6 Natural Remedies for Razor Bumps – Prevent Razor Burn

Are you trying to figure out how to get rid of razor burn or razor bumps? Lucky for you, we have six natural remedies for both right here.


Razor burn and razor bumps are that special kind of annoying where they’re not only irritating and uncomfortable but aesthetically unappealing too, especially during the summertime. Luckily they are often preventable, and even if you do still develop either on occasion, they’re also treatable. Before you can fight razor burn and razor bumps, however, you have to know what causes them.

What Are Razor Burn and Razor Bumps?

Razor burn and razor bumps are sometimes talked about interchangeably, but they are actually two distinct things. Razor burn is simply skin that has become red and irritated after a wax or shave, and razor bumps are small red bumps that form when strands of hair get stuck while they’re being removed from the skin or curl backward and begin growing into the skin (aka, ingrown hairs) due to a wax or shave.

What Causes Razor Burn & Razor Bumps?

There are a lot of things that can cause razor burn and razor bumps. Shaving against the grain is one. Not properly moisturizing and exfoliating pre-shave is another. Using a dull or dirty razor is a third thing. There’s no way to guarantee you’ll never experience razor burn or razor bumps again, but making sure that none of these things are a part of your shaving routine will at least help you develop razor burn and razor bumps less often.

Treating Razor Burn and Razor Bumps

While over-the-counter creams and other topicals are available at any drug store, there are lots of natural remedies for razor burn and razor bumps that can save you a trip to the store and some money too! Plus you might find that one works better for you personally than any product you can buy.

Take a Hot Bath or Apply a Hot Compress

The heat from a hot bath or hot compress can help open up the pores that are trapping hair, but heat is also just a good tool for reducing inflammation and irritation.

Oatmeal and Yogurt

Oatmeal is known for its ability to soothe skin, especially when it’s used in the form of a bath. This is thanks to the starch, beta-glucan, and phenols that are found in oatmeal that possess moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties.

For this method, you can soak in an oatmeal bath or mix some oatmeal with plain yogurt and honey to create your own homemade topical cream. The yogurt is added to help our homemade cream achieve the ideal texture and consistency and so we can take advantage of yogurt’s naturally occurring probiotics which can help restore and hydrate your skin.

Simply mix equal portions of ground oatmeal and plain yogurt in a bowl, add in a teaspoon of honey, and apply the cream to the affected area. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse. Do this twice a day for up to three days.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has become a sort of household Swiss Army knife over recent years, and here is just more proof of that. Not only does apple cider vinegar not expire, but the acetic acid found in apple cider vinegar is actually good for treating irritated skin, and the citric acid that’s also in apple cider vinegar can help free ingrown hairs from their clogged-up pore prisons.

Simply soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and dab the affected area, then let your skin dry naturally. Note that this method can actually worsen irritated skin or cause a chemical burn, so if you begin to feel any stinging or burning, rinse the vinegar off immediately. If you have naturally sensitive skin, it might be best to avoid this method altogether. If you find it works well for you however, feel free to repeat this method whenever your razor burn or razor bumps are bothering you.

Coconut Oil or Tea Tree & Olive Oil

Tea tree oil is known to contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, while olive oil is rich in fatty acids that can smoothen skin.

Simply mix a tablespoon of olive oil with five drops of tea tree oil, then use a cotton ball to apply the solution to the affected area. Let everything sit for 15 minutes, then rinse the oil off with warm water.

If your razor burn or razor bumps are really bothering you, coconut oil is an anti-inflammatory like tea tree oil, but it’s also a bit more soothing. Try mixing four tablespoons of it with a tablespoon of honey, two tablespoons of brown sugar, and two tablespoons of white sugar. What you get is a homemade scrub that can be applied to the affected area to soothe skin irritation. Let the scrub sit for 10 minutes, then rinse it all off.

Aloe Vera

While it’s obviously sold primarily as a treatment for sunburn, aloe vera can function well as a general soothing skin treatment. Try rubbing some onto the affected area until it completely soaks in, or if there’s still some left after 5-10 minutes of gentle rubbing, rinse off any excess.

Cucumbers & Milk

This might be the most unorthodox method here, but the vitamin C found in cucumbers and the protein and fat found in milk, combined with the cooling nature of both can moisturize and cool irritated skin. Try peeling a cucumber, then mixing it in a blender with 1/4 cup of milk. Once everything is smoothly blended, refrigerate your creation for 10 minutes and then apply it to the affected area. Let everything sit for 10 minutes, then rinse.

Razor Burn and Razor Bump Prevention

Even though you’re now equipped with plenty of natural remedies for razor burns and natural remedies for razor bumps, the best way to deal with shaving irritation is to not develop any in the first place! Here are some preventative measures you can take to avoid future burns and bumps.

1. Always exfoliate with a washcloth or a product like a papaya or sugar scrub before you shave. This will open up those pores and prepare your skin for the harsh procedure it’s about to undergo. Shaving in the shower is also recommended as soaking in warm or hot water for a few minutes beforehand will also help your pores open up.
2. Make sure your razor is sharp, so don’t reuse blades too often, and when you do reuse blades be sure to routinely disinfect them.
3. Always use a shaving cream or shave gel. Let it sit on your skin for about 10 minutes before you begin shaving.
4. Always shave with the grain, not against it. Even though going against the grain can provide a closer shave, it’s also more likely to cause irritation.
5. After you’re done shaving, wash whatever you just shaved with soap or an antibacterial cleanser, then after you rinse off, apply a post-shave lotion of some kind.

Now that you know how to get rid of razor burn and several natural remedies for razor bumps, it might be worth looking into other ways to take care of your skin, including wearing sunscreen year-round and using a natural face toner. The Public Goods Blog covers more than just skincare though. We’re your primary source for information about everything home and lifestyle that’s also natural, healthy, and sustainable.