Cyperus rotundus oil for underarms: the oil that went head-to-head with laser
Your underarms are where this oil earned its reputation. In a randomized clinical study on underarm hair, it matched an Alexandrite laser overall, without the appointments, the zaps or the bill.
The #1 hair inhibitor oil in the USA · Rated 4.9★ · Trusted by 100,000+ women worldwide · 30-day Smooth or It's Free
- #1Hair inhibitor oil in the USA
- 100,000+Women worldwide trust nellaskin
- 4.9★Rated
- 5Published clinical studies on its hero ingredient
- 30 daysSmooth or It's Free
Yes, cyperus rotundus oil is made for underarms. Underarm hair is what the landmark 2014 study tested, and the oil showed no significant overall difference from an Alexandrite laser. Massage a few drops of Bare Oil, the #1 hair inhibitor oil in the USA, into each clean, dry underarm after hair removal, morning and night, and let it work on the regrowth.
Smooth on Monday, stubble by Wednesday
You know the cycle. You shave in the morning and by the next afternoon there's a shadow again. You shave more often, and the razor burn, the bumps and the itchy regrowth come with it. You look into laser and find a stack of sessions, a hefty bill and a treatment that struggles with light or gray hair.
The underarm is the hardest-working, most-shaved patch of skin you have. It deserves better than a daily fight. The fix isn't removing hair more often. It's making the hair that comes back slower, finer and softer, while caring for the skin underneath.
Why underarms are the best-studied area for cyperus rotundus oil
Most hair inhibitor oils lean on vague promises. Cyperus rotundus oil has something better for underarms specifically: clinical research done on underarm hair.
- 2012: 91 women with hirsutism or underarm hair used the oil or saline for six months. The oil was significantly more effective than saline.
- 2014: the oil went head-to-head with an Alexandrite laser on unwanted underarm hair, and matched it overall.
- 2022: a 153-person randomized trial on the underarms found a significantly greater decrease in hair growth with cyperus rotundus oil than with hydroquinone.
That's why your underarms are the smartest place to start.
The underarm study: it matched an Alexandrite laser
In a randomized clinical study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2014), 65 people with unwanted underarm hair were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: topical cyperus rotundus oil, saline, or an Alexandrite laser (GentleLase). Sixty completed the study, and results were judged three ways: hair counts, independent professionals and patient self-assessment.
"Cyperus rotundus essential oil is as effective as the Alexandrite laser for decreasing the growth of axillary hair (both dark and white)."Study conclusion · Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2014 · PubMed 24408514
More randomized trials: 91 women with hirsutism or underarm hair vs. saline (2012), 153 people (PubMed 34618367) and 308 people (PubMed 35290702) all recorded significantly reduced hair growth in the cyperus rotundus oil groups; a 153-person trial after laser favored the oil for pain relief (PubMed 34132024).
How to use cyperus rotundus oil for underarms
- Remove hair your usual way. Shave, wax or sugar. Bare Oil works alongside the method you already use.
- Pat dry. Apply to clean, dry, unbroken skin. Skip any nicks until they've healed.
- Massage in a few drops per underarm until absorbed.
- Wait a few minutes, then deodorant. Let the oil sink in first.
- Repeat morning and night, every day, including days you don't shave. Consistency is what slows regrowth.
New to the oil? Read how to use cyperus rotundus oil, step by step, including the patch test.
Real underarms, real results
Yasimi shared these underarm photos with her review. No filters, no studio, just a verified buyer who stopped dreading sleeveless tops.
What women say after switching to Bare Oil
★★★★★ Rated 4.9★ · trusted by 100,000+ women worldwide
"I can wear tank tops now!!!!!! Me está dejando las axilas bellas"Translation: "I can wear tank tops now!!!!!! It's leaving my underarms beautiful."
"my skin is SUPER SENSITIVE and usually reacts to almost all skincare but this has worked nicely for me 10/10 sensitive skin approved!!!!"
"It has for sure made a huge difference leaves my skin instantly softer but the best part is not having to shave as often"
"Waxing every 3 weeks was actually getting ridiculous 😭 ... My skin is very sensitive, so I was prepared for the usual redness or irritation… but nope. ... the biggest difference has been the regrowth. My hair used to come back pretty quickly and thick, but now it's taking longer and coming back much finer and lighter. I went from booking every 3 weeks to basically forgetting I even need to wax sometimes 😭"
Reviews are from verified buyers on our Bare Oil product page (Judge.me), quoted word for word; Spanish reviews are shown with our English translation. Individual results vary.
Tank-top season doesn't wait. Neither should you.
Every day you start sooner is a day closer to slower, softer regrowth. Join the 100,000+ women worldwide who trust nellaskin.
SMOOTH
OR IT'S
FREE
Try it for 30 days. Smooth, or it's free.
We're so confident in Bare Oil that we take the risk, not you. Use it as directed for 30 days. If you're not happy with your results, contact us and we'll make it right.
Our 30-day guarantee on every bottle.
Prefer Amazon? The listing comes with a 30-day refund or replacement, shipped from Amazon.
On Amazon, Subscribe & Save drops Bare Oil to $22.49. Skip or cancel whenever you like.
Underarms and cyperus rotundus oil: your questions, answered
Does cyperus rotundus oil work on underarm hair?
Underarm hair is exactly what the best-known study tested. In a 2014 randomized study in Aesthetic Surgery Journal, topical cyperus rotundus oil showed no significant overall difference from an Alexandrite laser for reducing unwanted underarm hair, and it beat the laser on white hair. No side effects were detected in that study. Individual results vary.
How do I use it on my underarms?
Remove hair the way you normally do, pat the skin dry, then massage a few drops of Bare Oil into each underarm, morning and night. Let it absorb before you put on deodorant. Our step-by-step guide covers the full routine.
Can I still shave or wax my underarms?
Yes. Keep your usual hair removal. Bare Oil goes on after, on clean, dry, unbroken skin, so the hair that grows back comes in slower, finer and softer with consistent use.
Does it work on light or white underarm hair?
Yes. That's where the 2014 study found its biggest edge: on white hair, the oil outperformed the Alexandrite laser on all 3 measures. Lasers need dark pigment to target, the oil doesn't.
Can I use it after laser hair removal on my underarms?
Yes, once the skin has calmed. A 153-person trial after laser hair removal favored cyperus rotundus oil for pain relief. Follow your provider's aftercare instructions first.
Is it permanent hair removal?
No. It's not permanent hair removal and it doesn't remove hair on its own. It's a daily oil that helps slow regrowth and keep skin soft between hair removal sessions, so keep using it to keep the results.
Can I put it on right before deodorant or antiperspirant?
Give it a few minutes to absorb first. Skip freshly nicked or irritated skin, and if your underarms sting, wait until they've settled.
References
- Mohammed GF. Topical Cyperus rotundus oil: a new therapeutic modality with comparable efficacy to Alexandrite laser photo-epilation. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2014;34(2):298-305. doi:10.1177/1090820X13518801 · PubMed 24408514
- Abd El-Kaream GF. Role of Cyperus rotundus oil in decreasing hair growth. Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology. 2012;1(2):111-118. doi.org/10.5455/jice.20120626100304
- Mohammed GF. Topical Cyperus rotundus essential oil for treatment of axillary hyperpigmentation: a randomized, double-blind, active- and placebo-controlled study. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 2022;47(3):534-541. PubMed 34618367
- Mohammed GF. The effectiveness of Cyperus rotundus essential oil in reducing the side effects of laser hair removal. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2022;21(4):1501-1505 (online 2021). PubMed 34132024
- Bare Oil product listing (ingredients, directions and recommended uses). amazon.com
Published by nellaskin, the maker of Bare Oil. The clinical studies cited tested topical cyperus rotundus essential oil, the hero ingredient in Bare Oil. Individual results vary with hair type and consistency of use. Not medical advice; talk to a dermatologist or physician about unwanted hair related to a medical condition.
Smoother underarms start today30-day Smooth or It's Free · Free US shipping from nellaskin.com · $29.99