Baking soda is a commonly used home remedy to brighten the underarms. However, you have to be careful while using it on your skin. This article explains how baking soda may have that brightening effect, ways to use it, and its risks. Read on.

How Does Baking Soda Whiten Underarms?

Well, there is no scientific proof claiming that baking soda can brighten your underarms. However, as it is an alkaline substance, baking soda does not disturb your skin’s pH levels. Instead, it soothes your skin. Baking soda is often used as an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells from the surface. This is the reason it has a brightening effect. But how do you use it? We will look at that in the following section. Scroll down.

How To Use Baking Soda For Underarm Whitening?

These DIY recipes work as excellent scrubs for your underarms and will help exfoliate the dead skin in your armpits.

1. DIY Baking Soda And Water Scrub

2 tablespoons of baking soda 1 tablespoon of water 1 bowl

2-3 times a week.

2. Baking Soda, Gram Flour, And Curd

1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 teaspoon of gram flour 1 tablespoon of curd (adjust the quantity as per desired consistency)

2-3 times a week.

3. Baking Soda And Avocado

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

2 times a week.

4. Baking Soda And Cornstarch

1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 tablespoon of cornstarch 1 teaspoon of cucumber juice (adjust the quantity)

2-3 times a week.

5. Baking Soda And Coconut Oil

cShutterstock

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

2-3 times a week.

6. Baking Soda And Milk Scrub

1 tablespoon of baking soda Milk (enough to make a paste)

2-3 times a week.

7. Baking Soda And Lemon Juice

1 tablespoon of baking soda Juice of half a lemon (dilute it with water)

2-3 times a week.

8. Baking Soda And Glycerin

1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 teaspoon of glycerin

3-4 times a week.

9. Baking Soda And Cucumber

1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed cucumber juice

3 times a week.

10. Baking Soda And Honey Scrub

1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 tablespoon of honey

Once daily.

11. Baking Soda And Apple Cider Vinegar

1 tablespoon of baking soda Apple cider vinegar (as per the desired consistency)

2-3 times a week.

12. Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide

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

2-3 days a week.

13. Baking Soda And Tomato

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

2-3 times a week. Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) seems to be an ideal ingredient for brightening your underarms. However, this doesn’t mean you should start rubbing it on your skin right away. You should know the potential risks before using it.

Risks Of Using Baking Soda On Your Skin

Baking soda is abrasive. It is alkaline (any substance that has a pH higher than 7 is alkaline, and anything below that is acidic). It might change and disrupt the pH balance of your underarms and damage the skin barrier. When the skin’s acid mantle doesn’t function properly, the composition of the bacterial flora on your skin surface also changes along with the enzyme activity. Hence, using baking soda may cause:

Dryness Skin irritation Rashes

Luckily, you can easily restore the pH of your underarms. All you need to do is mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water and use it as a toner for your underarms. Be careful about using baking soda if you have sensitive skin. Always do a patch test before using baking soda on any part of your body. Baking soda is a physical exfoliator. Using it a few times a week (followed by proper skin care) works wonders. Excessive exfoliation (using it day and night) with baking soda may dehydrate your skin – hence we do not recommend that. How long does baking soda take to lighten dark underarms? After applying baking powder paste to the armpits, leave it on for 25-30 minutes. Then wash with lukewarm water. Continue this process 2-3 times a week for better results. Is baking soda harmful to the skin? Baking soda is not harmful to the skin. However, it may cause skin irritation in some people who are sensitive to baking soda.