

I don't know about y'all, but I personally don't know one person who doesn't want flawless skin. When it comes to me and my personal struggles with achieving this immense goal, my greatest challenges have been having large pores that can sometimes lead to breakouts that can result in acne scars. Well that and sometimes noticing that my parts of my inner thighs are about a good one shade darker than the rest of 'em. What gives?
While I have finally figured out some hacks that have helped my pores to appear smaller and also some hacks that have reduced the bacteria that causes pimples to occur in the first place, it wasn't until a few months ago that I came upon some all-natural remedies that helped to get my thighs all one tone again. If inner thigh discoloration is something that you battle with as well and you're ready to have thighs that look as smooth and even as butta, I think I might have some tips that can totally help you out.
How To Get Rid Of Dark Inner Thighs: Remedies
So, What Actually Causes Inner Thigh Discoloration in the First Place?
If you're someone who struggles with inner thigh discoloration, you might've wondered where it comes from. That's actually a really good question. Long story short, it's the result of when hyperpigmentation transpires; you know, when an area of your body produces more melanin than it actually needs.
When it comes to getting down to the root cause of why some of us have inner thigh discoloration, to be honest with you, there is no one answer. Some of us get it because, as the saying goes, "thick thighs save lives"; so, when we're walking, running and/or working out, chafing can occur. Others of us get it due to hormonal imbalances and/or the medications that we take to get our hormones back on track. If you're someone who's all about rockin' the tightest jeans possible, the constant friction from your pants could also be the culprit.
Then there's the reason that is probably to most underrated—dry skin. Yep, if you're not taking the time to thoroughly moisturize your thighs after bathing, this also could result in them looking two-toned (in comparison to the rest of your legs) or blotchy.
The good news is, knowing the root of what caused your inner thigh color issues, that can help to put you onto the path of restoring even-toned skin again.
What Are Some Effective At-Home Remedies to Try?
If you really stop to think about it, some simple lifestyle changes can actually help to get your inner thighs back to where you want them to be. Simple things like wearing looser clothing and consistently moisturizing that part of your body might be all that's required. But if you feel like your thighs could use a little bit of extra TLC, while you could go the OTC route and purchase a skin lightening cream, sometimes products that contain ingredients like niacinamide, lignin peroxidase and arbutin (even hydroquinone and retinoids that dermatologists will sometimes prescribe) can come with mild side effects or even result in allergic reactions. Plus, a lot of these lighteners aren't created with Black sistahs in mind. Because of that, those products can ultimately end up doing our skin more harm than good. So, that's why I think that, at least trying some natural remedies, is a smart way to try and get your inner thighs to looking the way that you want them to. And the really great news is you've got a few different DIY options to choose from.
Aloe Vera Gel.
Aloe vera contains properties that are effective at doing everything for your skin from deeply moisturizing it and reducing signs of aging to healing acne and speeding up the healing process of burns and wounds. If you apply 100 percent pure Aloe vera gel to your inner thighs, the proteolytic enzymes in it can help to heal damaged skin cells so that the skin that is the result of hyperpigmentation will become lighter after about 4-6 weeks.
Coconut Oil.
Coconut oil is dope because it has antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties in it (all of these help to kill bacteria and fungi that may occur on your skin). Coconut oil is also comprised of 80-90 percent saturated fat that can deeply moisturize your skin. And, since it has so many different fatty acids in it (including around 49 percent fatty acids), when you apply the oil to your inner thighs, the acids can also help to build healthy membranes to your skin while creating a protective barrier too. Just make sure that the coconut oil is virgin; the purer it is, the more effective it will be.
Plain Yogurt.
Off top, something that yogurt has lots of is lactic acid. It's an organic compound that, when applied to your skin, it is able to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Beyond that, plain yogurt is also great for your skin because it deeply moisturizes it. And, when you add a little bit of lemon (two tablespoons will provide potent exfoliating and lightening properties) to a one-third cup of it, the combination is great at treating hyperpigmentation. Apply the mixture to clean skin, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with cool water (to close your pores). If you do this 1-2 times a week, you will notice a difference within 14 days or so.
Oatmeal Scrub.
If anything is considered to be a superfood for your skin, oatmeal would have to be it. It's for a myriad of reasons too. Since oatmeal is high in zinc, it can speed up the healing of pimples. Its chemical compounds saponins are able to unclog your pores. Other properties in oatmeal can help to balance out your skin's pH levels. And, when it comes to fading the discoloration around your inner thighs, the texture of raw oats is a wonderful exfoliant. If you make a scrub of one part oatmeal, one part yogurt and a teaspoon of honey (honey is a great moisturizer) and then apply it directly onto your thighs, while gently massaging that area, it can help to slough off dead skin cells while revealing healthier skin cells in the process.
Potato Rub.
I know, right? Who woulda thought that a white potato could be an ultimate skin healer? Oh, but it is! Potatoes contain a good amount of potassium, manganese, vitamins B6 and C—all of these are nutrients that our skin profoundly needs. But the reason why potatoes, specifically, are good at cultivating even-toned skin is because they also have the enzyme catecholase in them. This enzyme is known for gradually lightening skin over time. All you need to do is rub a slice of a raw potato on your inner thigh area for a couple of minutes. Allow the juice to sit for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Do this twice a week for the most optimal results.
And How Do You Prevent Inner Thigh Discoloration from Coming Back?
You know what grandma used to say—an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So now that you know some proven all-natural ways to get your inner thighs looking even, let's talk about some things that you can do to prevent them from looking discolored all over again.
First, always cleanse and exfoliate your inner thigh area. It's interesting, the parts of our body that don't typically get as much attention as they truly deserve. Three of those tend to be our legs, feet and inner thighs. Sure, the water tends to "catch them" when we're in the shower or taking a bath, but it's important that we actually rub them down with some soap. In fact, it's even smarter to do some dry brushing before washing up. If you do this to your inner thigh area specifically, it can help to remove any dead skin cell build-up that could also lead to discoloration, in that area, over time.
Second, if you notice that chafing occurs, not when only you're wearing tight pants, but actually after you've been working out, it could be because you're exercising in the wrong fabrics.
Clothing that is made out of nylon can help to reduce the friction that may be occurring in between your thighs (nylon biker shorts or stockings underneath your dresses can help to stop chafing too if your thighs happen to naturally rub together too).
And finally, sweat is something else that can irritate your inner thighs. If you're naturally prone to sweating, give your body (including your inner thighs) some relief at night by sleeping with no clothes on. That way, all of you will be able to breathe while the chances of your sweating as much as you usually do will decrease, significantly so.
If you do all three of these things, on a regular basis, you can very easily be on your way to having thighs with skin that looks as beautiful and sexy as you are. No joke.
Join our xoTribe, an exclusive community dedicated to YOU and your stories and all things xoNecole. Be a part of a growing community of women from all over the world who come together to uplift, inspire, and inform each other on all things related to the glow up.
Featured image by Shutterstock
- Love On Yourself With These 7 All-Natural DIY Vaginal Washes ›
- 6 Tips To Prevent Inner-Thigh Chafing - xoNecole: Women's Interest ... ›
It's kinda wild that, in 2025, my byline will have appeared on this platform for (what?!) seven years. And yeah, when I'm not waxing poetic on here about sex, relationships and then...more sex and relationships, I am working as a certified marriage life coach, helping to birth babies (as a doula) or penning for other places (oftentimes under pen names).
As some of you know, something that I've been "threatening" to do for a few years now is write another book. Welp, October 2024 was the month that I "gave birth" to my third one: 'Inside of Me 2.0: My Story. With a 20-Year Lens'. It's fitting considering I hit a milestone during the same year.
Beyond that, Pumas and lip gloss are still my faves along with sweatshirts and tees that have a pro-Black message on them. I've also started really getting into big ass unique handbags and I'm always gonna have a signature scent that ain't nobody's business but my own.
As far as where to find me, I continue to be MIA on the social media front and I honestly don't know if that will ever change. Still, if you need to hit me up about something *that has nothing to do with pitching on the site (I'm gonna start ignoring those emails because...boundaries)*, hit me up at missnosipho@gmail.com. I'll do what I can. ;)
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Leon Bennett/WireImage
Do You Get More Yeast Infections In The Spring? There's A Reason For That.
I don’t know about y’all, but if there’s one thing that I try to avoid, with everything in me, it's getting a yeast infection. Unfortunately, because I have a fungal sensitivity, I’ve had more of them over the course of my lifetime than I would like. The upswing, though, is that as I’ve learned more about them, I’ve been able to take preventative measures to keep those bad boys at bay. And one of those things is doing research on what causes them.
For instance, I used to wonder why it seemed like I would get yeast infections in warmer weather. At first, I thought it was all in my head, yet it absolutely isn’t — and if you read this all the way through, you’ll see why I say that.
Now that we are in full-blown spring season, there’s no turning back as far as the rising temps go. And so, if you are also someone who tends to get yeast infections during this time of the year, I’m about to explain to you the reason why the weather, 1000 percent, has something to do with it.
First, a Quick Yeast Infection Recap
Getty Images
Since it’s been reported that approximately 75 percent of women have will get at least one yeast infection in her lifetime, and almost half will experience more than one, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve had one before — and that makes you pretty familiar with, at the least the symptoms, of a yeast infection. Still, in order for it to make sense that warmer weather can lead to more yeast infections, I’m going to briefly explain what a yeast infection is truly all about.
Something that pretty much all of us have somewhere on our body is a fungi known as Candida; however, something that you may not be aware of is the fact that only around 20 percent of women have it in their actual vaginal tract. Anyway, having Candida in your system isn’t an issue — unless there is an overgrowth with it. If that happens, it can lead to what is known as a yeast infection — and although you can get a yeast infection, pretty much anywhere on your body, what I am going to focus on today is vaginal yeast infections.
Although it is actually possible to have a yeast infection that doesn’t have any symptoms, typically, if you’ve got one going on, your body will certainly let you know because you will experience things like incessant itching (have mercy!), a thick white/off-white discharge, a swollen vagina and/or vulva, a burning sensation when you urinate and perhaps even discomfort during sex.
The cause of a yeast infection is usually tied to something that causes Candida to multiply because you have more “bad bacteria” in your system than good bacteria. This could be due to things like having a weakened immunity; an imbalance of hormones; antibiotics; being pregnant; your blood sugar levels being off; wearing underwear or pants that are too tight (bookmark that one); using body washes, spermicides or other body products that are too strong for your vagina (ones that end up irritating it) and/or douching.
If any of this leads to you having a yeast infection and it isn’t your first trip to the rodeo when it comes to experiencing one, there are over-the-counter antifungal medications that you can use. Or, if the yeast infection is chronic, your doctor may prescribe you an antifungal pill like Diflucan (although these days, you can oftentimes get a prescription prepared for you online via some of the same sites that prescribe birth control; check out “Before You Get Online Birth Control, Read This.” for some references on those).
Aight, so now that you basically get what yeast infections are all about, why does it seem like many women experience them more often during the spring and summertime? Is it all in their head, or is that actually a fact?
Why Yeast Infections Sometimes Uptick Whenever the Weather Warms Up
Getty Images
Remember how I said that one of the things that can lead to a yeast infection is wearing clothes that are too tight? Well, when your vulva and vagina aren’t able to breathe and instead, moisture is trapped in that area of your body, Candida is able to thrive. And that, my friends, is why it’s pretty common for women to either be more susceptible to a yeast infection in the spring and summer seasons, or they may end up with more than one of them (if they’re not careful). That’s because the warmer it is outside, the easier it is for air to hold moisture, and that can lead to you sweating more and your clothes retaining water — which creates the perfect storm for a yeast infection.
And that is why this article has the title that it does — indeed, if one of the things that you dislike about this time of year is that you have always found yourself being vulnerable when it comes to yeast infections, now you understand why. Humidity cultivates moisture, and trapped moisture causes fungi to multiply, and that can lead to a yeast infection.
6 Things You Can Do to Help to Prevent a Yeast Infection
Getty Images
So does all of this mean that you just have to lie back and let Candida have its way with you right now? Absolutely not. In fact, as the weather heats up, here are a few things that can decrease your chances of experiencing a yeast infection.
1. Wear breathable fabrics. It’s sundress season, and no one can rock those like we can, right? And listen, yeast will be pissed at you if you do (especially if you go without undies) because the lightness of a sundress’s fabric makes it easier for your body to breathe and for your vaginal area to remain dry. So, sundress or not, definitelywear lighter fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk for the next few months.
2. Take vitamin C. Something else that I said could lead to a yeast infection is a weak immune system. That said, something that can help to keep yours in great shape is vitamin C. The main reason why is because it has the ability to strengthen your white blood cells, which are the cells that help to fight off infection. So, if you’re not doing so already, take a vitamin C supplement and also consume foods that are high in C like citrus fruits, berries, cantaloupe, spinach and broccoli.
3. Leave the scented products alone. We all like to smell good and you doing so is something that I will always and fully support — just make sure to keep the fragrance stuff away from your vulva and vagina. Again, it only irritates them. As an alternative, if you want to do a lil’ somethin’ down there, spray some perfume or apply a sensual essential oil to your inner thigh; the same mission will get accomplished without you having to worry about your vulva/vagina getting mad at you in the process.
4. Massage your vulva with coconut oil. This one might surprise you. Something that has pretty strong antifungal properties in it is coconut oil. That’s why some women use it to treat a yeast infection whether it’s by soaking a tampon with coconut oil and inserting it into their vagina or using it to soothe their irritated vulva. As a semi-preventative measure to keep fungi from irritating your vulva and/or to moisturize it, you certainly can’t go wrong with applying some organic coconut oil to “her” as well.
5. Swap out ice cream for frozen yogurt. Something that yeast feeds off of is sugar; meanwhile, something that keeps yeast from getting out of control is probiotics. And since this is the time of year when a lot of us enjoy scoops of ice cream, if you want to increase your chances of avoiding a yeast infection, consider going with frozen yogurt instead. Although both have sugar in them, yogurt also contains several strains of probiotics too. It’s a delicious way to proactively fight a potential yeast infection from the inside out.
6. Ease up on the stress triggers.When you’re stressed out, it can also make you more susceptible to a yeast infection because stress can weaken your immunity. So, get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Plan a vacation. Spend time with your friends at rooftop restaurants and enjoy a mocktail on your back deck (check out “10 Spring/Summer Cocktails (& Mocktails) That Your Vagina Will Truly Enjoy”). The less stressed you are, the less tension your vagina will feel…and the less chance there will be of you having a spring or summertime yeast infection. #givethanks #enjoy
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Bogdan Khmelnytskyi/Getty Images