There are many factors that cause dark skin. One that stands out is friction.

Many women leaning and kneeling on the workout mat may have seen the dark areas. They make sense, as the smallest amount of friction affects the skin.

I’m listing down a few items to curb the darkness, based on my consultation with a dermatologist. Keep an eye out for a few ingredients that help lighten knees and elbows.

Vitamin C is one. Keep in mind that it’s best to apply lotion all over your legs and arms. The lotion serves as an added layer of protection. Don’t think spot treatment for dark knees and elbows.

 

Sanitas Vitamin C Body Lotion promises to brighten up dark sports with a nontoxic formula. It also has squalane, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants. These ingredients help in hydration, something crucial in keeping your skin looking good.

There is also the Somaluxe Firming Lotion with Collagen, CoQ10, and Vitamin C for Face, Neck and Body. As the name more than implies, it’s power-packed with ingredients to help your skin recover from the bad stuff. Either is best applied before your workout and after you take a shower.

I’ve learned that for immediate but lasting results, you need to have a complete routine. A lotion is a good start. But I also know that your soaps and cleansers also help prevent dark elbows and knees. After all, these products are crucial in turning over new skin, literally.

 

Go gentle

It’s best to go gentle. Harsh ingredients won’t help the skin. Give it much love with Mila Moursi Refining Body Scrub. It has “black pearl extracts that deep cleanse and refine skin texture, eliminating impurities.” This is said to increase “the rate of skin’s cell renewal, and improve the clarity and luminosity by accelerating its natural peeling process.”

For your body wash, check out the Indie Lee De-Stress Body Wash. It has a gentle, coconut-derived cleanser with calendula, panthenol and hydrolyzed quinoa, rich in protein and vitamins A and B.

On top of that, it is cruelty-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, phthalate-free and sulfate-free.

Don’t forget sunblock. No matter how minimal the sunlight hits your skin, it will immediately darken problem spots. For a no-fuss application, spray on the Coola Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray. It has an organic formula and gives the protection you need.