Millions of people around the world struggle with dark skin under the armpits. While this is totally normal, it can affect your self confidence and leave you wanting to cover up your pits.
But that doesn’t have to be the case. By using a deodorant designed to minimize the appearance of dark underarms, you can feel free once again.
Not all products are going to work miracles but I’ve found some excellent brightening deodorants that have impressive results. Come with me as we explore the best deodorant for whitening dark underarm skin.
What Causes Dark Armpits?
Dark skin under the arms is incredibly common. You’re more likely to get it if you already have a darker skin tone as this is more prone to hyperpigmentation. If you experience dark skin under the arms, then there is a good chance that you may also have it in areas like the groin, knees, and elbows.
In some cases, dark skin on the armpits comes as a result of your genetics. However, there are things we do within our lifestyles that can cause the skin to darken.
Most of us use antiperspirants and deodorants but did you know that some products contain ingredients that cause the skin to become inflamed? When this happens, the skin starts to thicken as a way of protecting itself and that’s when it becomes darker.
Things like shaving, waxing, and other forms of hair removal can also have a similar effect on the skin, leaving it looking darker.
With all that said, if you are taking excellent care of your skin but still notice that, in areas, it looks darker, this could be a warning about your health. There has been some research that has shown a link between darker patches of skin and diabetes due to increased insulin in the area. So, if you can’t pinpoint the discoloration to anything else then it may be worth talking to your doctor.
How To Get Rid Of The Darkness Under Your Armpits
The good news is that there are ways that you can reduce the appearance of dark skin under the arms or eliminate it altogether.
In case the darkness is a result of using deodorants containing ingredients like aluminum then stopping the use of these products will help. Of course, it’s going to take time and you’ll need to switch to a natural alternative, but eventually, the damage can be undone. Find out which deodorants are best for restoring dark underarms further down this article.
Making other changes to your lifestyle and how you care for your skin can go a long way in improving the condition of dark armpits. For example, you might decide to switch from using a razor and opt for something like laser hair removal. Yes, this is more expensive but it lasts so you’ll save money on shaving products and protect your skin.
While there is a lot of information about exfoliating to get rid of dark skin, you need to do this mindfully. Scrubbing at your skin every day isn’t going to do you any favors. In fact, it could make things worse. Yes, exfoliating will help to eliminate dark skin but doing it too much can cause irritation and further thickening of the skin.
Staying on top of your health is always important but did you know that smoking can darken the skin. There is still research needed but in essence, smoking increases the melanin in your skin and can result in dark spots. Quitting the habit could reduce the appearance of dark spots under the arms and in other places on the body.
What Deodorant Is Best For Dark Underarms
1. Nivea Extra Whitening Roll On Deodorant
Nivea is a brand synonymous with skincare so I was excited to try this deodorant. It contains no alcohol and uses natural ingredients to improve not only the tone of the armpits, but also the condition. I did find that my pits were much smoother and nourished after using this for a few weeks.
Nivea promises up to 48 hours protection from sweat and odor. While I felt that it worked OK in everyday situations, it doesn’t stand up to the challenge of sports or high activity.
But it did do a brilliant job of lightening my armpits which seemed less dark within just a few applications. For something so affordable, I was seriously impressed with the results.
2. Rexona Powder Dry Whitening Roll On Deodorant
For a small roll on deodorant, I had to wonder what was going to be so special about Rexona but I pushed ahead and started applying it. And boy am I glad I was.
For starters, this is one of the more affordable options and I’ve noticed that it’s got an excellent rep in places like the Philippines.
Rexona really did keep me dry and fresh all day. It’s a roll on but it’s not super sticky and didn’t take long to dry. I loved the feminine fragrance.
Where darkness is concerned, I found Rexona to be one of the least effective. I didn’t really notice any change in the color of my armpits so while it does keep you dry, it’s not a great one for dark armpits.
3. Forgotten Skincare The Original Underarm Brightening Deodorant Cream
Out of all the whitening deodorants I tested, this is one of the most expensive so I had pretty high hopes. It comes in a cream form that feels really nourishing on my skin and I loved the grapefruit scent which I feel is perfect as a summer deodorant.
What’s more, using this in hot weather works exceptionally well since it does a great job at eliminating sweaty odors. It does this thanks to salicylic acid which is also the ingredient responsible for breaking down those dark spots. But does it work?
Forgotten Skincare deodorant does whiten the underarms but it can take some time to see the effects. If you’re consistent in applying it, you’ll find that, in around one month, there is a noticeable change. That said, it’s a lot of money to make that kind of commitment if you end up being one of the few people it doesn’t work for.
4. Belo Essentials Whitening Anti-Perspirant Deodorant
Before I get into the whitening power of this deodorant, I have to talk about the scent. Belo Essentials whitening deodorant has a light, fresh chamomile scent which is really delicate. If you want something that’s not overpowering then this will likely work well.
I noticed how quickly this deodorant got to work in lightening my underarm skin. In as little as a week, there were visible results.
It also works incredibly well for sweat and helped to keep me dry even during periods of high activity. Have you ever noticed how some deodorant scents can mix with sweat and create that horrible dirty smell? There was none of that with Belo which left me fresh from morning until night.
5. Dove Ultimate Repair Dark Marks Corrector
When I discovered this deodorant and saw it was jasmine scented, I was super happy as that’s one of my favorite scents. It carries a nice delicate fragrance but one that I could smell throughout the day. The perfect balance, I’d say.
Dove claims that this deodorant will protect against sweat and odors for up to 48 hours and it did this very well. Even when I was active, I didn’t smell.
This deodorant, whilst one of the more affordable, did an amazing job at lightning the underarm skin. It takes a little time but it works well, especially if you’re consistent. Plus as with all of the other Dove products, Ultimate Repair is bursting with skin-loving ingredients and left my armpits feeling smooth, even, and nourished.
6. Vanish PFB + Chromabright
I’m always getting razor bumps under my arms and I hate how they look. Since this product claims to combat bumps as well as dark skin, I thought I was on to a winner. While it does use a whole host of chemical ingredients with some pretty scary scientific names, it does what it promises to do.
Within just a couple of days, the condition of my skin was improved but it does take a couple of months for the full effects to become visible. It’s also important to note that this product works best as part of a wider skincare routine and this can get expensive. However, since it can be used also on the bikini area, chin and legs, it’s pretty versatile.
One thing I did notice is that while it’s working its magic, Vanish PFB & Chromabright can make the skin a little flaky. This isn’t a result that lasts forever but it’s something worth considering.
7. Gluta-C Intense Whitening Deodorant
I wouldn’t say that the Gluta-C deodorant was the most effective one I’ve tried. The reviews online are also a real mixed bag. Some people found that it didn’t work at all whereas others experienced a good result. On average, I’d say that this took away some discoloration but probably won’t be suitable if you have very dark underarms.
However, I did find that it was super effective against sweat and odor. It’s got a light, fresh, floral scent that is not too over the top but is noticeable. I felt clean and stink-free all day when wearing this deodorant.
Plus, compared to some whitening deodorants, Gluta-C is pretty affordable.
8. DERMADoctor Total Nonscents Ultra-Gentle Brightening Antiperspirant
If you want to use a brightening deodorant but are worried about how the ingredients will affect your skin then I’d highly recommend Total Non Scents. This deodorant has been clinically tested and is super gentle, even on my sensitive skin.
I also love that this deodorant is non-scented. For people who find fragranced products a little too much, DERMAdoctor will keep you dry and fresh without an overpowering smell.
In terms of how well it aids discoloration, I found that this product did a fair job. Within a few weeks of use, discoloration starts to fade but it won’t disappear entirely. Despite this, I found that it was effective enough to improve self confidence.
9. Avon Whitening Deodorant Roll On
OK so the first thing that got me really excited about the Avon whitening deodorant was how it left no white marks on my clothing. That’s a real plus for me but the good news doesn’t end there.
Avon’s offering is incredibly effective at reducing the appearance of dark skin and won’t break the bank. The natural ingredients like chamomile and birch extract soothe and nourish the skin so my underarms were left feeling really soft.
This is a roll on deodorant so I did find that I had to wait a while to dress in order for it to dry. But it doesn’t take too long. Also, while this is very effective and affordable, it’s sadly only available in Asian countries and not in the US. That said, it may be possible to find it on websites like eBay from private sellers so all hope is not lost.
10. Native Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant
I wanted to end this list with a deodorant that’s not specifically geared towards lightning armpits as opposed to preventing them. The reason I’ve chosen this Native deodorant is that it contains all-natural ingredients to prevent turning your armpits dark.
The deodorant has a gorgeous coconut and vanilla fragrance that’s suitable for both men and women. That scent lingered all day but is delicate enough that it won’t project and offend people around you.
In terms of performance, Native deodorant kept me dry and odor-free. I also noticed how nourished my skin felt and I think that’s thanks to the natural ingredients.
