Is fitkari good for underarms? How to use it the right way

Short answer: yes. Fitkari is good for underarm odour. It is potassium alum, a mineral salt that makes your skin a harder place for odour-causing bacteria to grow. It does not stop you sweating, and it is not meant to.

Here is how to use it properly, whichever form you have at home.

Why fitkari works on underarm smell

Fresh sweat barely smells. The smell starts when bacteria on your skin break that sweat down. We explain this properly in why underarms smell.

Fitkari works on those bacteria. It is an astringent, and it makes the surface of your skin less friendly to them. Fewer bacteria means less smell. Your sweat glands carry on as normal.

That is why fitkari has sat next to the bathroom sink in so many homes for so long. It is simple, and it works.

How to use a fitkari block

1. Wet the block under the tap. A dry block does almost nothing.
2. Rub it gently over each underarm, three or four strokes. Do not press hard.
3. Let your skin dry before you put a shirt on.
4. Rinse the block, pat it dry, and keep it somewhere dry. A block left in water slowly dissolves.

Two tips. Do not share a block, because everyone is rubbing it straight onto their skin. And if it cracks, retire the sharp pieces. They can scratch.

How to use fitkari powder

Do not rub dry powder onto your skin. It is gritty and it can irritate.

Dissolve it in water first and use it as a liquid. We have a simple recipe in how to make fitkari spray at home.

How to use a fitkari spray

1. Start with clean, dry underarms.
2. Spray two or three times on each side.
3. Let it dry on its own for 10 to 15 seconds. Do not rub it in.

A spray does the same job as the block, without anything touching your skin. Nothing is shared and nothing gets dragged over a fresh shave.

Can I use fitkari on my underarms every day?

Yes. Most people can use fitkari every day without any trouble. That is how it has always been used.

If you notice redness, itching or stinging that does not settle, stop for a few days and let your skin calm down. We go through this in more detail in is fitkari safe to use every day.

Can I use fitkari after shaving?

Yes, with one caution. Barbers have used alum after a shave for a long time, because it is an astringent and it helps with small nicks.

But it will sting on a fresh cut. If your skin feels raw after shaving, wait a few hours. Or shave at night and apply fitkari in the morning.

A spray is easier on a fresh shave than a block, because you are not rubbing anything over the skin.

How long does it last?

For most people, one application covers a normal day.

On a very hot day, a humid day, or a stressful one, you may want to apply again. Stress sweat is the kind bacteria like most. Wipe your underarms first if you can, then reapply on dry skin.

What fitkari will not do

It is worth being clear about this, so you are not disappointed.

• It will not stop you sweating. Fitkari works on bacteria, not on sweat glands. If you want to know why that is a good thing, read potassium alum is not aluminium chlorohydrate.
• It will not lighten dark underarms. No honest product should promise that. Here is what actually helps with dark underarms.
• It will not remove smell that is already in your clothes. If a shirt smells as soon as you warm up in it, the shirt needs a proper wash.

Who should be careful

• If your skin is broken, cut or has a rash, wait until it heals.
• If you have eczema or very sensitive skin, try a patch test first.
• To patch test: put a little on the inside of your forearm and wait 24 hours. If there is no redness or itching, you are fine to use it.

Quick answers

Is fitkari good for underarm smell?
Yes. Fitkari and phitkari are the same thing, and it works on the bacteria that cause the smell.

Can men and women both use fitkari?
Yes. Underarm skin and underarm bacteria work the same way for everyone.

Is a block or a spray better?
Both work. A block lasts a long time and costs very little. A spray is touch-free, dries faster, and is easier on shaved skin.

Can I use fitkari with my regular deodorant?
You can, but you do not need to. Layering products on thin underarm skin makes irritation more likely. Pick one and give it two weeks.

We built our spray around fitkari because it already worked. We just wanted it to fit into a normal morning.

Try the Vura Mineral Underarm Spray →