Can Glycolic Acid Replace Your Deodorant? Let's Find Out

Straight up facts ahead

Rachel Baker

Social media is a treasure trove for trends. Some are questionable and do more harm than good, and then there are those that transform our beauty game forever. The latest trend to gain viral status is all about replacing your trusty deodorant with a swipe of glycolic acid-soaked cotton pad. If you want sweaty and stinky armpits to be a problem of the past you need to give this trend a try – or so we’ve been told. But is using glycolic acid for armpitsreally beneficial? And most importantly – is it safe? We dug deep to bring you the facts. Read on to know…

But First, What is Glycolic Acid?

Glycolic Acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxide acid), which is naturally derived from sugarcane (or can be made in a laboratory) and works as an excellent chemical exfoliator.

Its small molecular size allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin and provide thorough exfoliation. With consistent usage, this skincare superstar can fade pigmentation and give you the smooth skin texture of your dreams.

But like every good thing in life, Glycolic Acid comes with its own set of drawbacks. For starters, you need to pay heed to the concentration and frequency of usage. Using too much Glycolic Acid too frequently can leave you with nasty rashes, skin inflammation, and increased pigmentation.

Glycolic Acid also makes the skin very sensitive which is why it’s best to include this powerhouse ingredient in your nighttime routine and slather sunscreen in the daytime without fail.

Can Glycolic Be Used As A Deodorant?

Well, sort of. Glycolic Acid sloughs off dead skin cells and alters the pH level of the skin, leaving zero chances for odor-causing bacteria to thrive. BUT, Glycolic Acid lacks the key ingredient that blocks sweat – aluminum salt. This means, it can stop stench in its track but can’t keep sweaty pits at bay. So, as with every other trend, you need to proceed with caution when it comes to using Glycolic Acid for armpit.

How To Use Glycolic Acid For Underarm

TBH, we recommend using products meant for the face on the face, especially when there are so many amazing deodorants out there like the Arcelia Womens Deo Warm Autumn which doesn’t contain any nasty deodorant ingredients and is cruelty-free, vegan, and comes in recycled packaging.

However, if you still want to use Glycolic Acid for armpits, you need to follow some rules to minimize the chances of making your skin angry. Using a higher concentration of the ingredient too frequently can leave you with red, flakey underarm skin.

So start with a lower concentration, about 5-10%, and apply a thin layer on dry underarms only once daily (preferably at night). Make sure your pits are completely dry before lowering them.

Psst… If you have sensitive, you’re better off using an alcohol-free deodorant.

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