Dark coloration of the skin in the underarms region is usually not a disease or medical condition. Dark underarms can be thought of as the skin’s response to exposure to certain elements, similar to a suntan that results from exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Some of the main causes of dark underarms are shaving, regular use of hair removing creams, excessive sweating, poor ventilation of underarms, accumulation of dead skin cells, and use of alcohol-based deodorants and antiperspirants.
You can easily get rid of dark underarms using simple home remedies that are safe, effective, natural and affordable.
However, at times dark underarms may also be as a result of a medical condition that is known as acanthosis nigricans which is often associated with insulin resistance, obesity, hormonal disorders, certain medications, and cancer.
If your dark underarms are caused by this condition then you must consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Here are the top 10 ways to get rid of dark underarms.
Contents
1. Potato
The mild acidic property present in potatoes is a great natural bleaching agent. Unlike strong bleaching agents, it will not cause skin irritation.
- Simply rub a thin slice of potato on your underarms.
- You can also grate the potato and apply the juice to the affected area, allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
Use either of these remedies twice daily for better and faster results.
2. Cucumber
Just like potatoes, cucumbers also have natural bleaching properties to help lighten discolored skin.
- Simply rub a thin cucumber slice on your underarms or grate a cucumber and apply the juice under your arms. Do this once or twice daily until you are satisfied with the results.
- Another option is to extract the juice from a cucumber and mix it with a little turmeric powder and lemon juice. Apply this paste on the affected area. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and then wash it off with water. Repeat this home remedy once daily or every other day for best results.
3. Lemon
Lemon works as a natural bleach and a powerful antibacterial and antiseptic agent. This is why lemon is used in the treatment of various skin-related problems including dark underarms. Lemon can dry out your skin, so apply a moisturizer after using these remedies if needed.
- To remove dead skin cells and lighten your underarms, rub a lemon wedge on the skin for a few minutes. Leave the juice on your skin for about 10 minutes and then wash the area thoroughly. For better exfoliation, you can sprinkle a little sugar on the lemon wedge and then use it. Do this a few times a week.
- Another option is to mix a little turmeric powder, honey or plain yogurt in some lemon juice and apply it to your underarms. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then wash it off. Repeat three or four times a week.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used to make an exfoliating scrub to get rid of dark underarms. This will help remove dead skin cells, which is one of the main causes of dark underarms. It will also help unclog skin pores.
- Mix baking soda and water to make a thick paste.
- Use this paste to scrub your underarms.
- Wash it off and pat dry the area thoroughly.
- Repeat a few times a week.
You can also apply a light dusting of equal parts of baking soda and cornstarch to neutralize body odor.
5. Orange Peel
Orange peels can be used to lighten the skin under your arms, thanks to their skin lightening and exfoliating properties.
- Put some orange peels in the sun for a few days until they dry out completely.
- Grind the dried peels into powder form.
- Mix two teaspoons of powdered orange peels with enough rose water and milk to make a thick paste.
- Gently scrub your underarms with the paste and then leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Finally, wash the area with cold water.
- Repeat the process two or three times a week.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another good option to get rid of dark underarms. Coconut oil contains vitamin E that can help lighten the underarms. At the same time, it will also work as an effective natural deodorant.
- Massage the dark underarms with coconut oil.
- Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with mild soap and lukewarm water.
- Repeat two or three times daily until you achieve the desired results.
7. Milk
The vitamins and fatty acids present in milk can help minimize underarm darkening. It will soften the skin and make the skin tone much lighter.
- Mix two tablespoons of full fat milk, one to two tablespoons of flour and one teaspoon of pain yogurt to make a thick paste. Apply it on your underarms and leave it on for about 15 minutes before wash it off with cold water. Repeat a few times a week on a regular basis.
- Another option is to soak a couple of strands of saffron in two teaspoons of milk for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also add a little honey. Apply the mixture on your underarms and leave it on for at least 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off. Follow this remedy daily until you are satisfied with the results.
8. Vinegar
Vinegar can also come to your rescue when you wish to get rid of your dark underarms. This remedy will not only lighten the skin color, but will also kill germs and bacteria that feed on dead skin cells causing underarm odor.
- Mix rice flour with vinegar to form a thick paste.
- Take a hot shower and then apply this paste on your underarms.
- Allow the paste to dry for 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water.
- Repeat a few times a week.
9. Sandalwood
Sandalwood is another useful ingredient for getting rid of dark underarms due to its skin-lightening properties. Using rose water to make a paste will add a cooling and softening effect on the skin. The fragrance of sandalwood will also help get rid of body odor due to excessive sweating.
- Mix two tablespoons of sandalwood powder and two to three tablespoons of rose water to make a thick paste.
- Apply the paste on your underarms.
- Leave it on for about 15 minutes or until it dries, and then wash it off with cold water.
- When repeated daily, this remedy will lighten the skin tone of your underarms within a few days.
10. Gram Flour
Another great ingredient to get rid of dark underarms is gram flour, also known as besan. You can use gram flour to make a homemade whitening pack.
- Mix together two tablespoons of gram flour, one teaspoon each of plain yogurt and lemon juice, and a little turmeric powder to make a thick paste.
- Apply this paste on your underarms.
- Leave it on for at least 30 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water.
- Follow this remedy daily for two weeks. Then repeat three times a week until you get the desired results.
Follow these remedies as needed to get rid of dark underarms and enjoy soft, smooth and lighter skin.
Thanks that really helped me your the best website I would recommend this website to anyone who needs to lighten their underarms you guys rock me and my friend are pleased
Thanks alot for posting hi information i m sue it help me solve ny problems
Hi may I know which one of those you tried? And how it’s true?? Is it really works?
I hoping will work this if I did! Thanks a Lot 🙂
hiiiiiiiii
i m plk jain
i agree with you
thnx for the good abvise
TRUELY IT WORKED ON ME AND MY FRIENDS!!! THANKS GUYS.
I’ve bin using the lemon remedy but just the lemon itself only. After i shower i rub the lemon on my underarms. I leave the lemon juice in the affected area and do my daily routine.i dont wash it until the next day i shower. I do dis to prevent body odor. And its reLi effective. My concern is, is dis effective when it cums to whitening bcos in preventing body odor it is effective. Pls respond and thank U
Asked my doctor about it. And it’s not advicable to leave it for a long time. Since lemon is an acid, it might burn and dry up your skin. Maybe a good 5-15 mins will do.
No please ladies what ever you use , apply it for only one hour .. after that wash it with cold water , be clean and stay healthy and don’t use any deo or perfume on your underarms ..
i totally agree with you
Leaving the lemon juice on for a whole day is a very bad idea. Lemon is very acidic which is why its only recommended to leav on for 15-20mins. It will dry up your skin and might burn it as well. If you want a natural deodorant then you can mix some coconut oil with baking soda and cornstarch,equal amounts of baking soda and cornstarch…then add enough coconut oil to get a thick moisturiser like consistency and apply that.it will keep you from perspiring hence there won’t be any kind of odour. But please stop ur lemon practise. Its not healthy at all.
Thanks friend for your advice
Anyone could use the lemon for preteens. Burn the lemon let it cool down and rub it on their under arm. It works my mom used with me and i dit it with my kids.
thank you i will tryi this!
This is really amazing.These tips had washed off my regrets to wear sleeveless.
which one u tried??
Um, what ingredient did you use to remove the darkness of your underarm?
i used the coconut oil 1
and it worket
thanks a lot for leaving such advice
Thanks for these useful remedies. Truly they work for me.
I want to try that of potatoe; I hop any kind of potatoe wrks. Will post my success if attained… Thnx anyways
thanks for the tips given in your website. hope these remedies will help in my underarm problem. im goin to post if it really works.
a big thanks!
these remedies are very affective.thanx for telling us about them
I tryd ths rememdy nd its wrks properly
may i knw which 1 u tried..!! @ aarushi
May i know which remedy u tried
Which one did you try?
oh its nice…. thanks a lot i got the results in 2 weeks..
Which one did you try?
can u pls post which one u tried?
Hi….I using baking soda and lemon…Is it okay if I leave over night?My own way is, wash my underarm and I put lemon juice followed by baking soda…is it alright? Pls… Rply then…thank u
I think baking soda is not good i also tried it but it irritate my armpit, its getting darker, I’m still thinking what remedies good for me
Hello Rena
I would recommend you to exfoliate your underarms first it will help lighten your underarms just by exfoliating them. Try using a Mary kay exfoliator. I’m using right now mary kay sugar scrub warm Amber it’s helping a lot I exfoliate my underarms daily day and night and I use lemon instead of deodorant. Don’t share any more use a twizer. You will see results in a month or less if you do it like that, but avoid deodorant and shaving while doing the process. Good luck.
wich 1 u tried sis
hi which one you try? please i need it… i only have 2 months before my wedding
hey can u specify which one worked for u??
which one did u tried?
I used lime, plain (unflavored) yogurt, and honey. The same amount of each, like a tsp depending on how much you need. I saw results in about a week by applying 3 (1 each day) times a week. You can apply two times a day if you want. No more than an hour. I usually do it at night time before my shower and sleep.
the potato really works! i had extremely dark underarms… potato cured it for me! the lemon didn’t work for me! if you want fast results.. i recommend the potato
How long did it take you to see the results?
Hey Milly how long did it take the potato to work? and can it be any kind? Please reply fast, thank you (:
Finally someone says what one they used that worked !! Thank you lol
Will it work for underlegs too??
this site is really good and it help me a lot 🙂
I have tried some of them and they are very effective..
the remedies are very effectful and useful
i used lemon and it really worked i thought it wouldn’t but it did!!!!!
I’ve tried lemon and it works for my underarm’s lightening and for the odor as well..but in or country during hot summer,it doesn’t last up to 24 hours…i wanna try the potato 🙂
I started using potato one. My underarm’s are really became dark. Hope i will get the good reslut trying this remedies.
I tried the potato one , it worked for me! 🙂
Hey Keira I would like to know how long did it take the potato to work and can it be any kind? please answer fast, thank you (:
Keira I would also like to know long did the potato method take to make your underarms lighter?
hi.how Long did you take the potato?
omg.i’m so worried bout my underrms . . its ok for me, i used tawas as deodornt?
@Leigh Jopio hey isnt tawas a filo thing? if so my mum makes me use it and it does really work for B.O
potato works for me
i will use lemon for body odor.
I said wud post my success wit potato, but d tin is dat nth much seemed to apply on d skin wen usin thin sliced potatoe, n using fruit extractor to extract its juice didn’t wrk so much as potatoe is not succulent. So av decided to go 4 cucumber option. Am havin high hopes on cucumber, hop not to b dsappointed
I’ve been applying lemon for weeks but it didn’t work for me. better try the potato.
Could it be vinegar plus baking soda, instead of vinegar and rice flour? I hope it won’t harm my Auntie’s under arm? Thanks..
I have been shaving and it’s become rough and dark!
and I can’t even wear dresses with out sleves!!
please tell me a good home remedy by which i can remove hair completely at home
ASAP! thanks 🙂
the potato is really effective,i tried also the vinegar they are really effective,thanks for the info
Hey @Nilda,what do you do with the vinegar? and how long did your underarms becomes whiter?
Hi nilda, did you use the sliced potato method or the juice method? Please reply. I’m so stressed about my dark underarms and ots taking over my life.
do hairs should b removed
yes tina you should remove your hair . its better for hygienic point of view
How long did it take you to see the results?
Im asking, about potato and how long the remedies the underarms great result who is have experience that recomended to apply in any remedies… thank you people
I tried the potato remedy.. It really works. After 5 days it shows the result.
Best of luck.
which one did u use Natcha
I think I’m gonna try the Lemon and Baking Soda Treatment….
I will post after I get results 🙂
Um going to try potato tip.. Hope it works bcz i hv very dark underarms
Omg.. Potato slice really works 🙂 … After 5days it shows the result.
Thank u so much.
Hi Saleena I would like to know how did you apply the Potato? I’m looking forward for your quick reply. Thank you so much 🙂
To make the pack, take a handful of gram flour and mix it with yogurt, lemon and a little turmeric powder.
Can anyone tell me exact proportion for this.
4 taspoon yoghurt
2 teaspoon gram flour
1 lemon
Pinch of turmeeic powder
I would like to know how long I should wait before I can see the results by using the potato?
Has anyone tried the baking soda ? if so can you tell me the results, thanks
yes i have and it does work…
hi! I am using a potato for my underarm in the morning and lemon for the night.Is it safe or good for getting rid of dark underarms? hoping for your reply ..
hey letty ..
is it safe to use two different things to use in a single day.. as i had heard somewhere to use single thing in a single day ..
Will this also work for skin on the back of ur neck that looks dirty no matter how much I try to scrub it it doesn’t come off only leaves. Dirty marks on my wash cloth and it makes me feel like I don’t wash right. When I scrub my body with really hot water .
Thank u so much, i have tried the baking soda and it worked… i don’t have to worry abt using strap tops anymore now i can ditch my t-shirts….
I’ll try the potato one and I’ll tell yall how it goes…
I wanna c d results as soon as possible plss temme guys which 1 s helpful…. 🙁
i thnk u should use potato as it doesnt effect our skin negatively :}
I started using the baking soda method today. Will post results soon.
Hi yana,whats the outcome of using baking soda?coz i just started mine yesterday.ive used potato for a week but no diff
What if you tried it all of them, what would be the effect?
woow ,,,,,thnks now i can do my fiafia dance and i don’t want to show my dark underarm it kind od embarising i’m 11 yea old
Im using the baking soda method,first day and have already see results. I just use it as a scrub while showering. Very happy so i’ll give it a couple of more days to see if it will COMPLETELY CLEAR up.
How do you use the baking soda I have never try that method? ☺
I will definitely try it!!!
Potato is the best! It’s highly recommended….I am now confident to wear sleeveless!
How long did it take?
I see mostly used the potato and lemon.. Girls, if it dont work in the first try another one.. 😉
I just started using this one and I’m concerned whether or not it’s okay to use the potato juice for 1 whole week. Like, I squeezed a whole potato and a lot came out and it’s so much for just one application. And I noticed that the juice darkens. Can I still use it? Badly need an answer. 🙂
i think this remedy shall work thanks anyway
i’ve used french fries=) it works!
NNNnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOO!
its.. I- But french fries
are potatoes too……………..
the image!!!
i can’t eat no more! its okay. i needed to lose weight anyway. 😉
As long as it worked for you I am happy. 😀 😀
i will try the potato. and i will post the result ASAP.
I have been using lemon for this problem. It really controls the odour and helps to clean off the area properly. Just apply little lemon juice over there and then put some granulated sugar n just scrub it smoothly.. Leave it for 15-20 minutes and then just wash it off with warm water. It worked for me… N i m so happy with the results. N yah it should be done regularly for acheving best results.
@mmwah How long did it take? 🙂
potato is best,baking soda too. thanx a lot
Today I just started my own routine. Before I take a bath I prepare a lemon, baking soda, and a warm water. In the first bowl I mixed the lemon juice and a baking soda and make it a paste. Then I scrub it to my armpit in a circular motion and I leave it for 3 mins and I rinse it with lukewarm water and dry it with a towel. In the second bowl I mixed a baking soda a little water and make it a paste then I rub it on my armpit in a circular motion for 3-5 min then I rinse it with luke warm water and dry it
I will just post the result after 1 or 2 weeks
Im mixing the lemon and baking soda to make a paste before i put it in my armpit 🙂
indian women will be very happy about this…
I used the baking soda with lemon and it really works…you can see the result after a week…for the whole week while your using this method ( mix the baking soda and lemon then rubbing circular motion and leaves at least 3 minutes)u gonna noticed that your armpit is getting darker but dont worry, that’s your dead skin , and eventually gonna fall off..and that’s the result that you’ve waiting for…a lighter underarm..:)
Okay! I’ll use lemon and bakinq soda. Will post results after a week.
Thankx for info…i was looking for these remedies for long time…
Please post some home remedies for sun tanned skin…
tnx i really get rid from black under arms it really works gud ..
Happy dat i saw dis useful info here. And d results posted by some pple are all gr8. I wil try any of those home remedies. Tnx
Hi guys, how long does a lemon last n how do I preserve the cutted one.
keep the lemon in the fridge in an airtight container
am going to try it 🙂
im fourteen and i want to get rid of dark shades of my underarm. i read all the comments and all of them said it works so i wwanted to try the lemon and potatomethod. since many girls said its effective. i will post here again if it works.
It really work out
Now my hubby likes to sleep with me
Uhh thats very sad and shallow, even as a joke
hope it work and fast!!!!!
About the potato, Ladies put it somewhere where no one is going to touch it. Label it, caution it. Mine ended up in the pot. Worked though. 😀
i’ll try the baking soda for dark armpits and lemon for pimples so i’ll post a reply and tell you how it was…
Thank you very much for wonderful and very interesting shares how to treatment the dark underarm.I will try potatoes and cucumber and do it very quickly.
Gonna try the potato remedie and will leave the result…. hope it goes well●♡
I’m going to try the lemon and potato method, and I hope its going to work!
wow…i ill be gratefull if it works!!!
Also, instead of shaving my underarms, I pluck instead and right before I put the mixed lime juice, honey, and unflavored yogurt on. It showed a better result for me.
its really working friends try it.i think lemon is good…….
Hmmmm…..I think I’m going to try the cucumber first cause I feel like it will actually work. 🙂 if it doesn’t I’ll try the potato Cx. I’ll post my results
Gonna try the cucumber first 🙂 I feel like it will work. But if it fails I’ll try the potato Cx I’ll post my results
wowwww….lemon really worked for me…I had really dark dark underarms…as if I have paintef black color down there….bt now aftr lemon treatment from last 2 months they are by 50%… I really confident now that aftr another 2mnth treatment of lemon I wud completely get rid of dark area in my armpits….so guys it takes around 4 5 months for gettin white armpits with lemon…n yeah DON’T forget it exfoliating armpits wid pumice stone everyday while taking bath for 1 min 🙂 … m sure mah experience wud help u guys too
hi thanx for those great home remedies…will definetly try potato method..hoping it will work fast as i have very dark underarm n summer is around the corner hoping i can wear my favourate tops n dresses.thank you
Am going to try POTATO. Hope it works bcz i have very dark underarms….
I found many of them have used potato. Thanks for posting… i will again post after the best result…
I think I will try d potatoes,
Ill try lemon. I hope it’ll work on me 😉
Okay so I’ve used the coconut oil one, and you know What what? IT FAILED? just kidding it turned out to be surprisely really good. My armpit was really dark and it made my armpit look a little regular again. So I’m apply some more for the next week and see what happens.
thanks for all the good tips guys will try
Its awwsome
It really works….
Thnx for giving such workful remedy
Its really works.thq for gud tips..
nice tips! I hope to try them soon
Wow the lemon one works really well!!!! It’s the best one I think because it works fast thx website???
Am gonna try the lemon method n wait for the result
Amazing how positive the results for these home remedies are, I’m really excited to try it out! (I have dark armpits and ever since awhile I’ve been somewhat incredulous to these methods, but if the reviews are That good, then am half way sold.)
Will these still work however even if the person shaves??
(Going to try out the potato one first)
Hi? it really works. Thanks a lot. This website is really rocking. ?
Hello, I am a teenage girl with pretty dark armpits. I have a performance in late April that I am trying to get nice armpits for. I will start using the potato method (just the slice) sometime this week, daily. If I dont see results within the next two weeks I’ll switch to a daily lemon routine. Hopefully one of them will exactly the way I need it to work, so I’ll come back to give my results.
Hey ladies! I was here months before trying to find something all natural for my very dark and damaged armpit skin, but sadly nun would work. I had a serious talk with my loving mother who recommended me these 5 items that are very easy to find at home and at local stores.
1. baking soda (make into a paste )
2. very fine sugar( example, Splenda or any kind of sugar you can make into paste)
3.Gold bond Baby powder Cornstarch Plus Triple action relief.(may cost a little over $3)
4.Athlete’s Foot Cream Clotrimazole cream ( Yes I know it may sounds weird but really made a difference on my pits.
5.Naturally Freash Deodorant Crystal Roll On (Hypoallergenic, Paraben /PG Free, Fragrance Free.
Step by step I will explain my daily routine.
First, while showering I put my baking soda paste on my pits for 5 to 10 mins. Second, while still in the shower I finally rinse off the baking soda, then I put on the fine sugar paste on my pits and let that sit for about another 5 to 10 mins. You don’t have to put much of the paste, just enough to cover all the dark areas, Third, after getting done with my shower, if I didn’t have plans I would put on a little Gold Bond Baby powder to keep my pits nice and dry. If you plan on going out, about 30 mins before you actually leave put on the Gold Bond and wait till your about to leave to proceed on putting the Roll On Deodorant. I did this for more then a week and noticed a dramatic change in my skins color. Yes on hot days or while a workout my pits were a little or very sweaty after using all this stuff but worked for me like wonders. NOW for the Foot cream, I would use that right before bed or anytime of the day where your just relaxing. I really hope I helped. I couldn’t keep this amazing find to myself. It took me about 5 years to find something that would actually work. I’ve tried so many stuff but only made my pits darker and smell very weird. I didn’t even dare to lift my arms for anyone to see. that’s how bad it was, but by the grace of god and my amazing mother i can now lift my pits freely without a care in the world. Hope this works for all! (IF ALLERGIC TO ANY OF THESE ITEMS DO NOT USE.)
thz wz vry useful to me. and i guess if thr is somemore. thanx lot.
Comment:Wow,d potato really wrkd:D:D
I will try potato remedie and i will post if its really work…
I’ll try potato . Hope to tell my result soon ?
I think the same person wrote all the comments!
i tried the coconut oil1 it works
im scared if it didnt work hope it will work
Hi everyone,
I’ve read all the comments in this site and i believe some of them just said it really works but only on the first try so they expect to get a good result in a flash. here is my experience, i use baking soda before and i see it whitens a little bit after washing so at that moment i was excited and expected that it will completely whitens for a maximum of 2 weeks but hopelessly it doesn’t, it only whitens after applying it but returns back after a day and nothing works after 2 weeks so I’ve switched to another remedy, the lemon paired with honey. tonight is my 2nd week of applying remedy no.2 and it works for me but not as fast as what they said in previous comments but still i am satisfied because it works and that is the most important thing. i applied it every night and I’ve noticed that the lightening of my underarm doesn’t change even after i wake up in the morning but don’t expect that result for 1-3 days.
i don’t say that other remedies are fake or ineffective but you have find whats best or effective for you and don’t expect a fast result, give at 2 weeks for every remedy you will try and try another if not effective. the effectiveness of remedy stated above maybe depends on you’re skin or how severe the damage you have on your skin or what causes it. just try and try guys and be patient. don’t lose hope.
Hi.
I’ve started the coconut oil remedy.
Hope it works.
I just wanted to ask if its okay for me to leave it on instead of washing it off. Then apply baby powder over it.
Somebody please reply.
Thanks.
Hello Friends, I would like to share my experience that even I was suffering from dark underarms and stopped wearing sleeveless clothes. I tried many home remedies as well as whitening cream but didn’t get the result. I would recommend a cream which gives the best and effective result in just one week. Today I am so happy and and started wearing all my sleeveless outfits.
Comment:OMG it works, I tried the cucumber and the lemon. It works for me
use a toothpaste when take a bath. simple
I tried using the coconut oil everyday at first 2-3 times a day as directed…and it works…my underarm started to lighten after about a week or two…I also use a whitening body scrub every three or four days to get rid of dead skin cells and now I can say that it really works. From time to time, i would use lemon or calamansi, or potato juice. I guess with continued use my armpits will continue to lighten until I am confident enough to wear sleeveless and raise my arms. On the side note, the coconut oil makes your armpit smooth and if you are plucking hair with tweezers it helps in not having chicken skin.
Hey guys, I just started to use the potato today and i’ll post the results weekly 🙂
hey guys, ill be trying the potato (just the slice) and i’ll keep you updated weekly. i’ll say if i see any changes and whatn not 🙂
I tried the baking soda .. it only seems to work a little ..
I applied baking soda after the shower and it made my armpits darker. Really dark ..
i will try the potato for dark spot removals
hi guys I used baking soda and lemon for heavy sweat I am good now