You’re all dressed up and ready to go. You look in the mirror. Your hair and makeup are perfect. Your outfit is perfect. Then to your horror, you notice that your elbows are dry, discolored and crusty making them look like they haven’t been washed in years. You race to the bathroom and scrub them and then slather cream on them. Unfortunately, when you’re done your elbows look almost the same. Ultimately, you change your shirt or dress to something with long sleeves and commit to resolving the problem as soon as possible. What you probably have is a simple case of dry elbows, an easily fixable problem that plagues goddesses throughout the world.
If the skin on your elbows becomes chapped and cracks, then in addition to the inherent ugliness of dry elbows you also can have discomfort. That’s totally unacceptable. We just say no to discomfort and pain.
Other Causes of dry elbows
- If you are plagued with dry skin, there’s an excellent chance your elbows will become unsightly. Particularly when you consider how often you use them as mini stands to hold your head, read a book, lean on a surface and so forth. You then have dry elbows with thickened skin from leaning on them.
- Dry elbows may also be a symptom of an improperly functioning thyroid gland. If the treatments offered below don’t resolve the problem within ten days or so, you should see a doctor and have your thyroid checked.
- Eczema and psoriasis can also manifest on your elbows. The treatment below may also help these conditions.
Effective treatments for dry elbows
Like any dry skin problem, the solution is to create a moist supple skin. To do this you should treat the problem both internally and externally.
Treat your skin internally with proper diet and plenty of water. For more information check out The 11 Steps to Beautiful Skin.Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, Original 13 oz, Pack of 3
Treat your skin externally with soothing hydrating creams, lotions and/or oils. Dry elbows need extra care because of the extra abuse they receive. What follows is a list of super hydrating oils and butters that will take care of the problem in a short time. Diligence is important. Apply these oils at least three times a day and at night before you go to bed.
Use Vaseline or one of the butters listed below at night. To protect your sheets, cut the toe out of a tube sock and turn it inside out so that the smooth part of the sock is facing your elbows. Slip the sock up your arm so that the heel part is at your elbow.
There are literally hundreds of oils you can use, but this list is a good start.
Moisturizing oils dry elbows – to be used 3 times a day
- Macadamia nut oil
- Olive oil
- Avocado oil
- Grape seed oil
- Black Cumin seed oil
Although any of these oils can be used, I have great success using homemade Colloidal Oatmeal Cream. For the recipe click here.
Moisturizing oils and butter for dry elbows – to be used at night
- Shea butter
- Cocoa butter
- Mango butter
My preference is Shea butter. Shea butter helps repair, soften and rejuvenate skin. It also will help protect your skin from drying out and aging. Another point to note is that unlike cocoa butter, Shea butter will not clog your pores. There are some essential oils that help repair dry skin. My favorites for nighttime use are German Chamomile and Lavender. They smell great and help me fall asleep. I melt the Shea butter (never heat above175 F (80 C)) and then add my essential oil of choice (5 -7 drops per ounce of Shea butter). Mix the butter and oil together and pour it into a jar or heavy plastic container. Cover the container after butter has solidified. There’s no need to refrigerate your creation. Shea butter has a shelf life of 1 to 2 years. Be sure and wash your hands before using. Dirty hands will shorten its shelf life.
Conclusion
Having scaley dry elbows is no fun. The fortunate thing is that with a bit of perseverance you can have the lovely soft elbows that Nature intended you to have. Keep in mind that you can combine oils and butters to achieve the maximum benefit.
Recommended Products:
Plant Therapy Chamomile German Essential Oil. 100% Pure, Undiluted, Therapeutic Grade. 5 mL (1/6 Ounce)Majestic Pure Lavender Essential Oil, Therapeutic Grade, 4 fl. Oz.
Now go have fun and relax.
Related articles:
Colloidal Oatmeal Cream Recipe
The 11 Steps to Beautiful Skin
Have Dry Sensitive Skin? Here’s an Easy Fix.
The Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin
Colloidal Oatmeal – A Really Really Simple Bath for Dry Skin
Black Cumin Seed Oil – A Must Have