How to Lighten Dark Elbows with Natural Remedies

How to Lighten Dark Elbows with Natural Remedies – Dark elbows are not any serious skin disease, but they sure are a serious beauty threat. Being beautiful doesn’t mean just a beautiful face, we must also take care of our hands, legs and entire body to be called truly beautiful. Many of us suffer from dark elbows and we stop wearing short sleeve or sleeveless dresses. But why hide them when you can actually cure them? Here in this article, we have talked about the best natural remedies to lighten dark elbows. Our elbows and knees are often the most ignored part of our body and that’s why, it is very common to get dark, rough and dry skin over there. But worry not, as we have got you sorted out with these simple DIY remedies to lighten dark elbows. Chen them out!
Check – How to Use Almonds for Fair Skin

Before we start talking about the best DIY remedies to lighten dark elbows, let us first find out the factors that lead to dark and rough elbows.

Reasons behind Dark Elbows

• Lack of Exfoliation
• Build up of Dead Skin Cells
• Sun Exposure
• Hyper Pigmentation
• Inflammation from Previous Injury
• Freckles
• Melasma
• Taking Birth Control Pills

How to Lighten Dark Elbows with Simple DIY Remedies

1. Lemon Juice and Baking Soda to Lighten Dark Elbows

How to use?

Take 1-2 tbsp baking soda in a bowl. Add some lemon juice and a little water to that. Mix together and prepare a paste. Apply the paste on the dark elbows and then massage gently for 2-3 minutes. Allow it to sit on the skin for another 5 minutes and then rinse off with cool water. Repeat twice or thrice in a week.

Why it works?

Lemon Juice to Lighten Dark Elbows –

Lemon juice is known for its wonderful skin lightening and brightening benefits. It is a great source of vitamin C, which is essential to boost our skin tone. Vitamin C can flush out the toxins from the skin, which can otherwise lead to skin discoloration.

Another benefit of vitamin C is that, it has the ability to reduce the melanin production in the skin. Melanin is the natural pigment that determines our skin color. More amount of melanin leads to darker skin tone, whereas less melanin build up lightens the complexion. By controlling melanin synthesis, vitamin C plays a very important role in lightening dark elbows.

Furthermore, vitamin C has natural anti oxidant benefits. It helps to fight off the free radicals as well as external factors that can damage our skin and cause skin darkening.

Collagen also plays a vital role in improving our skin tone and texture. Being an anti oxidant, vitamin C promotes collagen production in the skin. This further helps to lighten the hyper pigmentation on the elbows and also makes the skin smooth, healthy and fair.

Along with vitamin C, lemon juice contains a good amount of citric acid. Citric acid is known for its great cleansing properties for our skin. It helps to exfoliate the skin and remove the impurities, dirt and dead skin cells, which otherwise can accumulate and make the elbows look dark.

Baking Soda –

Baking soda works as a wonderful natural exfoliator for our skin. It works well to lighten and brighten dark skin with regular use. Lack of exfoliation leads to dead skin cells build up on the skin surface and makes our skin look dark. When we use baking soda for exfoliation, it helps in removing the dead skin cells layer and helps to lighten dark elbows.

One of the secrets to maintain a naturally healthy and soft skin is to maintain the ideal pH balance of our skin. However, frequent use of harsh cleansers, lack of skin care, using wrong skin care products, etc. can disrupt the pH balance and make our skin prone to various damages, including skin darkening. Baking soda is alkaline in nature, which helps to restore the pH level of the skin and maintains healthy, soft and smooth skin naturally.

Baking soda has excellent skin purifying properties. Regular application of baking soda helps to remove the toxins and impurities from the skin and thus preventing skin discoloration due to the same.

2. Raw Milk and Gram Flour to Lighten Dark Elbows

How to use?

In a bowl, take 1-2 tbsp of gram flour and add some raw milk to that. Mix together, so that it forms a smooth paste. Apply it on the elbows and gently massage in circular motions for 2-3 minutes. Leave it on the skin for another 5-8 minutes before rinsing off with fresh, cool water. Repeat this remedy to lighten dark elbows every alternate day.

Why it works?

Raw Milk –

Raw milk has amazing benefits for our skin. It works as a great natural remedy to brighten and lighten complexion. Raw milk comes with several skin friendly essential nutrients such as, vitamins A, B2, B12, D as well as minerals like potassium, calcium, etc. Topical application of raw milk nourishes the skin from deep within, repairs the damaged skin cells and helps to lighten the pigmentation.

Milk is a source of lactic acid, which belongs to the AHA group. Lactic acid has several benefits for our skin. It helps to exfoliate our skin and dissolves the dead skin cells layer, which in turn, lightens the skin discoloration on the elbows.

Milk is enriched with vitamin A, which helps with skin lightening. Vitamin A has the ability to promote regeneration of skin cells and the healthy cells further replace the pigmented ones and eventually clear up the skin over time. Vitamin B12 in milk is also very beneficial to lighten dark elbows.

Milk also contains vitamin D, that comes with anti oxidant benefits. It promotes collagen production in the skin and collagen is what we need to get soft, smooth and fair skin. Furthermore, the calcium found in milk also comes with anti oxidant benefits. Calcium promotes collagen production in the skin and lighten pigmentation.

Gram Flour to Lighten Dark Elbows –

Gram flour is a wonderful ingredient to lighten our complexion. It has great cleansing properties for our skin. Gram flour has the ability to exfoliate the skin deeply and it helps to remove the impurities and dead skin cells layer from the skin surface. This in turn, helps to lighten pigmentation over time.

Since gram flour is an excellent exfoliator, it also promotes healthy cell regeneration. This way, the blemished and damaged skin cells gradually get replaced by clear and healthy cells and the skin becomes clear and fair over time.

We have already talked about that it is very important to maintain the ideal pH balance of the skin in order to enjoy soft, smooth and healthy skin for a long time. There are various factors that can disrupt the pH balance and make our skin prone to damages.

Gram flour, being alkaline in nature, helps to maintain the ideal pH balance of the skin and thus prevent several skin problems, including skin darkening.

3. Oatmeal and Tomato Juice to Lighten Dark Elbows

How to use?

Take one fresh tomato and cut it into half. Grate the tomato and transfer the grated tomato to a strainer. Extract the juice and collect it in a bowl. Now grind 1-2 tbsp oatmeal and prepare oats powder. Add some oats powder to the tomato juice and mix together. Also add some water and finally prepare a paste.

Apply this on both the elbows and massage gently to exfoliate the skin. Once done, wait for 5-6 minutes before rinsing off with fresh, cool water. Repeat this remedy 2-3 times per week to lighten dark elbows.

Why it works?

Oatmeal –

Oatmeal has wonderful benefits for our skin. It is a great natural remedy to lighten skin tone. Oatmeal contains saponin in it, which has amazing cleansing properties for our skin. When we use oatmeal for our skin, it removes the toxins from the skin and protects the skin from discoloration.

Also oatmeal works as a natural exfoliator for our skin, because of its mild abrasive texture. Topical application of oatmeal helps to get rid of the dirt, dead skin cells and other impurities present on the skin surface, thus clearing up the skin and making it look fair and bright. Furthermore the anti oxidant benefits of oatmeal also help to lighten dark elbows.

Oatmeal comes with anti inflammatory properties, which is why it feels extremely soothing on the skin and instantly it brings down the skin irritation. The amino acids content of oatmeal also help with lightening skin pigmentation.

In addition, oatmeal is a source of several vitamins and minerals that play important roles in boosting our complexion. Vitamin B1 found in oatmeal is beneficial to boost blood circulation in the skin. This ensures better oxygen supply to the skin cells, which in turn nourish the cells properly and lighten the discoloration. It makes the skin healthy, fair and bright. Vitamin E in oatmeal also help to reduce the appearance of pigmentation.

Zinc is a vital mineral for our skin and its deficiency can cause dry, dark and dull skin. Oatmeal is a rich source of zinc, which helps to fulfill the deficiency and heals skin dryness, which further helps to get rid of dark elbows.

Tomato to Lighten Dark Elbows –

Tomato juice is a great natural remedy to lighten dark elbows. It contains a high amount of citric acid and citric acid has wonderful skin cleansing properties. It exfoliates the skin and helps to remove the dead skin cells layer, which is often the main reason behind getting dark elbows.

Tomato contains lycopene, which has anti oxidant benefits. It helps with boosting new cell growth, which in turn replaces the damaged skin cells and lightens the skin discoloration. Also it protects the skin against sun damage and prevents skin darkening.

Along with anti oxidants, tomato juice is a source of several other skin friendly vitamins, like vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C etc. These vitamins are highly beneficial to lighten skin pigmentation and help us achieve even toned skin. Vitamin A can boost new cell growth, which further helps to lighten dark elbows.

B vitamins, by boosting new cell production, also help to get rid of skin darkening. Tomato juice is a rich source of vitamin C as well and it is extremely vital for even toned and healthy complexion.

Vitamin C reduces melanin production in the skin, which helps to lighten skin darkness. The anti oxidant benefits of vitamin C help with boosting collagen production in the skin and this also helps to clear up skin pigmentation.

Along with vitamins, tomatoes contain a lot of minerals as well. It comes with calcium, that has anti oxidant benefits. Calcium boosts new cell growth and thus helping with lightening skin discoloration. When the skin gets extremely dry, it turns dark and rough. The calcium and potassium present in tomato provides moisturization to the skin and heal dryness.

It is very important to balance the ideal pH level of the skin as it helps to maintain healthy skin. The acidic nature of tomato is helpful to restore the normal pH balance of the skin and keeps it healthy.

4. Turmeric and Yogurt to Lighten Dark Elbows

How to use?

Take 1-2 tbsp of fresh and unflavored yogurt in a bowl. To that, add a tsp of turmeric powder and mix both of them together to prepare a paste. Apply it on both the elbows and gently massage the skin with your fingertips. This will help to exfoliate the skin.

Leave it on the skin for 15-20 minutes before washing off with plain water. Repeat this simple DIY remedy every alternate day to lighten dark elbows.

Why it works?

Turmeric –

Turmeric is an Ayurvedic remedy to lighten skin discoloration and get even toned skin. The mild abrasive texture of turmeric powder helps with exfoliating the skin surface and removes the dead skin cells layer that might be the major factors behind dark elbows.

Also regular use of turmeric helps in boosting new cell growth and thus, clearing up the skin pigmentation quickly.

Turmeric contains ‘curcumin’ which is known as a very powerful anti oxidant. Curcumin plays a vital role in getting rid of black elbows. It has several benefits for our skin. Curcumin can reduce the melanin production in the skin, and as we all know melanin determines our skin tone.

More amount of melanin accumulation leads to darker skin tone and less amount of melanin results in fairer skin tone. By reducing melanin production, curcumin helps to lighten the appearance of skin discoloration. Furthermore, turmeric has anti inflammatory properties, which help in soothing dry and irritated skin quickly.

Yogurt –

Yogurt is another great natural remedy to lighten our skin tone and restore healthy, even toned skin. It actually works in a multiple way to boost our complexion. We have already discussed that extreme dryness of skin can lead to dark elbows and , yogurt is considered as a great natural moisturizer for our skin. Regular application of yogurt heals skin dryness and gradually the darkness also fades off.

Also, yogurt can control melanin production in the skin. There is an enzyme known as Tyrosinase, which directly influences melanin production. Yogurt has the ability to inhibit the production of this tyrosinase enzyme, thus it helps to reduce melanin production in the skin and gradually lightens skin discoloration.

Exfoliation is must if you want even toned, soft and smooth skin. Yogurt comes with exfoliating benefits for our skin, thanks to the presence of lactic acid in it. Lactic acid is a powerful AHA.

It exfoliates the skin and dissolves the dead skin cells layers that often cause dark elbows. Along with exfoliation, lactic acid hydrates, nourishes and moisturizes the skin to make it healthy, soft and even toned.

Yogurt contains several skin friendly vitamins, such as vitamin B2. B5, B12 etc. Vitamin B2,, with its anti oxidant benefits, encourages healthy cell growth, thus helping to lighten dark elbows.

Vitamin B5 found in yogurt also has the ability to lighten dark elbows and make the complexion even toned. Also vitamin B12 in yogurt can reduce the appearance of skin discoloration and help to lighten the skin.

Also read

Natural Ways to Treat Razor Bumps after Shaving – Must Know

Amla for Skin Care – Benefits and Different Ways to Use

Simple Beauty Tips for Healthy Skin Straight from Kitchen

5. Rice Flour and Honey to Lighten Dark Elbows

How to use?

In a bowl, take 1-2 tbsp of rice flour and to that, add required amount of raw honey. Mix together and prepare a paste. Now apply the same on the elbows and gently massage in circular motions to exfoliate. Continue exfoliation for 3-4 minutes and after that, leave it on the skin for another 4-5 minutes. Wash off with fresh, cool water and reapply this remedy twice or thrice in a week to lighten dark elbows.

Why it works?

Rice Flour –

Rice flour works as a great natural exfoliator for our skin. When mixed with other natural ingredients, like coconut oil, milk, honey or rose water, it helps in removing the dead skin cells and lighten the skin discoloration gradually.

Rice flour is enriched with B vitamins and B vitamins are known to boost healthy cell growth. This way, the new and clear skin cells replace the damaged and pigmented ones to clear up the skin pigmentation. It can also improve collagen production in the skin. We have already discussed that collagen is vital to get even toned, soft and healthy skin.

By boosting collagen synthesis in the skin, rice flour helps to lighten dark elbows over time. Another important benefit of using rice flour is that it can control melanin production. By now, you already know that reduced amount of melanin helps to lighten pigmentation and get rid of dark elbows.

Sun damage is a major cause behind dark elbows. Rice flour is a wonderful natural remedy to treat sun damaged skin. It comes with allantoin that can soothe sun burn effectively and provides relief from sun damaged skin. In fact, it also works as a natural sunscreen, due to the presence of PABA or para aminobenzoic acid.

Honey –

Honey is known as the nature’s own bleach. It has the ability to lighten skin color with the help of hydrogen peroxide. When we apply honey on the skin and leave it on for some time, it starts releasing hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide, with its natural bleaching properties, helps to lighten skin discoloration.

Honey has great cleansing properties as well. It contains gluconic acid (an AHA) and various natural ezymes that work together to exfoliate the skin and remove the dead skin cells accumulated on the skin surface. This helps to lighten dark elbows with regular use.

Sun damage is a major cause behind dark elbows and honey is a great solution for that. Honey has the ability to improve our skin’s ability to rejuvenate itself after sun damage. This in turn lightens the sun tan and restores even toned skin quickly.

Furthermore, honey is the store house of several skin friendly vitamins and minerals. It contains thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), etc. as well as minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc, etc. All these vitamins and minerals are extremely nourishing for our skin and they help to repair the damaged skin cells to improve our complexion.

Also, honey is a great source of multiple anti oxidants. These anti oxidants also play a vital role in lightening dark elbows. The anti oxidants present in honey boost skin cells regeneration which further helps to replace the damaged skin cells with the healthy, new and clear cells and gradually skin looks even toned and healthier.

These are five easy yet effective remedies to lighten dark elbows at home. I hope you found this article helpful. Stay tuned for more.