The Best Exfoliators For Ingrown Hairs, Tested & Reviewed

Though most often associated with the bikini area, ingrown hairs can pop up anywhere that hair grows. To avoid the itching, burning, and swollen bumps that come along with an ingrown hair, adding an exfoliating product into your skin care routine is key, according to dermatology physician assistant Anya Stassiy, PA-C, who spoke to Bustle for this article. The best exfoliators for ingrown hairs will use chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid and glycolic acid to gently slough away the dead skin cells that are potentially contributing to ingrown hairs in the first place. “People get ingrown hairs because the skin heals faster over the growing hair than the hair itself,” Stassiy says. “When the hair meets resistance from the overlaying skin, it continues to grow, but instead curls inward,” she explains, adding, “The body produces an inflammatory response, which causes a bump and redness trying to push the hair out to the surface.”

The Expert

Anya Stassiy, PA-C, is the owner of High Point Medspa and a licensed dermatology physician assistant practicing in New Jersey.

What To Look For In An Exfoliator For Ingrown Hairs

If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, exfoliating several times a week can help with both prevention and management. Exfoliating products come in various forms, from in-shower body washes and physical scrubs to post-shower lotions, toners, and serums, making it easy to find one that you can incorporate into your existing body care routine. Among the products tested ahead, you’ll even find several travel-friendly options that infuse the exfoliating ingredients right into a single-use pad or towelette that you can swipe right over your skin and toss away. Soothing ingredients like aloe and green tea leaf extract are also helpful to calm inflammation from current ingrowns, and to help keep skin moisturized. If you’re especially sensitive, keep an eye out for the fragrance-free options on this list.

Shop The Best Exfoliators For Ingrown Hairs

In a hurry? Here are the best exfoliators for ingrown hairs:

1. Overall Best: First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads
2. Best On A Budget: Gillette Venus Daily Soothing Serum
3. Best Drugstore Body Wash: CeraVe SA Body Wash
4. Best Toner: Jack Black Bump Fix Razor Bump & Ingrown Hair Solution
5. Best Lotion: Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA
6. Best Splurge: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment
7. Writer’s Pick: Juara Invigorating Coffee Scrub
8. Editor’s Pick: Fur Ingrown Eliminator

1. Best Overall

Also available on Sephora, $20, and Ulta, $20

What We Like:

• Mess-free
• Formulated with AHAs and BHAs

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not individually wrapped

I’ve used (and love!) the brand’s KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub in the past, but these First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads are undoubtedly more convenient to use. The jar houses 28 pads that are saturated in an exfoliating and skin-calming formula that blends glycolic and salicylic acids with green tea leaf extract and aloe. I found that each pad contains enough product to swipe over the whole body (if using on the legs, underarms, and bikini area), but they aren’t messy or dripping in excess product. I also really liked that these were free from synthetic fragrances and drying alcohols that can cause dryness and irritation for more sensitive skin types.

Active Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid | Other Beneficial Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Aloe, Bisabolol | Size: 28 Pads | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

2. Best On A Budget

Also available on Ulta, $14

What We Like:

• Inexpensive
• pH-balanced
• Dermatologist- and gynecologist-tested

What We Didn’t Like:

• Contains drying alcohol
• Not cruelty-free

If you’re specifically trying to target the bikini area with your ingrown hair treatment — and if you’re keeping an eye on your budget — consider this Gillette Venus Daily Soothing Serum. Designed for treating the ingrown and bumps that occur when shaving, the formula uses lactic acid to lift away the dead skin cells at the surface level, as well as a combination of panthenol, jojoba seed oil, and allantoin to moisturize and soothe. Because this is a serum, it’s lightweight and absorbs right into the skin, and the drugstore find is fragrance-free, dermatologist- and gynecologist-tested, and pH-balanced for the bikini area. It’s also convenient for applying in between shaving, as it’s meant to be used on dry skin.

Active Ingredients: Lactic Acid | Other Beneficial Ingredients: Glycerin, Panthenol, Allantoin, Jojoba Seed Oil, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil | Size: 1.7 oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

3. Best Drugstore Body Wash

Also available on Walmart, $28

What We Like:

• Inexpensive
• Also helps treat acne and KP
• Formulated with ceramides

What We Didn’t Like:

• Can only be used in the shower
• Not cruelty-free

This CeraVe SA Body Wash is a no-frills way to minimize ingrowns (and body acne and KP bumps), but it gets the job done. The fragrance-free body wash uses salicylic acid and gluconolactone, an ultra-gentle exfoliating and hydrating PHA, to smooth away dead skin cells without causing any irritation — all while you shower. Niacinamide in the body wash helps to improve the overall skin tone and texture without irritating sensitive skin, and glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and three ceramides work to moisturize and boost the skin’s protective barrier. This works like a typical body wash, but you can (and should) let it sit on your skin for a minute or two to give the active ingredients more contact time with the skin before rinsing it off.

Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone | Other Beneficial Ingredients: Glycerin, Niacinamide, Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid | Size: 10 oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

4. Best Toner

Also available at Nordstrom, $28, and Sephora, $28

What We Like:

• Formulated with AHAs and BHAs
• Also targets acne and razor burn
• Feels cooling on the skin

What We Didn’t Like:

• Strong smell (though it is synthetic fragrance-free)

For a multi-tasking pick that can help with everything from acne to ingrowns to razor burn, try Jack Black’s Bump Fix treatment. Lactic acid and 2% salicylic acid provide chemical exfoliation that helps to prevent hairs from getting trapped and causing painful ingrowns, while also dissolving the pore-clogging sebum that contributes to acne. You’ll need some cotton pads (or reusable makeup rounds) to apply this toner, which provides additional calming and moisturizing benefits with green tea extract, chamomile extract, allantoin, and hyaluronic acid. Although it doesn’t contain any synthetic fragrances, the smell of this one really put me off (it’s not exactly medicinal, but it really lingers), so consider yourself forewarned if you’re particularly sensitive to smells.

Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid | Other Beneficial Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Aloe, Witch Hazel, Chamomile Flower Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Glycerin | Size: 6 oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

5. Best Lotion

Also available at Sephora, $29, and Dermstore, $29

What We Like:

• Contains multiple soothing ingredients
• Unscented
• Also helps with acne and KP

What We Didn’t Like:

• Slightly pricey

If you prefer to use a body lotion to prevent and treat ingrowns, Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA is a great (albeit slightly pricey) option. The lotion is thick but not greasy, unscented, and made with 2% salicylic acid to treat ingrowns, body acne, and bumps. It’s also formulated with antioxidant-rich botanicals like chamomile and green tea to help soothe redness and irritation, while vitamin E offers more soothing and nourishing benefits. If you find that AHAs work better than BHAs for your particular skin type, the brand also makes a 10% AHA body treatment, which features a similarly antioxidant-rich formula.

Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid | Other Beneficial Ingredients: Vitamin E, Chamomile Flower Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Allantoin | Size: 7 oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

6. Best Splurge

Also available at Sephora, $60, and Dermstore, $60

What We Like:

• Individually wrapped
• Formulated with AHAs and BHAs
• Contains multiple moisturizers

What We Didn’t Like:

• Expensive
• Uses excess packaging
• Strong smell (though it is synthetic fragrance-free)

If you’re familiar with the brand’s best-selling peel pads for the face, you’ll find that this Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment is similar. Each set comes with eight individually wrapped towelettes in a larger size that lets you cover the whole body — from areas prone to ingrowns like the legs, to hard-to-reach areas like the back that might be in need of a little exfoliation to combat breakouts. These have a strong, almost minty scent when you open the package, but it dissipates as you use the towelette. It’s also worth noting that you can expect the towelettes to have an orange tint to them. No need to freak out or panic that they’re expired (like I did) — I checked with the brand and was assured that it’s completely normal. In addition to AHAs and BHAs, I also really liked that this treatment includes bakuchiol (a gentle alternative to retinol that helps to speed up skin cell turnover) and a hydrating and soothing combo of squalane, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera.

Active Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Bromelain, Bakuchiol, Willow Bark Extract | Other Beneficial Ingredients: Squalane, Glycerin, Aloe, Hyaluronic Acid, Witch Hazel | Size: 8 Towelettes | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

7. Writer’s Pick: Best Physical Scrub

Also available at Terrain, $44

What We Like:

• Smells like an espresso brownie
• Can be used on the whole body
• Won’t stain your tub

What We Didn’t Like:

• Doesn’t contain any chemical exfoliants
• Can only be used in the shower
• A bit pricey

I’m prone to the occasional ingrown hair, but will basically get razor burn and bumps just by looking at my razor. Because of this, I’ve been pretty diligent about exfoliating regularly, and this Juara Invigorating Coffee Scrub has been my most recent go-to. It’s a physical exfoliator, which has been helpful for me in not only keeping my skin smooth, but also in fading my fake tan more evenly. The coffee beans in this exfoliator help to gently buff skin, without the irritation that I sometimes find with using chemical exfoliants too often (and it gives the product a yummy latte-like scent). It works into a surprisingly nice lather if you mix in a few drops of water, and even though it looks like you’ll be committing to scrubbing out your tub after, it rinses away without leaving behind the slightest stain as you shower. While it’s one of the more expensive exfoliators on this list, it will last you quite some time because a little bit of the scrub goes a long way (I’ve used it several times each week for the past two months and the tub is still full). It’s also important to note that this option contains fragrance, if you’re someone who knows that can cause irritation for you.

Active Ingredients: Coffee Beans | Other Beneficial Ingredients: Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters | Size: 8 oz. | Fragrance-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

8. Editor’s Pick: Best Single-Use Treatment That’s Biodegradable

Also available at Ulta, $24, and Dermstore, $24

What We Like:

• Individually wrapped
• Mess-free

What We Don’t Like:

• Uses excess packaging
• Strong smell (though it is synthetic fragrance-free)
• A bit pricey

These Fur Ingrown Eliminators are a favorite of Bustle editor Caroline Goldstein’s. She says, “I’m fairly susceptible to ingrown hairs and razor burn (and I have pale skin and fairly dark hair, so both are quite noticeable, a personal pet peeve) — and these little mitts help with both. The finger-sized mitt is a little fiddly to maneuver at first — the size is a little too big for one finger, but not big enough for two — and the scent is on the stronger side. But I’m willing to overlook both for the results. Ingrowns lift away instantly, redness and bumps from razor burn quickly melt away, and my skin just feels a lot smoother and softer overall. The solution also doesn’t burn or sting as much as some other ingrown solutions I’ve tried, likely due in part to the addition of soothing ingredients like aloe, glycerin, and witch hazel. I also like that the mitts are packaged individually, so you can easily stash them in a toiletry bag. They’re particularly great for bringing along to beach vacations.”

Active Ingredients: Willow Bark Extract, Lactic Acid | Other Beneficial Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Aloe, Phytic Acid, Glycerin | Size: 12 Wipes | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

How We Tested

In addition to consulting with a licensed dermatology physician assistant, our team of editors and contributors researched ingredients and pored over reviews to select products for consideration. We also personally put these products to the test, evaluating features like the formula, ease of use, and value, before giving them a spot on this list.

FAQs

What Increases The Risk Of Ingrowns?

Whenever you’re removing hair by shaving, waxing, or tweezing, you’re at risk of experiencing ingrown hairs because these methods don’t remove the hair at the follicle. But you’re also more likely to get ingrowns if you have curly or coarse hair, simply because of how the hair grows.

How Can I Prevent Ingrown Hairs?

If you’re removing your hair, ingrowns always have the potential to creep up. But you can minimize your risk by prepping your skin properly prior to hair removal and treating your skin afterward. This includes exfoliating the skin three to four times weekly, and shaving (if that’s your preferred method of hair removal) when the skin is thoroughly wet. “More blades in your razor will give a closer shave, but also more ingrown hairs,” Stassiy says, making a strong case for a razor with three blades or less. She also notes that it’s important to frequently change your razor blade, too. Post-shower, using a gentle moisturizer that’s free from drying alcohols or potentially irritating fragrances will help your skin heal faster.

How Are Ingrown Hairs Treated?

Most ingrown hairs will go away on their own as the hair grows longer and releases from the skin. But if you’re experiencing irritation in the form of an angry red bump, itching, or burning, you can encourage the hair to release sooner by gently exfoliating your skin and using a warm compress. Additionally, you’ll want to help calm inflammation with a moisturizer or serum that includes soothing ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, and colloidal oatmeal.

Other Articles You Might Like

If you’re looking for more solutions for preventing ingrown hairs, this list of the Best Body Scrubs To Remove Dead Skin may help. You may also find 6 Expert-Approved Ways To Treat & Prevent Ingrown Hairs useful, as well as 11 Expert Tips For A Longer Lasting Shave.

About The Tester

Marissa DeSantis has worked as a beauty writer and editor for nearly 10 years. Her pieces can be found across print and digital publications like Bustle, Evening Standard, Teen Vogue, and InStyle.

Expert:

Anya Stassiy, PA-C, licensed dermatology physician assistant and owner of High Point Medspa