7 Best DIY Remedies For Dark Knees & Elbows

DIY remedies to lighten dark knees & elbows are a dime a dozen, but which ones truly work?

Here is a list of some great recipes we have tried and decided that we would love to share with you!

Also, check out my article on the 9 Best Medical Ways to Lighten Dark Knees & Elbows

Table of Content show

7 Best Recipes For Dark Knees & Elbows

1- Lemon Juice & Baking Soda

Lemon Juice is packed with Vitamin C which inhibits tyrosinase in the melanin production pathway. It also contains lactic acid which helps to exfoliate the skin.

Baking soda is also a great exfoliant. The combined effects are both melanin inhibition and exfoliation to give your skin a more toned complexion over time.

Simply mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Apply the paste to your knees and elbows, and massage for a few minutes. Let the paste sit on the skin for about 10 minutes and then rinse it off. Moisturize your skin well afterward.

Click here to read more about How to use Baking Soda to Lighten Dark Knees & Elbows

2- Lemon & Salt/Sugar Scrub

This recipe makes a scrub that works in much the same way as the recipe above. Lemon juice lightens the skin through Vitamin C and lactic acid. The sugar or salt will remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and buff away texture.

You can either:

Sprinkle some salt or granulated sugar on the surface of a cut lemon. Use the lemon (with the salt or sugar) to massage the skin for a few minutes. Let your skin sit like that for about 10 minutes and then rinse the mixture off.

Or, you can squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl and add enough salt or sugar to make a thick paste. Apply the paste on the skin and massage for a few minutes. Let it sit on the skin for about 10 minutes and then rinse it off.

In either case, remember to moisturize your skin afterward.

3- Turmeric, Honey & Milk

This recipe makes a mask that is packed with benefits. Turmeric inhibits melanin production through Curcumin, which is its active compound. It is also anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.

Honey is full of antioxidants and it’s also anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It is also a great moisturizer. And finally, milk is a great moisturizer thanks to its fat and vitamin content. It is also a great exfoliant thanks to its lactic acid content.

Add 1 tablespoon of turmeric and enough honey and milk to make a thick, smooth paste. Apply the mixture to the skin and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Wash it off the skin well (turmeric stains) and moisturize your skin properly. This can be done daily.

4- Green Tea

Green tea contains a compound called ECGC (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) which reduces melanin by the inhibition of tyrosine kinase. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that nourish and protect the skin.

Simply brew some green tea, soak a cotton pad, and apply it to your skin. You can do this multiple times per day. Just remember to keep your skin moisturized.

How to Use Retinol to Lighten Dark Knees & Elbows

A Guide to Using Hydroquinone for Dark Knees & Elbows

5- Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar exfoliates the skin by removing the dead skin cells. It also contains acetic acid and malic acid, both of which help to inhibit melanin production gradually in the skin. Citric acid, another acid in this ingredient, increases skin cell turnover.

Simply mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. Soak a cotton pad and apply the mixture to your skin. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off. Moisturize your skin well. This can be done daily.

If you have very sensitive skin, you can use more water than ACV.

6- Aloe Vera

The active ingredient in aloe vera is Aloesin, which affects melanin production. According to studies Aloesin has direct inhibitory effects on melanogenesis and dose-dependent reductions in melanin content and tyrosinase activity, Many people have also been using it for decades and swear that it lightens their skin with consistent use.

Simply apply the aloe vera gel (fresh is best) to your clean skin, let it absorb and then let it sit for 10-20 minutes. Then rinse it off. Moisturize your skin afterwards.

7- Oatmeal & Yoghurt

This is a scrub recipe that is amazing for sensitive skin! It will work great for dark knees & elbows, especially if they are also dry.

Oatmeal is very gentle, hydrating and conditioning. It also physically exfoliates the skin by buffing away dead skin cells. Yoghurt contains lactic acid which subtly inhibits melanin and also hydrates the skin.

Use a tablespoon of oatmeal and add enough yoghurt to make a paste. Apply the paste to your skin and gently massage in a circular motion for a few minutes. You can let it sit for another 10-15 minutes and then rinse your skin clean. Moisturize well. This can be done daily or a few times a week.

Disclaimer

All of these recipes listed have been tried by myself and various others. However, it will not work the same for everyone.

Depending on how dark your knees and elbows are, and your skin itself, results may show up faster or take longer.

Always patch-test your skin first to make sure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients or that they will not overly irritate your skin.

Also always use your SPF during the day. Sun damage worsens hyperpigmentation!

Sources

Are Natural Ingredients Effective in the Management of Hyperpigmentation? A Systematic Review – PMC

7 Best DIY Remedies For Dark Knees & Elbows