13 Best Ways to Use Baking Soda to Lighten Dark Underarms

13 Best Ways to Use Baking Soda to Lighten Dark Underarms

Dark underarms can be an issue that makes many people self-conscious, especially when it comes to wearing sleeveless clothing. While there are many commercial products available that promise to lighten dark underarms, many turn to baking soda as a natural alternative. But does baking soda really work for this purpose, and how should it be used safely? Let’s explore how baking soda can help brighten underarm skin and 13 effective ways to use it.

What Causes Dark Underarms?

Before diving into the remedies, it’s important to understand what causes dark underarms. Various factors can contribute to this skin issue, including:

1. Irritation from Shaving: Constant shaving can lead to irritation and skin darkening due to friction.
2. Dead Skin Cell Accumulation: Not exfoliating your underarms regularly can result in a buildup of dead skin cells, causing discoloration.
3. Friction from Tight Clothing: Wearing tight clothes can create friction, which may cause dark patches.
4. Deodorants and Antiperspirants: Chemicals in these products can irritate the skin and contribute to hyperpigmentation.
5. Melasma: A skin condition that causes dark patches on the skin, often due to hormonal changes.
6. Acanthosis Nigricans: This is a skin pigmentation disorder often associated with obesity, diabetes, or hormonal imbalances.
7. Bacterial Infections: Certain bacterial infections can also contribute to skin darkening.
8. Smoking: Smoking can worsen pigmentation issues by triggering an increase in melanin production.

While some of these causes may require medical treatment, for minor discoloration, home remedies like baking soda can be useful.

How Does Baking Soda Help Brighten Underarms?

Although there is no scientific proof to conclusively support the claim that baking soda can brighten underarms, it is known for its exfoliating properties. Baking soda is alkaline in nature, meaning it can help neutralize the skin’s pH, remove dead skin cells, and even combat underarm odor by neutralizing unpleasant smells. Its gentle abrasive action makes it a useful exfoliant, which can result in a brighter, smoother underarm area over time.

Now, let’s take a closer look at 13 effective DIY ways to use baking soda to lighten dark underarms.

1. DIY Baking Soda and Water Scrub

You Will Need:

• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of water

Method:

1. Mix the baking soda with water to form a paste.
2. Apply the paste to your underarms and gently massage for about a minute.
3. Leave it on for 25-30 minutes.
4. Wash it off with lukewarm water.

How Often to Use:
2-3 times a week.

Why It Works:
This simple scrub helps exfoliate dead skin cells, unclog pores, and brighten the skin.

2. Baking Soda, Gram Flour, and Curd Scrub

You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of gram flour
• 1 tablespoon of curd

Method:

1. Mix the baking soda, gram flour, and curd into a thick paste.
2. Apply it to your underarms, massage gently, and leave it on for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

How Often to Use:
2-3 times a week.

Why It Works:
This mask is excellent for deep exfoliation. The curd moisturizes, and gram flour helps to absorb excess oil while baking soda exfoliates.

3. Baking Soda and Avocado Mask

You Will Need:

• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of mashed avocado
• ½ tablespoon of lemon juice (diluted with water)

Method:

1. Mix the ingredients into a smooth paste.
2. Apply the paste to your underarms and massage gently.
3. Leave it on for 20 minutes.
4. Wash it off with lukewarm water.

How Often to Use:
2 times a week.

Why It Works:
Avocado is rich in healthy fats and vitamins, which hydrate and nourish the skin, while lemon juice acts as a natural brightener.

4. Baking Soda and Cornstarch Mask

You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of cucumber juice

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients to form a thick paste.
2. Apply to your underarms and let it dry.
3. Rinse with cold water.

How Often to Use:
2-3 times a week.

Why It Works:
Cornstarch absorbs excess oil, while cucumber juice helps soothe irritated skin, and baking soda exfoliates.

5. Baking Soda and Coconut Oil Scrub

You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• Coconut oil (enough to make a thick paste)

Method:

1. Mix the baking soda with coconut oil to form a scrub.
2. Gently massage onto your underarms in circular motions.
3. Leave it on for 15 minutes.
4. Wash it off with lukewarm water.

How Often to Use:
2-3 times a week.

Why It Works:
Coconut oil moisturizes and has antibacterial properties, making it an ideal partner with baking soda for underarm brightening.

6. Baking Soda and Milk Scrub

You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• Enough milk to make a paste

Method:

1. Mix baking soda and milk to form a paste.
2. Apply to your underarms and scrub gently for a minute.
3. Let it dry before washing with lukewarm water.

How Often to Use:
2-3 times a week.

Why It Works:
Milk contains lactic acid, which helps lighten skin pigmentation and soothe the skin.

7. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Scrub

You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• Juice of half a lemon (diluted with water)

Method:

1. Mix the baking soda and lemon juice into a paste.
2. Apply to your underarms, massage for a minute, and leave it to dry.
3. Rinse with cold water.

How Often to Use:
2-3 times a week.

Why It Works:
Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent and works well with baking soda to lighten dark skin patches.

8. Baking Soda and Glycerin Paste

You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of glycerin

Method:

1. Mix the two ingredients to form a paste.
2. Apply it to your underarms and leave it on for 15 minutes.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water.

How Often to Use:
3-4 times a week.

Why It Works:
Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin, keeping it hydrated while baking soda exfoliates.

9. Baking Soda and Cucumber Juice

You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of cucumber juice

Method:

1. Mix both ingredients into a paste.
2. Apply to your underarms and leave it on for 15 minutes.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water.

How Often to Use:
3 times a week.

Why It Works:
Cucumber juice helps soothe and cool irritated skin, while baking soda brightens and exfoliates.

10. Baking Soda and Honey Scrub

You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Method:

1. Mix honey and baking soda into a paste.
2. Apply to your underarms and massage gently.
3. Let it sit for 20 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.

How Often to Use:
Once daily.

Why It Works:
Honey has natural antibacterial and moisturizing properties, making it a perfect match with baking soda for exfoliating and soothing the skin.

11. Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar Paste

You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• Apple cider vinegar (as needed)

Method:

1. Mix baking soda and apple cider vinegar into a paste.
2. Apply to your underarms and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
3. Rinse with cold water.

How Often to Use:
2-3 times a week.

Why It Works:
Apple cider vinegar helps balance the skin’s pH and enhances the brightening effect of baking soda.

12. Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

You Will Need:

• ¼ cup of baking soda
• ⅛ cup of hydrogen peroxide
• Juice of half a lemon (diluted)

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients into a paste.
2. Apply to your underarms and leave it on for 15 minutes.
3. Wipe with a wet cloth and wash with water.

How Often to Use:
2-3 times a week.

Why It Works:
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that can help brighten dark skin patches when combined with baking soda.

13. Baking Soda and Tomato Juice

You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed tomato juice

Method:

1. Mix the two ingredients into a paste.
2. Apply to your underarms and leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
3. Wash off with cold water.

How Often to Use:
2-3 times a week.

Why It Works:
Tomato juice has natural bleaching properties that help lighten dark skin, and baking soda exfoliates dead skin cells.

Risks of Using Baking Soda on Your Skin

While baking soda can be effective for underarm brightening, it’s important to note that it’s a harsh exfoliant with an alkaline pH. Overuse or improper use of baking soda can disrupt your skin’s natural pH balance, leading to skin irritation, dryness, or rashes. To avoid these risks, always do a patch test before using baking soda on your skin and avoid daily use.

Potential Side Effects:

• Dryness
• Irritation
• Skin rashes

To restore your skin’s pH balance after using baking soda, you can apply diluted apple cider vinegar as a toner. Always ensure that you follow up with a moisturizing routine to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

Conclusion

Baking soda can be a useful home remedy to brighten dark underarms by gently exfoliating dead skin cells and evening out pigmentation. However, it should be used carefully and not excessively. By incorporating these baking soda remedies 2-3 times a week into your skincare routine, along with moisturizing and proper skin care, you can achieve smoother, lighter, and more even-toned underarms naturally.