How to Take Care of Dry Elbows and Knees

How to Take Care of Dry Elbows and Knees Sadly, dry, flaky, dark and rough skin on the elbows and knees is a very common problem. But not all people who face it on a regular basis know why it becomes this way and how to make their skin soft, smooth and healthy again. Read on to learn about the underlying causes of dry and rough skin of the elbows and knees, and to get a few tips on taking proper care of these areas of the body.

Rough and dry skin on the elbows and knees is most commonly a sign of hyperkeratosis – thickening of the outermost layer of the skin caused by excessive production of keratin. But why does the skin suddenly begin to produce more keratin than normal? One of the possible causes is friction, for example, when you often rest your elbows on the table or wear tight jeans that rub against your knees. By producing more keratin, which makes it thicker and rougher, your skin protects itself from mechanical damage.

However, if you don’t have any habits that subject your skin to friction, you should look into other possible causes of hyperkeratosis, such as vitamin deficiency, which many people experience during the cold season, when there are fewer fresh fruit and vegetables in their diet. Endocrine disruptions, various skin conditions (for example, eczema and psoriasis) and lack of proper skincare are also among the common causes of hyperkeratosis of the knees and elbows.

If you think that rough skin on your elbows and knees may be caused by a skin condition or hormonal changes, the first thing you should do is consult a doctor who will find out whether it’s really so and prescribe treatment if necessary. But when your hyperkeratosis is caused by habits like resting your elbows on the table, or by lack of proper skincare, all you need to do is take better care of the skin of your knees and elbows. Here are a few tips that may come in handy.

Exfoliation

You should regularly exfoliate your elbows and knees in order to remove dead cells and keep the skin soft and smooth. You can use either a scrub or a chemical peel, whichever option you prefer. However, you should avoid rough scrubs and high-concentration chemical peels because they can make things worse; if you accidentally damage your skin while exfoliating, it will produce even more keratin to protect itself. We would recommend a mild chemical peel with lactic acid.

Lightening

There are a lot of skin lightening products that will help to restore the healthy skin colour of your elbows and knees. And we don’t necessarily mean expensive cosmetics; even an ordinary cucumber, which is famous for its lightening effect, can help. Take a cucumber, grate it, rub the pulp and juice into your skin for at least 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Of course, you need to repeat the procedure regularly for a visible result. Other products with skin lightening properties include lemon and other citrus fruits, peppermint, and aloe vera.

Nourishment and Hydration

The skin of the elbows and knees is drier than the rest of the skin, which is natural because there are practically no sebaceous glands in these areas, meaning that they secrete significantly less sebum (skin oil). This is why you need to pay special attention to moisturising and nourishing your knees and elbows. We recommend that you opt for rich moisturisers with a high content of natural carrier oils, such as coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, olive oil, etc.

Regeneration

Skincare products for dry knees and elbows should contain regenerative ingredients that will help to restore the natural structure of your skin, as well as prevent irritation and inflammation. Such ingredients include, for example, aloe vera extract, chamomile extract, panthenol, vitamins A and E.

You can also use essential oils to take care of your elbows and knees. When mixed with a carrier oil or moisturiser, they lighten and soften the skin, as well as stimulate its regeneration and renewal. Sandalwood oil, lemon oil, grapefruit oil, orange oil and mandarin oil are considered especially effective.

Baths for dry elbows and knees with essential oils or medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula, St. John’s wort) are effective, too. Exfoliate your elbows and knees, let them soak in a warm bath for 10-15 minutes, pat your skin dry, and apply nourishing cream. Repeat the procedure once or twice a week.

In our online shop Organic Store, you can find various natural and organic cosmetics that will help soften and restore rough skin on your elbows and knees. We have a wide range of natural carrier and essential oils, bath salts and infusions, moisturisers, scrubs, and other effective skincare products. At Organic Store, we offer affordable prices, convenient payment methods, and international delivery to most parts of the world.