Dark, dry and uncared knees and elbows detract from your beauty, while an uneven skin tone can make you very conscious when you wear over-the-knee skirts or dresses or shorts. The skin around our knees and elbows are thicker, generally, and have more lines and crinkles than the skin surrounding them. Since they do not have sebaceous or oil-producing glands, they tend to be drier. When not given the right care and when proper hygiene is not maintained, these areas tend to become darker than the other parts of our body. Here are 10 home remedies for dark knees that come in handy, in a situation like that!
Suggested read: Bye bye, dry skin: 10 super-effective home remedies for dry skin
Causes of dark knees
There are a number of factors that result in darker knees and elbows, the most common being,
- Frequent rubbing
- Constant exposure to sun
- Dry skin type
- Genetic factors
- Obesity
- Increase in melanin pigment
- Dead skin buildup
- Hormonal abnormalities
There are a number of products that you can use to treat dark knees and elbows, but what better than natural remedies? Here are 10 home remedies that will make your knees and elbows look cared for and loved, in no time!
Home remedies for dark knees
1. Coconut oil
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One of the best remedies for dark knees and elbows is coconut oil. It contains vitamin E, which lightens our skin tone. Vitamin E in coconut oil also prevents dryness. It hydrates the skin around the knees and elbows, and moisturizes them. Coconut oil is also known to fix both dark and damaged skin.
Remedies
- Apply coconut oil on your elbows and knees after every shower you take. Massage lightly for about 1 or 2 minutes. This must be done repeatedly several times through the day to avert dryness.
- On the other hand, you can prepare a mixture by adding one-fourth of a tablespoon of lemon juice to half a tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply this solution on the rough elbows and knees. Let the oil sit for half an hour, Now, wipe it off using paper towels. This remedy should be repeated once every day, regardless of the season.
- Alternatively, to two teaspoons of walnut powder, add a cup of coconut oil. Mix the ingredients to form a thick paste. Apply the paste on your knees and elbows. Use it as a natural scrub. Carry out this treatment twice a week for best results.
2. Lemon
Lemon is well-known for its natural bleaching and exfoliating properties. It is a rich source of vitamin C, which in turn, removes dead skin cells. Lemons also enhance the regrowth of skin cells, to heal damaged skin.
Remedies
- To your knees and elbows apply some lemon juice. Massage lightly for 5 minutes, Leave the juice on your skin for half an hour. Now wash it off using lukewarm water. Follow it with a generous application of a moisturizer.
- Squeeze a fresh lemon. Add to this, two teaspoons of honey. Now apply the mix on to the affected areas. Leave this on for half an hour. Wash the mixture off using lukewarm water.
Pro tip: Once you apply the lemon juice on your skin, try and avoid exposing yourself to the sun for the next 4 hours.
3. Yogurt
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The lactic acid in yogurt makes it a skin lightener. It also helps cleanse and moisturize our delicate skin.
Remedies
- In a cup of white vinegar, add a tablespoon of unflavored yogurt. Blend to form a thick paste. Apply the paste on your knees and elbows. Let it dry, after which, rinse it off with lukewarm water. Once you pat dry, apply some moisturizer. Repeat this remedy once every day for at least a couple of months to see positive results.
- On the other hand, you can mix four teaspoons of gram flour with two teaspoons of unflavored yogurt. Mix them well, and apply on the elbows and knees. Leave the mask on for half an hour. Wash with lukewarm water while rubbing gently. Carry out the treatment twice a week for best results.
4. Sugar
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The skin tone of your knees and elbows can be lightened using a homemade scrub made from sugar. Sugar exfoliates dead cells of the skin, which in turn, renders the skin soft.
Remedies
- Mix sugar granules and olive oil in a ratio of 1:1.
- Apply the thick paste on the knees and elbows.
- Rub lightly in circular motion.
- After massaging for about 5 minutes, wash using a mild soap solution and lukewarm water.
- This should be done on a daily basis to get lighter and softer knees and elbows.
5. Baking soda
Since it is a gentle cleanser, baking soda can work wonders on dark knees and elbows. It removes dead skin cells and reduces hyper-pigmentation.
Remedies
- Mix a tablespoon of milk with two teaspoons of baking soda. Prepare a thick paste.
- Apply the paste on your knees and elbows.
- Rub in circular motions.
- Massage for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Wash the pack off with lukewarm water.
- Pat dry and apply a moisturizing cream.
Suggested read: 10 home remedies to get rid of dry, chapped lips this winter
6. Aloe vera
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Since aloe vera is a skin lightener, it works wonders on dry and rough knees and elbows. It also moisturizes and repair the skin cells damaged by overexposure to the sun.
Remedies
- Break open a fresh aloe vera leaf.
- Extract the gel and apply it on your knees and elbows.
- After half an hour, wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Carry out the treatment once a day for a month to achieve desired results.
7. Almonds
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Almonds are really good for dry skin. Almond, in the form of oil too, has skin-nourishing properties. It allows you to maintain an even skin tone, while rendering soft, glowing, healthy skin.
Remedies
- Massage your knees and elbows with almond oil, after heating it a little. Massage every night, five minutes before you hit the bed.
- You can also mix 4 teaspoons of coarsely powdered almonds with yogurt. Apply the paste on your elbows and knees in circular motion. Leave it on until it dries. Now wash it with cold water. This remedy should be repeated two times a day for a month, for best results.
8. Mint
Mint has volatile oils which promotes collagen. Mint, therefore, helps maintain an even skin tone.
Remedies
- In half a cup of water, add a handful of mint leaves.
- Bring this to boil.
- Now remove it from the heat, and add juice of half a lemon.
- Mix well.
- Strain the tea, and once it is cool, apply it on your elbows and knees using a clean ball of cotton.
- Leave the tea on for half an hour. Wash it with lukewarm water.
This treatment must be followed thrice every day for a couple of weeks, for best results.
9. Turmeric
Turmeric works wonders on dark and rough knees and elbows.
Remedies
- In a teaspoon of milk cream, add little bit of turmeric powder.
- Mix well.
- Apply it on the knees and elbows.
- Massage for a couple of minutes.
- Allow the pack to dry.
- Now wash it with lukewarm water.
10. Cucumber
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Cucumber is an amazing natural bleaching agent. It not only lightens dark knees and elbows, but also helps keep the skin moisturized. It removes the dead skin cells from the folds in your knees and elbows.
Remedies
- Cut thick slices of cucumber.
- Lightly rub the slices on your elbows and knees.
- After massaging for 10-odd minutes, leave it on for another 10 minutes.
- Now rinse off using cold water.
- This remedy should be followed daily for best results.
- You can also mix cucumber juice and fresh lemon juice in a ratio of 1:1. Now stir the blend, and add some turmeric powder. Apply the mix on your knees and elbows and leave the pack on for 30 minutes. Wash it off using cold water. This should be done daily, for best results.
Suggested read: The MOST perfect skin care routine for dry skin
Additional Tips for dark knees
- Use shea butter or cocoa butter to massage your knees and elbows, on a regular basis. Apply the cream at least twice a day, and once at night before going to sleep.
- Cut a thick slice of potato and rub it over your knees and elbows. This treatment must be done every day before you take your shower.
- Putting pressure on your knees and elbows, renders them darker and rougher. Avoid doing that.
- Just like you protect your face from UV rays of the sun, apply sunscreen on your knees and elbows too, throughout the year.
- Use a pumice stone to lightly scrub the skin to get rid of the dead skin buildup.
- If and when you have an open wound on your knees and elbows, do not exfoliate the area. This can increase the infection, which worsens the quality of the skin there.
- To prevent dryness, apply a moisturizer on a daily basis.
- Pay attention to your diet. Consume more vitamins and minerals to nourish your skin.
- Every day, drink 8 to 10 glasses of water for softer and healthier skin.
That is all we have today on home remedies for dark knees. Did we miss out on any home remedy? Let us know in the comment section below.
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