Winter is around the corner – and you are glad because you won’t have to worry about people taking a sneak peek at your dark underarms. Those cute, snuggly sweaters are finally here to your rescue! But, what if I tell you that instead of dreading the sleeveless outfits, you can flaunt smooth, even-toned arms this summer? Yup, it’s true.
The underarm area rarely gives us any trouble, apart from sweating, and we conveniently forget all about it. Unfortunately, the skin in this area is very sensitive and is susceptible to a variety of problems like rashes, pigmentation, infection, ingrown hair, and even pimples. There’s a lot that can happen in such a small area! However, one of the most common complaints by both men and women is pigmentation or discoloration.
Don’t let your dark underarms stop you from wearing your favorite clothes as we have effective remedies to lighten and brighten your underarms. Let’s take a look.
How To Get Rid Of Dark Underarms
Imagine there’s a wedding coming up that you must attend and that gorgeous sleeveless dress you wish to wear. But you don’t. Because of dark underarms. No more worries! Here are some home remedies for dark underarms. They are perfectly safe and have no side effects.
Home Remedies For Dark Armpits
1. Apple Cider Vinegar For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
What You Have To Do
- To the baking soda, add the vinegar and let the mix bubble.
- Once the bubbles have subsided, apply this mixture on the underarm area and let it dry.
- Rinse with cool water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this thrice a week.
Why This Works
ACV contains mild acids that will remove the accumulated dead skin cells and also lighten the darkened underarm area. Additionally, it will also act as a disinfectant and kill the microbes present (1, 2).
Caution
If you have sensitive skin, use one teaspoon ACV, one teaspoon water, and baking soda mix.
2. Aloe Vera For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
An aloe leaf
What You Have To Do
- Cut open the leaf and extract fresh aloe vera gel.
- Apply a layer of this gel on your underarms and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse with water.
If you do not have an aloe plant at home, you can also use organic aloe vera gel.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every alternate day.
Why This Works
Aloesin found in aloe vera gel is a tyrosinase inhibitor, an enzyme that is responsible for skin pigmentation. By hindering the activity of this enzyme, aloe vera can lighten discolored armpits (3). It is also antibacterial in nature and soothing for inflamed/irritated skin (4).
3. Olive Oil For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons virgin olive oil
- 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar
What You Have To Do
- Add the brown sugar to the oil and mix it gently.
- Dampen the underarm skin and apply the mixture.
- Scrub for a minute or two and leave it on for five minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice a week until you get the desired results.
Why This Works
Olive oil is very hydrating and nourishing for the skin. It is also rich in antioxidants (5). The brown sugar acts as an exfoliant and will remove the dead skin cells that have accumulated and made your underarm skin darker (6).
4. Turmeric For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Mix all the ingredients and apply the paste on the underarms.
- Let it dry for 10-12 minutes and then rinse.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice a week.
Why This Works
Turmeric is commonly used in face masks to lighten and brighten up the skin tone and also fade away spots. Regular application on the underarms will definitely lighten the dark skin (7, 8). Milk contains lactic acid that further aids in the underarm whitening process (9).
Caution
Do not use this remedy if you are allergic to milk and milk products.
5. Castor Oil For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
1-2 teaspoons castor oil
What You Have To Do
- Rub the underarm area gently with castor oil for about five minutes.
- Shower as usual.
How Often You Should Do This
Use castor oil every day to lighten underarms.
Why This Works
Castor oil absorbs all the impurities present on your skin and even cleans out your pores. All the dirt, excess oil, and dead cells are removed to reveal lighter skin in your underarms (10). It is also an excellent skin conditioner (11).
6. Tea Tree Oil For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
- 4-5 drops tea tree oil
- A cup of water
- A small spray bottle
What You Have To Do
- Pour the water into the bottle, add the tea tree oil and shake it well.
- Spray this mixture on the underarms and let it dry naturally.
How Often You Should Do This
Use this daily.
Why This Works
Tea tree oil not only lightens the underarm skin but also keeps the area odor-free. The antioxidants present in this essential oil will keep your skin healthy. Its antimicrobial properties will kill the microbes present and deodorize the area (12).
Caution
Since tea tree oil is an essential oil, it is highly concentrated and can cause reactions in a few people. Do a patch test before you use it.
7. Almond Oil For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
A few drops of almond oil
What You Have To Do
Massage the underarm area with almond oil for 5-10 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every day.
Why This Works
Almonds contain potent phytochemicals that lighten and brighten the dark underarm skin in just a couple of applications. They are natural bleaching agents. Also, the vitamin E present in it will keep your rejuvenated (13).
8. Lemon Juice For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
A lemon
What You Have To Do
- Cut the lemon into thick slices and scrub the underarms area with them for 2-3 minutes.
- Let the lemon juice stay on there for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Use this remedy regularly 3-4 times a week.
Why This Works
Lemon juice has a high concentration of citric acid, which is a natural exfoliant and bleach (14). It works as an excellent underarm bleaching agent.
9. Cucumber For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
2 cucumber slices
What You Have To Do
- Rub the cucumber slices on the dark armpits for a minute or two.
- Let the juice that has oozed out from the slice onto your skin stay there for another 10 minutes.
- Rinse with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this daily for best results.
Why This Works
Cucumber slices are often used to soothe eye bags and also to lighten under-eye dark circles. This is because cucumber extract has skin lightening properties (15). The same property can also be utilized for lightening dark armpits.
10. Pumice Stone For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
Pumice stone
What You Have To Do
Wet the pumice stone and gently scrub the underarms for a few minutes before taking a shower.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice or thrice a week.
Why This Works
This naturally occurring stone has been used as an exfoliant for centuries. It will help in removing the darkened layer of the skin.
Caution
Don’t be too zealous while scrubbing as it might cause further abrasions, and you certainly don’t want to walk around like a scarecrow for the next few days.
11. Sunflower Oil For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
A few drops of sunflower oil
What You Have To Do
- Massage the armpits with sunflower oil for a minute or two.
- Leave the oil for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice a day for best results.
Why This Works
This oil has a high vitamin E content which helps in keeping the skin fresh and radiant. It also improves circulation to the area it is applied on (16).
12. Multani Mitti For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons multani mitti (Fuller’s Earth)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Add the lemon juice and enough water to the multani mitti powder to get a smooth paste.
- Apply this on the underarms and rinse after 10 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply multani mitti pack twice a week.
Why This Works
Multani mitti is a natural clay that absorbs impurities from the skin and decongests all clogged pores. It also helps in exfoliating the dead skin cells, leading to the lightening of the underarms (17).
Caution
Fuller’s earth mask may not suit sensitive skin.
13. Rosewater For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
- Rosewater
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
What You Have To Do
- Make a thick paste with the ingredients and apply it on the underarms.
- Leave it on for about 5-7 minutes and then rinse with cool water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice a week.
Why This Works
Rosewater possesses multiple skin benefits such as skin brightening, soothing, moisturizing, balancing the skin’s pH, and stimulating circulation (18). Baking soda acts as an exfoliant in this remedy (19).
14. Potato Remedy For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
A small potato
What You Have To Do
- Peel the potato and grate it.
- Squeeze out the juice from this and apply directly on the armpits.
- Rinse the juice off after 10-15 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
You can repeat this twice a day as well until desired results are obtained.
Why This Works
Potato is your savior for dark armpits as it is a natural bleach and anti-irritant. It will also provide instant relief from patchiness and itchiness that may develop due to pigmentation (20).
15. Alum For Dark Underarms
You Will Need
- 1-2 teaspoons alum powder
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Make alum paste and apply it on the underarms for 10-15 minutes before taking a shower.
- Shower as usual.
How Often You Should Do This
Use this remedy once or twice a week.
Why This Works
Alum disinfects the skin and also balances the skin’s pH. All the harmful microbes that are responsible for itchiness and sweating (which cause dark armpits) are eliminated (21).
Caution
Alum may not suit everybody. Do a patch test before using it on the underarms.
These home remedies can be used by themselves or in combinations to get optimum results in a short period. If you are unsure about any of the ingredients, do a patch test or consult your physician before using them.
Also, check out this video on how to reduce dark underarms
What Causes Dark Underarms?
Dark underarms are mainly caused due to the extended use of harsh chemicals (bleach, hair removing creams, deodorants, antiperspirants, etc.). Excessive and long-term shaving can also lead to skin pigmentation and darkening of this area. Pregnancy also leads to pigmentation, although it clears up in a couple of months.
- People with deeper skin tones are more susceptible to auxiliary darkening or underarm darkening because of the extra amounts of melanin in the body.
- Melanin is a protective pigment that shields the skin against UV rays.
- Pregnancy, and the hormonal cocktail it brings along, can cause pigmentation in the underarms.
- Another possible reason could be diabetes. Elevated insulin levels can cause skin darkening.
- Erythrasma, a chronic bacterial infection, is another little-known cause of pigmentation of the underarms.
- Ingrown hair due to too much shaving can also make the underarms appear darker.
Now that you know how to get rid of dark underarms fast, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and bowl people over by flaunting that strappy dress, sexy bikini or sleeveless top you’ve been hiding in the closet!
