Cosmetic hair removal (depilatory) compositions that provide complete hair removal in a single step and easy clean-up with water are disclosed. These viscous compositions are made of a mixture of a water soluble hair binding agent, a water soluble cross-linking agent for the hair binding agent, and a water soluble crystallization inhibitor agent, whereby the cross-linking of the hair binding agent by the cross-linking agent results in water washable hair binding compositions that do not crystallize during their use or storage.