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Having facial hair as a woman is nothing to be embarrassed about. More women than you think deal with unwanted peach fuzz, unruly brows, and chin hairs, which is also known as hirsutism. “Hirsutism can be due to a combination of genetics and hormones. Excess testosterone can also lead to unwanted hair on the face. This can be related to conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or other hormonal imbalances,” explains Dr. Gloria Lin, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC. According to Dr. Lin, new facial hair growth can also occur during perimenopause and menopause, when estrogen levels decrease, but testosterone levels stay the same. Female Facial Razor
If you’re not the biggest fan of these unwelcome visitors, don’t fret—you can eradicate them in various ways that won’t harm your skin or health. “Overall, [facial hair removal] is safe if using the appropriate methods and when done correctly,” says Dr. Margarita Lolis, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC. The best facial hair removal products include facial hair removal creams, deft razors, and at-home laser hair removal devices, just to name a few.
We spoke to three trusted dermatologists to get the scoop on facial hair removal and gather their product recommendations. We also asked ELLE editors and read through hundreds of customer reviews. The result of our research is down below: A comprehensive guide to the 13 of the best (and safest) facial hair removal products to get impossibly baby-smooth skin.
StackedSkincare developed this tool with the help of aestheticians. Use it to dermaplane your face with ease, eliminating peach fuzz and dead skin cells—this can help your skin look brighter, skincare absorb more quickly, and makeup to sit on the face better.
An ELLE editor says: “I’m a big fan of dermaplaning because I like how it creates such a smooth surface for makeup. This is my favorite dermaplane tool—it’s sharp, has a good weight to it, and never causes any irritation.” —Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor
These razors are excellent for their original purpose—shaping brows—but Dr. Lin says they can also be used as an alternative to more expensive dermaplaning devices. “There is a safety cover attached to each blade to protect the skin, but finesse is still required in order to avoid cutting or injuring the skin,” she warns.
Best for: Peach fuzz, brow
An ELLE editor says: “I’ve been using these razors to shape my eyebrows for years. The horror stories from generations past scared me straight—I will never tweeze my brows again, no matter how gorgeous I think ‘90s brows look. Instead, I choose to shave any hairs I don’t want, and I can always rely on these to get the job done.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
With a 25 degree slanted tip, tough chin hairs stand no chance with this tweezer. Our digital beauty director, Danielle James, loves this tool. “Recently, I have started to get fine hairs on my chin and neck (sexy, right?). This is the only tweezer that will grab the hair and pull it from the bulb, no matter how short or fine,” she says.
An ELLE editor says: “After reading countless online reviews and watching many YouTube videos, I landed on Tweezerman when I decided to buy my very first pair of tweezers in high school. Although I no longer tweeze my brows, these were so precise and painless when I used to shape them with that method. I also use them to pluck hair and extricate ingrown hairs all over my body. I’ve tried tweezers from other brands but have always ended up frustrated and disappointed.” —Carol Lee
With its precise applicator and dermatologist-approved formula, it’s no wonder that this cream from Flamingo is a winner. The kit also comes with a Calming Serum, which should be applied after the cream has been removed to help soothe the area.
Best for: Upper lip, chin, sideburns
An Amazon reviewer says: “I was looking for a home hair remover and found this product. It works great. I have very sensitive skin. I used it to remove hair on my lip. I used the applicator tip to apply the cream, waited 10 minutes, and wiped it off. All of the hair was gone, and I used the soothing cream afterwards. It’s been four weeks, and the hair hasn’t returned, and there was no irritation.”
This rechargeable device is so intuitive that it’s virtually impossible to nick yourself. After one use, you’ll watch your peach fuzz disappear, and your skin will appear glowier and let your skin care really sink in. After a few more, you may even see your fine lines and wrinkles appear less defined.
An Amazon reviewer says: “I splurged on this device after nicking myself several times with the manual dermaplaner. I love the way it feels in your hand. I’m still perfecting how to stretch my skin and use it on both sides of my face. (The left side feels fine, I’m a bit awkward on the right side of my face). It holds a charge for multiple uses. It does state that you should change the blade after every use. This makes it a bit pricey to use weekly, but the convenience and safety of this device makes it well worth it!”
Dermaplaning can feel intimidating for beginners, and you may not want to invest in a high-priced tool if you’re just getting started. That’s where these razors from Kitsch come in; they come in a generous 12-pack and are just as effective at getting rid of pesky peach fuzz, stray eyebrow hairs, and layers of dead skin.
Best for: Brow, peach fuzz
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have 48 years worth of peach fuzz on my face and have oily skin. I like a matte finish foundation, but my makeup tends to melt off my face over the course of the day. I also notice that I am getting discoloration and fine lines faster than before. My daughter recommended dermaplaning to help my facial care and makeup adhere to my skin better. She recommended this product based on her continuous use of this item. This is my first purchase of a dermaplaner. The tool was comfortable to hold and easily adjusted in my hand to maneuver to get my intended areas. In a matter of minutes, I had completely dermaplaned my face and was pleased to see how much fuzz it had removed. I am pleased to say that I do feel my face products are adhering to my skin better now, and my makeup stays on longer over time.”
This product from hair removal product giant Nair has racked up over 9,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and “contains almond oil for soothing and has a great price point,” says Dr. Morgan Rabach, a board-certified dermatologist at LM Medical NYC. The formula is gentle on the skin, so you don’t have to worry about the burning sensation that often accompanied hair removal creams in the past.
Best for: Upper lip, chin, sideburns
An Amazon reviewer says: “I was a little skeptical at first because of the almond oil in it, as well as it being able to remove my fine- medium thick hair (mustache), but it worked great! I tested the corner after five minutes, and after seeing a tiny bit of hair left, I put the product back on the corner and left it on for another minute. I only tweezed three to four hairs that were right on my lip. I feel so much better now.”
While you can use this epilator and shaver all over the body, it’s also handy for banishing thicker hairs on the face. The easy-to-grip handle and wider head, which helps the device grip onto and remove even finer hairs, make for a quick and simple experience.
Best for: Face and body
An Amazon reviewer says: “I hated the hair on my face. It was a source of anxiety for me. Now, I go out with confidence, and I don’t spend hours in front of a mirror with tweezers. My upper lip is sensitive to the epilator, but I go against the grain and also just touch the area until it doesn’t hurt anymore. Once you don’t feel pain, you know that the hair is all gone.”
According to Dr. Lin, this device emits more energy than some of the other laser hair removal tools available, making it more effective. “It does have a smaller laser cap, which can be helpful for precision, which is important for areas like the face. This can be used on dark and light hair but not white hair or darker skin tones. There is a built-in sensor that will light up green if the device can be safely used on a particular skin tone,” she says.
Best for: Face and body
An Amazon reviewer says: “The growth on my face had gotten so dense and coarse that I had a permanent five o’clock shadow. I was horrified. After researching the best at-home lasers, I was down to the Tria and the one that is for lighter hair. The hair on my head is light brown or dark blond, but the hair on my body is mostly dark, with a few blondes and reds mixed in. I wasn’t sure if it was too light for the Tria. I went for this one, and it has worked for me! The dark smudges are gone, and I don’t even think about my facial hair anymore. My husband touches my chin now, and it’s fine with me! I’ve started using it on my underarms and other places as well and have seen great results in each place.”
Need an option for your next getaway? Slip this into your carry-on so you can stay prepared for a hair emergency that might come your way—the device works for hair both thick and thin. “There is a built-in LED light that helps to pinpoint the hairs for removal. By holding the device on the skin and pressing down in circular motions, it can be helpful to remove hair in the area,” says Dr. Lin.
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve used this device daily since I received it five days ago, and I am amazed. I have had a hair growth problem along my upper lip, under my lower lip, and on my chin for at least 10 years. I have tried almost every hair removal method available and found waxing works best, but I have to wax my upper lip, especially almost every other day. I immediately put my new Finishing Touch device to work, and it removed the hair at once, removed it painlessly, and left my skin smooth and clean-looking. It took less than a minute! This is the first product I’ve used that accomplishes complete hair removal with no pain and no stubble.”
Those with extremely sensitive skin may hesitate to try a hair removal cream, but we’re here to gently suggest that you try this one before giving up on them for good. GiGi’s Hair Removal Cream has a formula infused with aloe vera, cucumber extracts, and honey to soothe and hydrate the skin while it works to eliminate facial hair. Also, the accompanying Slow Grow Cream contains papaya enzymes, which helps slow the growth of new hair.
Best for: Cheeks, upper lip, chin, forehead
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been using this product for over 10 years–highly recommend this for facial hair and the bikini area. No burning sensation or brown spots. Love it.”
This is an ideal option for “quick touch-ups, shaping eyebrows, and removing peach fuzz,” says Dr. Lolis. Each tool boasts micro-guards that help prevent accidental nicks, and the ergonomic handles are easy to grip.
Best for: Peach fuzz, brow
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been using Schick Hydro Silk Touch Up for a few years now. I started after multiple of my students commented on my “mustache!” 😅After a friend suggested trying them out, I never went back. They are part of my subscribe and save every three months. I use one for about one month and then replace it. Never hurts, quick, and effective.”
Want to shave, but disposable one-blade razors aren’t cutting it? This trimmer gets as close to the skin as possible to cut hairs and includes multiple attachments designed for precise eyebrow grooming.
Best for: All over the face and neck
An Amazon reviewer says: “Wish I knew about this product sooner. I use it for minor upper lip hair removal. When I was younger, I bleached, and it was nasty/stinky and burned. I never had enough lip hair to thread or wax, and didn’t want to spend the money, quite honestly. Now that I’m older, my hair is a bit darker, and so I got this to do a two-second hair removal. It’s fast, easy, safe, effective, affordable, and I recommend it.”
Dr. Gloria Lin is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC.
Dr. Margarita Lolis is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC.
Dr. Morgan Rabach is a board-certified dermatologist at LM Medical NYC.
According to our experts, yes. However, you need to take the proper precautions and use the method best suited for your skin type to prevent irritation, burns, or ingrown hairs, especially because the skin on your face is usually more delicate and sensitive.”In addition, the type of hair that grows may require a different technique to see optimal results. Certain medications like isotretinoin or topical retinoids can increase cell turnover, which may lead to increased risk of irritation, discoloration, and scarring and may need to be avoided depending on the procedure being done,” says Dr. Lin.
Dr. Rabach recommends washing your face before and following up with a soothing product after the procedure. Additionally, Dr. Lolis says that “washing after can help soothe the skin and prevent infections.”
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted hair and skin experts about facial hair. She also searched the internet for facial hair removal products, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.
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