Veet Hair Removal Cream: What are the side effects? Is it safe?

A long time ago, before I got into green beauty I tried Veet Hair Removal Cream. At that time I didn’t think about its safety or side effects too much. I just wanted to give it a try. Luckily, this didn’t stay my main hair removal method as it wasn’t the cheapest and it took more effort compared to using razors.

Now I am wondering whether this method of hair removal could be harmful. What chemicals are in this cream that dissolve hair? Are there any safety concerns around these chemicals? What happens if you use this hair removal cream regularly? What are the disadvantages? I’ve decided to investigate…

Table of Contents

• Veet Hair Removal Cream: Ingredients
• Side effects of using Veet Hair Removal Cream
• FAQs
  • Is Veet hair removal cream safe?
  • Is Veet hair removal cream safe for genital areas?
  • Does Veet hair removal cream darken skin?
  • Does Veet cause cancer?
  • Is Veet good for skin?
  • Is Veet safe for pubic hair?
  • What happens if you use Veet hair removal cream on your face?
  • Does Veet cause bumps?
  • What happens if you leave Veet on too long?

Veet Hair Removal Cream: Ingredients

There are different versions of Veet Hair Removal Cream and there is one specifically for sensitive skin. For this reason, the ingredients vary slightly but all Veet creams have the following ingredients in common:

• Aqua (water)
• Cetearyl Alcohol – helps to keep liquid and oil together. A generally safe ingredient although some people may be allergic to it.
• Potassium Thioglycolate – used to chemically break down hair fibres. It may increase the risk of penetration of external toxic chemicals.
• Paraffinum Liquidum – mineral oil, derivative from petroleum. It forms a layer on the skin making it feel soft but doesn’t allow it to breathe.
• Calcium Hydroxide – works with Potassium Thioglycolate to dissolve hair. A known skin irritant and corrosive. It can cause serious eye damage if it gets into the eyes. However, when used following instructions and safety limits, it is considered to be safe.
• Ceteareth-20 – a synthetic ingredient used to improve the texture and stability of a product. It is an emulsifier (keeps water and oil together) and penetration enhancer.
• Sodium Gluconate – a moisturising agent that can also act as a pH regulator. A generally safe ingredient that does not irritate the skin.

The typical Veet hair removal cream also contains talc which is a clay mineral used as a thickening agent and lubricant. This ingredient has some safety concerns as it could potentially contain asbestos, a well-known carcinogen.

On a positive note, this cream also contains soothing cranberry extract (Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract) and the extract of the pericarp of the Pomegranate which functions as a skin conditioning agent.

The sensitive version of Veet hair removal cream contains moisturising and soothing Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and preservatives Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate which are not found in the regular version.

The in-shower versions of Veet hair removal cream also have an addition of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone, a preservative mixture that could cause allergic reactions and possible neurotoxicity.

The other concerning ingredient in these Veet creams include Propylene Glycol which hydrates the skin but is classified as a skin irritant.

VEET HAIR REMOVAL CREAM	INGREDIENTS
Body & Legs Hair Removal Cream for Normal Skin	Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Thioglycolate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Calcium Hydroxide, Ceteareth-20, Talc, Glycerin, Parfum, Polyethylene, Sodium Gluconate, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract.
Body & Legs Hair Removal Cream for Sensitive Skin	Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Potassium Thioglycolate, Calcium Hydroxide, Ceteareth-20, Talc, Glycerin, Parfum, Polyethylene, Sodium Gluconate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.
In-Shower Hair Removal Cream for Sensitive Skin	Aqua, Urea, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Thioglycolate, Ceteareth-20, Calcium Hydroxide, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Paraffinum Liquidum, Magnesium Trisilicate, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrated Silica, Limonene, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 77891
In-Shower Hair Removal Cream for Normal Skin	Aqua, Urea, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Thioglycolate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Calcium Hydroxide, Ceteareth-20, Talc, Glycerin, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Magnesium Trisilicate, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Sodium Gluconate, Acrylates Copolymer, Linalool, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 77891, CI 45380

Side effects of using Veet Hair Removal Cream

When we look at the ingredients list of Veet Hair Removal Cream we can quickly see that it contains some well-known skin irritants such as Calcium Hydroxide, Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone. If you have sensitive skin you may react to these and therefore won’t be able to use this cream for the purpose.

Veet Hair Removal Cream also comes with other side effects and many occur due to not following the directions for use:

• Stinging or burning sensation – if this occurs, remove the product using plenty of water.
• Irritated or more sensitive skin – this is a common side effect of using Veet Hair Removal Cream so you need to be careful what you apply to the skin in the following 24 hours. If the skin’s protective layer has been affected and it’s irritated, it won’t offer such good protection from external elements. If you apply some kind of cream to the skin containing irritating substances, they will more easily penetrate the skin causing issues such as eczema. The best is to avoid using creams containing potential allergens such as perfume and/or large quantities of plant extracts. Alcohol is another ingredient to avoid as it will further dry out the skin.
• Redness – chemicals that dissolve hair can also affect your skin, causing it to go red.
• Skin burns – if you leave Veet Hair Removal Cream on the skin longer than recommended you could experience serious skin burns and even blisters. Therefore it’s very important you closely monitor the time when using this cream.
• Sensitivity to the sun – after hair removal your skin is more sensitive and can burn more easily if you expose it to sun rays. The best is to wait at least 24 hours before going in the sun and even then make sure you use good sunscreen.

FAQs

Is Veet hair removal cream safe?

Veet Hair Removal Cream is considered safe if used according to instructions. However, it contains powerful chemicals that could cause serious damage if left on the skin for too long.

Also, some people will experience an allergic reaction to some of the ingredients so it’s recommended to do a patch test first before using it on a larger area of the skin. You also need to avoid putting this cream on already irritated or damaged skin.

Is Veet hair removal cream safe for genital areas?

Veet state on their website that their hair removal creams are safe to use on the bikini line but you should not put them on your genital areas as this could result in adverse reactions.

Does Veet hair removal cream darken skin?

According to Veet, this cream does not darken the skin.

Does Veet cause cancer?

There is no direct evidence to suggest that Veet Hair Removal Cream causes cancer. However, some concerns have been raised over certain ingredients, such as talc, which could potentially contain asbestos, a known carcinogen. It’s worth noting that talc in cosmetic products is regulated and must be asbestos-free, but some might still worry about contamination.

Is Veet good for skin?

Veet Hair Removal Cream can help you achieve smooth and hair-free skin. It contains ingredients like cranberry extract and pomegranate extract that can condition the skin. However, as it contains certain skin irritants and potential allergens, it may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with sensitive skin. Always perform a patch test first before applying it over a large area.

Is Veet safe for pubic hair?

Veet Hair Removal Cream is deemed safe to use on the bikini line, but it should not be applied directly on the genital areas. Misuse could lead to adverse reactions, so always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

What happens if you use Veet hair removal cream on your face?

While Veet offers products specifically designed for facial hair removal, their regular hair removal creams should not be used on the face. The skin on the face is more delicate and sensitive than the skin on your body, and using the body cream could cause irritation, burns, or other adverse reactions.

Does Veet cause bumps?

Some people might experience bumps or rashes after using Veet Hair Removal Cream, especially if they have sensitive skin. This is often a result of skin irritation caused by the strong chemicals used in the cream. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions, it’s advisable to perform a patch test before using the product.

What happens if you leave Veet on too long?

Leaving Veet Hair Removal Cream on your skin for longer than the recommended time can lead to serious skin burns and even blisters. It’s very important to closely monitor the time when using this cream and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid such adverse effects.