Dark elbows and knees are unsightly, and they might even be cause for embarrassment. You might even stop wearing short skirts and sleeveless tops. But why do elbows and knees turn dark, rough, and thick? That’s because these two are areas that are used extensively, and experience pressure and friction almost constantly. This causes thick and dead skin to form, making them dark and unsightly.
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Causes of dark elbows and knees
These are the most common causes for dark elbows and knees:
- Dry skin
- Hereditary factors
- Over-exposure to sun
- Frequent rubbing/chafing against surfaces
- Hormonal imbalances
- Elevated levels of melanin
- Dead skin buildup
Home remedies for dark elbows and knees
Regardless of your skin color, there’s a chance that your elbows and knees might turn dark and leathery. The skin at your elbows is naturally thicker, and also more prone to loss of moisture than skin from other areas. However, these can be remedied by moisturizing it regularly, and can also be lightened. You can use easy, natural home remedies for dark elbows and knees, to lighten them naturally.
1. Almond
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Almonds, as well as almond oil, are good for your skin since they possess vital nutrients that help make your skin healthy and nourished. Plus, it also helps maintain an even skin tone, making your skin glow from within.
Remedies
- Warm 2 tablespoons of almond oil and massage your dark elbows and knees with that for about 5 minutes before going to bed every day. You should see visible improvement in a few days’ time.
- Grind 10-15 almonds coarsely in a blender. Take 2 tablespoons of this and mix it with 2 teaspoons of plain yogurt to form a granular paste. Apply this on the affected areas, allowing it to dry for about 15 minutes. Then, wet your fingers and rub your elbows and knees in circular motions for a few minutes. Rinse it off using cold water. Repeat this remedy once a day for a few weeks to see visible improvement.
2. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera contains skin lightening as well as moisturizing properties, which make it ideal for helping get rid of dark elbows and knees. Plus, it helps even out your skin tone, while also helping promote healing of skin that is damaged by exposure to the sun.
Remedy
- Slice open an aloe vera leaf, and squeeze out the gel into a clean bowl. Rub this gel on to the affected areas, leaving it on for 20 minutes, before washing it off with warm water. Follow this remedy at least twice a day for a few weeks for positive results.
3. Baking soda
Baking soda is an amazing ingredient that helps lighten dark elbows and knees, thanks to its cleansing nature. It also helps exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, while also lowering hyper-pigmentation.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon each of baking soda and milk. Apply this paste on your elbows and knees, rubbing it in circular motions for a few minutes. Then, rinse it off using lukewarm water, and pat dry using a soft towel. Follow this remedy every alternate day, till you see visible improvement.
4. Cocoa butter and shea butter
Both these butters contain natural fats that are excellent moisturizers, which make your skin soft and smooth. They help lighten your dark skin, while also getting rid of flaky and/or dry skin around your elbows and knees.
Remedy
- Apply cocoa butter or shea butter on the affected areas every night before going to bed. In a few weeks’ time, you will notice visible improvement.
5. Coconut oil
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Coconut oil contains vitamin E, which can help lighten the skin tone, while also helping prevent dryness, which it does by keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated. Plus, it can also repair dark, damaged skin.
Remedies
- Apply coconut oil on your elbows and knees after a shower/bath, and gently massage for a couple of minutes. Repeat this several times a day to prevent dryness.
- Mix together 1 tablespoon of walnut powder and enough coconut oil to make a smooth, thick paste. Apply this on the dark skin patches on your elbows and knees, to exfoliate the leathery skin. Repeat this twice or thrice a week for positive results.
- In a clean bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply this on your dark elbows and knees, and rub gently. Leave it on for 20 minutes, before wiping it off with tissues. Follow this at least once a day for best results.
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6. Cucumber
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Cucumber is an excellent moisturizing ingredient, which also possesses natural bleaching properties. Therefore, it’s an excellent remedy to lighten dark elbows and knees. Also, it helps in removing any impurities from the outer layer of your skin.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together equal amounts of cucumber juice and lemon juice. To this, add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and mix well to form a smooth paste. Apply this on the affected areas, letting it sit for 20 minutes, before washing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy every day for best results.
- Use thick cucumber slices to gently massage the affected areas for about 10 minutes. Let it sit for another 5 minutes, before washing it off using cold water. Repeat this remedy every day for positive results.
7. Lemon
Lemon contains natural bleaching properties, which make it an amazing remedy to lighten dark elbows and knees. Plus, it’s rich in vitamin C, which helps exfoliate dead cells and lighten skin tone. Additionally, it can help promote regeneration of healthy skin cells too.
Remedies
- Apply freshly squeezed lemon juice on your elbows and knees, and gently massage for a few minutes. Let it sit for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with warm water. Apply a moisturizer to seal in the moisture.
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of honey and the juice from 1 lemon. Apply this on the affected areas, letting it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse it off using cool water.
- To half a cup of sea or table salt, add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and mix well. Apply this slightly grainy paste on your dark elbows and knees, gently massaging the areas for a few minutes. Let it sit for 15 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy every day for a few weeks to see positive results.
- To 1 tablespoon of gram flour, add 3 teaspoons of lemon juice, and mix well to form a smooth paste. Apply this paste on your dark elbows and knees, letting it sit for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this thrice a week for best results.
Pro tip: Do not expose the affected areas to the sun, at least 3 hours after using lemon juice on them.
8. Mint
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Mint contains essential oils that help promote collagen production in the body, which helps maintain an even skin tone, while making your skin glow with health and vitality.
Remedy
- Take a handful of mint leaves and put it in half a cup of water. Boil this for 2-3 minutes. Then, add the juice of half a lemon to this, and strain the liquid. Let it cool down fully. Dip a cotton ball into this solution and rub it on your darkened elbows and knees. Let it dry for about 20 minutes, before rinsing it off using lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy twice a day till you see visible improvement.
9. Sugar
Sugar granules are amazingly helpful in exfoliating dead skin cells, which soften the leathery skin of your dark elbows and knees.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together equal amounts of sugar and olive oil to make a thick, granular paste. Apply this on your dark elbows and knees, and gently rub it using circular motions for a few minutes. Rinse it off using a mild soap and lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy at least once a day till the dark, leathery skin lightens, then you can do it once a week.
Pro tip: After using the scrub, don’t forget to use a mild moisturizer on the scrubbed skin.
10. Turmeric
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Turmeric is an excellent remedy for treating dark elbows and knees, since it helps maintain an even tone. It also helps give your skin a natural glow.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together half a teaspoon of turmeric with 1 teaspoon of milk cream to form a smooth paste. Apply this on your darkened elbows and knees, and massage for a few minutes. Let it dry for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with tepid water.
- Mix together equal amounts of gram flour and turmeric in a clean bowl. To this, add enough rose water to form a smooth paste. Massage this paste on to your dark elbows and knees, leaving it on for about 20 minutes. Then, scrub off the dried mask using tepid water.
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11. Yogurt
Yogurt contains mild bleaching properties, thanks to the presence of lactic acid. Plus, it also cleanses and moisturizes the skin around your elbows and knees.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon each of plain yogurt and white vinegar to form a smooth paste. Apply this on your dark elbows and knees and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Wash it off using lukewarm water, pat dry with a soft towel, and apply a moisturizer. Repeat this remedy every day for a few weeks to see your skin lighten.
- Mix together 2 tablespoons of gram flour and 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt to form a smooth paste. Apply this on your dark elbows and knees, letting it sit for 20 minutes. Then, rub with wet fingers to gently scrub off the paste and wash it with plain water. Repeat this twice or thrice a week.
These are all the natural home remedies for dark elbows and knees, that make your skin soft, smooth, and well-moisturized. If you start using these remedies regularly, you will be back to wearing your beloved short skirts and sleeveless tops in no time!
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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