Yes, I Have A Skincare Routine For My Armpits
Skincare for your armpits? It may sound bizarre, but adopting a skincare routine for your underarms may solve issues like discoloration, body odor, and even ingrown hairs.
The fact is, sometimes your pits need some TLC - just like the rest of your body.
Armpits are especially vulnerable to irritation and inflammation. With limited exposure to air and a lot of warmth and moisture accumulating in that area, your underarms are at risk of allergies, infections, and poor hygiene. In other words, your armpits may require a detox if you're looking to improve their appearance.
Make sure your pits look extra pretty in all those sleeveless shirts and bikinis this summer, with this underarm skin care routine.
- Wash them
Before you glide on another layer of natural deodorant, hop in the shower and use a gentle cleanser on your pits. Look for a body wash with natural fragrance and moisturizing properties to prevent your pits from drying out. Feel free to use a wash cloth for added exfoliation.
- Scrub them
Are you constantly reaching for the deodorant in a bid to mask unpleasant odors?
"It’s the combination of the sweat with the bacteria that’s just normally on the skin that causes odor," says Maral Skelsey, MD, a Maryland-based dermatologist.
Exfoliating your underarm area can slough away dead skin to leave your pits smelling fresh and feeling soft. When you regularly exfoliate, you're basically unclogging the pores and clearing out bad smells. With a gentle exfoliant, you can quickly alleviate body odor and get rid of any buildup that may be behind those sweaty scents.
"Regular exfoliation helps to keep bacterial numbers in check by getting rid of dead skin cells, which can harbor extra bacteria that interact with sweat to cause malodor on the surface of the skin," notes Dr. Corey Hartman, an Alabama-based, board-certified dermatologist.
Just don't overdo it, especially if you have sensitive skin, as it can increase irritation and inflammation in that area.
For a gentle exfoliation, use a body scrub in addition to your daily body cleanser to keep bad smells in check and your underarms feeling super smooth. No more relying on antiperspirants!
Our product pick: Truly's Blueberry Kush CBD Body Scrub.
- Butter them
One thing many people overlook when shaving underarms is to use a good quality shaving butter. Hair removal methods such as shaving cause micro tears in the skin's surface, allowing chemicals and toxins easy access into our bloodstream - resulting in irritated skin.
According to dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, "You can get pimples and bumps from hair follicle infection caused by bacteria or yeast introduced during shaving."
Besides using shaving cream, she adds: "It is important to never let razors sit in the shower and to be certain they are clean and sharp."
So why is shaving cream so important? It's important because it provides slip for your razor making the whole process a lot easier and leaving you less prone to developing ingrown hairs. It's definitely one of those beauty products people tend to ignore, but it's essential for smooth, baby-soft armpits.
Our product pick: Truly's Coco Cloud Luxury Shave Butter.
- Treat them
Want to get your pits back to their even toned selves?
Uneven skin tone is a common issue under your arms. Here's why:
"When underarm skin gets repeatedly irritated and inflamed, it can thicken and look darker both from the buildup of skin cells and from pigmentation stimulated by inflammation," explains Dr. Heidi Waldorf, MD of Waldorf Dermatology Aesthetics. That's what's known as hyperpigmentation.
Some people believe dark spots and skin lightening are caused by certain ingredients in deodorant and antiperspirant. But according to cosmetic chemist Valerie George, it's highly unlikely deodorants are to blame.
An allergic reaction to your deodorant may also be responsible for your discoloration. That's because when you get an allergy, the area gets red and inflamed, causing dark patches to form.
The best way to combat underarm discoloration is by investing in an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-packed treatment to specifically fade dark spots and uneven skin tone. There are many skincare products to choose from for brightening dark patches. So choose wisely.
Our product pick: Truly's Jelly Booster Pigment Treatment Body Potion.
- Moisturize them
It’s great to apply moisturizer on your armpits right after you shower. Doing so will prevent dry skin and irritation, as water strips the skin of essential oils, leaving them vulnerable to dryness. You don't need to use an expensive lotion, just something nourishing and lightweight to hydrate the skin and provide a layer of protection to support the skin barrier. Avoid using anything heavy or greasy to prevent blocking your pores and causing buildup.
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It features an exfoliating, hydrating, and smoothing trio of Truly bestsellers to bring down body odors, quell hyperpigmentation, prevent discoloration, and avoid ingrown hairs. This bundle is suitable for all skin types.
TIPS FOR MAINTAINING PRETTY PITS
For starters, if you're going outdoors during the day, remember to add sunscreen into your underarm routine. Wearing SPF on your pits will keep the skin protected from harsh UV rays and pollution that may cause premature aging and potentially skin damage.
Another handy piece of advice: wear your antiperspirant at night. According to the experts, applying natural deodorant at night gives it time to work. And did you know you only actually need to apply deo two or three times a week? Yep, that's all.
When it comes to underarm skin care, you should be treating that area of your body just as well as the rest of it. For some reason, few of us do. Maybe it's because nobody sees that area of your body. Or at least, very rarely. Still, that's no excuse to neglect them completely. With a few simple skincare products, you can achieve beautiful, smooth, even-toned armpits in only a matter of weeks.
