Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Picture this: it’s summer, you’re planning to show some skin, and you’re freshly shaved or waxed. Nothing can bring you down, except one thing: ever-dreaded ingrown hairs. There’s nothing worse than an ingrown hair (or two, or three) popping up at the least opportune time. “Very simply, ingrown hairs happen when a growing hair gets trapped under the surface of the skin,” says Natalie Chan, the head of product development at Flamingo. While there are plenty of steps you can take to help curb ingrown hair (like using a sharp razor blade, exfoliating the skin before shaving, or using shaving cream), sometimes, they just don’t cut it. Enter: ingrown hair serums.
Shop the best ingrown hair serums in 2024
Ingrown hair serums are the perfect way to stop ingrown hairs in their tracks. Whether you struggle with frequent ingrown hairs or want to ensure that none pop up before a big event, a serum can help prevent a pesky ingrown. These serums work on freshly shaved or waxed skin by exfoliating, hydrating, or calming. Ahead, find the best ingrown hair serums, vetted by experts, ELLE editors and rave reviews.
Pros
- Calming on the skin
Cons
- Some dislike the smell
This ingrown hair serum was formulated with sensitive skin in mind. It’s alcohol-free, which makes it gentle on reactive skin, and tea tree oil helps calm and soothe skin after hair removal.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
Our expert says: “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.” —Nicole Sandoval, senior director of learning, development and field training at European Wax Center
| Key ingredients | Glycolic acid, tea tree oil |
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Can leave a residue on the skin
If you struggle with ingrown hairs on your bikini line, this serum was made specifically to help prevent ingrowns in the delicate bikini area. It hydrates and heals skin thanks to naturally antimicrobial tea tree oil and lavender.
Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars
Our expert says: “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. They are essential to preventing and treating ingrown hairs anywhere on your body to keep your skin bump-free.” —Anna Callahan, Truly Beauty
| Key ingredients | Tea tree oil, primrose oil, castor seed oil |
| Size | 0.7 fl. oz. |
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. |
Pros
- Can be used on face and body
Cons
- Can sting initially
Flamingo’s Ingrown Spot Treatment is perfect for targeting specific spots that are prone to ingrown hairs or have ingrown hairs. It’s made with a blend AHAs like fruit acids and lactic acids. The formula also contains white willow bark extract, which is similar to salicylic acid and is able to penetrate the hair follicle to clear ingrowns.
Flamingo rating: 4.2/5 stars
Our expert says: “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!” —Natalie Chan
| Key ingredients | White willow bark, lactic acid |
| Size | 0.5 fl. oz. |
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. |
Bliss Ingrown Hair & Razor Bump Eliminating Solution
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.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been using this product for two months and I have noticed a difference in ingrowns. Really happy with it. I will and have recommended this products to others.”
Fur Ingrown Concentrate
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Mitt may be too abrasive for sensitive skin
Fur knows that ingrown hair prevention starts in the shower. That’s why their serum comes complete with a finger glove to exfoliate any areas that get ingrowns easily while you shower. The serum then works on towel-dried skin once you’re out, so it’s attacking ingrown hairs from multiple angles.
Ulta rating: 4.2/5 stars
Our expert says: “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.” —Laura Schubert, co-founder and CEO of Fur
| Key ingredients | Tamanu oil, coconut oil, tea tree oil |
| Size | 0.5 fl. oz. |
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. |
Gillette Venus 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 ELLE editor says: “I rarely get ingrown hairs (I know, I consider myself very lucky!) but when I do, they typically crop up in the summer around my bikini line, and I turn to this soothing serum to help curb them. I find that it soothes my skin while gently exfoliating.” —Katie Berohn, beauty editor
| Key ingredients | Lactic acid |
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
Pros
- Soothing
Cons
- Some find this balm too strong for sensitive skin
Thanks to its balm texture, this ingrown formula is incredibly healing and soothing. It has aloe vera and chamomile to help calm skin.
WooWoo rating: 4.7/5
Our expert says: “I love using WooWoo’s Saddle Sore Balm–it’s a savior in a tube! 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.” —Lucy Anderson, founder of WooWoo
| Key ingredients | Aloe vera, stearic acid, rosehip oil |
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
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. |
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. |
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%. 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 |
OUI the People Cheat Sheet Resurfacing Body Serum
Pros
- Unclogs pores and softens skin
Cons
- Might be too harsh for sensitive skin
This body serum is a true multitasker. It doesn’t just work on ingrown hairs; it also helps unclog pores, smooth keratosis pilaris, and even dark spots. Glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids work together to exfoliate skin.
Sephora rating: 4.8/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “It helped with ingrown hairs, KP, and generally made my skin super soft. I’ve never used anything else like it.”
| Key ingredients | Glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids, proline, Atlantic sea kelp |
| Size | 3.4 oz. |
iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Bright & Smooth Body Serum
Pros
- Smooths rough, bumpy skin
Cons
- Might be too harsh for sensitive skin
When it comes to clearing out the skin on your body, this serum is tough to beat. Formulated with AHAs, BHAs, kojic and tranexamic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide, it’s a true powerhouse for dealing with rough texture and hyperpigmentation.
Sephora rating: 4.5/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks and have noticed fewer bumps and ingrowns on my legs, which is a huge deal for me. I have thin skin and thick hair, so I get a lot of stubble, red marks, and hyperpigmentation. So far, it’s doing what it says it’s supposed to. ”
| Key ingredients | AHAs, BHAs, kojic and tranexamic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide |
| Size | 5 oz. |
Luna Daily The Everywhere Oil
Pros
- Blend of oils hydrates skin
Cons
- Some find the oil to feel heavy
If you have dry skin, trying an ingrown hair oil not only helps curb painful bumps, it also helps nourish and hydrate your skin. This one is a luxurious blend of eight different oils, including rosehip oil, bisabolol and jojoba oil and vitamins C, E and F.
Sephora rating: 4.6/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “I try to limit how much I shave but every single time I shave my bikini area I get bumps for days after. Now when I shave I swipe on this oil once and get absolutely no irritation!”
| Key ingredients | Rosehip oil, bisabolol oil, jojoba oil, vitamins C, E, and F |
| Size | 1 fl. oz. |
Meet the Experts
Laura Schubert is the co-founder and CEO of Fur.
Lucy Anderson is the founder of WooWoo.
Nicole Sandoval is the senior director of learning, development and field training at European Wax Center.
Anna Callahan works at Truly Beauty.
Natalie Chan is the head of product development at Flamingo.
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 happen when hair has been removed by shaving, tweezing, or waxing,” adds Callahan. She continues, “Post removal, [the hair] 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!” Ingrowns tend to form during the regrowth stage, so following up with post-shave aftercare is crucial.
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.”
What are some ways people can prevent ingrown hairs?
Callahan has a three-step process for preventing ingrown hairs: exfoliate, shave properly, treat. “Since ingrowns happen when hair is trapped under skin, the most effective way to prevent ingrown hair is to exfoliate, removing the layer of dead cells on the surface of skin,” adds Chan. “This helps ensure that emerging hair encounters the least resistance when growing back. Other ways to minimize the likelihood of ingrowns are to moisturize, keeping skin soft and supple, and also choosing hair removal techniques that remove the entire hair from the follicle so that it grows back with tapered tip.” This could mean switching from shaving to waxing, or using proper shaving creams for a smoother shave.
Overall, the key is consistency. “Having a body care routine is crucial to prevent ingrown hairs,” says Schubert. “The best way to both treat and prevent ingrown hairs is through the right combination of exfoliation and hydration. Too little exfoliation and your pores will start to clog up with buildup; too much exfoliation and you risk stripping your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Dry skin can lead to scabbing or scarring during the ingrown process, so you want to make sure your skin is hydrated and soothed throughout the treatment process.”
Pat McGrath’s Vision for Louis Vuitton Beauty
Tracee Ellis Ross Has a Beauty Secret to Share
Emma Corrin on Miu Miu’s New Perfume
Malin+Goetz and Carbone Are a Perfect Match
