The 8 Best Numbing Creams for Pain-Free Beauty Procedures

Best Overall

Zensa Numbing Cream 5% Lidocaine

$40 at Amazon

Key Ingredients: Lidocaine 5%, vitamin E | Type: Cream | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent numbing cream for all cosmetic services (including laser hair removal), we recommend this pick from Zensa. It comes recommended by aestheticians and piercers, who love its long-lasting, effective formula that doesn’t irritate. It can also be used on broken skin, so it’s safe to reapply after a piercing without causing damage. Aside from the active ingredient, lidocaine, the formula includes vitamin E to promote healing and limit inflammation. While it’s somewhat pricey for a small amount of product, the potent formula, which can be used for various treatments, makes it worth it. 

Best Splurge

Dr. Numb 5% Lidocaine Topical Anesthetic Numbing Cream

$50 at Amazon

Key Ingredients: Lidocaine 5% | Type: Cream | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

With over 3,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, the Dr. Numb cream is highly recommended by shoppers for its powerful, versatile formula. Containing 5% lidocaine, lecithin, and vitamin E, it helps protect against pain while soothing the skin. Reviewers love how quickly it works and how well it can completely numb the skin during extreme pain, and many noted that it’s especially effective for needles—making it a great choice for piercings or microneedling. It can wear off after a few hours, so we wouldn’t recommend it for large tattoos or other procedures that can take multiple hours.

Best Budget

CVS Health Maximum Strength Lidocaine Pain Relief Cream

View on CVS

Key Ingredients: Lidocaine HCI 4% | Type: Cream | Size: 2.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Numbing creams can cost you a pretty penny, so we love this one from CVS as an affordable, accessible option. For only $11, you’ll get an effective lidocaine cream that efficiently reduces pain as well as pricier picks. Reviewers love that it’s easy to apply, doesn’t feel greasy on the skin, and doesn’t have a strong odor like many numbing creams. While it needs to be reapplied after a few hours for more relief, we think it’s a great, budget-friendly choice for mild pain. 

Best for Aftercare

Hustle Butter Tattoo Aftercare Balm

$25 at Amazon View on Ulta

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, green tea extract | Type: Cream | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Pain often lingers well after your appointment, and this aftercare balm from Hustle Butter can help. Formulated with coconut oil, shea butter, aloe, and other plant-derived ingredients, it soothes and nourishes the skin—accelerating the healing process. It has a thick formula, making it a little difficult to apply, but the consistency feels comforting on the skin and leaves it soothed for hours. The lovely mango scent is just another plus.  

Best for Intense Pain

WELMATE 5% Lidocaine Numbing Cream

$23

$20 at Amazon

Key Ingredients: Lidocaine 5% | Type: Cream | Size: 5.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re preparing for extreme pain and need something that works quickly and effectively, this Welmate cream is your best bet. Multiple online reviewers named it their go-to, saying it works just as well as, or even better than, prescription pain creams. The vegan formula also contains vitamin E and lecithin to relieve irritation and swelling. It works almost instantly to stop pain in its tracks and can be applied up to six times a day. We wish the container were a little easier to open, but it’s a great product nonetheless. 

Best Fast-Acting

Clinical Resolution Laboratory Numb Master Anesthetic Cream

$17 at Amazon

Key Ingredients: Lidocaine 5% | Type: Cream | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

In a pinch? Reach for this numbing cream. It kicks in as little as five minutes and reaches its full power in about 20 minutes—much faster than other options on the market. The cream itself is water-based, so it feels lightweight on the skin and doesn’t leave a sticky residue behind. It also keeps the skin hydrated with aloe, allantoin, and propylene glycol. Since it doesn’t keep pain at bay for that long, we recommend it for quick procedures—like lobe piercings. 

Best Long-Lasting

Curist 5% lidocaine numbing cream

$40 at Amazon $24 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Lidocaine 5% | Type: Cream | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This long-lasting pick can numb the area for up to four hours, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying after your appointment. At 6 ounces, it has twice the volume of most other options and is still affordable. Online reviewers also love that it doesn’t leave a greasy residue on the skin, and it even helps reduce itchiness. The childproof cap can be difficult to lift at first, but we think the squeeze bottle makes application easy without causing a mess.

Best Applicator

Blue-Emu Lidocaine Pain Relief Cream

$14 at Amazon

Key Ingredients: Lidocaine 4% | Type: Cream | Size: 2.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Blue-Emu Lidocaine Pain Relief Cream is an odorless, targeted topical cream that shuts down pain signals directly at the source for up to eight hours. Infused with emu oil and aloe vera, it combines maximum over-the-counter numbing power with a skin-soothing application. The unique hands-free soft sponge applicator is so user-friendly for targeting painful areas without wasting product or making things messy.