7 Best Exfoliators To Eliminate Ingrown Hair In 2022

1. Best Chemical-Free: pureSCRUBS Dead Sea Salt Body Scrub

This pureSCRUBS Dead Sea Salt Body Scrub exfoliates, cleanses, nourishes, and moisturizes your skin, preventing dead skin build-up and leaving you with healthy, soft and radiant skin. The fine grains of dead sea salt gently exfoliates, while the blend of jojoba, sweet almond, and argan oils smoothen skin. It is a great exfoliator for ingrown hair on legs. Infused with vitamin E and avocado oil, this formula nourishes your skin, while the aloe vera and shea butter moisturize it. Scented with lemongrass, this scrub leaves you feeling like you have spent a day at the spa. This product includes a bamboo wooden spoon to scoop out the scrub, an exfoliating dual-sided loofah, and an oatmeal exfoliating soap. Pros

Cruelty-free Smells great 100% natural Free of chemicals Repairs skin damage

Cons

May be a bit oily

2. Best For Bikini Area: Completely Bare Bikini Bump Blaster

Whether you have a bikini bump or are troubled by persistent ingrown hair, this Completely Bare Bikini Bump Blaster will take care of it all. This is a good exfoliator for the bikini area, if you have been staying off waxing. Boosted with the power duo of salicylic acid and glycolic acid, this formula penetrates deep into the pores to dislodge the clump of dead skin cells, oil, and dirt, resulting in smooth and healthy skin. It also contains green tea extract that is an anti-aging agent and witch hazel that will tone your skin. Pros

Easy to use Cruelty-free Vegan formula Dermatologist-tested No sulfates, parabens, and phthalates

Cons

May be a bit drying

3. Best Vegan: GiGi No Bump Body Scrub

Troubled by razor burns and ingrown hair after hair removal? This GiGi No Bump Body Scrub exfoliates to give you clear and smooth skin. Rich in salicylic acid, it effectively unclogs pores and dissolves dead skin cells while also serving as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also contains rice bran wax that is rich in antioxidants and fights harmful free radicals. This formula also contains extracts of chamomile, willow bark, sea buckthorn, and algae. Pros

Cruelty-free 100% vegan No synthetic dyes No sulfates, parabens, and phthalates

Cons

The scrub may be a bit slippery.

4. Best Pore-Minimizing Formula: Azani Bump Eraser Body Scrub

The Azani Bump Eraser Body Scrub is a gentle exfoliator infused with 10% AHA, 5% glycolic acid, and 5% lactic acid. It eliminates dead skin cells, plucks out ingrown hair, and treats hyperpigmentation and rough patches while moisturizing your skin. This scrub is also enriched with walnut and green tea, which inhibit the accumulation of dust and oil, reduce skin redness and swelling, and prevent skin infections. Willow bark extract controls oil production, minimizes the appearance of pores, and combats signs of aging. Apply this product on your damp skin daily, scrub the area with your fingers for three to five minutes, and achieve even-toned, nourished skin within seven days. Pros

Suitable for all skin types Paraben-free Silicone-free Nut-free Gluten-free Alcohol-free Cruelty-free

Cons

Unpleasant fragrance

5. Best Oil-Free: Jack Black Bump Fix

Painful ingrown hair keeping you up at night? This Jack Black Bump Fix targets razor bumps and ingrown hair, offering you relief from the worry. With salicylic acid as the most active ingredient in the formula that provides gentle exfoliation, you are in good hands with this product. All while the other ingredients in the formula such as aloe leaf, lactic acid, and organic chamomile extract will soothe your skin. This exfoliator is also a premium astringent for oily and acne-prone skin. Pros

Cruelty-free Easy to use Oil-free solution Moisturizes deeply

Cons

May not be suitable for sensitive skin

6. Best Dermatologist-Tested: First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads

Troubled with razor burns and ingrown hairs? The First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads are your best bet. These pads are infused with glycolic acid that gently exfoliates and resurfaces the skin, salicylic acid smoothens the skin and improves its appearance, and witch hazel soothes skin inflammation. They also contain aloe vera leaf juice that softens and moisturizes the skin and relieves itchiness. Swipe these pads on your skin after 24 hours of waxing or shaving to prevent ingrown hairs and bumpy skin. Since these pads contain AHAs, use sunscreen while stepping out in the sun to avoid sunburn. Pros

Safe for sensitive skin Alcohol-free No artificial fragrance Mineral oil-free Petrolatum-free Sulfate-free Paraben-free Phthalate-free Vegan Gluten-free Recyclable packaging

Cons

Expensive

7. Best For Daily Use: Shobha Ingrown Relief Lotion

This Shobha Ingrown Relief Lotion not only gets rid of ingrown hair but also prevents its growth in the future. It removes build-up of dead skin cells while eliminating ingrown hair and reduces the possibility of inward hair growth. This formula comprises glycolic acid that exfoliates, tea tree oil that repairs skin damage, glycerin that moisturizes, and chamomile that soothes your skin. Pros

Hydrates skin Great for daily use Nourishing formula Safe for sensitive skin

Cons

May have a heavy fragrance

You can effectively prevent hair growth in the future with skin-friendly formulations that are meant to work wonders on your skin type. Before purchasing an exfoliator, it is important to keep the following points in mind.

How To Choose The Best Exfoliators For Ingrown Hair Removal

Skin Type

Your skin type should determine which product you are investing in. If you have sensitive skin, make sure the exfoliant is made specifically with skin-soothing ingredients including aloe vera and shea butter. Also, those with oily skin should opt for oil-free exfoliators or the skin pores may get clogged and make the ingrown hair problem worse. People with dry skin should go for alcohol-free formulas.

Ingredients

Look for products containing salicylic acid and glycolic acid. They are the most effective ingredients to reduce ingrown hair because they exfoliate well, resulting in cleaner pores and better skin. Choose exfoliators that are devoid of harmful substances. It should go without saying that if you are looking for daily exfoliation, you should avoid purchasing any products that include sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or artificial substances. They will dry your skin out and cause rashes and itching. If you have sensitive skin, you need to be extra mindful. Try to opt for products that are alcohol-free, since alcohol can deplete your skin of its natural oils and essential moisture. However, if you have oily skin, you can get away with a lit bit of alcohol in your product; provided you are not exfoliating daily.

Formula

Since the purpose of an exfoliant is to remove dead skin cells, it is crucial that the formulation also encourages deep moisturization of the skin, otherwise discomfort may occur. If and when you get an exfoliant, be gentle in its application. Do not scrub the area too hard or pull at your skin.

Usage

Not all products are suitable for the delicate skin of the bikini area. If you are thinking of getting an exfoliator for your private parts, it is important to choose skin-friendly exfoliators that would not cause redness, bumps, or inflammation. Make sure to choose exfoliators that are gentle and offer painless removal. Now that you are all caught up on the best products in the market, here are a few tips on how to deal with ingrown hair

How To Get Rid Of Ingrown Hair

Here are a few tips if you are stuck in such a situation

Stop hair removal: Until you have got rid of the ingrown hair, stop shaving, waxing, or plucking hair in that area.

Remove dead skin: Ingrown hair is nothing but hair follicles trapped in dead skin cells, oil, and dirt. Hence, gently wash the area and use an exfoliant to remove the build-up.

Warm compresses: This will help soothe the area that is inflamed with ingrown hair.

Consult a doctor: If it gets worse, see a doctor. A prescription of retinoids from your doctor will speed up the clearing of dead skin cells. Avoid retinoids if you are pregnant.

However, before it gets too severe, it is important that you include exfoliation in your routine to avoid such a situation. Here are a few things you can keep in mind before buying an exfoliator.

How To Select Exfoliator For Ingrown Hair

Here are a few parameters you can judge them by.

Active ingredients: Salicylic acid and glycolic acid are the most efficient agents for ingrown hair, especially because they exfoliate well, causing clearer pores and healthy skin.

Free of toxins: This goes without saying that if you are buying an exfoliator for regular use, it is advisable to stay off products that contain sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.

Alcohol-free: Alcohol can dry out your skin, robbing it of its natural oils and much-needed moisture. Hence, you may want to pick a formula that is free of alcohol.

Moisturizing formula: An exfoliator scrubs off dead skin cells, and hence it is important that the formula also enables deep moisturization to the underlying skin or it may cause inflammation.

Once, you have an exfoliator in your kitty, use it cautiously. You do not want to over do it.

How Often Should I Exfoliate Ingrown Hair

Ingrown hair often shows up after hair removal, be it shaving, waxing, or any other modes. It is usually dead skin cells that clog up the pores and force the hair to grow sideways.

Hence, you will benefit from regular exfoliation. Gentle exfoliation for 10-15 seconds once a week can do wonders for your skin.

Ingrown hair can also cause a little bump that may look like a pimple and lead to great discomfort. People with curly hair are more susceptible to this since the nature of the hair lends it to grow in a non-linear way. However, anyone can get them, and hence, it is important that you maintain good personal hygiene and a cleansing routine that involves exfoliation.

Licensed cosmetologist and hair expert, Laura Dale says, “Exfoliating is the best defense against ingrown hairs. Shaving can be irritating and drying to the skin and exfoliators not only nourish the skin but they help keep your hair follicles from being clogged.”

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Kirtana Divakar, the author of this article, is a skincare aficionado and likes to help her readers choose from the very many skincare products without hassle. She went on a hunt for the best exfoliators for ingrown hair and compiled a list of them with the help of thorough research. She also read many product details to ensure the listed products are safe for use. This list consists of the products that can make your skin smooth and prevent the buildup of ingrown hair further. In the below infographic, we have listed the best ingredients for exfoliators that help with ingrown hair removal and some useful tips on how to remove those nasties. Take a look! Does exfoliating surely help remove ingrown hair? Yes, definitely. An exfoliator will remove the dead skin cells, oil, and dirt build-up, getting rid of the bump you have because of the ingrown hair. It is advisable to exfoliate once a week to avoid ingrown hair. However, if you face serious ingrown hair issues that are painful, it is better to consult a doctor first. Is exfoliating good for ingrown hair? Yes. Exfoliating is good for ingrown hair as it reduces dead skin cells and stubborn build-up. It also prevents ingrown hair from curling back or growing sideways. What causes ingrown hair? Ingrown hair occurs when the removed hair starts growing back inside the skin. The main causes of ingrown hair include shaving, waxing, or tweezing. It often causes a swollen bump on the skin that can be painful. How much should I spend on an exfoliator for ingrown hair? There are several affordable exfoliators available in the market that help reduce the risk of ingrown hair. You can purchase nourishing exfoliators within $30 that smoothen your skin and repair damage.

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