You use your elbows everyday without you even knowing it. Just imagine how many times you bend your elbows when typing on your keyboard or even when you’re eating. By using your elbows regularly, you also get to experience dryness on that part of your body. If you experience flaking or chapping, then you may want to take action to make your elbows free of any dryness.

Working with Oils and Moisturizers

You can repair your dry and discolored elbows with a regular moisturizing regimen. Begin by applying an exfoliating cream to remove any dead skin. You can then apply a light moisturizer afterwards. When shopping for moisturizers, look for products with ingredients like comfrey, aloe, Vitamin E, Vitamin A and hydroxy because these are known to be good for very dry skin.

Oils are good for dry skin too. You can use grape seed oil, lavender oil or almond oil to get rid of dry elbows. You can use it either as an oil for soothing baths or you can apply it directly to your elbows. The key here is to stay away from oils with fragrances as these tend to make your elbows even flakier. These products can also make problems worse by irritating your dry skin.

Moisturize your elbows when your skin is still slightly damp, like after you have taken a shower or a bath. Apply oil or moisturizer directly to your dry elbows, then rub gently. Keep doing this until all excess oil or moisturizer is absorbed by your skin. Before going to bed, apply a light layer of oil or moisturizer again, if possible.

If you do not see any progress within a week or two, seek the help of a skin care specialist or physician. Your dry skin may be a manifestation of a more serious problem like dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis. In these cases, your skin care specialist may prescribe a stronger moisturizer. Your physician may also suggest therapy or medication.

Natural Remedies On the Go

There are also natural alternatives available that can help mositurize your skin.

Rehydrating Soak: A simple way to exfoliate is to use a loofah. After exfoliating your skin, soak your elbows for 10 minutes in warm water. Apply Vaseline too after a hot shower.

Sugar Scrub: You will need 1/8 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Mix these ingredients and use the mixture to scrub your elbows. Wash it off after letting your skin absorb it for 30 minutes.

Lemon Soft Scrub: Apply a thick paste to your dry elbows. The paste should be made of a mixture of baking soda and fresh lemon juice Exfoliate your skin using the mixture. Leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, then apply oil or a moisturizer.

Lemon Salt Scrub: Two quarter wedges of lemon are enough to get rid of dry elbows. Squeeze the juice out of it, then add salt before scrubbing it into your dry elbows. Scrub gently as this may hurt your skin. Rest your elbows for 15 minutes. Keep doing this everyday until the dry areas disappear.

Crisco : Before going to bed, scrub your elbows with Crisco. Wear elbow protectors and do this regularly, preferably before going to bed. Wait until the patches are gone.

The ABCs of Getting Rid of Dry Elbows

You will need a moisturizer with alpha hydroxy acids or AHA’s, home micro dermabrasion kit and a body scrub. Your first step is to get a mirror and look at the damage. If you think your elbows are disturbingly dry, then you may need a micro-dermabrasion kit.

Your next step is to exfoliate everyday. Instead of applying a quick swab after shower, take some time to exfoliate your elbows with a body scrub, a cloth or a textured sponge. Never over-exfoliate because if you do, your elbows will appear like skinned knees.

Third, dry your elbows after shower then apply a moisturizer. Moisturizers with alpha hydroxyl acids are good because these make new skin cells take over the surface of your skin. Alpha hydroxyl acids also smoothen the flaky areas of your elbows.

Lastly, if you want to get rid of dry elbows, follow these tips religiously. Your elbow may be the body part you usually forget, but you should know by now how much insecurity and damage it may cost you. What are you waiting for? Give your elbows some TLC.