The Ordinary Products for Underarms: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you tired of dealing with dark underarms, unpleasant odors, and other common underarm issues? Well, you’re in luck! This article dives into the world of The Ordinary, a beloved skincare brand known for its high-quality, affordable products.

We’ll explore how The Ordinary can revolutionize your underarm care routine, helping you achieve brighter, smoother, and fresher armpits. Say goodbye to dark underarms and odors and hello to a newfound confidence in flaunting your underarms with pride!

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Table of Contents

• Is The Ordinary good for armpits?
• The Ordinary Products for Dark Underarms
• How to lighten underarms with The Ordinary Products 
• The Ordinary Products for Underarm Odor
• FAQs

Is The Ordinary good for armpits?

Yes, The Ordinary products can indeed be beneficial for underarm care. They are particularly effective in managing common issues such as dark underarms, underarm acne, and body odor.

With their carefully curated formulations, these products contain active ingredients aimed at addressing specific skin concerns while minimizing potential side effects.

Whether you’re looking for brightening serums to tackle discoloration or exfoliants to smooth and refine skin texture, The Ordinary offers a wide range of options to choose from.

The Ordinary Products for Dark Underarms

Underarm darkening results from various factors, such as friction, hair removal methods, hyperpigmentation, Acanthosis Nigricans (Thickened, darkened skin), deodorants and antiperspirants, genetics, and medical conditions like diabetes or PCOS. These causes contribute to skin irritation, melanin production, and hormonal imbalances, leading to darker underarms.

Identifying and addressing the factors causing underarm discoloration can help prevent and treat underarm darkening. Here are six of The Ordinary products that can help lighten dark underarms and prevent them from worsening:

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, which became popular on social media for underarm brightening and as a deodorant alternative, is effective due to its small molecular structure. This allows it to penetrate deeply into the skin, removing dead cells and revealing brighter skin.

While it doesn’t stop sweat, it can make underarms look brighter and feel fresher.

However, care should be taken when using this product in high concentrations. The skin found in the armpit is thinner compared to other parts of the body and more prone to irritation. Apply it with a cotton pad, starting two to three times a week after cleansing, and increase use cautiously.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

Lactic acid is known for its gentle exfoliation, making it suitable for lightening dark underarms and improving skin texture. It removes dead skin cells and lightens dark spots, benefitting even sensitive skin types.

While direct evidence of its effectiveness specifically for dark underarms is limited, its skin-lightening capabilities are well-known. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA uniquely combines lactic acid for exfoliation with hyaluronic acid for hydration, offering a balanced treatment for the skin.

Start by using it a few times a week (sparingly), gradually increasing to daily use as your skin adjusts. Be cautious if you have sensitive skin and always do a patch test first.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, aimed at blemish-prone skin, provides surface-level exfoliation and promotes dead skin cell shedding. It contains 2% salicylic acid, a lipophilic compound that deeply cleanses pores, and squalane for moisturization.

Though formulated for the face, its exfoliating and pore-penetrating qualities can address underarm issues like ingrown hairs, clogged pores, and acne, which can contribute to darkening. Start using it two to three times a week after cleansing underarms and adjust based on skin response.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

This Peeling Solution is a potent exfoliating treatment that combines alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to exfoliate the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation.

Just like other The Ordinary products, this exfoliating serum isn’t explicitly formulated for underarm use, nevertheless, it could potentially help with issues like dark underarms, clogged pores, and ingrown hairs by promoting cell turnover and exfoliating dead skin cells.

However, due to the high concentration of acids in this peeling solution, it’s essential to exercise caution when using it on sensitive areas like underarms. Always perform a patch test before applying the product to the underarm area, and although the product instructions require it to be left on the skin for 10 mins, you should do less for a start. Leaving the solution on for too long could cause irritation or burns. 

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is an effective brightening and skin-evening formula. While not specifically designed for underarms, its anti-inflammatory and tyrosinase-inhibiting properties may help improve underarm skin tone and texture.

Azelaic acid targets dark spots and uneven skin tone, making it an effective treatment for dark underarms. Apply this suspension daily after cleansing your underarms.

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% is not just a brightening agent; it’s also an antioxidant powerhouse. As a stable Vitamin C derivative, it helps to reduce hyperpigmentation in dark underarms and boosts overall skin health.

Additionally, it aids in collagen production, which can improve skin elasticity and texture. Gentle for daily use, it should be applied after cleansing and before other underarm care products, once or twice daily. This serum’s benefits extend beyond mere lightening, offering a comprehensive approach to underarm skincare.

How to lighten underarms with The Ordinary Products

The skin on the underarm areas is very sensitive therefore, when going about trying to brighten them you need to do so with care. Here is a guide on how to use The Ordinary products to effectively lighten underarms. 

• The first step is for you to cleanse your underarm area with a gentle cleanser, rinse off and pat dry. 
• Follow with one of The Ordinary exfoliating products. Apply one or two drops of your chosen exfoliating serum or toner under each arm and gently massage it in.
• After exfoliating your underarms you can follow with The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%.
• If you are dealing with discoloration as well as rough texture in your underarms, apply The Ordinary Azelaic Suspension 10% after the vitamin C serum. 

Here are a few tips to ensure the best results without any risk of irritating your underarms:

• Do not apply a lot of friction to your underarms as this may cause irritations.
• Do not use layer multiple exfoliating products as this may lead to irritation.
• Do not use any exfoliating product immediately after shaving as your skin will be too sensitive. It is best to wait a couple of days after shaving to exfoliate your underarms. 
• Do not exfoliate your underarms more than 2 times a week. 
• You can use The Ordinary Azelaic Acid and Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution on a daily basis, morning and night for better results.
• Avoid using harsh deodorants or antiperspirants that can irritate the skin and exacerbate darkening.

It is important to note that while these products can help brighten the underarms, the results may vary from one individual to another. Depending on the cause of hyperpigmentation in this area, results may take more or less time.

Also, note that the underarms are a part of the body where a lot of friction naturally occurs as such are always prone to hyperpigmentation. You will need to care for them continuously to keep them bright.

The Ordinary Products for Underarm Odor

Body odor is primarily caused by the breakdown of sweat by bacteria present on the skin. When sweat is released from sweat glands, it is odorless, but bacteria on the skin’s surface metabolize sweat components, producing compounds with a distinct smell.

Although there is a lack of scientific data on the subject, anecdotal claims seem to point to the fact that these The Ordinary products can help get rid of underarm odor:

The Ordinary Glycolic Toning Solution 7%

This toner went viral on TikTok as a deodorant substitute but does it really get rid of body odor? Based on anecdotal reports including this one from cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong, glycolic acid helps eliminate body odor by stopping the growth of odor-causing bacteria. 

Glycolic acid has a pH of 3 while that of the armpit sits at 5-6, by reducing the skin’s pH upon application, glycolic acid minimizes the growth of bacteria responsible for odor production. 

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

Although it is primarily used for treating acne and blemish-prone skin, this serum can also be helpful for managing body odor. Salicylic acid works by breaking down dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and reducing the buildup of bacteria on the skin.

Since body odor is caused by the breakdown of sweat by bacteria on the skin, salicylic acid can help minimize odor by keeping the skin clean and reducing bacteria.

FAQs

Can The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% be used for underarm care?

Yes, you can definitely use The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum on your underarms. It’s a handy little product that’s great at keeping oil production in check and calming down any inflammation, making it a good match for underarm use.

The great thing about using niacinamide on your underarms is that it can help reduce redness and irritation, and even out your skin tone. Just remember, though, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test first. Some people can find niacinamide a bit sensitive on their skin, and we don’t want any unwelcome surprises, do we?

Can you safely use The Ordinary’s range of Retinol products on your underarms?

Yes, you can definitely use The Ordinary’s line of retinol products on your underarms. They’re pretty great at dealing with issues like hyperpigmentation and promoting cell turnover. Retinol is a star player when it comes to reducing dark spots and evening out skin tone, which makes it a solid choice for lightening your underarms.

But remember, it’s always best to start slow with retinol. Try beginning with a lower concentration, like The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane, and then you can ramp up the strength if your skin handles it well.

Just a heads up, though, retinol can make your skin more sensitive, so be sure to slather on some sun protection on the treated areas if you’re going to be catching some rays.

Can The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 be used for underarm care?

Yes, The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum can work wonders on your underarms. This moisture-boosting serum is all about hydrating and plumping up the skin, and it does this without clogging your pores, so it’s a big thumbs up for underarm use.

Thanks to hyaluronic acid, it helps keep your skin moisturized, which can really improve its texture and look. Just remember to apply it daily after you’ve cleaned your underarms and before you put on any other treatments.

In conclusion, The Ordinary offers a range of products that can address common underarm issues such as darkening, odor, and irritation. By incorporating these products into your underarm care routine, you can achieve lighter, smoother, and more refreshed underarms. Remember to patch-test products, follow usage instructions, and be patient with the results.