Skip to Content

These 15 Ingrown Hair Treatments Will Also Erase Your Razor Bumps and Hyperpigmentation

Bye-bye, red bumps. 👋

By and
topicals high roller ingrown hair tonic with aha and bha
Best Products; Topicals

If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

Real talk: Ingrown hairs don’t discriminate — they’re extremely common for anyone who shaves or waxes. Not to mention ingrown hairs are also unsightly and uncomfortable, but they're easily fixed with the right ingrown hair treatments. To help you better under what exactly causes ingrown hair and how to shop for ingrown hair treatments, our beauty editor consulted a waxing authority for her expert guidance.

Best Ingrown Hair Treatments

    What Causes Ingrown Hair?

    “An ingrown hair is a hair that was knocked off course while trying to grow out from under the surface of the skin,” says Melanie Coba, brand ambassador for European Wax Center. “When this happens, the area can become irritated, causing redness and pus formation.”

    Coba notes that ingrown hairs typically stem from too much dry skin on the surface, forcing some growing hairs to change direction because they are too weak to push through that top layer. An easy remedy is to use a body scrub in between hair-removal sessions, including waxing, shaving, and depilatory creams, to name a few. She says that's why ingrown hairs are common at creased areas of the body such as the bikini line, where skin is pressed together for most of the day.

    Lucky for you, there are ingrown hair treatments designed for the bikini area such as Topicals High Roller Ingrown Hair Tonic, and Bikini Zone Medicated Creme for Bikini Area. If you're dealing with ingrown hair on your legs, opt for a large bottle of liquid ingrown hair treatment, such as Tend Skin Ingrown Hair Solution, which is easy to apply over large areas. And if you've got annoying ingrown hairs on your face, you can use smaller-sized treatments, including Completely Bare Calm Down.

    How Can You Treat Ingrown Hair?

    So, now that we know what causes ingrown hair, how can we get rid of them for good?

    “The more you wax, the softer your skin will become, and your body hair will grow in softer and sparser, too,” says Coba. “Sticking to a regular hair-removal schedule can help immensely in preventing ingrown hairs. Consistency is crucial because waxing too early or too late makes the hair more susceptible to breaking under the skin’s surface, increasing the chance of ingrowns.”

    Her advice for post-wax maintenance is to avoid tweezing ingrown hairs between sessions, as this usually does more harm than good and can lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation. Also, avoid touching your newly hair-free skin, as Coba points out that this will only clog pores and transfer the bacteria from your hands to your face and other susceptible body parts.

    If your follicles need a little more help, grabbing an ingrown hair treatment would be ideal. But be careful: “Some ingrown-hair products use a lot of isopropyl alcohol,” says Coba. “I’ve found that these products dry out the skin, and while they do clear blemishes, the dry skin creates new ingrown hairs. I’d avoid using anything drying.”

    How We Chose

    Ready to knock out those ingrown hairs for good? We researched the web for the best non-irritating, highly exfoliating, and top-rated ingrown hair treatments on the market. Read on for the most impressive ingrown hair treatments so you can enjoy your smoothest, most bump-free skin regardless of your budget. As the pros suggested, we prioritized alcohol-free options, such as the Fur Ingrown Concentrate, Shaveworks The Cool Fix, and Anthony Ingrown Hair Treatment.

    1
    Best Overall

    Ingrown Concentrate

    Best Tested
    Ingrown Concentrate
    Pros
    • You only need a few drops
    • Immediately soothes irritated skin
    • Includes an exfoliating mitt
    • Also fades hyperpigmentation
    Cons
    • Only available in 1 small size

    Our best overall ingrown hair treatment is like magic in a mini bottle. Fur's Ingrown Concentrate features a potent blend of moisturizing oils and chamomile extract to help soften the skin and remove dead skin cells. You've got coconut oil to soften trapped ingrown hairs and tamanu oil, which is rich in omega fatty acids to soften your delicate skin.

    These ingredients allow hair to grow naturally, reducing the chance of becoming ingrown. It's no wonder why we love this ingrown hair treatment (and their original Fur Oil) so much! After 2 weeks of regular use, our former beauty editor, Jennifer Hussein, noticed her underarm and pubic hair felt noticeably softer and moisturized. She says, “My many painful ingrown hairs have started to calm down and dissipate, which is a major plus.”

    More: These Neck Serums Lift and Tighten Sagging Skin and Fade Wrinkles

    Key Specs

    Rating4.3-star average from nearly 2,000 Amazon reviews
    Best IngredientsTamanu and coconut oils
    2
    Toughest Formula

    Ingrown Hair Treatment

    Ingrown Hair Treatment
    Pros
    • Compatible with all skin types, including oily and dry
    • Made in the USA
    Cons
    • Causes mild tingling post-shave

    Anthony's Ingrown Hair Treatment gently removes dead skin, fights bacteria, and frees the hair before it becomes ingrown through its tough-as-nails formulation of glycolic, salicylic, and phytic acids. It's also infused with willowherb and lavender to calm irritated skin.

    This lightweight gel moisturizes and protects your freshly shaven or waxed skin while treating this ingrown hair. It’s so effective that one Amazon reviewer says it’s the only option that works for them and they’ve been using it for over a decade now. “Doesn’t work miracles or make up for terrible shaving technique/crappy razors, but it is the top product I’ve found for treating/preventing ingrown hairs,” says their 5-star review.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.4-star average from 955 Amazon reviews
    Best IngredientsGlycolic, salicylic, and phytic acids
    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
    3
    Best for Sensitive Skin Types

    The Cool Fix for Women

    The Cool Fix for Women
    Pros
    • Immediately soothes irritation
    • Botanical extracts relieve razor burn
    Cons
    • Some reviewers says the fresh scent leans more masculine

    The Cool Fix immediately calms the skin, cooling off any irritation and razor burn after shaving. Glycolic and salicylic acid exfoliate your delicate skin’s roughest parts, and caffeine is added to soothe inflammation and redness, so you won’t have to worry about further irritating your already-upset pores.

    Continued use after hair removal will help ensure that your skin stays smooth and free of ingrown hairs. “This is the second [bottle of] serum I have used. Within days of using it, my stubborn ingrown [hairs] disappeared,” says one Amazon reviewer.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.4-star average from nearly 3,00 Amazon reviews
    Best IngredientsGlycolic and salicylic acids, plus caffeine
    4
    Best Peel

    Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

    Best Tested
    Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
    Pros
    • The 2-step process takes 2 minutes
    • AHAs, BHAs, antioxidants, and vitamins buff away dead skin
    Cons
    • Skip if you don't like noticeable clean scents

    After one swipe, we're betting you couldn't get enough of these powerful peed pads. They're formulated with a blend of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids to buff away even the most stubborn ingrown hairs. Ashley Phillips, our former beauty editor, says “they 100% live up to the hype,” and are gentle enough to use daily.

    She’s not the only fan — this 2-step daily peel earned hundreds of impressive online reviews. “After using it, my face marks started to fade instantly, skin felt healthier, and shaving bumps were nowhere to be found,” says one Amazon reviewer with sensitive skin dealing with ingrown hair, acne, and razor bumps.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.6-star average from more than 2,500 Amazon reviews
    # of Treatments5
    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
    5
    Best Body Scrub

    Intimate Grooming Skin-Smoothing Exfoliant

    Amazon’s Choice
    Intimate Grooming Skin-Smoothing Exfoliant
    Pros
    • Dermatologist- and gynecologist-tested
    • pH-balanced formula
    Cons
    • Skip if you don't like gritty body scrubs

    We love all things body scrubs, and Gillette Venus created one that's designed to stop ingrown hairs before they pop up. This affordable body scrub can be used before hair removal to eliminate dead skin cells, oil, and dry rough patches that can cause ingrown hairs. You can also use it after shaving and waxing.

    According to several Amazon reviewers, this ingrown hair treatment is one of the best in the game because it contains fine granules and softens your skin. “Since I started using this, right before shaving my public region, I have not had any more issues with ingrown hairs,” says one 5-star review.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.4-star average from 1,170 Amazon reviews
    Best IngredientsGlycerin, plus coconut and olive oils
    6
    Best Roll-On

    High Roller Ingrown Hair Tonic

    High Roller Ingrown Hair Tonic
    Pros
    • Clean at Sephora
    • Lightweight formula
    Cons
    • You should buy two rollers (1 for your face and 1 for your body)

    Topicals is one of our favorite Black-owned beauty brands, and their most recent drop will keep your ingrown hairs in check. It combines AHAs (glycolic acid) and BHAs (salicylic acid) to exfoliate your skin and purge your pores to stop ingrown hair and bumps. High Roller is also the only option on our list formulated with zinc PCA, which helps soothe skin irritation.

    This ingrown hair treatment has a lightweight, serum-like feel that absorbs quickly into your skin. Given its roller ball format, it's fantastic for your underarms, but you can apply it on your face and along the bikini line. Sephora reviewers swear by it, and one reviewer who had ingrown hairs along her bikini line and under her armpits loves that it treats sensitive areas without irritation.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.6-star average from nearly 190 Sephora reviews
    Best IngredientsSalicylic and glycolic acids, plus zinc PCA
    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
    7
    Best for Larger Areas

    Ingrown Hair Solution

    Best Seller
    Ingrown Hair Solution
    Pros
    • Most Amazon reviews
    • Unscented, so it works with sensitive skin
    Cons
    • Some reviewers say you need to use a lot of product

    This solution from Tend Skin eliminates unsightly razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and redness.

    Its ingredient list is impressively small, which is another reason why we're giving this ingrown hair treatment two thumbs up. Its star ingredients include salicylic acid for exfoliating those pesky spots and glycerin for a hydration boost.

    It’s a liquid, so it’s very easy to spread over a large area of skin if you have several ingrown hairs to battle. “I get horrible ingrown hairs on my legs and this stuff has made quite the difference. I have purchased several bottles. I highly recommend this to anyone suffering with ugly ingrown hairs,” says one 5-star Amazon review.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.5-star average from 51,400 Amazon reviews
    Best IngredientsSalicylic acid and glycerin
    Pros
    • Oil-free
    • Doubles as an astringent for oily and acne-prone skin
    Cons
    • Requires cotton balls or pads for application

    Jack Black offers a remedy for ingrown hairs in the form of Bump Fix, which features a dual-action, alpha-beta hydroxy acid complex. This unique formula fights existing ingrown hairs and prevents new ones from forming. It also dissolves oil, blackheads, zits, and razor bumps, so consider it your ultimate ingrown hair treatment multitasker.

    Most notably, reviewers say it helps treat deep, long-term ingrown hairs. “I had a bump from a stubborn ingrown hair for months, and using this for 2 weeks cleared it up,” says one 5-star review.

    Other reviewers note they see faster results since their ingrown hairs are fresher. “First use and the bumps are diminished! Only used four drops, rubbed between my palms, and applied after a shower. This stuff is amazing,” adds another review.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.4-star average from more than 1,500 Amazon reviews
    Best IngredientsSalicylic acid
    9
    Easy and Effortless

    Roll-On Gel for Ingrown Hair

    Roll-On Gel for Ingrown Hair
    Pros
    • Safe for the face and body
    • Also minimizes razor burn
    Cons
    • Some reviewers say it runs out quickly when they apply on their body

    PFB’s ingrown-hair treatment is extremely easy to use, as it delivers its potent serum via a cooling rollerball applicator. But it’s not just the roll-on aspect that intrigues us: It features a blend of exfoliating and hydrating ingredients like glycolic acid, willow bark extract (an all-natural form of salicylic acid), lactic acid, and glycerin.

    Reviewers love how quickly and effortlessly you can fight ingrown hairs with this one. “Whether you wax or shave, this will prevent bumps and ingrowns! And it’s significantly lightened my bikini line,” says one 5-star Amazon review.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.6-star average from more than 2,250 Amazon reviews
    Best IngredientsWillow bark, lactic acid, and glycerin
    10
    A Classic Formula

    Medicated Creme for Bikini Area

    Medicated Creme for Bikini Area
    Pros
    • Stain-free
    • Works fast
    Cons
    • Temporary stinging sensation

    Chances are, you’ve had this in your medicine cabinet at least once in your life. And if you haven’t yet, you should definitely give it a try: This tried-and-true formula is well-loved for its immediate results that smooth away bumps and redness in a flash, all thanks to exfoliating ingredients like salicylic and lactic acid.

    With an impressive formula, it’s no wonder Bikini Zone earned thousands of 5-star Amazon reviews. For example, one reviewer says their OB-GYN introduced them to this cream because of persistent ingrown hairs and razor bumps. “It is absolutely amazing, and I have been using it for years,” says their Amazon review.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.4-star average from nearly 5,500 Amazon reviews
    Best IngredientsSalicylic acid and aloe vera
    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
    11
    Best for Dry Skin

    Women's Ingrown Hair & Razor Bump Treatment

    Women's Ingrown Hair & Razor Bump Treatment
    Pros
    • Essential oils calm, soothe, and hydrate your freshly waxed skin
    • Some reviewers say it has a slight cooling sensation
    Cons
    • Probably too hydrating for acne-prone skin types

    Banish those bumps with this treatment from UltraLuxe. This cooling gel features a unique blend of hydrating sweet almond oil, along with their proprietary ingredient SymCapxil-8, which is designed to minimize hair regrowth and reduce the appearance of hair density.

    Online reviewers say this gentle treatment also reduces and eliminates ingrown hairs and razor bumps on your face and body. “Amazing product! I have super sensitive, irritable skin. [It’s the] first product that helps tackle irritation from shaving, epilator, waxing, and ingrown hairs. It’s no miracle cure, but it helps immensely. Highly recommend,” says one 5-star Amazon reviewer.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.4-star average from 35 Amazon reviews
    Best IngredientsSymCapxil-8, salicylic acid, argan oil, and lavender oil
    12
    Best Pads

    Ingrown Eliminating Pads

    Ingrown Eliminating Pads
    Pros
    • Fragrance-free
    • Compatible with all skin types
    Cons
    • Should only be used after a shower

    We love all things Bliss, including the brand's convenient Bump Attendant Pads. These pads are saturated in a formula filled with antioxidant-rich green tea, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid to loosen up those ingrown hairs without causing any dryness or irritation.

    Just swipe on your ingrown hairs and these wipes help diminish the appearance of bumps and redness.

    Need further proof? Well, according to multiple online reviews, this ingrown hair treatment delivers. “They are absolutely amazing!!! Noticed a difference after two uses. Reviews say it burns. I’m not good with pain, and it’s nothing for me. Highly recommend to anyone with sensitive skin like myself,” says one 5-star Kohl’s review.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.1-star average from nearly 780 Kohl's reviews
    Best IngredientsGreen tea, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid
    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
    13
    The Daily Option

    Ingrown Spot Treatment

    Ingrown Spot Treatment
    Pros
    • Reviewers say it softens their skin
    • Can be used up to twice daily
    Cons
    • Some reviewers say it takes upward of 3 days to see results

    While most of the options on this list are too intense for daily use, this treatment from Flamingo is gentle enough to use twice per day on clean skin.

    But its gentle formula doesn't discount its efficacy: This gel-cream formula contains star ingredients like willow bark, lactic acid, and bisabolol to fully exfoliate ingrown hairs while soothing any irritation or redness.

    “I’ve had problems with ingrown hairs for years. I’ve damaged my skin from trying to dig them out. After using Flamingo they seem to rise up and with a little tweeze, they are gone! I feel so much better,” says one 5-star review.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.1-star average from more than 840 Flamingo reviews
    Best IngredientsWhite willow bark, lactic acid, bisabolol
    14
    Best for Smaller Areas

    Calm Down

    Calm Down
    Pros
    • TSA-friendly size
    • Reduces redness and ingrown hairs
    Cons
    • Some reviewers say it smells like rubbing alcohol

    This ingrown hair serum eases red bumps and clogged follicles at the source.

    This teeny bottle is packed with fast-acting ingredients like salicylic and azelaic acids to exfoliate skin-deep beyond its surface, while aloe vera combats and soothes any irritation. Its small size means it’s perfect for targeting smaller areas, such as your eyebrows, chin, and upper lip.

    You can use this ingrown hair treatment along your bikini line if you want, of course, like one Ulta reviewer who gets Brazilian waxes. “Within days of using this product, all the remaining hairs are making their way out, bumps are disappearing, and redness is almost completely diminished,” says their 5-star review.

    Key Specs

    Rating4-star average from nearly 800 Ulta reviews
    Best IngredientsAloe and witch hazel
    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
    15
    Best Clean Formula

    Ingrown Hair Cream

    Ingrown Hair Cream
    Pros
    • Safe for all skin types, including sensitive
    • Works on the body and face
    Cons
    • Some reviewers say it could be more intensive

    This cream may be a bit pricier than the rest, but it's worth every penny for its all-natural formula. MALIN+GOETZ only uses the best that Mother Nature has to offer to smooth out your prickly problems.

    This formula is purely plant-based and uses natural botanicals allantoin and chamomile to calm and soothe. Plus, glycolic and salicylic acids exfoliate while vitamin B-5 promotes skin repair.

    Online reviewers adore this ingrown hair treatment because it always eliminates their ingrown hair. “Whenever I see or feel a bump I just apply after a shower, and within a few hours it’s dramatically reduced then gone in a few days. It is a small tube, but you really don’t need much and it does last a decent while,” says one reviewer with sensitive skin.

    Key Specs

    Rating4.6-star average from 24 Mecca reviewers
    Best IngredientsSalicylic and glycolic acid
    Headshot of Nicole Saunders
    Nicole Saunders
    Beauty Editor

    Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Best New Beauty Awards package. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventues.

    Headshot of Jennifer Hussein
    Jennifer Hussein
    Beauty Editor

    Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.

    Watch Next
     
    preview for HDM All sections playlist - Best Products
    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below