Razor and waxing bumps typically develop when a hair is unable to pierce the skin as it regrows, also known as an ingrown hair. Dr. Asmi Berry, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. Thick, coarser hairs indeed tend to naturally curl back into the skin, increasing the risk of ingrown hairs, though it’s technically possible for anyone to get razor or waxing bumps. Certain areas of the body (often where there’s more friction), like the inner thighs or underarms, are more susceptible because “rubbing can trap hairs or irritate already inflamed follicles,” Berry explains.
It’s worth noting that ingrown hairs are a distinct condition from razor burn, which occurs when the skin gets irritated from shaving. “This could be due to friction, dull blades, dry skin, or shaving too closely,” Berry says. Not using a shaving cream or gel, or taking too many shaving passes, can also lead to razor burn, according to Dr. Morayo Adisa, a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist in Chicago.
Many of the skin-care experts told me that the best treatment for razor and waxing bumps is prevention. With that in mind, I’ve interviewed dermatologists about the best products for your at-home routine to stave off razor and waxing bumps. I’ve also tested a range of formulas and pulled a handful of favorites from our archive. From creams and oils to gels and scrubs, below you’ll find the best remedies for before, during, and after shaving (and waxing) to help prevent or eliminate irritation.
Updated on June 30, 2025
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Best products to use before shaving or waxing
To prep for hair removal, Berry recommends exfoliating regularly, and specifically using a chemical exfoliant two to three times per week to keep hair follicles clear. Look for products that contain AHAs (like glycolic acid) or BHAs (like salicylic acid) that gently dissolve buildup on the skin’s surface. You must be careful not to overexfoliate with acids, though, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin.
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First Aid Beauty’s single-use pads contain glycolic and salicylic acid to help clear dead skin and prevent ingrown hairs. I’ve been using them in my routine for a few years now, both before and after waxing, and I love that they’re extremely easy to use — just swipe the pad across dry, clean skin. I also like that I can apply them anywhere I wax or shave, from my bikini area and legs to underarms and even the face. Note: If you’re going to be waxing, Berry advises skipping active exfoliants 24 hours prior to your appointment or at-home treatment to avoid over-sensitizing the skin.
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A previous version listed Fur’s hair oil as the best product for combating razor and waxing bumps. But after testing the brand’s water-based serum for the past four months, I’m completely sold. It’s a lightweight formula that specifically targets ingrown hairs and bumps thanks to a combination of lactic acid to exfoliate skin and clean deep into pores, willow bark extract to clear oil buildup and inflammation, plus antimicrobial witch hazel and aloe to soothe irritation. It does have a slight chemical scent, but that hasn’t stopped me from using it on my bikini area after waxing appointments. I love that I can apply it as a spot treatment, directing the rollerball applicator to hit angry, bumpy patches along my bikini line. As a lifelong runner, I’ve always been prone to ingrown hairs due to my shorts and leggings rubbing in that area. The Ingrown Eliminator Serum is my new secret weapon: It’s gentle yet effective, even when I used it in the days before and after my first-ever sugaring appointment.
Fur’s well-known oil, which is specifically formulated to be safe for the pubic area, remains a great option if you’d prefer a product that you can use every day and is safe for extra-sensitive skin. It can also be used in combination with the serum to soothe irritation and prevent new ingrowns. The formula blends several soothing, antiseptic, and antimicrobial ingredients, such as grape-seed, jojoba, and tea tree oil, which help keep the area clean and smooth.
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Another at-home option for classic razor bumps is the Tend Skin Solution, which is recommended by Berry and Adisa says it’s great for pre- and post-wax to prevent ingrown hairs, meanwhile, Berry says that it reduces skin inflammation and is especially effective for the bikini line and beard area (it’s our best aftershave for preventing and treating ingrown hairs).
Best products to use in the shower
Several experts told me that it’s important to shave with warm water and in the direction your hair grows. Camps says that using razors with fewer blades may not provide the closest shave, but allowing some hair to remain above the skin surface can help reduce the formation of razor bumps. Exfoliating with a physical exfoliant, such as a body scrub, before shaving helps to buff the skin and release any trapped hairs. Camp advises always using shave foam or gel while shaving, especially when using razors with fewer blades. Body cleansers that contain AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) also help gently exfoliate the skin and may help prevent razor and waxing bumps from forming after showering.
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If you’re prone to skin irritation and ingrown hairs after shaving, it might be time to ditch your five-blade razor and move to a safety razor with one blade. Made entirely of powder-coated metal, this handsome razor from Hanni features a single stainless-steel blade designed to gently glide along your skin, requiring minimal pressure but plenty of control. It’s one of Camp’s favorites since it “utilizes the razor’s weight to remove unwanted body hair,” and it won’t rust when wet.
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Many experts told me that shaving with a foam or gel is always recommended over shaving on dry skin or with soap and water. “This shave gel is designed for sensitive skin, as it is formulated with aloe and vitamin E, as well as soy, to help address uneven skin tone,” Camp told me. It’s also our top shaving cream overall because it can be used on both the face and body, it’s emollient-rich, and very reasonably priced.
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Berry says Oui the People’s gel is great because it softens hairs, hydrates the skin, and helps reduce friction thanks to its cushy gel-to-milk texture. It contains marula oil, which mimics the skin’s natural barrier, anti-inflammatory dandelion-root extract, and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a powerful form of vitamin C that’s considered less irritating on skin.
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Soft Services Buffing Bar
Exfoliating with a scrub before shaving can help remove dead skin cells, allowing hair to grow without obstruction. Camp recommends the Soft Services Buffing Bar, which is my go-to physical exfoliant. It’s our pick for ingrown hairs in our best body scrubs guide, as it contains two mineral microcrystals (magnesium oxide and alumina) and comes in a bar form that allows you to better control the intensity of the scrub on sensitive areas. I love that it’s formulated with glycerin, shea butter, and aloe, so my skin is never left feeling dried out.
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The Body Exfoliator from Nécessaire is my other favorite when I need a milder exfoliant. It provides physical exfoliation (volcanic pumice to scrub away superficial dead skin) and chemical exfoliation (a combination of AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs to unclog your pores and brighten the skin’s surface). I use it all over my body, from my neck and underarms to my legs and bikini area.
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You can also exfoliate with a cleanser, such as this bodywash from Naturium. It’s recommended by Camp, as it contains a blend of glycolic and lactic acid to gently remove dead skin cells, targeting bumpy or rough skin texture. For hydration, the formula also has red algae (Chondrus crispus extract), a type of seaweed that’s known for its moisturizing properties.
Best products to use after shaving or waxing
Soothing the area immediately after shaving or waxing is the next step. Berry suggests formulas with calming ingredients like aloe, tea tree, or niacinamide, and says to avoid tight clothing. You can also use moisturizers that contain keratolytic agents, like urea, lactic acid, or salicylic acid, which Camps says can help facilitate the release of trapped ingrown hairs. It’s best to avoid trying to dig ingrown hairs out (I know it’s tempting!) as it can lead to scarring and discoloration. In the days and weeks following shaving or waxing, and before your next hair-removal session, you should continue using topical exfoliants two to three times a week, as mentioned above.
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After exfoliating or shaving, Vanicream’s rich, no-frills cream will “improve skin hydration and maintain the skin barrier,” Camp says. The simple formula has been a reader favorite on our site for years because it contains sensitive-skin-approved ingredients like ceramides and petrolatum, plus it’s non-comedogenic and free of dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers.
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I’ve used this drugstore body lotion from Amlactin for years, as it effectively banishes my keratosis pilaris and helps ward off painful, red bumps along my bikini line. It contains 12 percent skin-sloughing lactic acid, but I find it gentle enough to use immediately after a close shave. It’s thinner than the Vanicream and can sometimes feel a bit sticky, but I can look past that since it hydrates and exfoliates all in one.
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For ongoing prevention, this toner from Paula’s Choice is the gold standard, and it’s favored by both Berry and Adisa. “It penetrates oil and gently exfoliates to keep pores clear,” Berry told me. That’s thanks to the two percent BHAs (beta hydroxy acid) that work within the pore lining where congestion can begin and help to shed off dead skin cells. You’ll want to complete the razor-bump-fighting exfoliation routine by using a good moisturizer afterwards, Berry notes.
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Another favorite from Fur is the oil-based Ingrown Concentrate. Berry says it combines tea tree, chamomile, and tamanu nut oil to calm bumps and redness while softening trapped hairs. Compared to Fur’s Ingrown Eliminator Serum mentioned above, the Ingrown Concentrate is gentler and considered a daily preventative treatment. It’s oil-based, so the texture is also much thicker, though it’s non-comedogenic, meaning it will hydrate without clogging your pores.
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