We all like our skin even and balanced. Dark patches are the nightmare of clean and shiny skin, be it for face or for the body. Imagine having squeaky clean waxed hands and legs only to have bony dark elbows and knees instead. An odd contrast and not a pleasant one at that.
So what do we about it? We rush to our nearest pharmacy and buy whatever is available at the counter. But do they work?? The brutal truth is –NO!
Artificial creams and ointment’s progress is very gradual and the results are not very effective, and continuous usage has its fair share of side effects too. Hence opting for nature’s cabinet is the best solution. The remedies are safe to use, available right in the comfort of your home and the results are instantly visible.
Say hello to clean shiny elbows and knees and bid goodbye to dark and bony skin. We give you top 17 home remedies for dark elbows and knees.
“No one likes to have dark and dirty knees and elbows, and we are here to help you get rid of them forever. Use these amazing 17 home treatments to banish dark elbows and knees for good.”
17. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural exfoliator. When mixed with milk- which works as a natural bleaching agent, it will give your knees and elbow an instant glow, as it will scrub off the dead skin and lighten up the dark skin.
Make a thick paste of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 3-4 tablespoon of milk. Apply this mixture onto your knees and elbows and scrub it gently in circular motion. Wash it off with water after 5-8 minutes. Follow this procedure on alternative days until the joints have reached an even skin tone.
16. Potato
Not many are aware but potato has bleaching properties. So not only can you have French fries, you can also have shiny knobs.
Simply cut a slice of a potato and rub your knees or elbows with it. Make sure to rub them continuously for at least 4-5 minutes. Clean your joints with water when the juice of the potato has dried up on your skin. Regular use of this will give effective results within a week.
15. Cucumber
Cucumber is a natural skin moisturizer, cleanser and bleaching agent. Because our dark joints are just a matter of dry skin folds, cucumber is very beneficial for them. It will smooth out the skin, moisturize it and lighten it up.
Rub cucumber slices over knees and elbows for 8-10 minutes and rinse off with cold water. Practice it daily.
For an immediate glow and shine mix equal amounts of cucumber juice and lemon juice, add in a pinch of turmeric powder and apply the mixture, rub in circular motions and wash off with water.
14. Turmeric Powder
Turmeric has been nature’s answer for most cosmetic uses since the time of the Egyptian civilization. It is also highly recommended by most Ayurveda. Here is your answer for clean and even skin tone.
Make a mixture of 1 table spoon milk cream and 2 pinches of turmeric powder. Apply it on your knees or elbows and let it stay for 10-15 minutes or until it dries up. Wash off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy daily for up to 2 weeks to see visible and favorable results.
13. Yoghurt
Yoghurt is a natural cleanser, moisturizer and has lactic acid which helps lighten skin color. That is exactly the reason why most homemade face packs contain yoghurt.
To avail the benefits of yoghurt for your elbows and knees, mix an equal amount of yoghurt and vinegar into a smooth paste and apply to the affected areas. Wash it off with warm water when the mixture dries. To get best results, use it daily for 2 weeks.
Alternatively you can mix 1 tablespoon of yoghurt with 2 tablespoon of gram flour into a thick paste. Apply it on your dark elbows and knees and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rub it off with wet fingers when it dries. Use this remedy twice a week.
12. Lemon
Lemon is rich with bleaching and exfoliating properties. Also lemon is packed with Vitamin C, which helps remove dead cells and promote regeneration of healthy skin.
Rub lemon juice on your darkened elbows and knees thrice a week. You can also mix lemon juice with honey and massage it onto your darkened joints with circular motion. Rinse with water after 20 minutes.
11. Sugar
Sugar is an excellent exfoliator to remove dead skin. Use sugar combined with olive oil to lighten and brighten up your dark elbows and knees.
Mix equal amount of sugar and olive oil into a thick paste. Use this as a scrub to remove dead cells from the skin folds on your knees and elbows. Rub this scrub on your joints in circular motions for 5 minutes. Wash it off with mild soap and water. Repeat this treatment until you have your desired results.
10. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a natural skin lightener and moisturizer, and comes in handy to remedy our knees and elbows. It maintains even skin tone and promotes repair of skin cells damaged by sun exposure.
Split an Aloe Vera leaf, extract the gel and apply in onto your affected areas. Let it sit for 20 minutes and wash it off with warm water. Do it once a day daily for 2-3 weeks.
9. Mint
Mint contains several healing properties and various volatile oils that promote collagen in the body. It helps balance an even skin complexion and makes the skin glow and shiny.
Boil half a cup of water with handful of leaves for 2-3 minutes. Add juice of half a lemon, strain the mixture and let it cool. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and rub it on your knees and elbows. Let it stay for 15-20 minutes and wash it off with warm water. Repeat this treatment daily until you have your desired results.
“Say hello to glowing even skin tone and bright and squeaky clean elbow and knees with these fantastic remedies, right in the comfort of your home. Here are 17 home remedies for dark elbows and knees”
8. Almond Oil
Almond oil is rich in skin nourishing properties and is extremely useful to maintain an even skin tone and keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Massage your darkened elbows and knees with almond oil, before going to bed. Practice it daily or at least thrice a week to have shiny and clean elbows and knees.
7. Pumice Stone
A major reason for our dark joints is dead skin. And dead skin has to be removed and what better way than to use pumice stone!
Scrub your darkened joints with pumice stone while bathing. Make sure to apply a soothing lotion afterwards to moisturize.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is rich in Vitamin E. And Vitamin E helps lighten the skin tone and prevents dryness by keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized. It also assists in repairing dark and damaged skin.
Make a mixture of 1 teaspoon coconut oil and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Rub this solution on your darkened joints and let it stay for 15-20 minutes. Wipe it off with paper towels. Do this once daily for 2 weeks.
Alternatively apply coconut oil on your knees and elbows after each bath and massage it gently into your skin. You will notice a visible change within a week.
5. Walnut Powder
Walnuts are loaded with anti-oxidants, vitamin E and vitamin B that help in improving overall skin health by balancing and repairing skin damage caused by various everyday factors.
Make a thick paste of walnut powder and coconut oil and use it to exfoliate and hydrate dead skin on your knees and elbows. Mix 1 tablespoon of walnut powder and 2 tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply it on your desired areas and massage it for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.
4. Gram Flour
Gram Flour is loaded with various, minerals and proteins which act as an excellent exfoliator. It is often used for skin lightening and bleaching purposes too.
Couple it with yoghurt to have a nourishing and hydrating treatment for the skin. Mix 2 tablespoon of gram flour with 2-3 tablespoons of yoghurt to make a thick paste. Apply this mixture on your knobs. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then rub it for 10 minutes in circular motions. Rinse with lukewarm water. Repeat thrice a week.
3. Sandalwood Powder
Sandalwood powder is rich in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and skin healing properties. It also helps hydrate, nourish and lighten up the skin.
Make a thick paste of sandalwood powder and rose water, add in a pinch of turmeric powder. Apply this mixture on your knees and elbows and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Wash it off with cold water.
2. Buttermilk
Butter milk is packed with moisturizing, bleaching, acidic and exfoliating properties. These elements contribute a lot to remove dead skin cells and lighten up the dark skin.
Coarsely grind a small amount of oats, and make a thick paste with buttermilk. Here oats will act as an exfoliating agent. Rub this mixture on your dark skin in circular motions for 5-8 minutes. Leave it for 10-15 minutes or until it dries up. Wash off with lukewarm water.
1. Papaya
Papayas are rich in skin healing properties and are an excellent source of natural bleaching agents. They also help to moisturize the skin and keep it healthy.
Mash a papaya into fine pulp. Apply this pulp on your elbows and knees and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with cold water. Repeat this remedy thrice a week.
Additional Tips
- Use cocoa or Shea butter. These natural butters help in lightening up the skin and they also nourish dry skin.
- Salt is a natural skin exfoliator. Mix salt with olive oil to banish dead skin cells.
- Use sunscreen regularly to protect your skin from harmful rays of the sun and sun tanning.
- Rub tomato slices on your dark skin to help them brighten up and remove dead cells.
- Always moisturize your skin. Dry skin promotes the growth of dead skin cells.
- Do not put pressure on your knees and elbows as this helps dark patches to grow.
- A healthy balanced diet with yield healthy skin, so have a proper balanced diet in order to have healthy skin.
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day to nourish and hydrate your skin from inside.
- Apply Vaseline on your knees and elbow before going to bed and cover the areas with a rolled bandage. Do it for a couple of nights to reveal healthy, healed and bright knees and elbows.
- Mix milk and turmeric powder into a thin mixture, soak cotton ball in this solution and rub on the affected areas. Let it stay for 5-8 minutes and rinse off with cold water.
