Wearing short sleeve tops and short pants can be embarrassing when you have excessively dark elbows and knees. There are number of things you can do to prevent elbow and knee darkening like regularly applying sunscreen, avoiding excessive friction and pressure on the elbows and knees, keeping it well moisturized, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In this article, I will be sharing the best products to lighten dark elbows knees and neck.
Regular exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells and lighten the darkened areas. Use chemical exfoliating creams and serums rather than a harsh physical exfoliant like loofah because it can cause more harm than good by giving friction to skin. Avoid over friction of your elbows and knees to prevent elbows and knee darkening. And applying a sunscreen is always mandatory, and also use moisturizer every night.
Moreover, topical application of ingredients like glycolic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, kojic acid and alpha arbutin can help you lighten your dark elbows, knees, neck and thighs by exfoliating and inhibiting the melanin production.
What causes elbow and knee darkening ?
Elbow and knee darkening can be caused by several factors, such as excessive sun exposure, friction and pressure, dry skin, or a hormonal imbalance. Although, it is not usually a cause for concern. However, if the darkening is accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, pain, or swelling, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
If you are looking for something to lighten the appearance of darkened elbows, knees and neck, there are some skin care products you can use.
Best Products To Lighten Dark Elbows Knees And Neck
1. The Ordinary Peeling Solution
It’s a strong peeling solution which can be used to exfoliate stubborn dead skin layer without scrubbing or scratching your skin. You can apply this peel to get rid of your dark elbow, knees, feet, neck, underarm and strawberry skin too (if you have any). It contain 30% AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) like lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid. And 2% BHA (beta hydroxy acid) which is salicylic acid. AHA and BHA will exfoliate the dead skin cells and lighten it when used regularly. Besides, it has hyaluronic acid and cross polymer that hydrates skin and gives a smooth feel.
How To Use
Apply this peeling solution over clean and dry skin on affected area. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. Use it once or twice a week.
2. Glyco 12 Cream
Glycolic acid is one of the best ingredients to exfoliate your skin but besides exfoliating, it also lightens hyperpigmentation and reduces dullness of the skin. This glyco 12 Cream is formulated with 12% glycolic acid which is enough to lighten dark elbows and knees. Plus, it will also remove the accumulated dry skin cells in that area. You can use this glycolic acid cream to lighten dark elbows and knees.
How To Use
Make sure to apply this 2-3 times a week at night. When you are using this, don’t forget to apply a sunscreen and ceramide based moisturizer to avoid skin sensitivity. Moreover, avoid using harsh alcohol based products, otherwise it can possibly cause irritation, redness and skin burn.
3. GA 12 Cream
This is also a medicated glycolic acid cream in 12% concentration. And available in 6% concentration as well, if you are a beginner you can start with 6% glycolic acid. Applying this cream on your dark uneven skin tone will give you effective results. This cream can lighten uneven skin, dark spots and even helpful in getting rid of acne, pimple by unclogging pores and exfoliating the top layer of skin. However, consult your doctor before using it over active acne. This formulation is oil-free, paraben free and pH balanced.
How To Use
Apply on required area, 2-3 times a week before going to sleep. Apply sunscreen frequently in the daytime.
4. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA
This 10% lactic acid exfoliator is the best for pigmented, uneven skin which is also dry-rough and bumpy in texture. Lactic acid will make your skin smoother, softer and brighter by removing the old dead skin cells and boosting cell turnover of the skin. This 10% lactic acid + hyaluronic acid by The Ordinary is suitable for dry skin as it exfoliates skin mildly. It can be applied over dark elbows, knees, face and neck. Plus, there is less chance of skin irritation since it contain Tasmanian pepperberry extract that reduce skin sensitivity caused due to acid use.
How To Use
Use it over cleansed skin every night to see noticeable results.
Available At : SpaceNK, Ulta Beauty
5. Xerina Cream
Xerina Cream is good for people having dry elbows, knees, heel and feet because it contain urea and glycolic acid. Glycolic acid dissolves dead skin layer formation on your skin by chemically exfoliating it. Whereas, urea have both moisturizing and exfoliating properties and it can be used to treat dry atopic skin, calluses, foot corns, keratosis pilaris, athlete’s foot and contact dermatitis. Overall, Xerina Cream provides double benefits – moisturizing and exfoliating. Overall, it softens dry-rough skin by removing dead skin.
How To Use
At night, use over cleansed skin.
6. Demelan Cream
Demelan Cream is specially made for skin pigmentation and it will help you lighten your excessively pigmented dark elbows, knees neck and melasma (on your face). It is formulated with glycolic acid, arbutin and kojic acid dipalmitate. Both arbutin and kojic acid lighten and brighten skin, reduces excessive formation of melanin. And glycolic acid is one of the best exfoliating ingredients that penetrates deep into the skin to remove dead skin cells. This product can take more than a month to show results and it’s a dermatologist recommended cream.
How To Use
Apply over clean skin on affected area. Better when used at night. And apply a good sunscreen in the morning.
7. Fixderma Nigrifix Cream
Fixderma Nigrifix Cream is specially made to treat dark and hard skin of elbows, knees and other pigmented areas like knuckles, nape, back, thighs and armpits. Enriched with retinol, lactic acid, tea tree oil and urea that gently exfoliates dead skin cells and urea softens dry and hard skin. On the other hand, it also provides nourishment of sweet almond oil and jojoba oil so that your doesn’t look lifeless. To see noticeable results, it should be used consistently. Moreover, it is free of paraben, sulphate and suitable for all skin types.
How To Use
Apply this cream after cleansing, massaging gently until it gets absorbed. Apply on the affected area for 3 months, twice a day and use a good sunscreen in the morning.
8. Chemist At Play Neck Knee Elbow Brightening Roll On
It comes in a roll on form, therefore it will be easy to use. You can apply this roll on to lighten your dark elbow knees and neck as well. It is formulated with skin exfoliating ingredients like – lactic acid and mandelic acid. To lighten skin pigmentation, it has niacinamide and Vitamin C. Plus, hyaluronic acid and phytoceramide hydrates and nourish skin. This roll on is also helpful in reducing excessive thickness of elbows and knees skin. If you want to see a noticeable difference, you should use it consistently for two months and don’t forget to apply a moisturizer and sunscreen.
How To Use
Cleanse the affected area and pat dry. Apply the roll on and massage gently till it’s absorbed. In the day time, cover it with a sunscreen and at night use a good moisturizer.
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Nisha is a full-time blogger who has been passionately writing since 2018. She covers a wide range of topics, from lifestyle, reviews, consumer guidance to wellness. When she’s not writing blog posts, you can find her learning something new.