10 Ways to Remove Dry, Flaky skin on Elbows, Knees and Feet

If you’re wondering how to bring back moisture to dry elbows and cracked heels, we’re here to help. Given that oil glands are few and far between in these regions, it’s no surprise that they are super susceptible to dryness and irritation. In fact, the sebaceous glands that secrete sebum, which lubricates the skin, are found throughout the skin on our bodies except in the palms of our hands and soles of our feet. In areas of the body such as the elbows, there are fewer sebaceous glands to begin with, and then as we age, this number decreases even further. Add that to all the bending and friction these body parts face, and you have the recipe for an unsightly, itchy, and even painful skin condition.

Thankfully, there are people who have thought a lot about what causes dry skin before. If you read any article about keeping elbows soft and smooth, you’ll likely find medical advice from dermatologists and other professionals in the field who offer a range of options. It’s important to know that while there exist some best practices around skin care, there is not one silver bullet that solves all these issues. It’s often a combination of treatments. If you do have symptoms that are severe, or a skin condition that has appeared or changed suddenly, you should seek medical advice. It’s important that you hear from an expert about your specific needs.

If you’re suffering from seasonal skin dryness or want to know which products work along with your current dry-skin fighting treatment, then stay tuned. Many of the suggestions below can help. Whether it’s the weather that’s got you down, or abrasive surfaces that wreak havoc on elbows, there are ways to protect yourself and keep that moisture in the skin. Whatever causes dry skin in your case, the following suggestions may be of help.

1. Merry and moist, not cold and dry

Do you dream of sitting by the fire and walking in a winter wonderland, but are held back by the blistering cold that cracks your heels or the heat of the fire that dries out your skin? A lot of people feel pulled in two directions when it comes to these conditions and wintertime woes. The important thing to remember is that there are ways to trick old Jack Frost. You just need to stay one step ahead.

One option is to get yourself a humidifier. Humidifiers can help temper the effects of an arid environment, whether it’s the dead of winter or a desert destination in the summertime. Research suggests that dryness and itching of skin significantly decreases with the use of a humidifier. If there is more humidity in the air, moisture is much less likely to evaporate from your skin. This will help the overall tone and texture of your skin, and also deal with those rough patches on elbows and heels.

2. Don’t wait, exfoliate

It seems to be something we say we should do, and then don’t. Exfoliation is an important part of a thorough skin care routine, especially if you’re dealing with dry skin. Whether it’s dry elbows, specifically, or just dryness, dryness everywhere, don’t skip ahead to the next step of moisturizing without stopping off at exfoliation station. And if you’ve been putting it off, just remember, there’s no time like the present for sloughing off some of those dead skin cells that weren’t doing you any good anyway.

When we don’t exfoliate, dead skin cells, dirt, and other debris can collect on the skin and potentially clog pores, or create a flaky, rough layer. And if you don’t like the sound of that then you’ll love the Botanical Complexion Scrub by Viviane Woodard. It aids in that skin cell regeneration process, by sweeping away the top layer of dead skin, and clearing the way for fresh new skin cells to emerge. With natural fibers, Aloe Vera, and other rich emollients, it cleans and softens the skin as well. This scrub is great for the hands, elbows, arms, legs, and feet, but is still sensitive enough for your face. It really buffs up those rough and flaky areas and makes your skin feel smooth all over.

3. A better body balm

Of course moisturizer is a rather obvious answer when it comes to the question of how one can remove – or ultimately prevent – flaky and dry skin. However, not just any moisturizer can handle the heavy lifting needed to really nourish and soften rough and dry elbows. A skin condition such as that needs the creamy, skin conditioning, and high-quality Healing Hand and Body Balm by Viviane Woodard. With its botanical blend of Aloe Vera and other plant-based ingredients, this balm is, if you’ll excuse the dated pun, the bomb.

Best after a bath or shower (especially if you exfoliated with the Botanical Complexion Scrub), this balm will absorb quickly, and immediately cool and soothe skin. It helps heal current conditions and provides hydration to protect against future dryness. Since some of us forget to apply moisturizer regularly, it’s smart to have a bottle of a balm or cream in a couple places. Having a bottle by your bedside table is a good idea, as is keeping one in the bathroom to use post-shower after you dry off.

4. Don’t rub or scrub skin too hard

We all get carried away once in a while but it’s important not to scrub your skin too vigorously, either while you’re washing or as you dry off. When you’re exfoliating, let the product do its job, and don’t feel the need to take off a layer of healthy skin cells by pressing too hard. And after you’re done with your shower or bath, be sure to pat dry rather than rubbing the towel back and forth across your body with all your strength. Over-scrubbing can cause dry skin to peel off before it’s ready to be removed. The scrubbing should be done gently in the shower, and when it’s time to dry, show your skin a little tenderness.

Patting your skin dry will make sure a little water stays there on the surface so you can apply your lotions and creams and lock in that moisture. Plus, when you start this new pattern of patting dry, you may notice how it feels a little more luxurious. We don’t want to play tug of war with our skin, so just remember to take it easy.

5. Drink water

Yes, we know your mouth is nowhere near your kneecaps, but believe it or not, even when it comes to skincare, what you put in your body can sometimes be as important as what you put on your skin. It’s critical to stay hydrated, and most of us could do with a little more water in our system. Maintaining balance is always part of staying healthy, and the same goes for fighting dry skin. In fact, symptoms such as dry skin may be an indication you aren’t getting enough water every day.

It’s important to remember that alcohol, while it may be wet, does not count toward your daily intake of H2O. It’s actually a diuretic, which means it may actually make you pass more water. That doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a glass of red wine now and then, it just means you should use common sense and consume a healthy amount of water and avoid too much alcohol. Actually, if you happen to have symptoms of psoriasis, rosacea, or eczema, you should note what triggers your skin conditions and avoid those things when possible.

6. Doctor’s orders

Do yourself a favor, and spend some time worrying about yourself just as you do for others. If you’re a parent or caregiver, you probably spend plenty of time providing a shuttle service for your kids, taking them to all the necessary appointments and follow-ups. Well, don’t forget that in order to keep up with all that, you need to take your own needs into account. Don’t skip out on self-care. And no, that doesn’t just mean treating yourself to dessert or buying a beautiful scarf (though everyone agrees you need that scarf). It also means keeping up with doctors appointments.

If you have a rash, irritation, or peeling patches of skin, you should consult a doctor. A dermatologist or other doctor familiar with skin disorders will be able to diagnose a condition such as eczema or psoriasis. At that point they might prescribe medicine or suggest you make some changes in your skin care routine. Either way, you’ll know what you’re dealing with and they’ll set you on the right path.

7. Quit Smoking

We know by now that smoking increases the likelihood of several illnesses and health risks. Most of us think about the deterioration of the lungs, heart, and other organs. But if we remember that our skin is the largest organ in our bodies, then it shouldn’t shock us to know that smoking negatively impacts that part of us as well. It can cause premature signs of aging, cancer, and general dryness. It even decays teeth and affects saliva production. Smoking is definitely not as cool as the Marlboro Man made it out to be.

Aside from being good advice for your overall health, quitting smoking will also help with hydration. As mentioned above it impacts saliva production, and also saps moisture from the skin, causing wrinkles and other issues. Ending this harmful habit will give your body the chance to come back into balance and improve its ability to regulate moisture content.

8. Spray away the dryness

If you want to play it cool with your skin, remember that moisturizer doesn’t only come in cream or lotion form. There are different product options to deal with scaly, dry elbows, and dry skin in general, and this includes using moisturizing sprays. If you have sensitive skin and suffer from such symptoms, you’ll see how Viviane Woodard’s Intensive Hydration Mist provides a refreshing moisturizing addition to your other skin care products.

Whatever the causes of your dry elbows or dry skin condition may be, part of the solution could be the ingredients in this product. Of course, you should follow the treatment that your doctor or dermatologist recommends, but this spray may be used at any point in the day to hydrate skin and help it heal. If you want to stay soft and moisturized, feel free to use this product as often as you like on the areas where you are experiencing more severe dry skin symptoms, including elbows and kneecaps.

9. Cover up to protect those protuberances

If you liked it then you shoulda put a shirt on it. The elbow, that is. People may be able to alleviate some symptoms simply by covering up a bit. You can protect skin from excessive friction and exposure to the elements, and see if that helps with your particular condition. Even if it’s just a thin layer like a long-sleeve T-shirt, having something between you and the outside world could do wonders to protect your dry elbows. Especially if you exfoliate and moisturize before you put it on, the layer of fabric will help lock in moisture.

If you are doing any exercising where your elbows come into contact with the carpet, make sure to protect yourself from possible allergens or irritation. If you don’t have a shirt that covers your elbows, put down a yoga mat or something that you know doesn’t bother your skin. Then you can down-dog and cat/cow to your heart’s content, without having contact with the carpet cause any additional irritation to an elbow or other sensitive area.

10. Vaseline + socks = softer feet

Petroleum jelly, known by its common product name, Vaseline, is an exceptionally effective occlusive ingredient. Occlusives don’t add moisture to the skin, but they help seal it in and prevent transepidermal water loss (or TEWL). Along with other moisturizing ingredients, occlusives keep skin hydrated and healthy.

Using Vaseline to treat scaly, cracked skin on the heels of your feet may be one of the best things you can do to soften that skin. Of course, it can be a little greasy to deal with, so find a way that you can smooth it over your feet and put socks on right away before slipping and sliding around. If you do this for several days in a row, you’ll notice the difference. Share the love and spread the excess petroleum jelly across your dry elbows. They’re sure to see an improvement as well.

We wish you the best of luck with your seasonal skin softening, and send you off with this video sharing some more ways in which petroleum jelly can protect your skin:

 

 

For over 60 years, Viviane Woodard has represented “The Purity of Skincare”. We are the leading beauty brand for water-based skin care products and promote the importance of good skin hydration. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for skin care tips, product discounts and more.