3 Things To Know Before Swapping Out Your Deodorant for Glycolic Acid

#glycolicacidasdeodorant is trending on TikTok, but this one trend you can’t partake in blindly. While we put the hack to the test and can confirm that using chemical exfoliants as deodorant does indeed keep sweat at bay—here are three things to consider before adding it to your daily rotation.

Concentration and frequency

Everyone’s skin type and tolerance is different, but it’s important to note that just as glycolic acid can irritate the skin on the face, it can also irritate the underarms. Plus, with the constant friction in the underarm area, it may actually be more prone to irritation, especially in hot, humid weather. To avoid any unnecessary discomfort, start by using a lower concentration sparingly to see how your skin reacts before fully committing.

Hair removal routine

While you may not realize it, hair removing techniques—like shaving and waxing—exfoliate skin. Adding a chemical exfoliant to the mix could put you at risk for over-exfoliation and damage the skin barrier. Not only that, applying acids to the skin right after hair removal can lead to physical discomfort and stinging (ouch!). Steer clear of glycolic acid for at least a full day after hair removal, just to be safe. If you’re in the middle of laser hair removal treatments for the underarm area, we recommend staying away from chemical exfoliants until you’re done.

Other active ingredients

As with all acids, make sure to take a comprehensive look at your entire routine. Mixing it with other active ingredients can lead to unnecessary irritation, burning, or hyperpigmentation.

Now that you know how to use glycolic acid as deodorant safely, ready to put it to the test?

Beautylish recommends Good Molecules Glycolic Exfoliating Toner