<p>Most serums treat ingrown hairs through a combination of three essential steps: exfoliating, calming, and hydrating the skin. Whether you just have the occasional trapped hair or your ingrown hairs pop up as frequently as live-action Disney remakes, you don’t have to get used to them if you don’t want to. Here, shop the 17 best ingrown hair serums for every skin type.</p>” />
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1
Best Ingrown Hair Toner
Tend Skin Tend Skin Solution
1
Best Ingrown Hair Toner
Tend Skin Tend Skin Solution
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Pros
- Works quickly
Cons
- Some may dislike the scent
Tend Skin is hailed as a holy grail for persistent ingrown hairs. With salicylic acid, it feels almost like a post-shaving toner that dramatically reduces irritated skin and clears up everything from body acne, to ingrown hairs, and razor burn.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’m actually very surprised how well this stuff works! I’ve only been using it for a week for razor burn on my bikini line and I’m already seeing results! My razor burn is waaayyy less noticeable and it actually doesn’t sting as bad as I thought it would when you apply it after you shave.”
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid |
|---|---|
| Size | 8 fl. oz. |
2
Best Ingrown Serum for Waxers
European Wax Center Ingrown Hair Serum
2
Best Ingrown Serum for Waxers
European Wax Center Ingrown Hair Serum
Pros
- Calming on the skin
Cons
- Some dislike the smell
“The EWC Ingrown Hair Serum is a fan favorite!” says Sandoval. “Its alcohol-free formula contains glycolic acid for gentle exfoliation plus lavender, vitamin E, and chamomile to calm and soothe skin. Perfect for preventing ingrown underarm hair, ingrown hairs on legs, and ingrown bikini hair, our award-winning Ingrown Hair Serum is a favorite of guests and beauty editors and is our #1 best-selling product. Use it once a day for prevention and twice a day to treat existing breakouts.”
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
| Key ingredients | Glycolic acid, tea tree oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
3
Best Ingrown Serum for Shavers
Truly Cooka Concentrate Ingrown Serum
3
Best Ingrown Serum for Shavers
Truly Cooka Concentrate Ingrown Serum
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Can leave a residue on the skin
“The Cooka Line by Truly Beauty can provide a range of benefits for the skin— nourishment of the skin, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to treat ingrowns, and provide an overall soothing effect,” says Callahan. “They are essential to preventing and treating ingrown hairs anywhere on your body to keep your skin bump-free.”
Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars
| Key ingredients | Tea tree oil, primrose oil, castor seed oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 0.7 fl. oz. |
4
Best Ingrown Serum for Dark Spots
sweetspot labs Bikini & Body Bump Eraser
4
Best Ingrown Serum for Dark Spots
sweetspot labs Bikini & Body Bump Eraser
Pros
- Treats hyperpigmentation along with ingrowns
Cons
- Tube can overflow easily
Ingrown hairs can be annoying, but the dark spots they leave behind are just as irksome. This serum tackles both issues at once, combining gentle acids with clay and niacinamide to treat ingrowns, and the marks that remain.
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I always get extremely bad ingrowns after getting waxed and even the products they offer at the waxing place don’t help with getting rid of them. I ordered this on a whim and I’m SO glad I did. I tried it yesterday and already you can see a major difference! I was worried due to me having extremely sensitive skin but it didn’t irritate my skin at all. I highly recommend if you’re looking for something to work fast and efficiently!”
| Key ingredients | Azelaic acid, salicylic acid, kaolin clay, niacinamide, green tea extract |
|---|---|
| Size | 0.5 fl. oz. |
5
Best Multi-Use Ingrown Serum
Flamingo Ingrown Spot Treatment
5
Best Multi-Use Ingrown Serum
Flamingo Ingrown Spot Treatment
Pros
- Can be used on face and body
Cons
- Can sting initially
“I love Flamingo’s Ingrown Spot Treatment,” says Chan. “I think it’s the best product for ingrowns because it contains a combo of fruit acids and lactic acid, which are AHA’s. We also have White Willow Bark extract, which functions like salicylic acid by working in the follicle. The gel-cream texture of the product allows for targeted application right onto ingrowns, and unlike other ingrown products, it doesn’t contain drying alcohols. Best of all, this product is safe for use on the body and face, and is dermatologically and gynecologically tested. Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I even put it on my breakouts and it works on those too!”
Flamingo rating: 4.2/5 stars
| Key ingredients | White willow bark, lactic acid |
|---|---|
| Size | 0.5 fl. oz. |
6
Best Ingrown Serum for Razor Bumps
bliss Bump Eliminating Solution Ingrown Hair Treatment
6
Best Ingrown Serum for Razor Bumps
bliss Bump Eliminating Solution Ingrown Hair Treatment
Pros
- Treats both ingrowns and razor bumps
Cons
- Contains essential oils
Ingrown hairs and razor bumps often go hand-in-hand, but they aren’t always treated with the same product. If you encounter both on a regular basis, this serum is calling your name.
Target rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Target reviewer says: “Bliss ingrown hair eliminating solution actually works really well. I have suffered from razor bumps, being uncomfortable, especially in my bikini area. After using this product I am pleased to say the razor bumps are almost gone completely!! Significantly lesser bumps, barely any irritation at all. I’m definitely praising this product! Definitely found my holy grail.”
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, oat extract, green tea extract |
|---|---|
| Size | 4 fl. oz. |
7
Best Ingrown Serum for Dry Skin
Fur Ingrown Concentrate
7
Best Ingrown Serum for Dry Skin
Fur Ingrown Concentrate
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Mitt may be too abrasive for sensitive skin
“No matter your skin type, you can’t go wrong with Ingrown Concentrate,” says Schubert. “Use its accompanying dual-sided Finger Mitt in the shower to gently exfoliate the ingrown, then apply a few drops of Ingrown Concentrate onto towel-dried skin. Its formula combines soothing, nourishing ingredients like tamanu nut oil and coconut oil with gentle astringents like tea tree oil, to help the ingrown slide right out without leaving a trace.”
Ulta rating: 4.2/5 stars
| Key ingredients | Tamanu oil, coconut oil, tea tree oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 0.5 fl. oz. |
8
Best Ingrown Serum for Redness
Bushbalm Ingrown Hair Oil
8
Best Ingrown Serum for Redness
Bushbalm Ingrown Hair Oil
Pros
- Gentle
Cons
- May not be suited for very sensitive skin
Not only are ingrowns uncomfortable, but they can also leave behind redness and irritation that can be difficult to treat with acids. This serum uses nourishing oils to tackle both issues without further irritating the skin.
Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “The best after-shave oil for me. No more ingrown hairs or razor burn! It also leaves my skin so soft and moisturized. It also lasts a while because you only need a little bit, even for larger areas. And the scent is so great!”
| Key ingredients | Grape seed oil, tea tree oil, jojoba oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 1 fl. oz. |
9
Best Bikini Ingrown Serum
Gillette Intimate Grooming Daily Soothing Serum
9
Best Bikini Ingrown Serum
Gillette Intimate Grooming Daily Soothing Serum
Pros
- Safe for bikini
Cons
- Can cause dryness
If you remove hair in your nether regions, you know how painful and itchy below-the-belt ingrowns can be. This serum from Gillette is gentle enough to use on the most sensitive areas of your body.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “If your shave is irritated in any way between shaves or just the next day, apply some of this and it’s almost instant relief. Has a pleasant scent and leaves nothing but soothed skin and soft hairs behind.”
| Key ingredients | Lactic acid |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
10
Best Ingrown Hair Balm
WooWoo Saddle Sore! Soothing Balm
10
Best Ingrown Hair Balm
WooWoo Saddle Sore! Soothing Balm
Pros
- Soothing
Cons
- No online reviews available
“I love using WooWoo’s Saddle Sore Balm–it’s a savior in a tube!” says Anderson. “This lovely balm is beautifully scented with soothing chamomile, rosehip oil, and aloe vera and is great to use as both a preventative and curative barrier to avoid chafing. It’s great to use post-shaving, waxing, or with our hair removal cream to naturally heal and soothe sore and irritated skin.”
| Key ingredients | Aloe vera, stearic acid, rosehip oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
11
Best Facial Ingrown Serum
Jack Black Bump Fix Razor Bump & Ingrown Hair Solution
11
Best Facial Ingrown Serum
Jack Black Bump Fix Razor Bump & Ingrown Hair Solution
Pros
- Works quickly
Cons
- Can feel greasy
Everywhere you remove hair can be prone to ingrowns, whether that’s on your legs or your head. This serum is a fantastic solution for people who regularly remove hair on their heads or faces, where the skin can be extra sensitive.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “My barber was complaining that I had way too many razor bumps in the back of my head because I tend to get a lower haircut, and my skin is somewhat sensitive. After a month of consistently using this every single bump has disappeared and the back of my head is completely clear!!! I will recommend this to any and everyone. Such a good, effective product.”
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, lactic acid, green tea extract |
|---|---|
| Size | 6 fl. oz. |
12
Best Ingrown Serum Roller
Topicals High Roller Ingrown Tonic
12
Best Ingrown Serum Roller
Topicals High Roller Ingrown Tonic
Pros
- Hands-free product distribution
Cons
- Can leave a residue
Topicals makes products that just work. Their Ingrown Tonic has a unique design, using a roller ball to quickly and efficiently cover more ground, without getting product everywhere. The before-and-after photos speak volumes.
Topicals rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Topicals reviewer says: “When I tell you this has helped my ingrown hairs sooooo much. My bikini line has improved so much, definitely a great buy. You have to be consistent to see results.”
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, zinc, niacinamide |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
13
Best Ingrown Serum for Sensitive Skin
Maude Soothe Ingrown Hair Oil
13
Best Ingrown Serum for Sensitive Skin
Maude Soothe Ingrown Hair Oil
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Pros
- Gentle
Cons
- Takes time to see results
Sensitive skin can be very prone to ingrowns, yet many ingrown serums use ingredients that are too harsh for reactive skin. This version, however, focuses on using gentle and nourishing ingredients without causing irritation.
Maude rating: 5/5 stars
A Maude reviewer says: “If you have sensitive skin and you always dread when it’s time to shave, you definitely need to add Soothe into your routine! Not only does it help with irritation, the blend of lavender and lemongrass smells amazing!”
| Key ingredients | Chamomile oil, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, almond oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 0.5 fl. oz. |
14
Best Ingrown Serum for Irritated Skin
Evagloss Razor Bumps Solution
14
Best Ingrown Serum for Irritated Skin
Evagloss Razor Bumps Solution
Pros
- Fades disoloration
Cons
- Takes time to see results
This roller ball works both in the short-term and long term. Immediately there is a cooling effect on irritated, inflamed skin. After continuous use, a trio of acids helps reduce ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I absolutely love this product! Have been using it for about a year and a half now, and I most definitely will continue to purchase it! I was so embarrassed by the discoloration of my intimate area and armpits, but THIS changed my world! I now apply this daily even after I finish waxing my armpits and trimming my intimate area.”
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, willow bark extract |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.5 fl. oz. |
15
Best Ingrown Serum for Quick Results
Waving Palms Ingrown Hair Treatment
15
Best Ingrown Serum for Quick Results
Waving Palms Ingrown Hair Treatment
Pros
- Works quickly
Cons
- Some dislike the scent
No matter which method you use to remove hair–whether you shave, wax, or get laser hair removal–immediately roll this serum over the area. It will dramatically reduce ingrowns and razor burn in just a few uses.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “So the first few times I used this it was AMAZING!!! It’s still effective but the first few times was night and day. I would recommend it to anyone. Amazing price for what you get and the results.”
| Key ingredients | Glycolic acid, salicylic acid |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.4 fl. oz. |
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Takes time to sink into the skin
Ingrowns are very common with dry skin, which is why this serum uses a combination of healing oils to nourish the skin, both treating existing ingrowns and working to prevent future breakouts.
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I suffered from ingrowns not only on my bikini area but also on my legs. I just started using this and have noticed that unlike anything else I’ve used it keeps my skin very soft and it’s non-drying.”
| Key ingredients | Jojoba oil, grape seed oil, tea tree oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
17
Best Ingrown Hair Pads
First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads
17
Best Ingrown Hair Pads
First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads
Pros
- Effective
Cons
- Can sting at first
These serum-infused exfoliating pads are no muss, no fuss. After hair removal, simply rub over the affected areas, and the gentle chemical exfoliators will gently unclog the skin, releasing ingrown hairs.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “If you’re super tired of ingrown hairs this is the holy grail product for you. I have super sensitive skin, so I can even recommend it for sensitive skin 100{05995459f63506108ab777298873a64e11d6b9d8e449f5580a59254103ec4a63}. I can see a difference in my skin and they’re so hydrating you can actually cut the pad in half and you’ll have even more usage out of it if you want. Purchase NOW; your skin will thank you later!”
| Key ingredients | Glycolic acid, salicylic acid |
|---|---|
| Size | 28 pads |
What causes ingrown hairs?
“Ingrown hairs are caused when hair gets trapped under the skin and does not grow straight out of the follicle,” says Sandoval. If you regularly experience ingrowns, you’ll notice that they often crop up after hair removal. “Ingrowns can form for multiple reasons! It can happen when hair has been removed by shaving, tweezing, or waxing,” adds Callahan. She continues, “Post removal, it can start to grow in and curve into the skin rather than growing outwards. The main reasons you may be experiencing ingrowns include using a dull razor blade, not exfoliating prior to shaving, and not following up with aftercare serums post-shave!” It is during the re-growth stage that ingrowns tend to form.
Are some people more prone to ingrown hairs than others?
If you feel like you get ingrowns more than other people, there may be a reason why–ranging from your hair removal techniques to the texture of your hair. “The likelihood of experiencing ingrown hairs depends on numerous factors, including improper hair removal techniques, a lack of exfoliation and the preferred hair removal method,” says Anderson. “Shaving, for example, leaves hair with a sharp and blunt edge which can increase the chances of individuals experiencing ingrown hairs. Waxing can also cause ingrown hairs as it removes hair from the root but does not always remove the entire hair shaft. If the hair is not pulled out completely, it can become trapped under the skin and start growing back into the skin. Additionally, waxing can cause trauma to the hair follicle, increasing the chances of ingrown hairs. Dead skin cells can also accumulate around the hair follicle, clogging it and making it more difficult for hair to grow back.”
“Certain skin types and hair types can be more prone to ingrown hairs—sensitive skin types have to be more cautious when removing hair, as they can experience not only ingrowns but razor burn and bumps,” adds Schubert. “Coarser or curlier hair is more likely to get caught beneath the skin during the regrowth phase, so ingrowns are more likely to occur.”
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst’s Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She’s a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
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