them for people with sensitive skin.”
THE REVIEW: "I've been using this product for years now, and I'm very happy with the results," reads one tester's review. "Now that I'm getting older, I have a 'furry face,' and this leaves me smooth and hair free without making me break out, so I'm delighted. This is a gentle depilatory that doesn't leave me smelling terrible!"
If you don't believe the 9,000 positive Amazon reviews (!!), believe previous Cosmo beauty assistant Valeriya Chupinina: “As someone who tears up from using tweezers, the promise of zero pain is the first thing I look for in my hair removal products," she says. “This trimmer is so gentle and leaves my face without any irritation and redness.”
It also comes with two attachments for the base: a general facial hair trimmer and an eyebrow precision trimmer. Just glide the trimmer over your dry skin to remove facial hair, then angle the eyebrow trimmer under and above your brows to shape them.
THE REVIEW: "This facial hair remover works perfectly—it charges easily and stays charged for a long time," one product tester writes. "It seems strong—meaning it removes hair in just one swipe—and it is sturdy and easy to clean."
Okay, so I know this looks like a Medieval torture device, but I swear that (1) It’s not, and (2) It truly works to get rid of and remove your facial hair, body hair, or any type of hair. Think of it like a mix between epilating and threading: As you bend and roll the coils over your skin, the coils will grab and tweeze your facial hair and peach fuzz from the root to remove it.
I've personally tested this Tweezerman hair remover on myself, and its pain level feels similar to threading—i.e., a little less painful than tweezing, since you're getting multiple hairs plucked out at once, which is oddly a bit less painful than ripping them out individually.
THE REVIEW: "This little thing worked great for me and I thought it was super easy to use," one review reads. "I got the hang of it within the first minute of using it and it was smooth sailing from there."
Not only are these facial hair removal wax strips a total breeze to use, but reviewers say they also get the job done just as well as messier wax kits. All you have to do is warm up the strips in your hands for 20 seconds, gently smooth them over your skin, and then rip ’em off. Each tin is filled with 12 strips (and it's a two-pack, so 24 total) and a tube of post-wax aloe cream (to help soothe inflammation), making it a one-and-done process.
THE REVIEW: "I will 1000% be buying these again!" one review reads. "I suffer from PCOS and my hair is out of control. I literally have to wax, shave, and/or pluck daily. I carry a pack of these in my purse for those days I'm running late and didn't have time for the other. It grabbed almost all of that awful coarse hair. All the stars!!"
Okay, so this dermaplaning kit is definitely a pricier option, but trust me, it really works for removing facial hair. As a reminder, dermaplaning is a treatment that uses a razor (or scalpel, if you're getting it professionally done) to shave your face and slightly exfoliate it at the same time, since it can scrape off some surface-level dead skin cells. Even though a scalpel will give you a stronger and smoother finish, you can still get similar hair-free results with this at-home kit from Dermaflash.
The tool is available in four different colors and comes with four razor refill cartridges and a prep cleanser that dissolves surface-level skin oils to give you a closer and smoother shave. Basically, it's exactly what a beginner would want, all in one.
THE REVIEW: "The price point is steep, but my goodness is it worth it," one tester writes, noting how other facial razors had previously triggered major acne breakouts. "My acne is scabbing up, and this tool gently exfoliates the dead skin layer. My skin is so smooth. My makeup is perfect."
Yes, this bb is expensive, but it still costs waaaay less than getting laser-hair treatments by a professional every six weeks. For me, the biggest pro—aside from the cost—is that I can slowly decrease my facial hair from the comfort of my couch rather than trekking to my dermatologist's office.
Just remember, though: At-home laser hair-removal devices are only safe for fair-to-tan skin tones with dark hair, meaning they're not safe for deeper skin tones with dark hair, or lighter skin tones with white, blonde, or red hair. Why? Because the technology in these devices can't yet distinguish between the melanin (pigment) in your hair vs. the melanin in your skin, says dermatologist Victoria Barbosa, MD, “which can result in burns."
THE REVIEW: "I use this once a month and have had four treatments so far," notes one product tester. "Since my hairs were already fine to begin with, the difference is subtle but it is definitely there. The biggest improvement I have noticed is how long it takes for my arm hair to grow back after I shave it. I would say it takes almost a month before I have to shave it again."
If you're into natural skincare products, and you want to test out a cleaner way to remove facial hair, try this sugar-wax kit. Its formula uses only eight ingredients, like sugar, water, lemon juice, date extract, and honey, to create a sticky, hair-removing paste that rivals a traditional wax strip. It also comes with everything you need to make waxing your facial hair easy, including 10 fabric strips, six wooden applicators sticks, and a natural pre-wax bar cleanser.
THE REVIEW: "So I discovered sugaring on Tiktok and finally took the leap," one tester writes. "Since I am new to waxing of any sort and was fascinated with sugaring, so I decided to try a pre-made kit first before trying to make it myself. I am two weeks out from my wax job, and some hairs are starting to come back in, but most of my skin is still smooth."
This 12-pack of dermaplaning tools/razors is so easy to use and also come in two other colors (black and light-pink), if you're all about facial hair removal with a side of ~vibes~. Just carefully stroke the razor's edge along your clean, dry skin—avoiding any active acne breakouts—and your facial hair will quickly lift off.
THE REVIEW: "I noticed my forehead had gotten dull and congested and my usual exfoliants weren't really offering the results I wanted, so I decided to give dermaplaning a try," one tester writes. "I won't be looking back! This will be a regular part of my routine from now on. My face is glowing, and my makeup applies so smoothly now. The process was super easy to DIY, and I had no issues with pain or irritation!"
Nose and ear hair, like all body hair, is fully normal. But if you’re not a fan of yours, this nose hair trimmer will take care of it with a quick buzz up each nostril. “TMI, but my husband’s nose hairs are generally out of control,” says Cosmo's deputy beauty director Lauren Balsamo. “Thank god for this easy-to-use trimmer to help keep them in check.” Even better? This one is cordless and has washable heads for a clean rinse.
THE REVIEW: " The mushroom style head is the best design I've seen on any trimmer I've used, as it allows for a closer and better trim," one reviewer notes.
Once I made the switch from disposable razors to a safety razor, I never went back. ICYMI, safety razors are eco-friendly razors that use plastic-free, single-razor blades instead of disposable heads. Not only do single-razor blades last longer, but they’re also less likely to leave you with razor burn. Pro tip: Since the razor is already weighted, you don’t need to press down on it while you shave—just hold it at a 30-degree angle and let it glide down your skin. Need more guidance? Check out some safety razor how-to tutorials before you get started.
THE REVIEW: "As a woman who long switched to 'men’s' razors, I am extremely happy with this reusable, extremely high quality, Black-founded and created razor. I have no reason to switch and don’t plan to. Highly recommend," writes one tester.
This drugstore facial hair remover (which comes in a pack of three) can double as an eyebrow razor or an at-home dermaplaning tool, depending on your mood (and hair status). If you've never learned how to shave your face at home, you basically just (gently) feather the razor around the edges of your brows the shape them, or swipe it down your face in short strokes to help soften skin and get rid of peach fuzz.
THE REVIEW: "I love these facial razors!" one reviewer writes. "They are very easy to use and remove all of that peach fuzz that often makes makeup look off. They also work great for cleaning up around your eyebrows, as well as removing any lip or chin hairs that pop out."
The best way to remove facial hair from your face, regardless of your gender identity, will depend on: (1) your pain tolerance, (2) how frequently you want to remove your hair, (3) your skin type and skin color, and (4) whether you want a temporary or permanent result. Basically, there's no single "best" way. Instead, you've got options:
When it comes to removing facial hair via shaving, you can either use a dermaplane razor or a regular razor. A dermaplane razor is great for getting a gentle surface-level shave and mild exfoliation on dry skin. A traditional razor (either a single-blade safety razor or a multi-blade disposable razor) is best for getting a super-close shave with coarse hair on wet skin.
If standing in the mirror with a dermaplaning razor to your face makes you nervous, opt for a professional dermaplaning treatment with your dermatologist or aesthetician. Not only will you walk away with baby-soft skin, but you’ll also leave behind up to three weeks’ worth of dead skin.
The idea of waxing your face at home might make all your muscles tighten, but I promise it’s not as bad as it sounds. The major benefit here is the hair will take longer to grow back, since you’re removing it from the follicle rather than just cutting it off at the service.
Although you can always get a professional wax (which is recommended for newbies), there are also tons of at-home waxing kits you can find that come with preloaded wax strips that require zero expertise or mess. Other waxing options include waxing kits where you heat up the wax yourself, smooth it over your (clean) skin, cover with a strip, then peel off quickly.
If you want to remove facial hair in a cleaner and more natural way, you may love sugar waxing—a pre-made or DIY alternative to traditional chemical-based waxes. Sugar waxing is a paste that hardens on your skin to rip out facial hair (or any hair), and can be better for sensitive, allergic skin that can't handle traditional wax formulas.
If you want to tackle small areas like eyebrows, or you’ve just got a few strays you want to remove (lookin’ at you, rogue chin hair), all you need is a pair of tweezers. Clamp them firmly over the base of an individual hair, then pull firmly in the direction of hair growth. And if you’re wondering if plucking or tweezing will cause more to grow back in its place, let me save you the Googling: It won’t.
Think of epilators as a bunch of fast, motorized tweezers all operating at once. Glide the epilator slowly over the hair on your face and watch as the tiny tweezers grab and pluck multiple hairs from their follicle, just like with waxing.
Depilatory creams—or hair-removal creams—use chemicals to break down and dissolve the base of your hair from the follicle, so it can be wiped cleanly away. Pick up a cream that’s safe for your face, follow the instructions, then wait the recommended time before wiping it off.
Just remember: If you have sensitive skin, acne, or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, you’ll want to skip this option because the chemicals and the process can be really irritating.
Laser-hair removal uses wavelengths of light to target and heat up the hair follicle to destroy a portion of it with each treatment, helping to reduce the overall number of hair follicles in your skin. Just know that in-office devices are significantly more effective and faster-acting, though you can still get decent, long-lasting results with an at-home laser-hair-removal device.
The best facial hair removal for you depends on your skin type. “There is no one ‘right product’ for every person,” says dermatologist Victoria Barbosa, MD. If you have "tougher" skin, you'll likely be able to tolerate any of the above treatments and products—but if you have sensitive skin, you may want to skip depilatories and waxing, two known hair-removal irritants.
Why? Because as dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, has previously told Cosmopolitan, waxing is basically ripping your skin cells off. “At the end of the day, that's not a gentle thing," she says, so it’s not surprising when someone gets irritated by it." Similarly, hair-removal creams use intense chemicals to dissolve the bonds in your hair strand, which also isn't a gentle process.
It’s no secret that most forms of hair removal are, um, not pain-free. So when choosing between tweezing, waxing, or shaving, think about how much you can handle on your face. If you consider yourself pretty ~hardy~, you may be fine to try your hand at waxing. But if you have a near-meltdown anytime you get a paper cut, shaving, trimming, or dermaplaning is probably more your speed.
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nearly 10 years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from cystic acne treatments to skincare routines. She’s an authority in all skincare categories, but is an expert when it comes to facial hair removal, thanks to a career of testing hair-removal methods and also working with the industry’s top dermatologists to asses product claims, safety, and efficacy.
Siena Gagliano is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She's an expert at writing hair and skin stories that range from dermaplaning tools to the best eyebrow trimmers. She regularly tests and analyzes hair-removal devices, which informed her product picks for this article.
Sami Roberts was previously the beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan with four years of experience researching, writing, and editing health, social media, and beauty-related stories, including the best natural hair dyes to how to dermaplane. Her original product picks were based on tester reviews, ratings, and personal experimenting, along with information from experts.
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. Thanks.
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces, as well as some fashion and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to achieve ridiculously glowing skin, a super bouncy blowout, or exactly how to use that viral face mask? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As NYC's newest resident, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini this city has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram where you'll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life.
Sami Roberts was the previous beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan. Keep up with her cat-filled life in New York on Instagram.
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