An Asian girl raising her arms

When you look at your armpit in the mirror, you might notice some skin texture. Maybe they’re folds, underarm rashes, or chicken skin. These are not just common, they’re also perfectly normal. The skin on your underarms is more prone to texture because it’s thinner and more sensitive than the skin on other parts of your body. The warm, moist environment also makes it a conducive breeding ground for bacteria. Harsh products or from hair removal can also cause roughness.

If having makes you uncomfortable, read on to learn where it might be coming from and how to deal with it.

Your Razor Might Be Causing Roughness

Using a razor is the quickest, most affordable way to remove underarm hair, but it has its drawbacks. can be abrasive and may cause direct damage to the skin’s surface, resulting in inflamed, bumpy, and itchy skin. can also harbor bacteria that can lead to infections if the skin gets cut. Ideally, toss out your disposable razor or change your blades every three to four shaves.

To , don’t press the blade too hard on the skin. Contrary to what many think, this won’t give you a closer shave, but it will traumatize your skin. Make sure the skin is moist and clean before shaving, and if you can, use shaving cream. 

For smoother underarms, try switching to or l, which removes hair at the root, preventing ingrown hairs. Uprooting hair via waxing, however, can cause . To prevent this, have a dedicated armpit skincare routine. Try exfoliating your underarms regularly with a scrub. Don’t exfoliate after any hair removal treatment to avoid underarm irritation. 

Clogged Pores and Dead Skin Cells Are Building Up

It may sound icky, but it happens. Dead skin cells, dirt, sweat, and product can build up on your underarms, making the skin look bumpy and rough. All this debris can accumulate on your pits every day. Simply washing with soap may not be enough. As mentioned above, can help smoothen textured skin by , getting rid of product buildup, and lifting dead skin. Once or twice a week, use a washcloth, loofah, or a body scrub lightly on underarm skin. 

If wax or gel deodorants clog your pores, try a spray deodorant like Dove Aerosol Original Nourished and Smooth Deodorant Spray. It goes on dry and doesn’t leave any residue on your skin. It also nourishes your underarms and improves skin texture with ¼ moisturizing cream, antioxidant , and anti-inflammatory Vitamin F.

Your Deodorant Might Be Too Harsh

There are no hard-and-fast rules for Let your skin and needs guide your choice. Do you have issues with ? Do you need odor protection? Do you have dry, sensitive skin under there? The right product can address all these concerns, including dark marks.

If you've been wondering, ? Skip the DIY treatments and choose deodorant for sensitive skin that also fades dark marks. Try Dove Aerosol Ultimate Repair Dark Marks Corrector Soothing Jasmine Deodorant Spray, which hydrates, soothes, and softens skin with ¼ moisturizing cream (yes, moisturizer for your armpits is important!). It also has Vitamin B3, which lightens skin, omega 6 and glycerol to nourish skin, and underarm odor protection. Because it’s a spray, it goes on dry and is non-sticky on the skin. 

For smoother and brighter underarms, you could also try a nourishing serum like Rexona Women Natural Brightening Deo Dry Serum in Fresh Sakura. It features a brightening antiperspirant formula called MotionSense that works harder as you move, providing sweat and odor control for up to 48 hours. The serum formula feels comforting and soothing on the skin, and you can easily wash it off. 

  by changing your underarm care habits and using products that treat your skin the right way.