The vast majority of Filipinos desire to have white underarms because they are self-conscious about the dark color of their armpits and do not feel comfortable showing them when they wear sleeveless shirts or dresses that do not cover them. A number of factors, including genes, hormonal changes, friction, and perspiration, can cause armpit discoloration. Apparently, people may also be concerned about how their dark underarms look compared to the lighter skin tone of their bodies. Therefore, to lighten their armpits, people search for products such as deodorants, antiperspirants, and creams. Others may decide to go with a solution that is more long-term, such as laser treatments or chemical peels.
Did you know that whitening of the underarms is also a popular beauty procedure in other Southeast Asian countries? According to South China Morning Post, in the Philippines and Thailand, celebrities and socialites believe that dark armpits are unattractive; as a result, they are willing to pay up to US$479 to get rid of them. Well, it can be proven by how companies market their underarm products. The advertisements always show how the users of their product can raise their arms while wearing sleeveless tops confidently. For me, armpit complexion shouldn’t be a standard, and we don’t have to whiten them. But if one is happy to take care of and make their underarms look radiant, that’s also great.
Are you one of the people who want to achieve even underarm skin tone? Are you still searching for the right product for them? Here’s a list of every item you need to discover!
What are the best underarm whitening products?
Dr. Sensitive Underarm Whitening Serum
Dr. Sensitive Underarm Whitening Serum starts at P49. It is made for sensitive skin and gets rid of dark spots and discoloration under the arms, in the bikini area, elbow, knees, and more. The serum helps lighten dark spots, keeps your underarms moist, and keeps sweat and bad smells away. It will not leave any residue or stickiness behind on your clothes; all that will be left is skin that is soft and silky. Amazingly, it contains a potent combination of arbutin and vitamin C and Sodium Hyaluronate, which works to effectively make the skin more supple and smooth to the touch—containing neither alcohol nor any other fragrances.
Read here our comprehensive Dr. Sensitive Underarm Whitening Serum review.
Pros
- It does not contain alcohol or scent
- It is not sticky
- It can be found in drugstores and e-commerce platforms and is affordable
- It comes in different sizes
Cons
- It takes time to dry out or be absorbed by the skin
- It could have an excessively watery texture, so you must make sure it’s not spilling anywhere
Skinmate Shark Oil
It’s impossible that someone hasn’t seen this product on the drugstore shelf. Most stores sell it for P80. You might have tried it, or you might be someone who’s still curious about it. But what really is this Skinmate Shark Oil for?
The use of SKINMATE Shark Oil is an excellent treatment for acne lesions such as pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, as well as other skin imperfections, including freckles and age spots. It also promises to lighten skin that has become pigmented and damaged due to excessive use of harsh whitening products. In addition, it eliminates blemishes and dead skin to allow new skin cells to multiply and causes the skin to become smoother, whiter, and more luminous. We can use it not only for our faces but also for our underarms.
Read here our Skinmate Shark Oil Review
Pros
- It contains vitamin A, which helps eliminate dead skin and spots
- It keeps the melanin compound from making brown pigment on the skin
- It’s locally made
- It’s available nationwide
Cons
- The oily consistency may be uncomfortable
- You have to remember not to use cotton to apply it on your skin because the product can irritate it
- One of its main ingredients, Squalene, is controversial because it’s reportedly harvested from shark livers (Sharks are essential creatures in the ocean)
Luxe Organix Intensive Whitening Underarm Cream
This 30g cream cost P299. It has a potent formulation of niacinamide, a kind of vitamin B3 and a water-soluble vitamin. It is found in many foods, such as yeast, meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, beans, and cereal grains.
Luxe Organix Intensive Whitening Underarm Cream works to lighten the skin while also assisting in the healing of the skin barrier, which results in the underarms feeling smoother. It also has licorice extract, which soothes inflammation and redness, and alpha arbutin, which helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
Pros
- It contains one of the most important skin care nutrients, niacinamide
- It’s not harsh and thick
- It doesn't smell at all
- A lot of influencers have used it because of the company's popularity; hence, you can read or watch many other reviews
- It’s available nationwide
Cons
- It’s a bit pricey for its weight
- The creamy texture may be uncomfortable
Nivea Extra White Serum Roll-on
The first deodorant serum in the Philippines is NIVEA Extra White Deo Serum. Its price is usually around P170, depending on the store. It’s the company’s best whitening deodorant. It contains ten times more Vitamin C and EvenWhite Technology, both of which are absorbed by the skin to whiten dark underarms in a way that is effective and even while also keeping the skin dry and smelling fresh for up to 48 hours.
Pros
- The brand has been trusted by many for years.
- Because it is a serum, it is quickly absorbed and deeply nourishes the skin
- It does not include any alcohol, colorants, or preservatives at all
- It provides antiperspirant protection for 48 hours
- It’s available nationwide
Cons
- It comes in a standard glass bottle, so it's not very travel friendly
- It has a creamy consistency and might be uncomfortable upon swiping
- It’s pricey and might not be practical for many
- It has a fragrance that might be too strong and attention-catching
Beautederm Underarm Whitening Set
It costs P1,200. The Underarm Whitening Set from Beautederm, just like the other products that have been covered in this article, will brighten and revitalize the area under your arms, giving you the confidence to wear sleeveless clothes throughout. In addition to lightening the skin under your arms, it also inhibits the growth of hair in certain areas. It also serves as a deodorant and antiperspirant, so you don’t need to layer it up with another product. The set comes with the Ultralite Soap, Underarm Toner, and Underarm Cream. In the morning, they recommend using the soap to wash your underarms and then applying the toner once dry. In the evening, use the soap to clean your underarms again, and then apply the cream and leave it overnight.
Pros
- It is fairly priced, considering it’s already a set
- The routine and the amount of products can make it more effective
- It has all the notable whitening ingredients (i.e., Niacinamide, Glycerin, L-Glutathione, and Aloe Vera extract)
Cons
- It could be hard to find
- The routine requires more effort
- Not many have discovered the brand yet
Belo Underarm Whitening Cream
Last but not least, the brand defeats the names mentioned above. Belo Underarm Whitening Cream costs P400. In just two weeks, this clinically proven product will deeply penetrate the underarm skin and significantly lighten it at the cellular level. Alpha Arbutin and Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid are the agents that combat the darkening of the skin. Alpha arbutin is a skin brightener and antioxidant that is found naturally in the bearberry plant. Meanwhile, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid is a non-toxic form of hydroquinone that helps fade the look of spots and make the skin tone look more even. Belo Underarm Whitening Cream can also be applied to the inner thighs, knees, elbows, and areolas.
Read our Belo Underarm Whitening Cream Review
Pros
- It is affordable, considering it’s from Dr. Vicky Belo.
- It's not heavy, and the application is simple
- It’s non-sticky, even if it’s a cream
- It is safe for sensitive skin, alcohol-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free
- It’s easy to find
Cons
- It may not help with sweating. (Some people sweat excessively even with minimal activity, like before bedtime.)
- P400 is not too expensive, but spending it only for an underarm product could be unsustainable.
Conclusion
Those are the six best underarm whitening products. It’s all up to you whether you’d like to try them and observe which works best. It is important to consider how your skin reacts to certain ingredients. Natural ingredients, such as Vitamin C and Niacinamide, are often effective and gentle on the skin. Additionally, it’s important to look for products that contain sunscreen to protect the skin from sun damage. Sun damage can cause uneven skin tone and redness. Lastly, it’s essential to read more reviews of the product to make sure that it is suitable for your skin type and is effective in whitening your underarms. By taking these steps, you can find the right underarm whitening product to help you achieve the desired results.
