Putting on a silky top only to find out that you have ashy, scratchy elbows is one of the most annoying feelings in the world. Extremely dry elbows seem to come out of nowhere but, thankfully, there are several ways to get your elbows back to being smooth-to-the-touch. The different methods involve moisturizing, hydrating, exfoliating, and even taking a look at your current nutritional habits.
Nevertheless, none of the methods will free you from your ashy elbows if you’re not consistent.
“Establishing a routine that includes regular moisturizing, gentle cleansing, and protective measures to prevent friction is key,” licensed esthetician, Alexis Pfropper, told 21Ninety.
However, if you are consistent and still experience extremely dry elbows, take the time to consult your personal skin care professional.
What Causes Severely Dry Elbows?
Excessive washing with harsh soaps and extremely hot showers contributes to having dry elbows, according to both experts.
“On the other side of the spectrum, not exfoliating can lead to an excess of dead skin cells building up, causing the skin to thicken,” Pfropper explained.
Additionally, both skin care professionals noted dry air and nutritional deficiencies as other factors to consider.
Cosmetic chemist and celebrity esthetician, Elina Fedotova, told 21Ninety that there are a number of medical conditions that can cause your elbows to dry out. Eczema, psoriasis, hypothyroidism, and diabetes all have the potential to make your elbows dry, per the cosmetic chemist.
- Best Ceramide Moisturizer: CeraVe Body Cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides
- Best Fragrance-Free Cleanser: Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
- Best Humidifier: Hey Dewy Wellness Humidifier
- Best Hyaluronic Acid Treatment: Cosmedica Skincare Non-Greasy Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Best Lactic Acid Treatment: AmLactin Intensive Healing Body Cream
- Best Multivitamin: Nature Made Multi for Her + Omega-3 Gummies
- Best Shea Butter Moisturizer: Buttah Skin by Dorion Renaud Whipped Shea Body Butter
Best Ceramide Moisturizer
CeraVe Body Cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides
CeraVe’s Body Cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides is an oil-free and fragrance-free moisturizer. Boasting intensely moisturizing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, your elbows will return to a smooth state with regular use.
Best Fragrance-Free Cleanser
Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
Vanicream’s Gentle Body Wash cleanses your skin without taking away the natural oils. It’s a fragrance-free, soap-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, dye-free, and formaldehyde-free product.
Best Humidifier
Hey Dewy Wellness Humidifier
Hey Dewy’s Wellness Humidifier pumps moisture into the air to prevent your environment from drying you out. Its 1.54-liter capacity rehydrates a room that’s up to 500 square feet for up to 24 hours. This simple-to-clean humidifier features a 360 degree rotating nozzle, two mist settings, and an optional mood light.
Best Hyaluronic Acid Treatment
Cosmedica Skincare Non-Greasy Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Cosmedica Skincare has a Non-Greasy Hyaluronic Acid Serum that delivers intense hydration to your skin. With a 100 percent hyaluronic acid serum formula, there’s no fragrances, dyes, or parabens to irritate your dry elbows.
Best Lactic Acid Treatment
AmLactin Intensive Healing Body Cream
AmLactin’s Intensive Healing Body Cream does the work of two products in one. It has 15 percent lactic acid to gently exfoliate the dead skin cells. And, there are ceramides blended into the formula to moisturize the dry skin. More importantly, it glides onto the skin without leaving a greasy residue.
Best Multivitamin
Nature Made Multi for Her + Omega-3 Gummies
Nature Made’s Multi for Her + Omega-3 Gummies will help to get the skin-loving vitamins your skin needs into your body. Its roster of vitamins includes vitamins A, B, C, D, and E as well as omega-3 fatty acids.
Best Shea Butter Moisturizer
Buttah Skin by Dorion Renaud Whipped Shea Body Butter
The Whipped Shea Body Butter from Buttah Skin by Dorion Renaud is a moisturizing product with zero filler ingredients. It’s just 100 percent raw African shea butter that’s whipped into a four-ounce jar.
How To Fix Dry Elbows
“Applying a thick, emollient moisturizer with ingredients like shea butter or ceramides helps lock in moisture and soothe dry elbows,” Pfropper advised. The licensed esthetician also noted that washing with gentle fragrance-free soaps avoids stripping your skin of its natural moisture. “Additionally, using topical treatments containing ingredients like lactic acid, or hyaluronic acid aids exfoliate and hydrate the skin, [respectively],” the licensed esthetician noted.
Beyond topical treatments, there are a few other methods to consider that involve nutrition and your environment. “Consider taking supplements that promote skin health, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and vitamin C,” Fedotova suggested. The cosmetic chemist also advised using a humidifier during the colder months. “This helps add moisture to the air and prevents your skin from drying out,” she concluded. Coincidentally, both experts strongly recommend drinking enough water everyday to keep your skin hydrated from within.
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