Poor hygiene, friction, fungal or bacterial infections, and certain medical conditions can cause underarm darkening, roughening, and odour.
Exfoliating is essential for maintaining healthy, smooth, and fresh underarms. It eliminates dead skin cells, prevents ingrown hairs, and minimises dark spots, resulting in a more even skin tone.

Compared to chemical alternatives, DIY underarm scrubs made with natural ingredients like sugar, coffee grounds, baking soda, oils, or honey are safer and provide a more customised experience.
What Causes Dark and Rough Underarms?
Identifying the source of dark armpits helps in finding a solution, including drugs for hormonal imbalances, and addressing common causes of dark underarms.
1. Dead Skin Cell Buildup
Dead skin cell accumulation can lead to dark, rough underarms due to increased pigmentation, lack of exfoliation, clogged pores, and uneven texture, as per various sources.
2. Friction from Shaving or Tight Clothing
Tight clothing causes irritation and darker underarms. Loose cotton clothing is recommended. Synthetic clothing reacts aggressively, causing discolouration.
Additionally, rubbing your skin constantly while shaving irritates it and results in dark spots.

3. Use of Chemical Deodorants and Antiperspirants
Antiperspirants and deodorants often contain alcohol, which can cause skin irritation, burning, discolouration, and blackness due to its interaction with the underarms.
4. Sweat and Bacterial Accumulation
Sweat and bacterial accumulation can result in black and rough underarms because of the moist environment, skin cell deposition, irritation, and inflammation.
5. Hormonal Changes or Medical Conditions
Women who are taking birth control pills and have thyroid gland abnormalities, PCOS, or hyperpigmentation may experience dark underarms and other skin problems.
Benefits of Using a Homemade Underarm Scrub
Making your own underarm scrubs has many advantages, including whitening, odour reduction, and exfoliation.
They help clear pores, improve skin texture, reduce black spot appearance, and provide a refreshed, cleaner sensation.
1. Exfoliates Dead Skin Cells
DIY armpit exfoliator scrubs, made from sugar, coffee grounds, and baking soda, effectively remove dead skin cells, exfoliate the outer layer, remove buildup, and unclog pores for smoother underarms.
2. Helps Lighten Dark Underarms
Homemade scrub for dark underarms, containing baking soda, lemon juice, and coconut oil, can lighten dark underarms by exfoliating dead skin cells and using natural bleaching agents to reduce pigmentation.

3. Fights Odour Naturally
Homemade underarm scrubs, made with baking soda, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar, naturally combat odour by eliminating bacteria and perspiration residues, regulating skin pH, and leaving you feeling refreshed.
4. Gentle on Sensitive Skin
The ingredients used and the way they are applied determine how gentle DIY underarm scrubs are.
Oatmeal-based scrubs are recommended for sensitive skin, while sugar-based scrubs can be abrasive. They can also be free from harsh chemicals.
5. Improves Skin Texture
A DIY underarm whitening scrub can improve skin texture by exfoliating dead skin cells, resulting in a smoother, brighter complexion.
They soften rough spots, prepare skin for shaving or waxing, and remove debris.
Best DIY Underarm Scrub Recipes
Here, you'll learn how to prepare a DIY scrub for underarms using three different recipes: one for smooth underarms, one for odour control, and one for lightening dark underarms.
Homemade Scrub for Smooth Underarms
Potatoes and cucumbers are high in vitamins and minerals and work well to soften, smooth, and whiten underarm skin.
Honey exfoliates dead cells, providing natural moisture, and is recommended for fair underarms.

Ingredients
- Cucumber juice: 2 tablespoons
- Potato juice: 2 tablespoons
- Raw honey: 1 tablespoon
- Sugar granules: 1 tablespoon
How to Make
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl to make a thick paste.
- Now, spread the paste all over the armpits.
- Scrub your skin gently for 15 minutes.
- Finally, wash with cold water.
DIY Armpit Scrub for Odour Control
DIY armpit scrubs use baking soda, coconut oil, and lavender essential oils for exfoliation, odour neutralisation, and hydration, with these oils providing antimicrobial and aromatic properties.

Ingredients
- Baking soda: ¼ cup
- Melted coconut oil: ¼ cup
- Essential Oils (Optional): 5-10 drops (Tea tree, lavender, and lemon are excellent choices)
How to Make
- Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well until they are fully combined.
- After completely blending, apply this DIY armpit scrub for odour to your underarms, and massage gently in a circular motion for a few minutes.
- Rinse well with warm water, then pat dry.
Homemade Scrub Recipe to Lighten Dark Underarms
An effortless DIY scrub for dark underarms can be produced with sugar and coconut oil. This helps to exfoliate and hydrate the region.

Ingredients
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon
- Coconut oil: 2 teaspoons
How to Make
- In a bowl, combine the sugar and coconut oil to form a paste.
- Thoroughly clean your underarms and ensure there is no sweat.
- Massage the mixture into your underarms for a few seconds.
- Wash it off and wipe it down.
Tips For Preventing Underarm Darkness & Odour
1. Exfoliate Regularly: Exfoliating with a gentle scrub at least 2-3 times each week eliminates dead skin cells.
2. Switch to Natural Deodorants: Avoid deodorants with chemicals that might darken skin and instead use natural ones.
3. Wear Breathable Fabrics: Choose breathable fabrics like cotton or loose garments to minimise friction and sweating.

4. Keep Underarms Clean and Dry: To avoid bacterial development and odour, wash your underarms daily and pat them dry.
5. Moisturise After Exfoliation: To soothe and nourish your skin, moisturise it with coconut oil or aloe vera after exfoliating.
6. Avoid Shaving Too Often: Try waxing or trimming instead of shaving too frequently, as this can lessen discomfort and black spots.
Conclusion
In conclusion, frequent exfoliation with a homemade armpit scrub produced from natural substances combats darkening and roughness while also promoting a fresher, smoother appearance.
Individuals can obtain effective and tailored skin care by treating the underlying reasons for underarm concerns and using moderate DIY solutions.
Readers should give these recipes a try to develop a habit that is both natural and clean.

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