Are your elbows and knees feeling like sandpaper? Don't worry, you're not alone! These often-forgotten areas can become dry, rough, flaky or even cracked, especially during colder months or in dry climates.
Thankfully, restoring your body hydration for smoother, softer skin is within reach.
Let’s get into why elbows and knees tend to get so dry and how to care for them.
Think about it: Your elbows and knees are constantly stretching and bending. It’s only natural that this skin naturally becomes thicker to handle all that extra movement. This thicker skin has fewer sebaceous glands, meaning less of that naturally occurring, moisturising oil. Dead skin cells can build up on these areas, causing anything from rough to dark patches. Unfortunately, cold weather, low humidity and even friction from your favourite jeans only make the problem worse!
Gently massage away any dead skin cells with sensitive exfoliants like sugar scrubs or products containing lactic acid or salicylic acid. Doing this helps improve texture and allows moisturisers to penetrate better.
Normal Skin—Exfoliate once or twice a week using a gentle body scrub or a chemical exfoliant like lactic acid to reduce the chance of dryness and discomfort
Sensitive Skin—Limit exfoliation treatments to about once every week or alternating weeks if your skin is particularly sensitive to irritation.
Dry or Thickened Skin—Over-exfoliation may lead to further thickening of the skin. Instead, use sensitive to regular exfoliation products once a week.
Use body moisturisers with humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerine—they'll draw moisture right to your skin. For an added dose of hydration, choose rich creams to repair your skin barrier and lock in that precious moisture.
Make sure to put on moisturiser at least twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed.
Reapply each time after you wash your hands or shower, as water can wash away the natural oils in your skin.
Remember to put on more lotion throughout the day, especially after any exfoliation or if you’ve been out in harsh conditions.
At night, consider applying an occlusive ointment like a petrolatum-based product. This "slugging" technique creates a seal that prevents moisture from escaping—especially effective for those extra-dry spots.
Follow with a moisturiser containing ceramides or oils to lock in the moisture of the humectants.
Clothing
Wear soft, comfortable, loose, breathable fabrics that lessen the chance of further irritation.
Look for exfoliating creams with lactic acid or salicylic acid for smoothing rough patches.
Choose rich moisturising formulas with ceramides and glycerin for deep hydration.
Nourishing body oils like argan or jojoba oil help soften dry areas.
Treat your elbows and knees with the best dry skin care for smoother, irresistible skin!
Our collection of body moisturisers, exfoliating scrubs and nourishing body oils helps to restore any lost hydration to your skin
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