How to Lighten Your Underarms Easily at Home

Tools and materials: 

• Cotton pad
• The ordinary glycolic acid toner for dark underarms
• Moisturizer

Common causes of dark underarms

Before we get started, I want to mention some common causes of dark underarms. Some culprits of hyperpigmentation under the arm can be shaving and wearing really tight clothing. See the infographic above for more causes.

Keep in mind that if you shave in a healthy way, exfoliate beforehand, moisturize afterward and use a skin-friendly deodorant, your underarms should look and feel fine.

Also, my secret is to use a men's razor since they tend to be sharper and therefore can prevent ingrown hairs and irritation that lead to discoloration. 

Here’s what you need to know about the role of certain deodorants in underarm discoloration:

Basically, it’s worth it to do your research before choosing your deodorant. 

How long various hair removal techniques last

Ultimately, you should choose the method that is most comfortable for you.

Many people prefer waxing, which personally I am hesitant to try because of my low threshold for pain. Laser hair removal has also become popular but ultimately is more costly and time-consuming. 

Bearing all of this in mind, the product I recommend is The Ordinary glycolic acid toner for dark underarms.

I’ve seen amazing results from this toner. It’s 7% glycolic acid with a pH of 3.6, resulting in a balanced pH level of your skin. 

Here is my simple routine with this toner:

1. Patch test

I recommend that you do a patch test to check if you are sensitive to the product. If your skin does not have a negative reaction, continue on.

2. Apply with a cotton pad

Apply a few drops of toner to a cotton pad and gently rub into the entire underarm.

3. Moisturize

After applying the toner, use your favorite moisturizer. You only need a few drops. 

At this point, you don’t even need to use a deodorant, since this toner eliminates odors. Since the toner alters the Ph level of the skin, it makes it hard for odor-causing bacteria to survive. 

Another reason this product is truly amazing is that it also acts as an exfoliator, removing dead skin cells from your underarms, which prevents bacteria from building up.

How to lighten your underarms

My underarms used to be so bad! But once I started consistently using the glycolic acid toner, in conjunction with taking proper care of my skin, I saw results.

Please let me know in the comments if you are going to try this and whether or not it is working for you.