10 Best Home Remedies To Lighten Dark Elbows and Knees!

Let's be honest! We give stepmother treatment to our elbows and knees, although they are visible parts of the body. The dark and coarse patches ruin our beauty and give an appearance like ugly craters on shiny moon. Well, it's never too late to act on this problem and luckily, you don't even have to spend a bomb. These 10 Home Remedies To Lighten Elbows and Knees work as effective hacks to attain a clear and smooth skin.

What Causes Black Skin on Elbows and Knees?

You say you have Dark elbows or knees, when the skin in these areas are darker than the rest of your arms or legs. Apart from turning deep brown to black color, you can also notice a scruffy texture. Here is why it happens:

• Lack of exfoliation, which causes a pile of dead cells on the skin over a period of time
• Hyperpigmentation that leads to a darker skin due to prolonged sun exposure
• Melasma caused by UV radiation or hormonal changes in the body
• Aging, which can cause pigmentation
• Frictional stress on the skin caused by extensive rubbing of elbows or knees to an external surface
• Skin Problems like Eczema, Lichen planus, Psoriasis etc.
• Injury or Trauma on these specific areas
• Hormonal Changes during pregnancy, menstruation or caused due to birth control pills

10 Home Remedies for Dark Elbows and Knees:

Let us look into some of the most effective techniques to get rid of dark and patchy skin on elbows and knees at home:

1. Lemon and Sugar:

Lemon and Sugar is an excellent home remedy for dark elbows and knees. Lemon is a natural skin lightening agent that bleaches your skin and gives it a lighter appearance. Sugar, on the other hand, can buff away the dead cells from your skin and leave it smooth. The antioxidants present in Lemon juice can also help in building fresh cells and renewing the existing ones.

Here's how to use this remedy:

Ingredients:

• Round Lemon slices – 2-3
• Sugar Crystals – 2 tbsp

How to Prepare and Use:

• Dip the lemon slices in a spoon of sugar
• Make sure that the entire slice is properly covered with sugar crystals
• Place it on the affected areas and use circular motions to rub
• Do it for 1-2 minutes, But, avoid rough movements as it can damage your skin cells
• Rinse the area thoroughly with water
• Pat dry and apply a soothing lotion

Frequency of Usage: Thrice a week

2. Potato:

You will love your favorite potatoes more than ever after reading this! Potato juice contains mild bleaching agents which can lighten the skin and also control the melanin production in the cells. The Catecholase enzymes present in Potato juice reduces the appearance of dark spots, while the Vitamin C nourishes your skin.

Ingredients:

• Potato – 1 Large

How to Prepare and Use:

• Cut a potato into thick, round slices
• Place them on your knees and elbows
• Massage the areas using circular motions
• Do not rinse immediately
• Wait for 2-3 minutes and then wipe the area with a wet cloth
• Apply a moisturizing lotion

Frequency of Usage: You can do this daily

Also Read: Remove Blackheads From Nose At Home

3. Gram flour and Yoghurt:

Besan is one of the most popular elbow whitening home remedies. The exfoliant properties of Gram flour scrub away the dead cells to reveal fresh looking skin. Adding a lactic-acid rich ingredient like milk or Yoghurt can reduce the darkness on elbows and knees, while leaving them super nourished and soft.

Ingredients:

• Gram Flour – 2-3 tbsp
• Yoghurt – 2-3 tbsp

How to Prepare and Use:

• Make a thick paste out of Besan and Yoghurt
• Apply it on the affected areas
• Massage well for 2-3 minutes
• Leave on the skin for an additional 5-10 minutes
• Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water

Frequency of Usage: Thrice a week

4. Lemon and Baking Soda:

Another widely used home remedy for dark and rough elbows lemon and baking soda. Lemon helps in lightening the skin with its bleaching action. Baking soda works as a natural exfoliant to remove the dry and dead cells accumulated on your skin's surface. Using them as a combination can give you quick and effective results.

Ingredients:

• Baking Soda – 2 tbsp
• Lemon – 2-3 Slices

How to Prepare and Use:

• Dip the lemon slices in Baking Soda
• Rub your elbows and knees with these slices
• Leave it on for 5-10 minutes
• Wash off with water

Frequency of Usage: Twice a week

5. Turmeric and Milk:

Turmeric and milk work like a charm for removing dead cells and impurities in elbows and knees. Turmeric contains an antioxidant called Curcumin that controls the production of Melanin and prevents skin darkening. It is also an antiseptic agent which can reduce the severity of skin problems, particularly caused by microbial invasions. Milk contains lactic acid that can hydrate your skin and lighten it at the same time.

Ingredients:

• Turmeric Powder- 2 tbsp
• Milk – 3-4 tbsp

How to Prepare and Use:

• Make a paste out of turmeric and milk
• Apply it on the affected areas
• Massage well for 2-3 minutes and leave it on until dry
• Use a wet cloth dipped in lukewarm water and clean the area
• Pat dry

Frequency of Usage: Twice a week

Also Read: Upper Lip Hair Removal Naturally

6. Pumice Stone:

Pumice stone is a naturally formed lightweight stone which has an abrasive texture. It is one of the most effective home remedies to get rid of dark skin on elbows the knees. The gentle, yet coarse action of this stone can help in removing dead cells on the skin and soften the surface area.

Ingredients:

• Pumice Stone
• Soap and Water

How to Prepare and Use:

• Wet your elbows and knees
• Apply soap and massage to create a lather
• Now place the pumice stone and start rubbing the area in circular motions
• Do it for 2-3 minutes and apply water for lubrication (if necessary)
• Rinse the area thoroughly and finish it off with a soothing lotion

Frequency of Usage: Twice a week

NOTE: Do not using Pumice stone on dry skin as it can cause cuts and wounds. If you have sensitive skin, soak the stone in water for a few minutes to soften it.

7. Oatmeal and Honey Scrub:

Another must-try home remedy to lighten dark knee caps and elbows is Oatmeal and honey. Oatmeal is a natural scrub that removes unwanted dead cells on the skin surface and smoothen the area. Honey is a mild bleaching agent which can lighten the complexion and diminish the appearance of dark skin and patchiness.

Ingredients:

• Oatmeal – 2 tbsp
• Honey – 2 tbsp

How to Prepare and Use:

• Make a mixture of oatmeal and honey
• Use this as a scrub on knees and elbows
• Massage for 5-10 minutes
• Once done, wash the area thoroughly with water and pat dry.

Frequency of Usage: Thrice a week

Also Read: Home Remedies To Lighten Lips

8. Apple Cider Vinegar:

Apple Cider Vinegar is another remedy to lighten dark knees and elbows. The acidic properties of this agent softens the surface by dissolving the dead cells and impurities. It can be used on its own or combined with other ingredients like baking soda, depending on the severity of the issue.

Here's one such method with used water and ACV:

Ingredients:

• Apple Cider Vinegar – 2tbsp
• Water – 2 tbsp
• Cotton Ball – 1

How to Prepare and Use:

• Dilute ACV with water
• Dip a cotton ball into the solution
• Wipe the affected areas with the cotton ball
• Leave the solution on skin for 10 minutes
• Rinse with water

Frequency of Usage: Twice a week

9. Vitamin E Oil:

Vitamin E offers numerous benefits to our skin, including treating dark elbows and knees. The oil works by penetrating deep into the skin cells and softening the upper surface. The anti-oxidant properties of this oil regenerates fresh and young cells that have a lighter complexion. For maximum effectiveness, it is recommended to use a concentrated dose of Vitamin E oil on knees and elbows (only).

Ingredients:

• Vitamin E Capsules or Oil – 3-4 ml

How to Prepare and Use:

• Apply the oil directly on the affected areas
• Massage well for 5-10 minutes
• Leave it overnight

Frequency of Usage: You can use it daily

10. Cucumber:

If dry and dead cells are the root cause of dark elbows and knees, try Cucumber! The revitalizing properties of this agent can hydrate and nourish your skin cells. By rubbing the slices on your skin directly, the unwanted layer can be removed slowly and gently. So, if you have sensitive skin, this can be one of the best knee and elbow whitening home remedies.

Ingredients:

• Round Cucumber Slices -3-4

How to Prepare and Use:

• Rub the areas with cucumber slices directly
• Massage for 5-10 minutes
• You can either leave it on or rinse with water

Frequency of Usage: You can use it daily

Those are some of the best home remedies to lighten elbows and knees. Remember that these natural methods take time to work and cannot show instant results like chemical-based products. So, use them regularly to notice the difference. Have you tried any of the methods before and achieved success? If yes, do share your experiences with us!