Can you use glycolic acid and deodorant together
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Prostock-studio/Shutterstock TikTok has a way of convincing people to try the oddest of beauty hacks. Sometimes, they're a huge hit, like The Ordinary's peeling solution that left everyone's skin incredibly red but, after some time, glowing (via InStyle). Other times, they go viral for the entirely wrong
reasons, like that time when using lube as a primer went viral and very quickly fell flat, per The Cut. Beauty TikTok is an ever-turning wheel of beauty trends and viral products, but it takes a lot of research to weed out the good from the seriously harmful, especially when the beauty hack is as unusual as acid-toning your underarms. TikTok user
@Calistatee has built quite the following as fans love her beauty product review videos. She went viral when she tapped into a niche of glorifying The Ordinary's Glycolic Acid Toner as a multi-purpose wonder product, according to Elle. Calista used the toner to tackle everything from bacne to cracked heels, and the
visible results spoke for themselves. But, she especially threw people for a loop when she revealed that her favorite use of the toner was actually for her underarms. While her TikTok feed is filled with the toner, her underarm hack is the one that inspired most people to try it, especially considering the long list of benefits she's claimed it has. But does it actually work? And, more importantly, is it safe?
Blueee77/Shutterstock In a recent TikTok video, @Calistatee provided an in-depth discussion about why she loves using glycolic
acid toner on her underarms. Calista claimed that applying glycolic acid to your underarms removes odor, helps with ingrown hairs, and brightens your skin. In fact, she claims the toner has replaced deodorant for her. Glycolic acid is a skincare favorite. When used correctly, glycolic acid can chemically exfoliate your skin to reveal glowy, softer skin. "It essentially works by breaking the bonds between dead skin cells which helps to resurface (or smooth) the top layer of the
skin," Dr. Ana explained to Refinery29. But what about how people claim it works on underarms? Calista, along with many other TikTok fans of the method, has turned to using glycolic acid on their underarms to brighten the area, as well as, and perhaps most importantly, to replace deodorant. Considering people have tried everything including botox in their underarms to keep sweat in check, this seems like a much more affordable way to achieve this goal. But what do the experts have to say about it? The experts weigh in on underarm use of this toner
Prostock-studio/Shutterstock Perhaps we should start with the good news. Dermatologist Dr. Fatima Fahs explained to Nylon that glycolic acid could in fact help brighten your underarms, saying, "Toners that contain ingredients like glycolic acid can indeed be helpful at brightening this area through exfoliation by sloughing off the top layer of skin cells over time." Meanwhile, Dr. Rachel Maiman revealed to Bustle that it can also work well at preventing ingrown hairs. "It can also reduce the propensity to develop ingrown hairs and speed resolution of hyperpigmentation that they tend to leave behind," she explained. Well, unfortunately, that's where the pros stop. Experts seem to all agree on the fact that there is no way that glycolic acid could replace your deodorant. Dr. Ana bluntly insisted to Refinery29, "I am not a fan of this trend at all and would definitely recommend sticking to tried and tested deodorants (masking odor) or antiperspirants (reducing sweat) formulations with research behind their use. Skincare should be backed by science, not trends." The problem isn't only the lack of impact it has on body odor, but it turns out that using glycolic acid on your underarms could potentially be harmful. Dr. Marisa Garshick revealed to Today that using glycolic acid on your underarms could lead to dryness, flakiness, and irritation. That being said, if you're still willing to try it, then make sure you stick to low concentrations of 8% to10% glycolic acid to prevent any harsh reactions. Can I use glycolic acid with deodorant?Gohara says that glycolic acid won't stop your underarms from sweating because it lacks the key sweat-blocking ingredient: aluminum salt. So if you don't want to deal with sweaty pits specifically, stick to an antiperspirant. Dr. Gohara suggests applying the acid after showering because it should be used on clean pits.
Can I use glycolic acid on my armpit everyday?A harsh exfoliant applied to your skin—especially an area as sensitive as underarms—can create irritation, hyperpigmentation and other damaging effects. More than just a warning for those with sensitive skin, over-applying acid to your body on a daily basis easily does more harm than good.
How often should you use glycolic acid on armpits?“A low percentage glycolic acid toner is potentially the best way to try this trend. A thin layer can be applied to dry underarms once daily. It's important to allow the underarms to dry completely before lowering them.
Can I leave glycolic acid under armpit?Theoretically, adding this chemical to your armpit will alter the environment under the arms. This can inhibit bacteria growth, and assist to reduce body odour. However, it could irritate the skin, particularly under the arms where there is a lot of friction, and especially if the area was recently shaved.
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