‘I’m a Dermatologist and This Is What I Think About Finipil, the Buzzy In-Grown Hair Prevention Cream’

If you’re one of the unlucky people who get ingrown hairs after hair removal, you know that avoiding them is a never-ending struggle. Especially if you’re removing hair from your nether regions, as just walking can cause painful friction on ingrown hair. However, the internet may have finally found the holy grail of ingrown-hair prevention: Finipil antiseptic cream ($28).

Finipil antiseptic cream — $29.00

The cream, which is typically used in-office by professional hair removers, made its rounds on TikTok and is often out of stock. According to Maral Skelsey, MD, a board-certified, Maryland-based dermatologist, Finipil is a great option for preventing ingrown hair. Use it daily on damp skin after showering or bathing to activate the formula. Dr. Skelsey says you can use it on any body part as long as it’s not causing any irritation.

“It’s a topical anti-microbial,” says Dr. Skelsey, and keeping an area free of bacteria after hair removal is key for preventing ingrowns. Whether you’re cutting down hair by shaving or pulling out hair through waxing, sugaring, or threading, the hair follicles become more open and exposed to bacteria which can cause inflammation,  says Dr. Skelsey. “It’s a similar situation with acne—the ways to minimize it is to reduce the inflammation, reduce the bacteria counts.”

Finipil is also moisturizing with soothing ingredients that can help reduce inflammation and soothe skin while softening hair as it grows back in, explains Deirdre Hooper, MD, a board-certified Louisiana-based dermatologist. When the hair is softer, it’s “a little less likely to poke you and irritate you on its way out,” she says.

On top of using anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients post-shave, Dr. Skelsey says to make sure you’re also being kind to your skin while removing the hair. For example, shave in a warm shower so your pores are open use a shaving gel, and shave in one direction.

Although Finipil is effective, both derms agree that there’s nothing terribly special about it. The main ingredient, benzalkonium chloride, “is an alternative to alcohol for hand sanitizers and it’s in shampoos and detergents,” says Dr. Skelsey. “So it’s not something new or unique to that particular product. Using an antibacterial helps with the prevention and treatment of ingrown hairs because it’s removing the surface bacteria.”

Whether Finipil is sold out, or you’re interested in alternatives, shop products you can use instead below.

Finipil alternatives

Thayers Alcohol-Free Unscented Witch Hazel — $10.00

Witch Hazel is an astringent antibacterial that Dr. Skelsey says is great to use after hair removal.

CLn BodyWash — $36.00

“The product I recommend to patients is called CLn,” says Dr. Hooper. “It’s another skin sanitizer.” It’s a moisturizing body wash that uses sodium hypochlorite to effectively clean skin prone to infection, acne, redness, and itching.

Fur Stubble Cream — $38.00

This lightweight and fast-absorbing cream from Fur is designed to help prevent ingrowns, bumps, and razor burn by softening stubble and soothing and moisturizing skin.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream — $10.00

Dr. Skelsey says any lightweight moisturizer is great to help soothe skin after hair removal and help prevent ingrown hairs. This CeraVe non-greasy, fast-absorbing moisturizing cream contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help restore the skin’s protective barrier.

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