6 Dark Underarm Remedies You Can Find in Your Kitchen

Newsflash: No matter how gorgeous you are, if you have dark underarms, your ganda points will surely plummet to the ground.  But don’t worry, underarm whitening doesn’t have to be painful (painfully expensive, that is).

You know what, there’s nothing wrong with going the natural route for lightening your underarms. As long as it’s safe, there’s no harm in trying it!

Look no farther for the underarm whitening ingredients because some of the best blemish fighters can be found riiight in your pantry! And here is a bonus: they are definitely more affordable and comfortable in case you’re not a fan of lasers.

Keep scrolling to find out which six super ingredients are fantastic for warding off unwanted armpit darkness.

1.    Apple cider vinegar

ACV contains mild acids that can remove accumulated dead skin cells and also lighten the underarm area. Additionally, it also acts as a disinfectant, killing any microbes present.

Ingredients: 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons baking soda

Instructions: Add the vinegar to the baking soda and let the mix bubble. Once the bubbles have subsided, apply the mixture on the underarm area and let it dry. Rinse with cold water. Repeat thrice a week.

2.    Potatoes

Potato happens to be a natural bleach and anti-irritant! As a bonus, it also provides instant relief from the patchiness and itchiness that’s a byproduct of hyperpigmentation.

Ingredients: 1 small potato

Instructions: Peel the potato, grate it, then squeeze out the juice and apply directly on the armpits. Rinse off after 10-15 minutes, and repeat twice a day until desired results are obtained.

3.    Olive oil

Rich in antioxidants, olive oil is deeply hydrating and nourishing for the skin. The brown sugar acts as an exfoliant to whisk off dead skin cells that have accumulated and made your underarm skin darker.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons virgin olive oil, 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions: Mix the oil and brown sugar. Dampen the underarm skin, apply the mixture, and gently scrub for a minute or two. Leave on for five minutes then rinse with lukewarm water. Do this twice a week for optimum results!

4.    Calamansi juice

Calamansi has a high concentration of citric acid, which is a natural exfoliant and bleach (ever wonder why some people even use it to lighten their hair?). A word of caution: The acid content could burn your skin, so best to avoid this method if you have sensitive skin.

Ingredients: 2-3 calamansi fruits

Instructions: Slice each calamansi in half, then scrub your underarms with it for 2-3 minutes per armpit. Let the juice stay on for about 10 minutes before rinsing off. Use regularly, 3-4 times a week.

5.    Turmeric 

Turmeric is often used in face masks to brighten the skin tone and fade spots away. Milk contains lactic acid that further aids in the underarm whitening process, while honey is a great soothing agent.

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions: Mix all the ingredients and apply the paste on the underarms. Let it sit for 10-12 minutes, then rinse. Repeat twice a week.

6.    Tea tree oil

Talk about hitting two birds with one stone. Tea tree oil not only lightens the underarm skin but also keeps it odor-free! Its antimicrobial properties will kill microbes present and deodorize the area. A word of caution, though: tea tree is an essential oil and therefore highly concentrated, so be sure to do a patch test before usage.

Ingredients: 4-5 drops tea tree oil, 1 cup of water, 1 spray bottle

Instructions: Pour the water into the bottle, add the tea tree oil, and shake well. Spray this mixture on the underarms and let dry naturally. Use this daily!