One Elbow Is Really Dry

Due northo matter how much torso lotion y'all're slathering on postal service-shower, there always seems to be 1 particular patch of dryness that feels incommunicable to shake. Dry elbows are the souvenir that keeps on giving—that is, if that "gift" is a non-returnable ugly sweater that your aunt Eve expects yous to article of clothing to every family unit dinner.

The skilful news? There are ways to bargain with dry elbows that ensure that unlike the puke green, polka dot sweater you won't be stuck with them forever. Read on for everything you need to know.

What causes dry elbows?

We all know that our skin is our largest organ, just a far less repeated fact is that it'southward not all the aforementioned from head to toe. "There is a considerable variation in the baseline thickness of skin'south dead cell layer from region to region," says board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare Loretta Ciraldo. "Our elbows have the thickest layer of expressionless cells, called stratum corneum, and there'southward a buildup of dead cells that comes with chronic rubbing." And so, for case, if you're sitting with your elbows on a desk-bound all day long, yous're more likely to air current up with dry out patches on them.

In addition to the skin on our elbows beingness ultra thick, "It too has less oils glands for lubrication so it ends up thickest and rough," says board-certified dermatologist Julie Russak, MD.

How to treat dry elbows

Aside from trying not to lean on them so much, you can foreclose and treat dryness on your elbows with the aforementioned method you'd apply on your face: Gentle exfoliation and a whole lot of moisturizer. "Exfoliants, like glycolic acid or another AHA, or a fruit enzyme, similar papaya or pineapple, are very helpful to lessen existing dead cell buildup," says Dr. Ciraldo.

In the shower, yous can use an enzyme scrub—ideally something fabricated with pineapple or papaya—to aid get rid of expressionless skin cells. "Massage it into your elbows and leave it on for several minutes before washing information technology off so that the enzymes can work to dislodge the dead cells at the surface," says Dr. Ciraldo. Just exist sure to stay away from any harsh, physical exfoliants, which will air current up making you feel even drier.

Retinol—which is the aureate standard for treating pretty muchall
peel problems—can too be helpful in dealing with dry out elbows. It stimulates prison cell turnover, which will help bring healthy new cells to the surface to replace the old expressionless ones. Dr. Russak also recommends products containing Co-Q10, which works to regenerate collagen in gild to restore elasticity to the pare on your elbows.

Equally far as moisturizing goes, look for a thicker formula that packs the i-two ingredient dial of urea and ceramides.  "Yous desire a gentle exfoliant to remove dead pare build-upward just also moisturize at the same time," says Dr. Russak. "Urea gently dissolves dead, dry cells but is likewise very hydrating, and ceramides assistance to rebuild the natural protective bulwark of the skin." Dr. Ciraldo is as well a fan of lactic acid-infused moisturizers, because the gentle exfoliant will slough off dead skin cells while the moisturizing ingredients will assist to rehydrate them.

A few other things you can exercise? "Apply something like coconut oil before bedtime, and sleep with a large bandage over your elbows to enhance the penetration of this healthy oil into the peel," says Dr. Ciraldo. "Another affair that tin be helpful is to habiliment longer sleeves so your elbows aren't rubbing upwardly against difficult surfaces that promote rougher elbows."

The best products for treating dry elbows

Shop now: Raya Enzyme Hydrating Torso Scrub, $thirteen

Thanks to a three-stride formulation fabricated from moisturizing seaweed moisturizes, exfoliating fruit enzymes, and nourishing jojoba beads, this is the perfect gentle scrub for using on your elbows and beyond.

Store now: Shea Moisture Papaya & Vitamin C Revive & Burnish Body Wash, $11

Think of this equally a breakfast smoothie bearded every bit a beauty product. The papaya in this product works to exfoliate skin while also calculation a burst of vitamin C protection.

Shop now: Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream, $12

With ceramides and urea, this lotion volition brand dry elbow skin a thing of the by. Urea acts as a kerolytic (pregnant information technology tin get rid of thick, dry peel cell buildup) as well as a moisturizing humectant, and ceramides volition proceed your skin barrier functioning optimally.

Store at present: REN Clean Skincare AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum, $43

Lactic acid is the star ingredient of this lighter-than-air lotion (which many of our editors would choose every bit their "desert island" beauty product), which gently exfoliates while restoring wet into the skin. Your pores will slurp information technology correct upwardly, which ways information technology won't leave yous goopy or greasy no matter how much you lot slather all over yourself.

Shop now: La-Roche Posay Iso-Urea, $34

Soften skin with a combination of urea and La Roche Posay's signature thermal h2o, which will ensure there isn't a dead skin jail cell in sight on your elbows—or anywhere else on your trunk.

Shop now: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, $8

Spot care for your elbow dryness with this lotion, which is technically meant for your face up merely works urea-induced wonders all over your body (while also hydrating your skin with ceramides and phospholipids). And the best part? It'south only $viii.

Store at present: True Botanicals Resurfacing Trunk Mask, $48

Dr. Ciraldo is a fan of this mask, which is formulated with lactic acrid and green tea that will exfoliate and soothe peel at the same fourth dimension. Massage onto dry skin, leave for 5 to 15 minutes, and rinse off in the shower, then follow up with your favorite moisturizer or trunk oil.

Dealing with dry skin on your face, too? Here's everything y'all need to know well-nigh how to handle it, straight from a dermatologist:

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