Yes, These 6 Derm-Approved Tricks to De-Stink Your Pits Really Do Work
Main image – Leandrocrespi/Stocksy
I don’t know quite what the universe is trying to tell me, but it feels like everywhere I turn on socials at the moment I keep seeing the same hack (albeit shared by a different derm or beauty expert each time).
It involves using glycolic acid– yes, the AHA you’d normally reserve for your face- on your pits. Apparently, this ingredient can change the pH of your skin, rendering your swear less potent-smelling than normal.
And while like any keen beauty editor I do enjoy investigating a new hack, I confess I also have a healthy scepticism of any that involve skincare actives.
That’s why I’ve spoken to three leaders in the field; dermatologists Dr Eleanora Fedonenko and Dr Hannah Kopelman, and deodorant brand founder, Maheen Kahn, to find out the 6 expert-approved ways to stay truly stink-free this summer (because, let’s face it, when the weather is sizzling, deodorant alone isn’t always enough).
Does the glycolic acid trick, for example, work? And is there really a way to make your regular deodorant more effective than normal? Read on to find out.
1. Apply deodorant before bed
It might seem a bit backward but according to the experts, applying deodorant at night makes for some great forward planning.
“I often recommend patients apply their antiperspirant at night, when the sweat glands are less active, so the ingredients have time to plug the ducts and reduce sweating the next day,” says Dr Kopelman.
But this trick only works with antiperspirant and not your basic roll-on deodorant. “I don’t think there’s much benefit [applying a roll-on at nighttime] unless you’re looking to mask the smell during the night,” says Khan.
“When you have sensitive skin it’s always nice to give the skin anywhere a break once in a while.”
And speaking of giving your pits a break, is it a myth that you should let them breathe while you sleep? Dr Kopelman says yes. “Skin doesn’t respire like lungs do,” she explains.
2. Do an armpit cleanse
Armpits are some of the sweatiest areas of the body, so it makes sense to give them their own shower routine.
“For those who struggle with persistent odour, using a gentle antibacterial cleanser – like one with benzoyl peroxide – a few times a week can lower the bacterial load that causes smell,” suggests Dr Kopelman.
Image – Bratco/Stocksy
And Kahn agrees. “I like to use antibacterial soaps under my arms,” she says. “It kills odour causing bacteria (as well as residue from previous deodorant applications) and gives me the perfectly clean canvas to apply deodorant for the day.”
And when the heat is really intense? “I use face wash such as Panoxyl (with 5% benzoyl peroxide) to cleanse my underarms, it works wonders!” A facial for your pits? Who knew?! (Cue 1,000 beauty brands rushing to release pit-dedicated skincare lines).
3. Choose the right clothes
Most of us probably know that cotton or linen area among the skin- friendliest fabrics to wear in the summer. But did you know why?
Here, our experts explain why the fabric you choose to wear has a huge effect on the smell of your pits, even if it is fresh out of the washing machine.
“When you wear synthetic blends in summer particularly with in-built stretch, you will find that odour sticks to those fibres even after being washed,” explains Dr Fedonenko. “You are re-awakening the same bacteria as soon as your body gets warm again.”
The solution? “Soak gym tops in diluted vinegar once a week,” she advises. It sounds like a bit of a faff, but Dr Fedonenko thinks it will help with any smell from your clothes. “Foul smell is not necessarily a sanitary problem. Other times, it is only chemistry that has to be adjusted in simple and practical methodologies.”
4. Don’t overload your pits
It would be easy to just pile on the ingredients and hope they hide a multitude of sweaty sins. But overdoing it can harm the skin.
“I caution against layering too many heavily fragranced products or using alcohol-based sprays that can irritate the delicate underarm skin,” warns Dr Kopelman.
Image – Leandrocrespi/Stocksy
“I have sensitive skin, so I avoid products with baking soda and essential oils,” adds Kahn.
And the one tip that all experts say is essential where your armpit skin’s health is concerned? “Always apply deodorant on clean and dry skin,” Kahn says.
Dr Kopelman adds that along with this, “trimming underarm hair can also make a noticeable difference.”
5. Try Glycolic Acid
Yes, the aforementioned glycolic acid- the ingredient you apply on your face for brighter, clearer skin- is definitely beneficial for the armpits too, according to the experts.
“Glycolic acid can actually be a surprisingly effective odour-reducing hack,” says Dr Kopelman. “It works by lowering the pH of the skin and gently exfoliating dead skin cells, which reduces the bacterial overgrowth that leads to odour. I do think it’s a viable option for many patients, particularly those who prefer a more “natural” approach to odour control.”
Image – Visualspectrum/Stocksy
And Dr Fedonenko even says, “I have patients that have cut back on deodorant completely in two weeks with only this.” Woah.
Despite the rave reviews from our experts though, this hack remains divisive, with some pointing to the lack of clinical studies into its effectiveness and others saying that glycolic acid may be too harsh for some skin types.
For that reason, “I advise using it no more than a few times per week to avoid irritation,” warns Dr Kopelman. “It should be applied to clean, dry underarms, ideally at night, using a toner or wipe – just be careful not to apply it immediately after shaving.”
Equally, if your skin is already sensitive, either skip this hack or try using a gentle formula. Live That Glow’s editor, Sally Underwood, hasn’t stopped raving about The Inkey List’s Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick (£15 from Space NK UK/ $19.50 from Sephora US) since she first bought one a few weeks ago.
This stick formula can be quickly swiped onto pits, any chicken skin areas, or body breakouts – and as well as containing 7% glycolic acid, it also has shea butter to moisturise.
And the best part? Glycolic acid’s benefits go beyond simply de-stinking too. Kahn explains, “It has skin brightening properties and as I suffer from darkening under the arms, I think it’s great”.
If you have sensitive skin- or know that you can’t tolerate glycolic acid- but under arm hyperpigmentation alone is your issue, Megababe’s Night Rescue Overnight Brightening Stick (£14 from Cult Beauty UK/ $16 from Megababe US), contains niacinamide and grapeseed oil to brighten discolouration while nourishing skin.
6. Read up on armpit masks
A mask for your armpits? Otherwise known as ‘underarm detox masks’ which Dr Kopelman advises you be cautious about. “Underarm detox masks are popular, but the term “detox” can be a bit misleading,” she explains. “Your body doesn’t purge toxins through your armpits, so these masks aren’t doing any detoxifying in the medical sense.”
Are there any masks that could be effective? “Some clay-based masks can absorb excess sweat or oil and leave the skin feeling fresher,” she says.
“If patients enjoy using them as part of a self-care ritual, I suggest sticking to gentle formulations with kaolin clay, aloe, or mild acids like lactic or mandelic acid. Just avoid anything overly drying or heavily fragranced, especially if you have sensitive or recently shaved skin.”
The takeaway
Yep, as it turns out there really are plenty of armpit hacks that actually work, according to our experts.
Applying anti-perspirant deodorant is a brilliant way of getting ahead of tomorrow’s sweat production and doing a frequent armpit cleanse will help get rid of odour.
Re-think your fabric choices – no, really – and try not to overload your underarm skin with too many products or ingredients, particularly if yours is sensitive, as it could react.
Glycolic acid is a beneficial ingredient to look out for to help lower your pH and exfoliate dead skin cells and a clay mask once in a while will help to soak up excess oil and sweat.
Meet the experts
Dr Eleonora Fedonenko is medical director and dermatologist of Your Laser Skin Care, in Los Angeles
Dr Hannah Kopelman is chief medical officer at DermOnDemand
Maheen Kahn is founder of natural deodorant bar company, Parudeesa
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