Should You Really Be Using Glycolic Acid for Armpits? Skincare Experts Explain (2025)

If you aren’t yet familiar with glycolic acid, it’s considered the gold standard of chemical exfoliants. Thanks to its ability to tackle everything from signs of aging to dullness and excess sebum production, dermatologists and skin experts alike have used glycolic acid in their facial and body-care routines for ages. But when people started using glycolic acid for armpits, as a hack to replace deodorant, InStyle had to investigate.

Now, enthusiasts of the trend #GlycolicAcidAsDeodorant love the star ingredient to also address concerns like underarm hyperpigmentation. But before we dive into whether glycolic acid has any skincare benefits for your pits, let’s get some glycolic acid 101 out of the way—with the help of board-certified dermatologist Martha H. Viera, M.D., and dermatology nurse Jodi LoGerfor, D.N.P.

Below, learn all there is to know about glycolic acid—like what it is, its benefits, and whether or not you can use the ingredient on your underarms.

What Is Glycolic Acid?

According to dermatologist Martha H. Viera, M.D., glycolic acid is one of the smallest alpha-hydroxy acids—or AHAs—that help exfoliate the skin. "[AHAs have] a lower molecular weight than other acids, so [they] can penetrate the skin deeper and more efficiently," says Dr. Viera.

AHA is derived from sugarcane plants and weakens the bonds between skin cells—which is what makes it a wonderful exfoliant that causes minimal irritation, Dr. Viera adds. "It’s also well-known for its ability to encourage collagen production to reveal healthier-looking skin," says the dermatologist.

The Benefits of Glycolic Acid for Armpits

“Glycolic acid won’t do anything for sweating less," says LoGerfo. "But since it’s acid with a lower pH than your skin, it might help ward off the bacteria in the armpit area that causes you to smell." So if you’re looking to reduce body odor in your underarm area, glycolic acid could do the trick—but if sweat is also an issue, you’ll still need an antiperspirant.That's because while antiperspirant products address both sweat and odor, deodorant only helps with the smell factor.

In addition to tackling body odor, glycolic acid has other game-changing ways to help people’s underarm areas. If dark armpits are a concern, “glycolic acid helps exfoliate the top layer of cells, where, most of the time, darker pigment lays," says Dr. Viera. "It’s not a bleaching agent, but it’s an effective way to treat hyperpigmentation."

And if you shave your armpits, glycolic acid could also be helpful for preventing ingrown hairs. “It’s great at smoothing out the skin, because of its exfoliation properties, and improving the area's texture,” she adds.

How to Use Glycolic Acid on Your Armpits

Since the underarms are a delicate, high-friction area of your body, it’s essential to go in with a proper game plan to avoid irritation. Many people on social media spotlight The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7 Percent Toning Solution as their go-to underarm treatment—you just soak a cotton pad and swipe it over the area. But, according to LoGerfo, any facial product with less than 10% glycolic acid will do and avoid irritation.

If you're worried about sensitivity, you've still got options. “You can find lotions or creams that have other ingredients that complement glycolic acid, like ceramides and aloe vera to calm and soothe the area," Dr. Viera says. "Use it at night on clean, dry skin before bed to minimize friction."

Potential Side Effects

Though glycolic acid is known to be sensitive-skin friendly, “it’s not to say that it could never irritate,” says LoGerfo. The key is not to use it every day, avoid high concentrations, and avoid using it with other active, irritation-prone ingredients, such as clinical-strength deodorants. Otherwise, “glycolic acid on your underarms can cause dryness, erythema, irritation, and inflammation—especially if it's used too often or in combination with other irritant ingredients such as retinol," says Dr. Viera. In fact, irritating the area could actually make skin darker.

And, if you have super-sensitive skin prone to irritation, instead of playing a guessing game with AHA percentages of your facial products, opt for one specifically formulated and tested for your underarms, such as Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant.

The Bottom Line

The internet isn't always the best place to get skin care or health tips. However, in the case of using glycolic acid for armpits, it was actually onto something. Not only will doing so prevent your pits from smelling bad but it may also help lighten them. And while glycolic acid may not stop you from sweating (you'll need an antiperspirant for that), it's still worth a swipe. Just make sure that you're using a glycolic acid with less than 10% concentration to avoid irritation.