Numbing Creams Can Make Piercings Pain-Free—We Love These 8 (2025)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

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 that can be used 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 post-piercing without damaging it. Aside from the active ingredient lidocaine, it has vitamin E in the formula to promote healing and limit inflammation. While it’s somewhat pricey for a small amount of product, the potent formula that can be used for various treatments makes it worth it.

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 comes highly recommended by shoppers for its powerful and versatile formula. Containing 5% lidocaine alongside lecithin and vitamin E, it protects from pain while soothing the skin. Reviewers love how quickly it works and how well it can totally numb the skin in instances of 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.

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 for an affordable and 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 and doesn’t feel greasy on the skin, and it doesn’t have a strong odor like many numbing creams can. 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.

Key Ingredients: Lidocaine | Type: Cream | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Beauty procedures can often cause inflammation and irritation, which can be made worse if you already have sensitive skin. This cream from Uber Numb blocks pain and soothes the skin with allantoin and vitamin E—two ingredients great for anti-inflammation and calming. It works quickly—in about 20 minutes—to numb the skin, and it keeps the affected area pain-free for hours. It can leave the skin feeling a little sticky initially, but it absorbs after a minute.

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

Pain often lingers well after your piercing 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.

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, or even better, as 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 still a great product nonetheless.

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.

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 once your appointment is over. At 6 ounces, it has double the product of the majority of other options while still being affordable. Online reviewers also love that it doesn’t leave a greasy feel on the skin, and it even works to reduce itchiness. The childproof cap can be difficult to lift at first, but we think the squeeze bottle makes for an easy application without causing a mess.

FAQ

• What’s the best way to apply a numbing cream?

  “Always start with clean, dry skin,” says Smith-Pannell. “Apply a thick, even layer of the numbing cream over the area you’re targeting and cover it with plastic wrap to help it absorb and activate.” The plastic wrap can trap in heat to speed up the numbing process, so make sure not to miss that step, she notes. Follow the label instructions to see how long you should leave it on, and make sure to wipe off completely before your procedure.

• Is numbing cream for immediate pain or recovery pain?

  “Numbing cream is intended for immediate pain prevention, meaning it's used before a procedure to reduce discomfort during the actual treatment,” says Smith-Pannell. If you’re dealing with pain post procedure, she says you can use a cold compress over your numbing cream of choice to treat any sensitivity.

• How long does a numbing cream take to work?

  Smith-Pannell says this varies between each product and brand, but on average, they take about 20-30 minutes to kick in for full effect. She recommends following the listed time directions without cutting it short if you want it to work at its full power. Doing so could lead to discomfort for whatever you’re getting done.