IMAGE (L) Pixabay (R) Freyja/Goodal, Human Nature, Beauty Bar/One Earth Organics 

Full disclosure: I don’t have TV commercial-grade kilikili, and if you’ve read one of my older articles, you’ll know that I went on a full-on kilikili detox which, honestly, is one of the best skincare decisions I’ve ever made, since the purge actually helped lessen amoy pawis even when I’m not wearing deodorant.

Since the detox, I’ve also treated myself to an underarm hair laser removal treatment (it’s a great investment) and a few laser sessions to help even out annoying dark spots. These made me more conscious about how I take care of my pits because I already shelled out money for them and it would be a waste if I don’t maintain them.

So every night after I give my face a bit of love, I do a kilikili care routine. The process is something you’re already familiar with: cleanse, exfoliate, tone, and moisturize. Feel free to duplicate it with products that are hiyang for you.

Cleanse

Usually, I take a warm shower before I go to bed and I make sure to gently and thoroughly wash my pits to remove sweat and remnants of deodorant; but for days when I’m too tired to do so, I use micellar water for cleansing.

IMAGE Simple 

TRY: Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water, P299/200ml,  P499/400ml, at Lazada

Exfoliate

This can be done every other day (or whatever frequency you're comfortable with), but make sure to pick a really, really gentle product for it. I don’t use exfoliants that will cause intense peeling and dryness. I also don’t use scrubs that much since I don’t want my kilikili to feel tender afterwards.

I use Korean exfoliating creams and gels—the ones you just rub on for a bit until they slough off grime and dead skin. 

IMAGE Althea 

TRY: Onsaemeein Yogurt Peeling Mask, P390, Althea

IMAGE Esfolio 

TRY: Esfolio Pure Skin 2 Step Multi Bubble & Peeling Cleanser, P949, Esfolio

Tone

Remove any remaining exfoliant and return the skin’s proper pH balance with a toner. Personally, I do this twice—first to do one final, cleansing swipe, and second, to have the skin absorb the product. 

IMAGE Freyja/Goodal 

TRY: Goodal Green Tangerine Moist Mist Toner, P870/200ml, Freyja

Moisturize

For this part, I use body oils because my underarms are prone to drying. I use a sunflower oil-based product as it really helps soothe my skin. Just make sure to wash whatever oil will remain the following day before you put on your deodorant.

IMAGE Human Nature 

TRY: Human Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil Bloom, P199.75/50ml, P329.75/100ml, Human Nature

I realized that taking care of my kilikili as much as I do my face makes me feel more confident about them. They’re not perfect, but they’re a whole lot better and healthier than they were before. I also try to use natural deodorants and move away from anti-perspirants: if I sweat, then I sweat. It’s natural, after all. Having pawis seep through my clothes is a little embarrassing at times, but I’ve been building a wardrobe with fabrics that won’t make it too obvious, so it’s less of an issue for me.

If like me you're always on the look-out for natural and gentle deos, check out a couple that I've tried:

IMAGE Watsons/Deo Nat 

TRY: Deo Nat Mineral Deodorant Spray, P159/100ml, Watsons

IMAGE Beauty Bar/One Earth Organics 

TRY: One Earth Organics Antibacterial Whitening Deo-Spray P352/60ml, Beauty Bar

Here’s one brand I’ve heard a lot of good about but haven’t tried yet:

IMAGE BeautyMNL/Zero Basics 

TRY: Zero Basics Deodorant, P250/250ml, BeautyMNL

Good luck with your kilikili journey! Sound off in the comments section if you have your own regimen and/or tips!