Overview

Dark skin on the inner thighs can be experienced by anyone, regardless of skin tone. It occurs when the skin on the inner thigh produces an abundance of melanin, a pigment that gives skin its color. This is called hyperpigmentation. The discoloration of dark inner thighs may even stretch into the bikini or groin area.
Causes

There are a number of reasons why a person may experience a darkening of the skin on the inner thighs. Some of these reasons may include:

chafing, which can occur during exercise or walking, and may cause the skin to become thin, itchy, and discolored

hormonal imbalance, particularly among women during lactation, pregnancy, or menstruation, or among those with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

certain medications, like hormonal oral contraceptives or certain chemotherapy medications

sun exposure

dry skin

friction from tight clothing

acanthosis nigricans, a skin pigmentation disorder

diabetes mellitus

Risk factors

An obese person may be at higher risk for dark inner thighs due to skin chafing. You’re also at an increased risk if you have a hormonal imbalance or diabetes mellitus, or you take certain medications.
Home remedies

In some cases, home remedies may help lighten dark skin on your thighs.

1. Coconut oil and lemon juice

Lemons are packed with vitamin C, which may help treat hyperpigmentation. Coconut oil can serve as a moisturizer, and it may help keep your thighs soft and supple.

To make a coconut oil and lemon juice scrub:

Combine a few tablespoons of coconut oil with the juice of half a lemon.

Rub the mixture into the affected area and massage for 10 minutes or longer.

Wash the area clean.

Research suggests that certain formulations containing vitamin C may be more effective than others, so this method may not prove to be effective for you.

2. Sugar scrub

Sugar can help exfoliate the skin. Exfoliating the area may help if the dark skin is caused by a buildup of dead skin.

Combine fresh lemon juice, a teaspoon of sugar, and a tablespoon of honey.

Gently scrub the mixture into the inner thighs.

Rinse the area to remove the scrub.

Find premade sugar scrubs.

3. Oatmeal yogurt scrub

Oatmeal can be usedTrusted Source to treat eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. It can also act as an exfoliant, and it may be gentler than sugar. Yogurt contains lactic acid, which may improve skin health. Yogurt may have other benefitsTrusted Source for the skin when used topically or orally, but research is limited.

To create your own oatmeal scrub:

Make a paste with equal parts oatmeal and plain yogurt.

Apply the paste to the darkened area of skin, and gently scrub.

Wash the paste off of your leg.

4. Baking soda and water paste

Baking soda may help lighten and exfoliate your skin, but it should be used with caution. That’s because baking soda may be too harsh for your skin. It could irritate your skin and worsen any skin conditions.

If you want to try using a baking soda scrub:

Make a paste of equal parts baking soda and water.

Apply a thin layer to the inner thighs, like you would a face or body mask.

Leave it on for at least 15 minutes, and then rinse off.

5. Aloe vera

Aloe vera gel or an aloe vera-based product can soothe irritated, chafed skin. Aloe contains aloin, which shows potentialTrusted Source as a skin lightener. Apply like a lotion, and allow the product to soak in to your skin. You don’t need to rinse it off after applying.

Get aloe vera.

6. Potato rub

Rubbing potatoes on your skin is a folk remedy for dark spots on the skin. It’s believed that catecholase, an enzyme in potatoes, can lighten skin. To try this remedy:

Slice a potato.

Rub a potato slice over the affected area for 15 minutes or longer.

Gently wash the area.

Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments

Many OTC treatments claim to lighten the skin. Some are made from natural ingredients, which do show some promise in their ability to reduce pigmentation. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, these four ingredients may work to lighten skin and don’t carry much risk of allergic reaction:

soy

niacinamide

ellagic acid

lignin peroxidase

The following ingredients are popular in OTC treatments and have shownTrusted Sourcepotential to lighten skin, but may cause allergic reaction in some:

arbutin

kojic acid

licorice

Talk to a dermatologist before using an OTC product for skin lightening. They can evaluate the underlying cause and help you choose an appropriate product.

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