Skin Texture on Your Underarms Is Common, But You Can Do Something to Treat It

When you look at your armpit in the mirror, you might notice some skin texture. Maybe they’re folds, underarm rashes, or chicken skin. These are not just common, they’re also perfectly normal. The skin on your underarms is more prone to texture because it’s thinner and more sensitive than the skin on other parts of your body. The warm, moist environment also makes it a conducive breeding ground for bacteria. Harsh products or irritation from hair removal can also cause roughness.

If having textured skin makes you uncomfortable, read on to learn where it might be coming from and how to deal with it.

Using a razor is the quickest, most affordable way to remove underarm hair, but it has its drawbacks. Shaving can be abrasive and may cause direct damage to the skin’s surface, resulting in inflamed, bumpy, and itchy skin. Dirty razors can also harbor bacteria that can lead to infections if the skin gets cut. Ideally, toss out your disposable razor or change your blades every three to four shaves.

To avoid inflammation, don’t press the blade too hard on the skin. Contrary to what many think, this won’t give you a closer shave, but it will traumatize your skin. Make sure the skin is moist and clean before shaving, and if you can, use shaving cream. 

For smoother underarms, try switching to waxing or laser hair removal, which removes hair at the root, preventing ingrown hairs. Uprooting hair via waxing, however, can cause chicken skin. To prevent this, have a dedicated armpit skincare routine. Try exfoliating your underarms regularly with a scrub. Don’t exfoliate after any hair removal treatment to avoid underarm irritation. 

It may sound icky, but it happens. Dead skin cells, dirt, sweat, and product can build up on your underarms, making the skin look bumpy and rough. All this debris can accumulate on your pits every day. Simply washing with soap may not be enough. As mentioned above, regular exfoliation can help smoothen textured skin by unclogging pores, getting rid of product buildup, and lifting dead skin. Once or twice a week, use a washcloth, loofah, or a body scrub lightly on underarm skin. 

If wax or gel deodorants clog your pores, try a spray deodorant like Dove Aerosol Original Nourished and Smooth Deodorant Spray. It goes on dry and doesn’t leave any residue on your skin. It also nourishes your underarms and improves skin texture with ¼ moisturizing cream, antioxidant Vitamin E, and anti-inflammatory Vitamin F.

There are no hard-and-fast rules for choosing the right deodorant. Let your skin and needs guide your choice. Do you have issues with excessive sweating? Do you need odor protection? Do you have dry, sensitive skin under there? The right product can address all these concerns, including dark marks.

If you've been wondering, can baking soda whiten underarms? Skip the DIY treatments and choose deodorant for sensitive skin that also fades dark marks. Try Dove Aerosol Ultimate Repair Dark Marks Corrector Soothing Jasmine Deodorant Spray, which hydrates, soothes, and softens skin with ¼ moisturizing cream (yes, moisturizer for your armpits is important!). It also has Vitamin B3, which lightens skin, omega 6 and glycerol to nourish skin, and underarm odor protection. Because it’s a spray, it goes on dry and is non-sticky on the skin. 

For smoother and brighter underarms, you could also try a nourishing serum like Rexona Women Natural Brightening Deo Dry Serum in Fresh Sakura. It features a brightening antiperspirant formula called MotionSense that works harder as you move, providing sweat and odor control for up to 48 hours. The serum formula feels comforting and soothing on the skin, and you can easily wash it off. 

Improve your skin texture by changing your underarm care habits and using products that treat your skin the right way.