Say Goodbye To Ingrown Hairs With These 10 Clean & Effective Treatments

This serum plays two roles: It’s A+ for preventing ingrown hairs but also offers a gentle treatment for them once they’ve arrived. It contains two different exfoliators: Willow bark extract (a natural form of salicylic acid) and lactic acid, which will help brighten the skin as well. Witch hazel works to tighten pores and reduce redness, while aloe vera soothes irritated skin and offers a much-needed boost of hydration for skin that’s just been shaved or waxed.

As we mentioned, scrubs are great for preventing ingrown hairs. While you wouldn’t want to take a harsh scrub to the face, a gentle alternative can offer a physical exfoliation that can help prevent ingrown hairs. This one by SkinFix includes glycolic and lactic acid as well, serving as a chemical exfoliant too. This is a great option for the body and may be great for those with keratosis pilaris (commonly called KP or chicken skin) as well.

When it comes to facial exfoliation, you should be particularly careful to not use any exfoliants that are extra-strong, as the moisture barrier on your face could become compromised. For those who shave and worry about ingrown hairs on the face, this aftershave is a great follow-up. It’s formulated with natural botanical oils including rosemary oil (which has been proven to increase hair growth). Vitamin A works to exfoliate the skin, vitamin C helps brighten the complexion, and vitamin E works alongside allantoin to smooth and hydrate. The result? A clean, hydrated finish, sans ingrown hairs and inflammation.

This one is just as affordable as it is effective. The formula contains willow bark extract and lactic acid to exfoliate the skin and ease redness. Bisabolol helps reduce irritation, which is perfect for ingrown spots caused by shaving (aka razor bumps). You can use this treatment as spot prevention as well to get ahead of any frequently troublesome areas. It’s a small tube, but that’s because you only need a tiny amount to see a significant improvement in the visible appearance of your ingrown.

Dry brushing has tons of benefits for the skin. Not only does it increase circulation, but it also offers a gentle exfoliation for the body. As you know, this is key to preventing ingrown hairs. If your skin is sensitive to chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, a dry brush is a perfect alternative. You can use this on the entire body, bikini area included (avoid the face, though). Simply run the brush over your skin before stepping in the shower, and be sure not to press too hard–the bristles do the work for you.

When it comes to the bikini line, you’ll want to avoid anything that could interrupt your pH. Although it shouldn’t ever get close enough to reach your pH-sensitive skin, it’s better to be safe than sorry. This one from Lady Suite is perfect for this. This spray can be used weekly to combat ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and even post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that may have come from past ingrown hairs. The formula is gentle yet effective and pH-friendly.

This one is phenomenal for shave prep because it hydrates the skin beautifully. In the shower, apply this stick formula liberally until you feel the soft serum-like texture on your skin. There won’t be a big lather, just a smooth feeling. Then go ahead and shave as you normally would. You can use this as a moisturizer for sensitive areas as well. While this is great for preventing ingrown areas while you shave, you should double up with another option to exfoliate before the shave begins for best results.

This one is a holy-grail body product. You can apply this serum to the whole body (aside from the pubic area) and follow up with a high-quality moisturizer to keep your moisture barrier balanced. I use this one myself, and here’s what I do: A day or two before I plan on shaving, I’ll lather this serum on, let it dry, and then put on a body lotion. Then when shave day comes, I’m prepped and ready to go. I would avoid putting this serum on right after shaving as it’s unnecessary and may result in some tingling, as all exfoliating products will post-shave. Bonus: If you use self-tanner, this is a great product to use the day before you tan.

The armpits are a sensitive area, and you don’t want to be scrubbing away at that skin too much. This roller stick contains salicylic and glycolic acid to penetrate pores and target bump-causing buildup. Zinc PCA minimizes the appearance of skin irritation as well. The reviews for this product are glowing with praise, especially for curly hair-induced ingrowns and easing skin texture. This formula can also be used as a dark spot treatment to help lighten any previous ingrown hair spots.

“AHA/BHA exfoliating pads from First Aid Beauty will do the trick,” Marcus said. This is a dermatologist-backed tip, so if you’re looking for something with ideal ingredients, this is it. These alcohol-free pads gently exfoliate the skin, while aloe vera soothes and replenishes hydration. These are free of drying alcohols and fragrance, so they’re great for the bikini line. These pads were designed to be used 24 hours after hair removal on the face or the body.