4 Tips for the Smoothest Underarms, Straight from a Dermatologist
We often go to great lengths to make our faces smooth, protected, and look like sleek donuts—while our bodies take a backseat. Take your armpits, for example. They’re one of the less visible areas on the skin, so it’s easy to overlook their care. But if you want clear, smooth underarms, you’ve come to the right place.
To learn more about the best ways to care for your underarm skin, we spoke to board-certified dermatologists Brendan Camp, MD, Divya Shokeen, MD, and Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD. TIP: That dull disposable razor may be causing your underarm skin to look bumpy. Below, find out how our experts recommend keeping your underarms moisturized, smooth, and irritation-free.
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Exfoliate Regularly
If you want smooth skin, you should carefully incorporate exfoliation into your daily routine. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells that clog pores, boosts collagen synthesis, improves texture, and maintains skin plumpness and tone.
“Use a gentle chemical peel to remove dead skin cells and open up the pores,” advises Shokeen. “I prefer chemical peels over physical peels, which are less traumatic and can gently help lighten and improve the quality of your underarm skin.”
Chemical peels involve applying an acidic solution like salicylic, lactic, or glycolic acid to the skin to promote irritation, which results in exfoliation. 1 Physical exfoliants, like bead products, can be irritating and traumatic to the skin.
“The secret to smooth underarms is finding a balance between exfoliation and not irritating sensitive skin,” says Murphy-Ross. She’s also an advocate for chemical peels. “If you have uneven underarms, I usually recommend using a chemical peel,” she tells us. “Start once a week and increase only as tolerated. I recommend a gentle chemical peel over a [harsher] manual peel. So consider a lactic acid scrub instead of a sugar scrub.”
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Moisturizer, moisturizer, moisturizer
Moisturization is essential for healthy skin, including the skin under your arms. “Moisturizers with keratolytics…help to gently remove dead skin cells from the surface,” says Kemp. “Ingredients like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid are active ingredients in many over-the-counter moisturizers and help keep skin smooth and hydrated. (Yes, if these ingredients sound familiar, that’s because they’re the same basic ingredients.” You’ll also find it in chemical peels.)
With that in mind, Shokeen recommends “applying a moisturizing lotion or cream to your underarms” after showering. “This can help soothe and soften the skin, making it less susceptible to irritation and inflammation,” she says. “It can also help reduce the appearance of bumps and roughness, especially after using a scrub.”
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Avoid dry shaving
It’s easy to get careless when shaving, and dry shaving your underarms may seem like a solution in a pinch, but experts warn: If you want smooth underarms, don’t shave without skincare.
“I talk to my patients all the time about their skin-care habits and am always surprised at how often they forgo shaving cream or shaving gel,” says Murphy-Ross. She recommends using shaving gel and frequently changing out a razor with a clean blade. “Avoiding shaving irritation and bumps will give you smoother underarms,” she adds.
In addition to using shaving cream or gel, experts recommend taking a steamy shower to soften the hair, exfoliating before shaving, using sharp blades (say goodbye to dull razors—they’re not your friend), and, of course, finishing with a layer of moisturizer to keep your skin happy.
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Consider laser hair removal
Experts offer another, more permanent solution to smooth underarms: laser hair removal. Arguably the most expensive method, it takes time, effort, and commitment, but you’ll end up with smooth underarms and lasting results.
“Laser hair removal is an effective way to remove shaving stubble,” says Kemp. “Laser hair removal for the armpits is a well-tolerated procedure that effectively removes underarm hair after a series of treatments.”
According to experts, laser hair removal typically lasts about six months, requiring appointments every four to six weeks, depending on the individual and their hair growth pattern. Some people see results quickly, while others struggle with stubborn hair and need multiple appointments.
If you undergo laser smoothing of your underarms, it is important to follow your doctor’s exact aftercare instructions to ensure the smoothest results and safest healing process.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
