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Oats to lighten dark underarms
A great home remedy to get rid of dark underarm spots is an exfoliating lotion. This will not only help lighten the skin, but will help recover the skin's softness in this area at the same time. To make the exfoliating lotion, you will need to prepare a base mixture of oats, lemon and honey.
Mix 2.5 tbsp of ground oatmeal with 4 tbsp of honey and 4 tbsp of lemon juice. Stir well to create a smooth paste and when it's ready, apply to the darkened skin of your underarms. Leave it to work for 15 minutes. After this time, rinse well with lukewarm water. Do not scrub the area at any point as this may make discoloration of armpit skin even worse.
The oats work as a gentle exfoliant on its own. The honey is used as a moisturizer. Honey draw moisture from the air and helps infuse it back into the skin. It can also be beneficial in cleansing pores and helping to fade scars.
Honey is a little more controversial with some sources claiming it is a wonder ingredient in bleaching skin. Others think that its high acidity can cause more harm than good. However, this is why we are not putting lemon juice directly on the skin. It is mixed in with the oats and honey, so any caustic affect it could have had on your skin is greatly reduced.
Lemon and baking soda for dark underarms
Another way lemon can be safely applied to your underarm is found in our home remedy for lightening underarm skin. It is one of the most popular home remedies as it has been around for a long time. It uses baking soda which has great properties for skin as well as many other uses (besides baking of course). One of the best reasons to use this as a home remedy is the cost. As in it costs almost nothing. Baking soda is very cheap from the supermarket and, with the amounts we will use, will last practically forever.
This underam skin lightener combines the whitening and cleansing properties of lemon and baking soda. They are both ideal for removing the surface layer of dead skin cells and also reducing excessive sweating and body odor.
Prepare the mixture with the juice of one lemon juice and 1.5 tbsp of baking soda. Apply it without pressing too much on the armpits to prevent skin irritation. It's important not to use this treatment right after shaving or expose the area to sunlight after application. I could lead to spots or further discoloration.
The baking soda also works as a mild natural exfoliant, so it has lots of benefits. It's lightening properties are also why it is found in many toothpastes. Some people with sensitive skin may find baking soda irritates them. Try on a small patch of skin on your forearm or similar area before applying to underarms.
Yogurt and glycerin for dark underarms
The lactic acid in yogurt, deeply cleanses the skin and removes dead skin cells. It also acts as an exfoliant. The bacteria in the yogurt cultures also help provide a pH balance on the epidermis. The calcium found in yogurt is a necessity for your skin's health, however this is only effective when ingested. You will only need some yogurt to lighten dark skin patches, so why not enjoy the rest with some immunity boosting fruit?
Glycerin is a simple compound which sounds like something you might use in 8th grade chemistry class. Actually, glycerin might already be in your skin care regimen as it is found in many soap products. It is also found in foodstuffs and even pharmaceutical products. Mixed in with the yogurt, it can really help lighten dark skin, not just in the underarm area.
To improve its effects against dark underarms, we suggest you make a cream by mixing 2 tbsp of plain yogurt, 2 tbsp of liquid glycerine and the juice of half a lemon. Apply this lotion right after showering, leave on for 15 minutes and then remove with warm water.
If you enjoyed yogurt as a skin care product, read how to make a yogurt face mask. Just make sure you use natural, unsweetened yogurt on your skin. Otherwise, additives and sugars in the yogurt might make your skin worse.
Sugar for dark underarms
In many cases, a darkening of the armpits occurs due to an accumulation of dead skin cells that need to be exfoliated regularly. This will leave them looking pretty and soft. There are great home made scrubs to exfoliate the area once a week and one of the best natural ingredients that serves this purpose is sugar.
To make a home-made whitening scrub, use 4 tbsp of white sugar, 2 tbsp of baking soda and the juice of half an orange. Spread it over the area and allow it to penetrate the skin well for 15 minutes. Wash off gently as the exfoliation should work already as it is.
Potato for dark armpits
Potatoes also have whitening properties and are effective in helping to lighten the skin naturally, while protecting your health at all times. This doesn't mean you'll be able to eat as many fries as you like as the grease and fat will be anything but good to your skin.
Potatoes contain an enzyme called catecholase which is thought to be effective in lightening skin in general. If you want to use a home remedy for dark underarms, we recommend grating half a potato and rubbing your armpits with it at night just before bedtime. Don't try rubbing the potato and grating your armpits. The next morning, clean your underarms well. You may need to use some protection for your bed sheets as the potato can stain them.
Baking soda and honey for underarms
This one is a "greatest hits" of lightening underarm skin as it combines the power of baking soda and honey together. Use a mixture of equal parts baking soda and honey, apply as you have before with our other mixtures and leave for about 15 minutes. Rinse off with water and try not to irritate the darkened skin.
These two working together will give you the best chance of lightening your skin with home remedies. If not, it may be time to seek a physician's advice.
Other remedies for darkened underarms
While these home remedies for lightening your underarms are some of the best ideas, there are other creams you can make which should also do the trick.
- Sandalwood: mix this in with any of the above treatments. It is used by people who want lighter skin as it has anti-tanning properties, making it great for darkened skin. It is also thought to be anti-aging and great for the complexion in general.
- Orange peel: the skin of an orange is rich in vitamin C and is used by some as a natural skin bleach. Certainly better than putting regular bleach on your skin.
- Milk: the cleansing power of full fat milk has been an idea used for centuries, most memorably Cleopatra and Elizabeth I were known to have taken milk baths. Add a little honey to be just like the Egyptian legend.
How to take care of your underarms
The underarms are very delicate and if you want to keep them always looking pretty and healthy, it's essential that you follow a series of steps to help you avoid both the appearance of dark spots and dryness. If you think that the darkness under your skin may be more than just from deodorant or general skin agitation, seek a doctor immediately. As your lymph nodes are located in the armpit region, it is important that you monitor them and make sure no abnormalities occur.
