Coconut oil is considered a one-size-fits-all product in the beauty world. You can use it as a hair mask, a body oil, a lip balm, a makeup remover, to soften cuticles … we could go on. But can you really use coconut oil for ingrown hair?
Is coconut oil good for ingrown hairs?
While you can use coconut oil as a sub for shaving cream (though it’s a bit slippery and takes more effort to rinse off), it’s not a magical ointment that instantly eradicates ingrown hair. However, it can soothe your skin after getting rid of ingrown hairs and make ingrown hairs easier to remove. As an antifungal, antibacterial and super hydrating substance, it’s a skin-saving superstar, especially when combined with acids or physical exfoliators like sugar.
What oil is good for ingrown hairs?
Coconut oil can be combined with other ingredients to tackle those pesky ingrown hairs. Mix it with raw sugar and tea tree oil for a great exfoliating scrub to try and prevent ingrown hairs before they happen. You can also switch the sugar for lavender oil for a DIY prevention treatment.
How do I get rid of ingrown hair?
You can get ingrown hairs anywhere you shave: underarms, legs, brows, chin, pubic area. Instead of waiting for those annoying bumps to appear, use an exfoliant to get rid of skin cells clogging your hair follicles (the source of ingrown hairs). Look for one with lactic acid or salicylic acid to dissolve the debris and dead skin cells that are causing the irregular growth pattern.
How do I get rid of an ingrown hair on my pubic area?
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. If one does pop up, don’t pluck it or try to attack it from above. It’s a sign a hair has curled under and reversed direction, growing inward instead of outward. If it doesn’t go away after a few weeks, your best bet is to see a dermatologist to have it removed the right way.
If you don’t have time to make DIY treatments, there are several brands that offer products to help prevent and treat ingrown hairs.
- SheaMoisture
- Spring Valley
- NOW Foods
- Fur
- Ameliorate
- PFB Vanish
- (MALIN+GOETZ)
- Oui Shave
- Anthony
Check out the slideshow for the best ways to use gentle exfoliators and coconut oil for ingrown hair.
[ Next: The 11 Best DIY Coconut Oil Hair Masks ]
Coconut Oil for Ingrown Hair
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SheaMoisture
100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, $12.99 at Target
This is the perfect 100 percent extra virgin coconut oil to use in your DIY treatment. You can also use it to soften your elbows, hands, cuticles, knees or toes — all at risk of drying out once winter rolls around.
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Fur
Ingrown Concentrate, $28 at Fur
Use this concentrate anywhere ingrown hairs may occur — underarms, legs, brows, chin and your pubic area. The all-natural formula uses coconut oil to penetrate hair follicles, softening them for easier removal, plus tea tree oil to eliminate excess sebum. Throw in chamomile extract to soothe those red, irritated bumps, and you have the perfect coconut oil-based formula to treat ingrown hairs. It even comes with a finger mitt for those who like to get their exfoliating done in the shower.
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Ameliorate
Smoothing Body Exfoliant, $28 at ASOS
This exfoliant contains coconut oil for ingrown hair, but that’s not its only powerhouse ingredient. There are biodegradable polishing bamboo granules and lactic acid to gently exfoliate skin cells. Simply massage into dry skin, wait a couple of minutes, then rinse it off in the shower. Use two to three times a week for best results.
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PFB Vanish
+Chromabright, $29.95 at DermStore
Combat ingrown hairs while lightening those pesky dark spots they often leave behind with this salicylic acid-based treatment. It also contains camphor to cool and prevent infections. Apply right after shaving on the daily.
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(MALIN+GOETZ)
Ingrown Hair Cream, $34 at (MALIN+GOETZ)
With a powerful glycolic acid and salicylic acid combo, this cream exfoliates to prevent ingrown hairs from forming. The plant-based, residue-free treatment also has vitamin E to hydrate and vitamin B5 to promote skin repair. And there’s no need to worry about irritation, since it boasts chamomile and allantoin to calm inflammation. You can use it anywhere on your face or body after shaving.
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Oui Shave
Bikini Body Ingrown Relief Treatment, $38 at Oui Shave
This convenient treatment sloughs away dead skin cells, while mild acids unclog pores. Balanced by moisturizing oils, the treatment involves two steps: Soak a pad in the oil, then rub the pad over your skin immediately after showering. You can swipe it on areas prone to ingrown hairs, like bikini lines, legs and underarms.
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Anthony
Ingrown Hair Treatment, $32 at Sephora
A gel formula with three potent acids: glycolic, salicylic and phytic. They work together to gently remove dead skin, help fight bacteria and keep growth regular to prevent ingrown hair. It's ultra moisturizing and infused with willowherb and lavender to soothe skin while preventing future irritation.
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Spring Valley
Tea Tree Skin Health Oil, $6.88 at Walmart
Made with just one ingredient —100 percent pure Australian tea tree oil — this is a great oil to mix in your DIY concoction to ward off ingrown hairs.
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NOW Foods
Lavender Oil 100% Pure, $5.99 at NOW Foods
Add a few drops of this 100 percent lavender oil to your coconut oil and tea tree oil mixture to treat ingrown hairs.
