Glycolic Acid for Armpits: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects

Glycolic acid has always been a part of skincare as it can help reduce hyperpigmentation, improve your skin tone, and make the skin texture smooth, and even. These problems are not limited to the visible areas of the skin only. 

Our underarm skin is also prone to these problems but it is often overlooked. As they worsen, dead cells and sweat keep accumulating, and our underarms start giving off extra body odor that is certainly embarrassing. Since glycolic acid can help with such problems, will it be beneficial for underarms? Does glycolic acid help with dark armpits? Let’s find out the uses of glycolic acid for armpits!

Table of Contents:

• Part 1: What is Glycolic Acid?
• Part 2: Is Glycolic Acid Good for Armpits?
• Part 3: How to Use Glycolic Acid for Armpits?
• Part 4: How Often to Use Glycolic Acid on Armpits?

Part 1: What is Glycolic Acid?

Glycolic acid belongs to the class of alpha-hydroxy acids. It is obtained from sugarcane. Due to its low molecular weight, it can seep deeper into the skin and be more effective than other products. 

It is a chemical exfoliant that sloughs off the dead skin cells from your skin’s surface and gives it a smooth appearance. Let’s discuss its benefits in the next section. 

Part 2: Is Glycolic Acid Good for Armpits?

What does glycolic acid do for armpits? This one ingredient can address many issues of the delicate armpit skin. Let’s see how!

Benefits

• Glycolic acid can act as a deodorant for your underarms. It has a lower pH as compared to the skin therefore it can kill the bacteria that cause odor in your armpits
• Dark underarms are common, making it embarrassing for women to wear sleeveless dresses. This alpha hydroxy acid can help treat hyperpigmentation 
• Since glycolic acid also has exfoliating properties, therefore using it after underarm hair removal can help prevent ingrown hairs
• It increases cell turnover and helps in achieving a brighter skin complexion in the armpit area 

Side Effects

Although glycolic acid comes with numerous benefits for the armpits, it also has some side effects:

• Misuse of glycolic acid on the sensitive underarm skin can cause redness, inflammation, erythema, and irritation
• It cannot be used in combination with retinol as these two can irritate the skin causing darkening of the irritated area
• Since the underarm skin constantly rubs against your torso therefore it can cause skin sensitivity 

Expert Opinions

Is there any research regarding the use of glycolic acid for armpits? In 2021, research was conducted on the effect of glycolic and phytic acid complexes on hyperpigmentation. A significant improvement was observed after 4 and 12 weeks of use.

In addition, Dr. Garshick told TODAY that when glycolic acid comes in contact with the skin, it reduces the pH making it difficult for bacteria to survive in such an environment.  Hence, odor-causing bacteria are reduced. 

However, doctors still recommend people to use glycolic acid for underarms carefully. Dr. Verma stated in REFINERY29 that it might be a bit risky to use if you have oversensitive skin. In addition, if you are using it for more than the recommended time, it can disrupt the skin barrier. 

Part 3: How to Use Glycolic Acid for Armpits?

Step-by-Step Instructions to Use Glycolic Acid

• First, you need to get your hands on the right product. Since the underarm skin is delicate, a product with less than 10% glycolic acid can be safer to use
• To avoid the interaction of glycolic acid with any other ingredients, cleanse your armpits with a gentle cleanser and let them dry by patting the area with a soft cloth
• Then soak a cotton pad in the product and apply it gently on your armpits
• Once it is completely absorbed into the skin, you can apply a gentle moisturizer to reduce the friction and prevent glycolic acid side effects

Recommended Glycolic Acid Products and Brands 

Here are some products that can be used for armpits:

• The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Solution: It is one of the most famous products that have been used for underarms. The solution contains 7% glycolic acid. In addition, the ginseng root and aloe vera are also added to provide soothing effects

• Dermdoc 5% Glycolic Acid Under Arm Treatment: The Ordinary solution is actually intended for the face but Dermadoc is specific for underarm treatment. It contains 5% glycolic acid and you just need to spray it on the armpits to give yourself a simple brightening treatment

• Kosas Chemistry Deodorant: If you are looking for a glycolic acid deodorant, Kosas Chemistry deodorant is to go for. It contains a blend of alpha hydroxy acids that can help prevent bacterial growth thus reducing the body odor 

• Surface Deep Deodorant Wipes: These wipes are formulated with glycolic acid and other natural ingredients to prevent the underarm skin from getting irritated. Furthermore, its packaging is made of biodegradable material so you can go for a sustainable choice of deodorant with Surface Deep 

Patch Test for Glycolic Acid 

To ensure that you are using glycolic acid the right way, you must ensure the following:

• Read the ingredients of the product you are buying carefully. It must not contain more than 10% of the glycolic acid
• Before applying the product to the armpits, conduct a patch test. Choose a small area like your inner forearm and apply a little product there 
• Since it takes time to absorb into the skin, wait for a few hours to confirm that your skin does not react to the product
• If you see any irritation, you can either try a product with a lower concentration or one mixed with natural ingredients to provide a soothing effect to your skin

Part 4: How Often to Use Glycolic Acid on Armpits?

Using glycolic acid daily on the skin can irritate it and cause sensitivity therefore it is recommended to use it only one to two times per week. Initially, you can start with once per week to let your skin get used to the product.

Then, you can increase the application up to three times depending upon how your skin reacts to glycolic acid. However, if you have sensitive skin then you can keep it only once per week. Also, maintain a consistent routine for using it for the long term and see more effective results. Keep a check on changes in your skin appearance. If you see any side effects, you can either get a consultation from a dermatologist or replace it with other products. 

Moreover, using it for a long time can increase skin sensitivity so do not forget to wear sunscreen on your armpits if you are wearing a sleeveless dress to protect them from the sun. 

Conclusion

Glycolic acid can be used to exfoliate dead skin cells, treat hyperpigmentation, brighten the underarm complexion, and prevent ingrown hair. It cannot replace a deodorant or an antiperspirant but can help reduce armpit odor by preventing bacterial growth. 

However, underarm skin is very delicate therefore we must be careful while using glycolic acid for the armpits. Do not exceed the safe amount and avoid using it daily otherwise, it can cause redness, flakiness, and skin sensitivity.