Underarm whitening creams can bring back your confidence to raise your hands while wearing sleeveless tops. No need to be kili-kili conscious! Because there are a lot of brands offering different underarm whitening products, it can get overwhelming to choose the best one.
We’ve prepared a buying guide with comments and tips from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz to help you choose the right product for you. We’re also going to be listing down our top 10 picks that we’ve found in Lazada, Shopee, and other online selling platforms, so stay tuned!
Quick List - Top Underarm Whitening Creams
Love Thy Self
Made With Natural Ingredients That Are Fragrance-Free and Non-Irritating
Luxe Organix
Formulated With 10% Niacinamide to Repair Skin and Reduce Hyperpigmentation
Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
When choosing underarm whitening creams, opt for those with beneficial ingredients for your skin. You can also pick one with hydroquinone for added potency. Make sure to check for any special instructions. For more info, refer to our buying guide below.
To prevent hyperpigmentation in your underarms, some good ingredients to have in your whitening cream are Vitamin B3 or Niacinamide, Vitamin E, and Glycerin, to name a few. We'll be discussing them in detail below.
Niacinamide has many benefits for your skin, with the main one being its potent ability to lighten skin and address hyperpigmentation. It also has the ability to protect your skin from pollution, toxins, and sunlight that will help your skin have a light appearance.
That's because it inhibits the transfer of melanosomes, an organelle that stores melanin, to the surface of the skin. This prevents the skin from looking dark, which is one of the many reasons why niacinamide is used in a lot of skincare products. You can also look at products with glutathione or kojic acid for similar results.
Niacinamide is one of the crowd favorites - and with good reason! It is known to be a jack-of-all-trades given its many uses. However, one use that has given it much attention is its ability to decrease epidermal hyperpigmentation.
Multiple studies have shown consistent results in improving hyperpigmentation and even reducing dark spots. Remember though, as great as niacinamide is, it's not for everyone. Best to patch test, patch test, patch test!
Aside from fading discolored spots on your underarms, Vitamin E is also able to help your skin in a lot of ways. First, it’s a great source of antioxidants that protect your skin from damage - perfect because the skin in your underarm area is delicate - and has anti-inflammatory properties as well.
More specifically, Vitamin E can combat free radicals that break down collagen in your skin, which causes skin blemishes like dark spots. Because of the protection that it gives, it will help your skin stay plump and soft.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin found in human skin. If you read the label, look for ingredients such as alpha-tocopherol or tocopherol acetate (usually in 1-5% concentrations). The great thing about Vitamin E is that it acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory with hydrating properties too!
Typically, Vitamin E is more effective when combined with other antioxidants (e.g., Vitamin C). But remember, these can be irritating if applied in higher concentrations, especially to such a delicate area such as the underarms. With all things, patch test!
Glycerin is a natural ingredient and is a humectant, which means that it pulls water from the air and the deeper levels of your skin into the outer layer. It moisturizes the skin, helping it stay strong and smooth. It can also be used to treat skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
Having said that, it is a good soothing ingredient, which is beneficial for those who wax their armpits often and have more sensitive skin. It can help calm your skin while making sure it gets the moisture that it needs so that you can have bright and flawless underarms.
Have you read the labels of most of your skincare products? A lot of them would actually contain an ingredient called "glycerin," which is pretty underrated. In truth, glycerin is a great humectant that has the ability to hold water and moisturize the skin. It provides a protective layer that protects the skin and helps maintain a healthy skin barrier.
One common skin-lightening ingredient used all around the world, including the Philippines, is hydroquinone. It is a skin-bleaching agent used to lighten discolored skin and address hyperpigmentation. Although it has some benefits for the skin, it's still important to check its concentration inside the product.
Make sure that your underarm whitening cream only contains 2-4% of hydroquinone, the safest level at which it can be used. Excessive concentrations may have adverse effects on your skin, like causing melanocytes to regroup and increase melanin production that will result in more hyperpigmentation.
Hydroquinone is a double-edged sword. It remains one of the gold standards for treating melasma (the brown or blue-gray pigmentation that typically develops on the face). However, it's important to know that it is classified as a drug, thus, warrants proper monitoring by a doctor. Hydroquinone, if used improperly, may lead to side effects (e.g., rebound hyperpigmentation) without medical supervision.
Like any skin whitening product, make sure to check your underarm whitening cream for any special instructions or guidelines. This can be how long to leave it on and how many times a day it should be used. If you're taking medication or if using a product with retinoids like retinol, it's also best to consult with your doctor before purchasing any product.
That's because if you don’t take note of these guidelines, your underarm whitening cream may take too long or may not work at all to deliver your desired result. In some cases, they may even do more harm than good. Hence, always be mindful when using these products.
As with any new product, always make sure to follow the instructions, whether it is a leave-on product or wash-off product. An important thing to do is to patch test to ensure that you won't develop an irritant or contact dermatitis-type reaction!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Net Content | Notable Ingredients | Special Instructions | Packaging | |||||
1 | Fresh Formula Sgt. at Arms Overnight Cream | ![]() | An Overnight Cream for Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation | 30 mL | Niacinamide, Alpha Arbutin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Allantoin | Use at Night; Avoid Using Deodorant With the Product | Pump | |
2 | Love Thy Self Jeju Berry White Intensive Whitening Underarm Cream | ![]() | Made With Natural Ingredients That Are Fragrance-Free and Non-Irritating | 25 g | Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Arbutin, Bearberry Extract | Use Twice a Day | Jar/Tub | |
3 | Belo Underarm Whitening Cream | ![]() | A Lightweight Formula That Brightens Skin at the Cellular Level | 40 mL | Niacinamide, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid | Use at Night | Tube | |
4 | Luxe Organix Intensive Whitening Underarm Cream|10% Niacinamide | ![]() | Formulated With 10% Niacinamide to Repair Skin and Reduce Hyperpigmentation | 30 g | Niacinamide, Alpha Arbutin, Licorice Extract, Tranexamid Acid | Use at Night; Avoid Using Deodorant With the Product | Tube | |
5 | GlutaMAX Underarm & Inner Thigh Ultimate Skin Lightening Cream | ![]() | Achieve Whiter, Smoother Underarms With Glutathione and Vitamin C | 30 g | Glutathione, Vitamin C | Use at Night | Tube | |
6 | Organic Skin Intensive Whitening Underarm Cream | ![]() | All-in-One Solution for Brighter, Smoother, and Hair-Free Underarms | 30 mL | Niacinamide, Glutathione, Arbutin | Not Specified | Tube | |
7 | A Bonne Yogurt Milk Whitening Underarm Cream | ![]() | The Underarm Whitening Cream for Pluckers, Shavers, and Waxers | 30 g | Glutathione, Yogurt Powder, Niacinamide, Vitamin E | Not Specified | Tube | |
8 | Miracle White Glutathione Underarm + Bikini Whitening Cream | ![]() | Get a Rosy Glow With This Japanese Sakura and Bearberry Infused Cream | 30 g | Kojic Acid, Glutathione, Japanese Bearberry, Japanese Sakura Flower | Not Specified | Jar/Tub | |
9 | Beyond Beautiful Underarm Whitening Cream|Wonder Pit | ![]() | Features a Lightweight, Non-Greasy Formula Perfect for Hot and Humid Weather | 30 g | Niacinamide, Arbutin | Not Specified | Jar/Tub | |
10 | Simply Hue Up Up Hooray Underarm Whitening Cream | ![]() | Offers a Rich Blend of Ingredients That Brightens and Moisturizes Your Underarms | 50 mL | Niacinamide, Kojic Acid, Glutathione, Alpha Arbutin, Allantoin | Use at Night | Tube |
Net Content | 30 mL |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Niacinamide, Alpha Arbutin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Allantoin |
Special Instructions | Use at Night; Avoid Using Deodorant With the Product |
Packaging | Pump |
With niacinamide, kojic acid, bearberry extract, and arbutin in its ingredient list, this product is a promising pick! Arbutin, a natural skin lightener, helps inhibit melanin production—the pigment that gives skin its color. This makes it ideal for treating hyperpigmentation, age spots, and sun damage.
Being made from all-natural ingredients free from hydroquinone, it's safe for pregnant or lactating women. If you're looking for an unscented, lightweight, and non-sticky cream, this is the one for you. Users love it for its effectiveness, gentleness, and overall comfort.
Net Content | 25 g |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Arbutin, Bearberry Extract |
Special Instructions | Use Twice a Day |
Packaging | Jar/Tub |
Belo's Underarm Whitening Cream promises to lighten your underarms in just two weeks. Its niacinamide content targets dark spots. It also has hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid that prevents melanin formation, reducing skin pigmentation.
This lightweight cream also prevents redness caused by frequent plucking or shaving. In addition to its underarm whitening benefits, many users have reported that the cream improved the complexion of their elbows and knees. While working at the cellular level to lighten the skin, the formula remains gentle and safe for sensitive skin.
Net Content | 40 mL |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Niacinamide, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid |
Special Instructions | Use at Night |
Packaging | Tube |
With 10% niacinamide, this underarm whitening cream lightens and repairs the skin, giving you bright and healthy underarms. It also contains licorice extract and alpha arbutin to soothe redness and address hyperpigmentation, respectively.
For optimal use, it's recommended to apply the cream at night since you're supposed to avoid using deodorant with it. This product has garnered numerous positive reviews, with many buyers expressing their intention to repurchase. Users praise the cream for its effectiveness, lightweight feel, and cost-effectiveness, noting that a little goes a long way.
Net Content | 30 g |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Niacinamide, Alpha Arbutin, Licorice Extract, Tranexamid Acid |
Special Instructions | Use at Night; Avoid Using Deodorant With the Product |
Packaging | Tube |
Looking for a safe and effective way to whiten and smooth your underarms? Then consider GlutaMAX's underarm whitening cream! Its formula contains glutathione and vitamin C, which are both effective skin-lightening ingredients.
Moreover, it contains shea butter extract and flavosterone extract to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and delay hair growth. Many users have had positive experiences with GlutaMAX's underarm whitening cream. Even those who were not able to apply it consistently reported noticeable results after just a few uses.
Net Content | 30 g |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Glutathione, Vitamin C |
Special Instructions | Use at Night |
Packaging | Tube |
Net Content | 30 mL |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Niacinamide, Glutathione, Arbutin |
Special Instructions | Not Specified |
Packaging | Tube |
If you pluck, shave, or wax often, this product can help improve the look of underarm skin affected by hair removal. Its yogurt ingredient clears dead skin cells and reduces the appearance of pores. It also contains wasabi extract that deodorizes your armpits effectively.
Moreover, it includes glutathione that helps you achieve whiter, brighter, and softer underarms. According to reviews, the cream is very absorbent and thick, yet it dries quickly. It also has a fragrant scent that most users love. For those seeking a product to keep their underarms moisturized, soft, and bright, this is a great choice!
Net Content | 30 g |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Glutathione, Yogurt Powder, Niacinamide, Vitamin E |
Special Instructions | Not Specified |
Packaging | Tube |
Glutathione and kojic acid are two popular skin-whitening ingredients. This underarm whitening cream uses both of them to nourish and brighten your underarms and other delicate areas. Combined with Japanese sakura flowers and bearberry, this cream also helps moisturize and give your skin a healthy rosy glow.
The product is also free of harsh chemicals, making it gentle on your skin. Users rave about the cream's fantastic formula, with many having seen results in the promised 7-day timeframe. Its cute pink packaging adds to the overall charm, as highlighted in reviews.
Net Content | 30 g |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Kojic Acid, Glutathione, Japanese Bearberry, Japanese Sakura Flower |
Special Instructions | Not Specified |
Packaging | Jar/Tub |
Packed with niacinamide, alpha arbutin, and soybean oil, this cream offers a comprehensive approach to brightening your underarm area. It also provides effective moisturization and works to minimize hair growth in your underarm area. Its lightweight, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a sticky residue.
Users have praised this product for its effectiveness, affordability, and availability. Many users report seeing a noticeable difference in their underarm skin tone within just a few weeks of use. With these features, check it out for an underarm whitening cream that suits the Philippine weather!
Net Content | 30 g |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Niacinamide, Arbutin |
Special Instructions | Not Specified |
Packaging | Jar/Tub |
This specially formulated cream contains a blend of brightening ingredients, such as niacinamide, kojic acid, and alpha arbutin. These components work together to reduce the appearance of dark spots and blemishes and even out skin tone. As a result, you'll get visibly brighter-looking underarms.
The cream is also enriched with moisturizing and repairing ingredients such as shea butter, aloe vera, and glycerin. These help to keep underarm skin hydrated and healthy. Users have noted the cream's thick consistency, which takes on a liquid-like feel when applied. This makes it easy to spread and absorb, leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth, and non-sticky.
Net Content | 50 mL |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Niacinamide, Kojic Acid, Glutathione, Alpha Arbutin, Allantoin |
Special Instructions | Use at Night |
Packaging | Tube |
Underarm whitening may be tricky. Let Dr. Katrina help you with her answers to the web's most asked questions. Check them out below!
Dark underarms actually have many different causes, from one's skin type to the different things we subject our underarms to. For instance, people with darker skin types are typically more prone to developing dark underarms. Other people with underlying conditions such as diabetes or who have hormonal changes (e.g., pregnant) could even develop a condition called "acanthosis nigricans," which presents with dark, almost velvety underarms.
More notorious for leading to dark underarms are actually the things we subject our underarms to—plucking, shaving, waxing, to name a few. Since the area is also pretty occluded, it's possible that certain products that we apply to it could lead to an irritant or allergic-type reaction that would eventually lead to something we refer to as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Did you know that even our underarm hair contributes to the dark color of our underarms? At the end of the day, it pays to identify the underlying cause so that these can be better addressed.
Since our underarms are a particularly sensitive area (given its anatomical location and tendency for occlusion), extra care must be given to what we apply to our underarms. Hence, DIY creams, even if they come from natural ingredients, don't assure us that they will be 100% free from causing irritation.
In theory, there should be no problem applying underarm creams on other areas of the body. Save perhaps for underarm creams that contain antiperspirant ingredients, as these typically would cause the skin to really effectively be dry, and that just might have a weird sensation on areas of the body you typically wouldn't apply such. Think super dry knees or elbows.
No, more is not always better. In fact, just an ample amount given the surface area that would be absorbed into the skin should be enough. Applying more product than you should might increase the risk of developing an irritation, not to mention, it would also lead to product wastage.
Show your underarms some tender loving care by checking out our other articles below. You'll find the best products that'll help you achieve smoother, whiter, and hair-free pits. No matter what you're looking for, we're bound to have it here!
Author: Bianca Angela Dela Cruz
Re-editor: Danielle Trinidad
Reviewed by: Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Fresh Formula|Sgt. at Arms Overnight Cream
No. 2: Love Thy Self|Jeju Berry White Intensive Whitening Underarm Cream
No. 3: Belo|Underarm Whitening Cream
No. 4: Luxe Organix|Intensive Whitening Underarm Cream|10% Niacinamide
No. 5: GlutaMAX|Underarm & Inner Thigh Ultimate Skin Lightening Cream
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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