No more skipping past your favourite mini for jeans to hide your ashy knees. We are here to spill all the products, quick fixes and home remedies needed to lighten dark knees once and for all.
A lot of us skip sporting our favourite shorts or dresses in fear of revealing dark knees, but it shouldn’t be so tough. There are multiple remedies to take care of this trouble. But before we come to that, let’s understand why do we get ashy knees and how can we go about getting rid of them. Keep reading to be ready to finally flex that LBD without getting self-conscious.
Causes of hyperpigmentation on knees
Even if you stay away from tanning or are more of an indoorsy person, you still can end up with dark knees. One of the most common and treatable causes is the accumulation of grime and dead skin cells. Just like any other body part, if you don’t exfoliate and clean, your knees will turn dark. Constant friction which is inevitable, exposure to the sun and hormonal imbalances can also turn knees dark. Our joints like elbows, ankles and knees do not have oil glands which is why the lack of moisturisation also add up in turning the skin in this area ashy.
Products to lighten dark knees
Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash
One of the simplest ways to lighten your knees is to exfoliate them regularly. The Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash has exfoliating beads and uses Nutrium moisture technology to thoroughly clear dead skin cells, directly nourish the skin and get rid of dark patches easily.
Dove Exfoliating Body Polish With Kiwi Seeds
Are you tired of spotting ashy knees every time you look in the mirror? Well, no more. Take out that frustration and get results all in one go by exfoliating your knees with the Dove Exfoliating Body Polish With Kiwi Seeds that’s perfect for all skin types. It includes aloe vera, the powerhouse ingredient that fades all types of blemishes while kiwi is also an astringent that lightens dark knees and moisturises them at the same time.
Vaseline Healthy Bright Lotion
Another way to go about this is prevention first. Moisturise your knees daily so that they do not turn ashy. The Vaseline Healthy Bright Lotion just might be the key as it is loaded with vitamin B3 needed to control melanin production and gives the skin a radiant glow. It also has healing properties and SPF to treat damaged skin and protect your knees from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Vaseline Body Ice Gel Cream
More often than not, the remedy to dark knees is simply moisturising. If you keep the skin soft and supple, it won’t have a chance to dry out and look ashy. The Vaseline Body Ice Gel Cream is a strong contender for your knees as it has everything you might need to hydrate the skin, soothe dryness and reduce darkness with the help of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and E.
Love Beauty & Planet Murumuru Butter Body Wash
Since knees are pretty sensitive, you will also need to use gentle products that are paraben-free when trying to lighten them. The Love Beauty & Planet Murumuru Butter Body Wash not only hydrates the skin but also locks in moisture and lends a natural fragrance since it is enriched with Bulgarian rose and coconut oil.
Love Beauty & Planet Argan Oil Body Lotion
Since you can’t just stop using your knees and the friction it experiences daily, you need to pamper them with products that have emollient elements. Opt for the Love Beauty & Planet Argan Oil Body Lotion as it also includes lactic acid and coconut oil needed to moisturise and help the skin get its natural glow back.
Love Beauty & Planet Natural Tea Tree Oil Body Wash
Even if you do not have time to exfoliate regularly you should also pay equal attention to your knees and clean them thoroughly if you want to reduce hyperpigmentation. This will also lead to less build-up of dead skin cells. Scrub your knees well with a loofah and Love Beauty & Planet Natural Tea Tree Oil Body Wash to detox and rejuvenate the skin cells as well as to keep the skin moisturised.
Lakme Sun Expert Ultra Matte Sunscreen
Once again, it pays to reiterate that the knees are just like any other body part and so are also subject to tanning. But combined with the UV rays and drying of skin, it quite easily can lead to ashy knees. Don’t forget to cover every part of your body with sunscreen including your knees. The Lakme Sun Expert Ultra Matte Sunscreen is our favourite since it is non-greasy, non-patchy and has SPF 50 needed to block all those harmful UV rays trying to target your skin.
Lifestyle changes
Avoid hot showers
You can only imagine what will happen to your knees since it doesn’t have natural glands and is constantly exposed to hot water that can easily strip the skin’s natural oils. If you already have dry knees it can end up darkening them even more. Instead of hot water showers, use lukewarm water, especially on the knees.
Natural fabric
Yes, the type of clothes you wear can also affect your skin. Synthetic materials like polyester can irritate the skin especially when your knees are dry. They also hold on to laundry detergents if you don’t wash them properly which can further darken the skin. Switch to natural fabrics like cotton that will let your skin breathe and also reduce friction.
Consult a dermatologist
Ashy and dark knees can also be a sign of allergies, psoriasis or eczema. If you suspect an underlying cause for the pigmentation on your knees, consult a dermatologist.
Home remedies
Baking soda and milk mask
If you are wondering if knee packs are also a thing, they absolutely are! Don’t forget to pamper your knees with a baking soda and milk paste that exfoliates the skin and also gives a glow to once-dull skin. Mix three tablespoons of baking soda and two tablespoons of cold milk and apply the paste to the knees. Scrub it off after 20 minutes with cold water.
Lemon and honey
Both lemon and honey are lightening agents and are known to reduce blemishes. So, why not use them to even the skin tone of your knees as well? Add a few drops of lemon to a tablespoon of honey and apply it to the knees. Let it dry for 30 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. You can also add turmeric to the paste as it has antibacterial properties to soothe and heal dry and flaky skin.
Yoghurt and vinegar
Did you know that there are tons of natural ingredients lying around in your kitchen with anti-darkening properties? For this particular mask, all you need is yoghurt and vinegar as they have acetic and lactic acid needed to reduce dark spots. Mix three tablespoons of yoghurt with two teaspoons of vinegar and apply it to the knees. Wash it off after 40 minutes with warm water. You can also add gram flour (besan) to the mix as it has exfoliating properties.
Olive oil and sugar
Olive oil is known to deeply moisturise skin while sugar is a common exfoliating ingredient that when combined together can lighten your knees. Make the scrub by mixing one tablespoon of olive oil with sugar and gently massage it on the knees in circular motions. Then rinse it off with water. You can use this scrub twice a week.
Aloe vera and milk
Aloe vera not only soothes and heals dry skin but also boosts collagen production that keeps the knees wrinkle-free. If you are a skin care enthusiast, by now you would surely know milk shows its face in almost every beauty mask or scrub. Treat the hyperpigmentation on the knees by mixing one tablespoon of aloe vera gel and milk and applying it. You can even leave it overnight and wash it off the next morning.
Coconut, sesame or almond oil
Natural oils like coconut, sesame or almond oil are rich in fatty acids needed to moisturise dry and dull skin. They also have anti-darkening properties that can help with evening the skin tone of your knees. Apply a natural oil of your choice generously every night before bed.
Hope this has helped you understand the causes and gave you the correct solutions to lighten your dark knees. Try these out and flaunt your short dresses effortlessly.
Written by Lopa K on Jul 26, 2022