Dry & ashy elbows:
Symptoms, causes & care – how to get rid of dry skin
How to care
for dry elbows
Your elbows are normally one of the driest areas of your body and can become itchy and rough as a result. You might even notice black or white discolouration, and ashy elbows are not uncommon.
Find out why your elbows are prone to dryness, which symptoms of dry elbows to look out for and how to adapt your skincare routine to treat dry, rough elbows when you’re asking yourself what causes dry skin there.
Why are
my elbows dry?
Your elbows are more prone to dryness than other parts of your body. One of the main reasons for this is that, as your elbows are more exposed to friction, the skin there is thicker than the skin on the rest of your body to help protect them. Your elbows are in contact with different surfaces a lot more than other areas – whether you’re leaning on a desk, holding your head in your hands or reading a book. They also have fewer sebaceous glands, the oil-secreting components of the skin, so they’re less lubricated and more likely to leave you wondering why is my skin so dry in this area.
Dry elbows
symptoms
If your elbows are dry, you might notice some of the following:
- Black or white patches
- Ashy or dark appearance
- Itching
- Roughness
- Scaly areas
What causes
dry elbows?
Your elbows are exposed to a lot and there are a few reasons they can become excessively dry, rough, discoloured in appearance or itchy. Here are some common answers if you’re asking yourself what causes dry skin on your elbows:
I’ve got discoloured or ashy elbows
Should I be worried?
Dark or white patches on your elbows are completely normal. Discoloured or ashy elbows are simply caused by a build-up of dead skin cells, which can make the area look dark, patchy or even scaly. Make sure you exfoliate regularly to remove these dead skin cells for bright and smooth elbow skin – a simple step when you’re learning how to get rid of dry skin on your elbows at home.
How to get rid of
dry elbows appearance
Dry and ashy elbows may be common, but there are steps you can take at home to keep your skin looking smooth and supple. While you may not be able to get rid of ashy elbows completely, you can help to manage their appearance in the following ways:
- Be conscious of water temperature
Use lukewarm water when you wash or shower, as hot water is drying to skin and can worsen the appearance of dry elbows, especially if you already feel your skin is very dry.
- Exfoliation
Exfoliate your skin to help remove the dry, flaky skin with a gentle body scrub. It’s important that the scrub is really gentle on your skin, as your dry skin can become more sensitive. Make sure you moisturise afterwards.
- Regularly moisturise
Moisturise your skin regularly, including after you shower, to help lock in moisture to hydrate and nourish your skin and help prevent dry elbows.
- Switch up your shower products
Wash with gentle, nourishing shower gels, as some ingredients can be harsh on your skin. Creams and gels with shea or cocoa butter, such as the NIVEA Cocoa & Shea Butter Body Wash With Nourishing Serum, are great for keeping your skin pampered. In‑shower body lotions such as the NIVEA Cocoa Butter In‑Shower Body Lotion can also be a great option to provide a little extra moisture boost to your skin for a soft and smooth feel.
- Consider what you wear
Wear clothing made from soft and breathable materials such as cotton, which will be gentle on your skin.
- Be wary of laundry products
Change your laundry detergent or fabric softener if your skin is reacting or becoming sensitive to it – your skin can commonly react to laundry products and this can cause dry, itchy elbows.
- Apply sunscreen
Whenever your skin is exposed to the sun, make sure you apply a broad‑spectrum sunscreen to help protect against UV light. If you’re swimming, make sure it’s water‑resistant and, after swimming, wash off the chlorine or sea water and promptly reapply. If you leave salty water or chlorine on your skin, you may find you have dry, itchy or rough elbows, as the salt and chlorine can be drying.
- Contact a professional
If problems persist or worsen, you should contact your doctor for advice.
NIVEA help to reduce
the appearance of dry elbows
NIVEA understands the discomfort caused by dry and rough elbows, which need that bit of extra care. Drawing on over 100 years of skincare expertise, NIVEA has carefully created skincare solutions that can help moisturise and care for dry, rough elbows. Products are formulated with ingredients such as almond oil or provitamin B5 and provide nourishing, long‑lasting moisture.
NIVEA Essentially Enriched Body Lotion with Deep Nourishing Serum and Almond Oil intensely moisturises dry to very dry skin and provides long‑lasting moisture for up to 48 hours. The caring formula leaves rough and dry skin noticeably smoother. Massage this moisturiser over your elbows both morning and evening to help reduce dryness.
If your elbows need a little more support, you could opt for NIVEA Intense Healing Body Lotion. Enriched with provitamin B5, it helps to relieve very dry, rough skin and moisturises for up to 72 hours.
An alternative would be to use a multipurpose cream such as the rich, intensively moisturising NIVEA Creme or the refreshing NIVEA Soft Cream. Both are suitable for use on your face, body and hands and come in useful handbag‑sized formats – perfect for keeping with you on the go for when your elbows may need extra care throughout the day.
NIVEA MEN
Help for dry elbows
For the men out there who are also experiencing dry elbows, NIVEA MEN is here to help. The NIVEA MEN Maximum Hydration Nourishing Lotion, formulated with aloe vera, intensively moisturises skin, helping to relieve dryness. The caring lotion can be used on hands, face and body – offering a 3‑in‑1 skincare solution. For the best results, smooth over dry skin daily and allow it to absorb.
NIVEA MEN Creme is another non‑greasy, non‑sticky option for dry elbows that works by giving your skin a boost of hydration and protecting it from drying out. This skin creme absorbs quickly and is suitable for body, hands and face – anywhere you’re experiencing dry skin or wondering why is my skin so dry and tight.
5 reasons to exfoliate
ashy elbows
Dead skin cells are a big cause of dry and discoloured elbows. Exfoliating on a regular basis will get rid of the build‑up of dead skin cells, revealing the healthier‑looking skin underneath and helping you if you’re unsure how to get rid of dry skin on the elbows in a gentle way.
- Skin could look brighter in appearance
- Dead skin cells will be removed to reveal fresh, healthy‑looking skin
- The massage will give the skin’s circulation a boost
- Hard patches of skin could begin to feel smoother
- Your skin tone will look more even and the appearance of discoloured elbows can eventually be reduced
Here’s how to
exfoliate your elbows
- Take a good gentle body scrub and gently massage it all over your skin, focusing on areas with particularly dry skin like your elbows and knees. Then wash it off and reveal smoother skin.
- A body brush can be another key tool for keeping the elbow area exfoliated.
- Avoid daily or excessive exfoliation, as this can become damaging to your skin.
- Experts recommend using a body scrub no more than twice a week if you want to reap the benefits without causing further damage.
When you have dry elbows, consistency with your skincare is key to good results and will support you if you’re still figuring out how to get rid of dry skin in the long term.
Products for
dry elbows
