These Facial Hair Removal Products Give Me Buttery-Smooth, Fuzz-Free Skin

I look forward to the return of my 'stache just so I can use this razor again.

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A model's chin with no visible facial hair.
(Image credit: Getty | Flamingo | Dermaflash | Wakse)
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What do Elizabeth Taylor and Eva Mendes have in common? A love for facial hair removal. (Though if you guessed they're both stunners with beauty marks to match—fair!) Before the days of high-def cameras and photo editing, the secret behind Hollywood stars' flawless-looking skin was mostly great genetics, and, in part, the removal of peach fuzz. Taylor famously shaved her face with a dermaplane razor back in the '50s, and today, Mendes still uses the same technique.

And while we may not all be Hollywood icons, we can borrow their tricks in the quest for smoother, softer skin. Facial hair removal isn't just limited to a dermaplane (or the same razor you use on your legs)—in fact, there are a multitude of options available on today's market. Think: dedicated facial razors, tweezers, wax strips, hair-removal creams, and high-tech devices all ready to tackle that rogue chin hair that showed up with your Saturn return and never left.

Of course, removing facial hair is never a necessity—it's right up there with the rest of body hair removal: totally optional. But I find that the process gives me a smoother base for makeup, helps exfoliate dead skin so my products absorb better, and leaves my complexion feeling buttery-soft.

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"You can remove facial hair by tweezing, waxing, threading, shaving, lasering, and using creams," says Director of Dermatology at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of New York, Jody Levine, MD. These all fall into three main categories: physical hair removal (like waxing, shaving, or tweezing), chemical removal (like hair removal creams), or electric devices (like trimmers or lasers).

Ahead, the 12 best facial hair removal products on the market, reviewed by experts—plus tips on the safest techniques for removing hair so you can keep your skin smooth, happy, and fuzz-free.

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Method

Pain Level

Best For

Results Duration

Tweezing

1/10

Brows, Chin

~2-6 weeks

Waxing

4/10

Upper Lip, Brows, Chin

~2-4 weeks

Dermaplaning

0/10

Peach Fuzz on Cheeks, Upper Lip, Forehead

~4 weeks

Cream

1/10

Upper Lip

~1 week

IPL

5/10

Upper Lip, Cheeks, Chin, Brows

Can be permanent with proper maintenance

The Best Facial Hair Removal Tools

What Are the Best Facial Hair Tools for Chin and Brows?

Although shaving or plucking via a razor or tweezers is usually the entry point for facial hair removal, it's not without risks, says board-certified dermatologic surgeon Dendy Engelman, MD. A bad tweeze job, like a bad wax job, can compromise the epidermis and weaken the skin barrier, Engelman adds.

Still, there's nothing wrong with picking up a tweezer to snag a few quick eyebrow hairs or a random chin hair once in a while. Face razors, meanwhile, are a great at-home choice for removing vellus hair, aka peach fuzz, around your face. (If you're looking to get in on the dermaplaning game, you can find Marie Claire's picks for the best dermaplaning tools here, or keep reading for our top electric dermaplane tool.)

Three close-ups of freelance beauty writer Sophia Vilensky's face before, during, and after she plucks some rogue upper lip hairs.

Zoom in to see freelance beauty writer Sophia Vilensky's rogue lip hairs in the first photo. Zoom in on the third to see absolutely nothing, because the Tweezerman got rid of them.

(Image credit: Image: Sophia Vilensky)

What Is a Longer Lasting Facial Hair Removal Option?

Unlike a shave, waxing removes hair from the root, resulting in a non-permanent, but at least a little longer-lasting period of hairlessness. While you can go to your local salon to get your face waxed (professionals are typically the best option to avoid injury or burns), small at-home facial wax strips are also here for you to remove facial hair in a relatively easy way.

Just remember Dr. Engelman's warning: waxing can hurt your skin barrier. Make sure you're following directions, buying quality products, and following the proper aftercare routine—i.e., avoid heat, friction, and sun exposure for the next 24 to 48 hours.

Sophia Vilensky before, during, and after a brow wax with Athena Club's facial wax kit.

Freelance beauty writer tried out Athena Club's facial wax kit on her blonde-haired right brow and was extremely impressed with the results.

(Image credit: Image Credit: Sophia Vilensky)

What's a Sensitive-Skin Friendly Hair Removal Option for Larger Areas?

I remember the first time I heard about Nair when I was little; I thought it was magic. While I now understand the science behind hair removal creams (also known as depilatory creams, their chemicals break down disulfide bonds in the hair's keratin proteins) it's still a little wild to me—all you have to do is apply smoothly, leave on for a few minutes, and wipe away with warm water.

Specially created for the face, the following creams are meant to cause less irritation and feature a fainter scent than their leggy predecessors.

Sophia Vilensky before, during, and after using uses Wakse Meltoway Balm.

Sophia Vilensky before, during, and after using uses Wakse Meltoway Hair Dissolving in Milk & Honey.

(Image credit: Image Credit: Sophia Vilensky)

What Is a Facial Hair Removal Option That Doesn't Hurt?

Handheld facial hair removal devices were ultimately made for ease of use, taking tips from the salon (see: the dermaplaning appointment-replacing Dermaflash) or ready for on-the-go removal (you never know when that rogue hair will pop up again). While the general concept is the same as some of the options above, the techy twist can't be ignored.

Beauty editor Marisa Petrarca both before and after using a Dermaflash+ device to dermaplane her face.

Contributing beauty writer Marisa Petrarca is a big fan of the Dermaflash Luxe+, which she uses regularly to rid her face of peach fuzz.

(Image credit: Image Credit: Marisa Petrarca)

What Is the Most Permanent Option for Facial Hair Removal?

IPL devices, known as intense pulsed light, use flashes of light (you can count on using more than 300 flashes for facial hair removal) to detect and remove pigment from the skin. The big issue with these tools? They have difficulty detecting light hair—red, blonde, and gray included. They also aren't always suitable for dark or deep skin tones. Before using on, ensure that it's safe for your hair and skin color, as the latter can result in burns.

Freelance beauty writer Sophia Vilensky before, during, and after testing the Silk'n 7 IPL machine.

Freelance beauty writer Sophia Vilensky put the Silk'n 7 IPL machine to the test. Don't worry—it's not pulsing in the middle photo. She'd be wearing her sunglasses if it was.

(Image credit: Image Credit: Sophia Vilensky)

What If I Want Professional Facial Hair Removal?

A hand holds a Sciton BAREit system against a white woman's chin. Her eyes are covered in goggles.

A Sciton Bareit laser hair removal session in the works.

(Image credit: Image Credit: BAREit)

Laser hair removal has long been regarded as the best form of facial hair removal if you're looking for long-lasting results. And no, it's not the same technology as IPL, which many at-home laser hair removal options utilize. Instead, professional laser systems are used under the direction of a healthcare provider and are engineered to deliver more powerful results.

"Hair grows in cycles, and therefore, each session of laser hair removal will target only hairs in the anagen phase of hair growth. This is why it is necessary to do multiple treatments over time," says nurse practitioner Loretta Nguyen Zanetti at Erasable Med Spa. While there are plenty of highly effective lasers available today, in her practice, Zanetti uses a machine called Sciton's Bareit, which uses light energy to target the root of hair deep in the follicle. "The melanin from the hair at the root absorbs the heat, and it essentially renders the follicle unable to produce more hair."

What Should I Look For In a Facial Hair Removal Device?

Not all facial hair removal options are created equally; some can help the hair go away for good, while others offer only a temporary fix. "Hair may grow back quicker with some methods (such as shaving) because the hair is removed superficially, while laser targets the root of the hair follicle, leading to longer-lasting results," shares Dr. Levine.

"At-home options typically offer temporary solutions versus long-term results. Devices that are designed for at-home use are usually underpowered and require hours of use to get minimal results," says Zanetti.

Does Facial Hair Removal Hurt?

The short answer is that it varies. It depends on the tool you use (tweezing a single hair is a lot easier than ripping off a wax strip) and your pain tolerance.

In terms of laser hair removal, "each pulse of the laser feels like a tiny pinch with a bit of heat," notes Zanetti. "Most find it very tolerable, and in cases of very sensitive areas like the bikini area, a topical anesthetic can be used."

What Does Facial Hair Removal Aftercare Involve?

After hair removal, the skin can become dry or irritated, even if you follow the directions. (This is especially applicable to those with sensitive skin types.) To protect that fresh layer of skin, stay clear of heat, sun exposure, and harsh products for the next 24 to 48 hours. If you're instructed to apply a calming moisturizer or barrier-supporting ointment, it's best to stick to fragrance-free options.

It's also important to prep for removal the right way. Make sure your skin is cleansed before pulling out your razor, and put the chore off if you're sunburnt or irritated in any way. If you have a skincare condition like eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis, stay clear of hair removal altogether and consult a licensed doctor or dermatologist.

Is My Facial Hair Normal?

In most cases, it's common for women to have a layer of fine, light hair—often referred to as peach fuzz. If you begin to develop thicker, coarser hair on your face, pay attention. "Some facial hair growth is normal, but if it increases drastically within a few months, you may have an underlying condition that requires medical treatment beyond hair removal," says Dr. Levine.

Though genetics and factors like age can play into this, it can also be a symptom of PCOS, like hirsutism. At the end of the day, don't diagnose yourself; see a doctor to address your facial hair like a pro.

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For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

How We Tested

The facial hair removal tool testing process included both long-time editor favorites and new discoveries. We tapped the Marie Claire team to share which facial hair removal products they use in their daily lives, then spoke to professionals to learn about their favorites and product use tips.

The MC team used tools on their own face, evaluated each product on ease of use, comfort, and overall performance. They also assessed packaging, accessibility, and safety. The resulting pool includes 12 of the best facial hair removal products on the market across various categories.

Meet The Experts

dr. dendy engelman's headshot
Dr. Dendy Engelman

Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue. Dr. Engelman attended Wofford College in South Carolina and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and graduated summa cum laude. Following medical school, Dr. Engelman completed her internship in Internal Medicine at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan. In addition to a dermatology residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Engelman completed a one-year fellowship in Mohs and dermatologic surgery, lasers, liposuction and vein treatments.

Most recently, Dr. Engelman was appointed Director of Dermatologic Surgery at New York Medical College where she oversees the training of future Mohs surgeons and dermatologists. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and American College of Mohs Surgery.

Dr. Jody A. Levine
Dr. Jody A. Levine

One of America’s top dermatologists, Dr. Jody Alpert Levine is the Director of Dermatology at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC, a leading medical and aesthetic practice in New York City.

Dr. Levine is an expert in dermatology and dermatologic surgery, specializing in medical and surgical pediatric dermatology, as well as adult cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. With an intuitive eye and deft touch, Dr. Levine helps patients achieve the most beautiful and natural-looking results. Her exceptional talent with lasers, BOTOX®, cosmetic injectables, surgery, liposuction, hair transplant, and cosmeceuticals has created a wait-list of patients from around the world who trust only her handiwork.

Loretta Zanetti Headshot
Loretta Zanetti

Loretta Nguyen Zanetti was born the youngest of ten children shortly after her parents immigrated to the United States following the Vietnam War.

She joined the US Army as a surgical technician. She graduated from Columbus State University in Georgia with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, followed by Western University of Health Sciences in California with a Master’s of Science in Nursing.

Loretta has served in the Army for over 15 years as a military officer and currently holds Lieutenant Colonel.

Building on her experience and leveraging her skills as an advanced registered nurse practitioner and certified laser specialist, Loretta is proud to help her clients achieve their aesthetic goals. To date, she has performed thousands of laser tattoo removals and aesthetic procedures.

She travels across the country as a trainer and speaker on various aesthetic topics.

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Sophia Vilensky
Sophia Vilensky
Freelance Writer

Sophia Vilensky is a Freelance Beauty Writer at Marie Claire with a beauty, wellness, and entertainment journalism portfolio that includes contributions to Byrdie, Bravo, Teen Vogue, and Us Weekly. Growing up in a family of beauticians—and through her own personal studies—she developed an in-depth understanding of aesthetics, cosmetic product formulation, and beauty treatment development and has also held roles as a senior copywriter, content strategist, and proofreader for top beauty and wellness brands. Even so, you'd be hard pressed to find her with her hair and makeup actually done. Sophia is based in Minneapolis and is a 2019 graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she majored in English and minored in cinema studies. During her time at the university, she was the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Minnesota Daily, earning the 2019 Editor of the Year award for her work. She connected deeply with the Twin Cities arts scene, collaborating with leading beauty professionals, designers, and artists. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, her thesis—a close-reading of Vanderpump Rules—was featured on NPR. When not immersed in writing or testing new products, Sophia enjoys watching reality TV, reading, and exploring the newest woo-woo wellness trends. Keep up with her on Instagram @sophiavilensky.