Coconut Oil For Underarms: Benefits, Cons & DIY Remedies

Coconut oil is one of the most widely touted oils in the skincare industry with a wide array of documented benefits.

But it does have its drawbacks, coconut oil is a very heavy oil with a tendency to clog up pores, so it’s definitely not for everyone and for every situation.

Now in this article, we are going to explore: the benefits, drawbacks, and how to correctly use coconut oil for your underarms with some amazing DIY recipes to lighten dark underarms.

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Can you use Coconut Oil for your Underarms

Yes, you can.

However, instead of trying to use coconut oil as a deodorant, the expert opinion is that it should be used on the pits as more of a treatment or as a step in your skincare routine.

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Benefits of Using Coconut oil on Underarm

Coconut Oil can be used as a treatment for your underarms for a variety of conditions and/or reasons:

1- Treat Dark underarms

While a common concern is that coconut oil may make armpits darker, the opposite is true of the oil.

Coconut oil is rich in Vitamin E which helps to lighten the skin.

Therefore, with constant use, coconut oil can gradually make your dark underarms lighter. It is not known to darken the skin.

Some experts say that coconut can help to remove the dead layer of skin cells from the top of your skin which can promote lighter skin tone.

But there is very little research evidence to support this. Even if it does this, it is to a small extent

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2- Helps Prevent Dry Underarms

Coconut oil helps to lock in moisture by occluding the pores of the skin to prevent water from evaporating and by increasing the skin’s surface lipids. These lipids hold on to more water as well.

These actions help the skin maintain hydration.

It can also be used to treat eczema (a condition characterized by dry, flaky, itchy skin).

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3- Reduce Inflammation (Treats Certain Conditions)

Coconut oil may reduce inflammation by increasing antioxidant levels.

Antioxidants operate in the body by stabilizing free radicals and neutralizing reactive atoms that might lead to inflammation.

This can be very helpful in skin disorders like psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and eczema since chronic inflammation is a significant component of these diseases.

4- Can Help With Acne

Even though coconut oil is considered to be bad for acne-prone skin because of its ability to block pores, research has shown that it may also turn around and help acne.

Its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties are helpful for acne. Numerous studies have shown that lauric acid, which accounts for approximately half of the fatty acids in coconut oil, can destroy the acne-causing bacteria strain.

You should only apply coconut oil to the area affected by acne and not all over your skin.

5- Helps Heal Wounds & Cuts

It was discovered that applying virgin coconut oil to wounds accelerated healing, enhanced antioxidant status, and boosted collagen levels, an essential protein that assists in wound healing.

Its antibacterial properties also help to prevent infection. Of course, how effective this is will depend on the size of the wound.

However, if you get a razor burn from shaving your underarms, or a small cut, you may use coconut oil as a natural treatment.

6- Promotes Cleaner Underarms

Coconut oil is very good at attracting dirt and buildup from the skin. It is why many people also use it as a makeup remover.

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7 – Reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles

Experts say that when applied to the skin, coconut oil helps to strengthen connective tissue, making the skin softer but more firm.

Since it is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, it also helps to retain the moisture content of your skin while helping it look and feel silky smooth.

Common Questions About Coconut Oil For Underarms

Can I use coconut oil on my underarms overnight?

Yes, you can use coconut oil on your underarms overnight.

Coconut oil is moisturizing and usually does not irritate the skin when used alone.

How long you should keep it on will ultimately depend on what you are using it for and whether you have mixed it with any other ingredients.

If you have mixed it with ingredients that may irritate the skin, you should not keep it on overnight.

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Is coconut oil good for armpit odor?

Coconut oil can help to reduce underarm odor, but it will not completely prevent it.

Coconut oil is antibacterial, but it is not strong enough to completely eradicate and prevent odor-causing bacteria from building up.

It may lessen the number of bacteria present in the area, thereby reducing the odor, but it cannot be a permanent and singular solution.

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Is coconut oil good for dark underarms?

Yes, coconut oil contains lots of Vitamin E, which can help to lighten and brighten the skin over time.

The results will not be as fast or as intense as with Vitamin C or other skin-lightening treatments. But with constant use, it can help to lighten dark underarms.

One of the fastest ways to lighten underarms is to use Lasers, click here to learn more.

Does coconut oil clog armpit pores?

Coconut oil can clog pores, but it does not always.

If you leave coconut oil on your skin too long or if you use too much of it, it can clog your pores, especially in people who are acne or break-out prone.

How You Should Use Coconut Oil For Underarms

Instead of replacing your underarm products with coconut oil, add it to your routine instead (maybe nightly).

Use it as you would use a serum or a moisturizer for your underarms.

DIY Coconut Oil Remedies For Underarms

1- Coconut Oil & Honey Body Wash

Ingredients:

Coconut Oil

Raw Honey
Liquid Castille Soap
Essential Oils

Vitamin E Oil

Directions:

Melt 1/4 cup of virgin coconut oil by heating it indirectly.

Then add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E, 1/4 cup of raw honey, and 10 – 15 drops of your favorite essential (or combinations of it) oil in it.
Stir well and slowly add 1/2 cup of liquid castile soap and stir gently.
Transfer this mix to a glass or plastic bottle for regular usage.

Shake well before each use and follow it regularly to get soft and glowing skin.

2- Coconut Oil Moisturizer

Ingredients:

Coconut Oil

Essential Oil

Directions:

Combine your coconut oil with a few drops of an essential oil of your choice.

Apply to your underarms in a thin layer as you would moisturizer
You may leave it on as long as you want or wash it off after 20 minutes and repeat it daily.

3- Coconut Oil & Baking Soda for Underarms

Baking Soda helps to exfoliate and clear skin of inflammation and blocked pores whereas Coconut Oil helps to moisturize skin with essential nutrients and vitamins.

Ingredients:

Coconut Oil
Baking Soda

Directions:

Add enough coconut oil to a tablespoon of baking soda so that a thick paste is formed.
Apply this mixture to your armpits and wash it off with lukewarm water after it dries.

4- Coconut Oil & Lemon Juice

The moisturizing and antioxidant properties of coconut mixed with the powerful acidic properties of lemon help to lighten dark skin.

Ingredients:

Coconut Oil

Lemon Juice

Directions:

Mix 1-2 tablespoons with a few drops of lemon juice

Apply to your armpits for 20 minutes
Rinse with soap and lukewarm water, and pat dry
Repeat once daily

REMINDER: Perform a patch test on your skin before fully using any of these DIY recipes. This will avoid any potential irritation and/or allergic reactions.

Are there any side effects of using coconut oil for underarms?

Like all ingredients being used on the skin, there is potential for side effects. A few possible side effects include:

Clogged pores

Acne/Breakouts
Ingrown Hairs
Allergic Reaction

Please note that even though coconut oil allergy is rare, people who have a nut allergy, in general, are at risk and should patch test before using this oil. If their allergy is severe, they should avoid it altogether.

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Sources:

Is Coconut Oil Good for Your Skin?

Coconut Oil: What’s the Verdict on Using It For Skin? We Settle the Debate

3 Reasons Why Coconut Oil in Deodorant Can Be a Problem – kaia naturals

Can You Use Coconut Oil As Deodorant? | Allure