Best Products to Help Skin Irritation From Shaving or Waxing
16 Products That Banish Razor Bumps and Burns For the Closest Shave Possible
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When taking hair removal into your own hands for the first time, you may have to learn how to safely wax at home or shave your bikini line. But even if you've done it before with no problems, there's always the chance for razor burn or nicks. Luckily, there are products that can help both of those processes go even more smoothly — and leave skin smoother, too.
Some of these products are already known options before or after shaving your legs, but there are other items at Sephora you may not have ever considered (like, say, lip balm). And while a few may be traditionally marketed to men, it won't take long reading through the comments from other shoppers before finding women who admit they love using them on legs, brows, and more. Of course, even though all of these things can soothe your skin at some point during the hair-removal process (including waxing), it's always important to test on a smaller area at first, especially if you're sensitive.
Let's make not getting irritated (skin) one goal you can definitely hit this year, and check out 16 Sephora products whether you're shaving or waxing.
Anthony Ingrown Hair Treatment
While the brand may traditionally be found under men's products, the gel complex in this Anthony Ingrown Hair Treatment ($34) can soothe and moisturise anyone faced with ingrown hairs . . . and not just on the face. There are exfoliating acids inside to eliminate bacteria and dead cells that may clog pores, plus it's infused with soothing botanicals like lavender and willowherb so skin feels great at the same time.
Josie Maran Skin Dope 100mg CBD Body Butter
For an extra dose of calm, there's cannabis sativa hemp extract in this Josie Maran Skin Dope 100mg CBD Body Butter ($58) so it soothes razor burns or bumps while also hydrating freshly shaved skin.
Rosebud Perfume Co. Menthol And Eucalyptus Lip Balm
You may wonder what a lip product could do for shaving, but the natural menthol, eucalyptus, and camphor oils in this Rosebud Perfume Co. Menthol And Eucalyptus Lip Balm ($7) help moisturise lips and heal chafed or razor-burned skin as needed.
Jack Black Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather Mini
No matter what part of your body you're choosing to shave, this Jack Black Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather Mini ($13) is packed with skin-softening protection from hydrating oils and plant extracts. The creamy lather attaches to stubble and lifts it off the skin so you can get a superclose shave with minimal nicks and razor burn so you skin feels better afterward, even on sensitive spots.
Shaveworks The Cool Fix
Whether used after shaving or waxing, Shaveworks The Cool Fix ($12-$26) soothes any redness and bumps while glycolic and salicylic acids gently work under the surface to exfoliate dead skin cells and ingrown hairs. This popular blue gel is also packed with antioxidant phytic acid that evens out skin tone in areas that may be darkened by razor burn.
Shaveworks Pearl Soufflé Luxurious Shave Cream
The rich Shaveworks Pearl Soufflé Luxurious Shave Cream ($22) features skin-calming botanical extracts so skin feels nourished and looks silky after you get a superclose shave. Plus, not only does this product exfoliate to reduce the appearance of ingrown hairs (especially in the bikini area), but hair-minimizing capislow also leaves stubble less visible and softer moving forward.
Shaveworks Get Smooth Duo
Or see how well The Cool Fix and Pearl Soufflé work as a total package and choose the Shaveworks Get Smooth Duo ($10) with travel sizes to use while shaving and after shaving or waxing, too.
Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Anti-Redness Serum
While this Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Anti-Redness Serum ($52) helps inflamed or otherwise irritated complexions, ingredients like milk polypeptides, beta-glucan, and rumex can also soothe sensitive, reddened skin postwaxing (especially when chilled in the fridge first).
The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil — Lavender
If you've never heard of shave oils, a product like The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil — Lavender ($25) softens hair before the razor removes it. It also creates a barrier between hair and your skin so blades glide smoothly over the surface, working especially well on coarser hair or for those prone to ingrowns or razor burn.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Shower, Bath and Shave Gel
The Philosophy Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Shower, Bath and Shave Gel ($28) doesn't just get skin clean, it also hydrates, conditions, and locks in moisture as it makes a smooth base for an irritation-free shave at the same time.
Jack Black Bump Fix Razor Bump and Ingrown Hair Solution
This top-rated Jack Black Bump Fix Razor Bump and Ingrown Hair Solution ($27) uses an alpha-beta-hydroxy complex to exfoliate dead skin cells and excess oils whether it's used on a beard . . . or on underarms, legs, and bikini lines (according to several reviews). This process also means trapped hairs are freed and pores are unclogged so ingrowns don't form again — and there's skin-soothing chamomile, green tea, and aloe inside, too.
Clinique Post-Shave Soother
Yes, aftershave is probably a product most associated with beards or mustaches, but this refreshing Clinique Post-Shave Soother ($23) can treat nicks or cuts anywhere on the body and hydrate dry or sensitive skin after plucking eyebrows or shaving your legs, too.
Kopari Coconut Melt
This Kopari Coconut Melt ($18-$28) works as a shave oil (instead of a cream or gel), meaning the 100 percent pure, organic coconut oil practically "melts" on skin to create a smooth base for your razor. This unrefined oil is also rich in fatty acids and inflammation-fighting lauric acid to improve dryness and inflammation even on sensitive skin.
The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream
For a traditional shaving-cream swap, the The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream — Unscented ($25) and The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream — Lavender ($25) both offer a rich lather without any alcohol, synthetic dyes, or synthetic fragrance. Several female Sephora reviewers note they've "borrowed" this from their male partners, too.
Josie Maran Argan Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil
The top-rated Josie Maran Argan Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil ($28) has dozens of uses all over your body, including preventing razor burn and irritation. It's packed with fatty acids and antioxidants to protect skin, plus there's a notorious soother, aloe vera, inside as well.
Anthony Shave Cream
With an average 4.7-star rating from other shoppers, this Anthony Shave Cream ($20) has a whipped-cream texture to coat and soften hair and skin, but it still won't clog blades as you get a very close shave. But what really makes it stand out is how cool it is — like it actually feels that way on contact because of the eucalyptus and rosemary extracts inside.
