Will a body scrub get rid of ingrown hairs?
Yes, because exfoliating removes and prevents ingrown hairs.
When you remove the dead skin and moisturize, it takes care of the problem.
The best body scrub for ingrown hairs exfoliates, smooths, and hydrates the skin to keep it healthy and clear.
How to avoid ingrown hairs
People with coarse or curly hair are more likely to have ingrown hairs. It happens after shaving, waxing, or tweezing. The hair curls back into the skin or doesn’t completely emerge.
The result ranges from dry bumps with hair trapped underneath to red and pus-filled pimples that are sore or itchy (1).
Also, if dead skin is clogging hair follicles, it can cause ingrown hairs.
If you want to get rid of and avoid ingrown hairs in the future, here’s the quick summary:
- Exfoliate at least once a week with a body scrub, dry brush, or chemical exfoliator.
- Exfoliate before shaving or waxing.
- Use shaving cream or lubricant and a fresh razor. Rinse after each stroke and don’t cut against the grain.
- Apply aftershave and moisturizer after shaving or waxing.
Even keratosis pilaris can be treated with regular exfoliation. Using a body scrub or chemical exfoliant (like lotion with salicylic acid) will expose fresh skin.
In most cases, you only need to exfoliate once a week. Those with oily skin may exfoliate twice.
It may seem like an extra step in your busy schedule, but perhaps you will enjoy a few additional minutes of pampering.
What is the best exfoliator for ingrown hairs?
If you have very sensitive skin, you may not be able to use a body scrub or products with AHA or BHA. Instead, hold a warm washcloth against the skin. Move it slowly with a circular motion. Keep this up for a few minutes to release the hairs. Then, moisturize.
Otherwise, several types of body scrub eliminate razor bumps and trapped hairs. Our favorite is a sugar scrub as it’s mild and natural. The sugar dissolves as it exfoliates.
There are also salt scrubs, but these have a coarser texture and may sting in open wounds. (Of course, it’s not wise to exfoliate broken skin, but if the razor bumps are infected, you’ll feel the burn).
Moreover, there are scrubs with salicylic acid (BHA) that are excellent for oily skin. And finally, there are scrubs with glycolic or lactic acids (AHA) that moisturize as they dissolve dead skin.
Best Body Scrub for Ingrown Hairs in 2023
GiGi No Bump Body Scrub
Some say this is the best ingrown hair treatment for before and after a Brazilian. It keeps pores clear and leaves the skin smooth and supple.
Exfoliate with it before waxing to prevent ingrown hairs in the first place. It buffs away dead cells, leaving a squeaky clean feeling.
Since this is a product with salicylic acid, it dissolves excess oil inside pores and reduces inflammation.
You won’t need any special tools to use it, just your hands.
GiGi No Bump Skin Smoothing Shave Gel
For extra protection while shaving, use a product like this that prevents razor bumps and ingrown hairs. It’s mild enough to use on the face, underarms, legs, and bikini area.
It also contains salicylic acid, just like the body scrub from the same brand. Therefore, it’s helpful for acne-prone skin.
Plus, it has chamomile and algae to condition and calm.
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser
If you’re familiar with First Aid Beauty, you already know they avoid harmful ingredients. They don’t include parabens, artificial colors, fragrances, and so on. Those with gluten sensitivities or nut allergies can also relax and enjoy this scrub.
It’s formulated with both glycolic and lactic acid. These are chemical exfoliators that loosen dead skin and unclog pores. They have anti-aging benefits and also rehydrate the skin.
Next, there are tiny beads of pumice that sweep away the debris. They will leave your body as smooth as a baby’s skin.
Finally, there’s an antioxidant blend to promote healing with licorice, white tea, and vitamin E.
Reviewers say the scent-free scrub works quickly, removing bumps completely after only a few uses.
Tree Hut Bare Coconut Lime Shave Prep Sugar Scrub
Since sugar scrub helps ingrown hairs, you could potentially DIY scrub at home. But why not take advantage of this delicious exfoliator that smells like a tropical vacation?
Lime, coconut, and palm will soothe your mind while shea butter and sugar smooth your body. Scrub with it just before you shave, and you’ll be astonished by the results.
It doesn’t just remove dull skin, but it also conditions with coconut, avocado, macadamia, and other natural oils.
Happily, it’s also vegan and free of parabens, sulfates, alcohol, gluten, and formaldehyde donors.
RAYA Exfoliating Body Scrub
RAYA is a famous spa in Los Angeles. This scrub is one of the professional-grade skincare products they both manufacture and use on clients.
Alongside tiny pumice beads, there’s natural loofah to polish the skin. The texture gently releases ingrown hairs and whisks away dead cells.
At the same time, it provides deep hydration. The base ingredient is aloe vera gel, but there are also squalane, olive oil, and cocoa butter. It’s a rich recipe sure to leave the skin luxuriously soft.
What’s more, the blend of essential oils soothes and provides a relaxing fragrance.
Suki Exfoliating Body Scrub With Calendula Oil and Alpha Hydroxy Acid
What about an ingrown hair scrub for the pubic area? We recommend this excellent exfoliating scrub developed for highly sensitive skin. It combines the best of science and nature with clean ingredients.
It leaves the skin bump-free and silky. Interestingly, it can also treat eczema.
The formula features glycolic acid derived from sugarcane. It loosens debris and dead cells without abrading the skin.
Then, there’s calendula oil with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory powers. This clears up irritated bumps and helps heal acne, too.
Massage it on wet skin and let it sit for five minutes before rinsing.
M3 Naturals Superfood Body Scrub
Here’s another sugar scrub for ingrown hairs. It has anti-aging properties as it can fade acne scars, cellulite, blackheads, and dark spots.
It balances the pH of the skin to help keep it calm and hydrated. Next, it has collagen and stem cells to increase elasticity.
Lastly, aloe and vitamins relieve inflammation.
The formula is paraben-free and scented with essential oils.
Brooklyn Botany Brown Sugar Body Scrub
It smells like warm sugar cookies. But this scrub offers a lot more than an appealing fragrance.
It hydrates while it exfoliates. Plus, even though it’s a body scrub, it’s mild enough to use on the face. Some reviewers have raved about fixing chapped lips with it. All of this means that it’s excellent for sensitive skin.
Even though it’s sticky and gooey, the results are worth it. Furthermore, it’s vegan, paraben-free, and cruelty-free.
OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub
Unless you shave your head, you probably don’t have ingrown hairs there. Still, take a closer look at this scalp scrub because you can use it anywhere on your face or body.
We’ll bet you’ll look forward to using it since it smells heavenly, like a blend of rose, bergamot, cedarwood, and white musk.
It doesn’t sting or tingle as it smooths the skin with coconut oil, probiotics, and sugar.
Shea Moisture 100-Percent Virgin Coconut Oil Creme Sugar Scrub
Both men and women enjoy this scrub with coconut milk, coconut oil, raw sugar, and acacia. It melts into the skin, leaving it well-conditioned.
It has a light fragrance from an essential oil blend. Moreover, many of the ingredients are Fair Trade.
Dove Exfoliating Body Polish Body Scrub
Here’s the best drugstore body scrub for ingrown hairs. It has a creamy texture and a rice milk and macadamia fragrance that users love.
In fact, it contains macadamia seed oil and rice germ oil, as well as rice bran extract. These leave the skin smooth and moisturize.
The gentle exfoliation comes from silica and synthetic wax – not plastic beads. Therefore, it’s mild enough to use up to four times per week.
O Naturals Lemon Oil Dead Sea Salt Deep-Cleansing Scrub
This brand offers more than one salt scrub. We picked the lemon version because it has a perky aroma. Plus, it feels just as cleansing as it claims to be.
It promises to remove dead cells and impurities, leaving the skin invigorated.
The key ingredient is Dead Sea salt. Also, it has sweet almond oil, often used for massages because of how well it conditions the skin.
Obviously, there’s lemon oil. Then, other goodies like argan, wild mint, and jojoba oil round out the recipe.
Majestic Pure Himalayan Salt Body Scrub
Just a note regarding salt scrubs: they sting on broken skin. If your ingrown hairs are inflamed (or if you have pet scratches), avoid exfoliating until the skin heals. Clean the area and apply moisturizer instead.
As for Himalayan Sea salt, it’s not the run-of-the-mill sodium chloride. It’s packed with healing minerals. It detoxifies while it removes dead skin.
The other benefit of this scrub is the all-natural formula. There are only seven ingredients and no chemicals.
Bliss Hot Salt Scrub, Self-Heating Body Polish
Pamper yourself on a cold evening. Therapeutic ingredients like lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus will ease your breathing and relax your muscles.
Meanwhile, you’ll scrub away rough spots and razor bumps, leaving the skin tingly and smooth.
Bliss Bump Attendant, Ingrown Hair Eliminating Pads
Instead of scrubbing after shaving or waxing, fix ingrown hairs with these toner pads. They are the ideal aftershave.
The formula features two potent exfoliants: glycolic acid and salicylic acid. The first is a powerful anti-aging ingredient, while the second clears up acne and unclogs pores.
There’s also witch hazel, the best toner for sensitive skin. It moisturizes while lavender and niacinamide reduce redness and irritation.
Bump Patrol Original Formula After Shave
Here’s another of the best products for razor bumps and ingrown hairs. Both women and men use this bump treatment, and it’s appropriate for all skin types. Compare it to Tend Skin.
Use it daily as an aftershave. After two days, you should notice a significant improvement. Then, after a week, the skin ought to be clear and smooth.
Unfortunately, it contains alcohol and an artificial dye. On the bright side, it has acetylsalicylic acid and glycerin to calm inflammation.
LAVO Tea Tree Gel w/Salicylic Acid
This multitasking gel serves as both shave cream and aftershave. It features tea tree oil, a natural anti-inflammatory disinfectant that heals the skin.
There’s also salicylic acid to open up pores and remove dead cells. It helps clear up acne, including blackheads, but may dehydrate dry skin.
Lastly, aloe cools the skin and hydrates. Still, consider putting on moisturizer afterward.
Apply the gel before shaving and after rinsing. It lubricates the blade to prevent razor burn, then takes away the sting once you’re done.
Exfoliating Brush to Treat and Prevent Razor Bumps and Ingrown Hairs
Sometimes, scrubs are too abrasive for sensitive skin. Or perhaps you don’t have time in the bath for exfoliation. The next option is dry brushing.
Therefore, this soft brush is the answer. Massage areas with ingrown hairs anywhere on the body. Do it twice a day for just thirty seconds. The results are likely to astonish you.
Dry brushing improves circulation and gently removes dead skin to release trapped hairs. It doesn’t moisturize, but it’s very soothing.
Furthermore, the brush has a comfortable ergonomic grip, and it comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.
Conclusion
Nobody’s fond of ingrown hairs. They’re not just unsightly; they can also be itchy and painful. Worse yet, they can lead to infections and scars.
Don’t give your skin the chance to harbor ingrown hairs. Get rid of razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and keratosis pilaris when you use a body scrub.
It only takes a few minutes once or twice a week to maintain smooth, healthy skin.
We hope we helped you find your new favorite skincare products today. If so, tell us about them in the comments below.
Source:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ingrown-hair/symptoms-causes/syc-20373893 by Mayo Clinic Staff, accessed February 22, 2021