drAre you taking good care of your skin around your elbows and knees? If not then you must include it in your beauty regimen. When it comes to elbows and knees we often ignore it and feel as if it takes extra miles to keep it clean, exfoliated and moisturized. The consequence is rough and scaly dark patches on the area around your knees and elbows that will force you to hide it behind your full sleeves clothes and doesn’t let you wear your favorite pair of dress. Not just this, dark patches could also create skin ailments if not treated on time.
The dead skin cells shed from our skin consistently and new ones form themselves. A basic skin care routine along with exfoliation can remove dead skin cells and germs easily. The black patches on our elbows and knees are a build-up of different components including oil secreted by the skin called sebum, dirt, sweat and moisture, dead skin cells, bacteria and other germs, pollution, such as smoke and fumes etc.
Unleash the potential of saffron to nurture your skin
Saffron is used in multifarious ways to provide benefits to your overall well being. Be it in culinary delights, pharmacological or cosmetics, it is the most subtle way to treat any skin issue. This unique spice is said to have originated in Greece. Saffron is not only used for flavoring different cuisines but also is a wonderful healer that works marvelously on your skin. It comes from the flower of the crocus plant. It is also known as the saffron crocus or the saffron crocus.
What Is Saffron?
Saffron is a very rare Ayurvedic spice. “Saffron is actually the tiny stigmas, or stems, from the crocus sativus, a flower in the iris family.
Typically, saffron is used in cooking, wherein it gives food a bright yellow-orange tint, but it's also used around the world in fabric dyes and perfumes. In other words, saffron is an all-around healing powerhouse, both internally and externally.
Causes Of Dark Knees And Elbows
- Constant rubbing or pressing of knees or elbows can make the skin thicker and darker in color, than the surrounding regions.
- Excessive exposure to sunlight increases melanin production.
- Build-up of dead skin cells or dirt on your knees and elbows.
- Melasma or chloasma, which refer to hyperpigmentation or discoloration of patches of skin.
- Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis caused by inflammation.
- Hyperpigmentation due to a previous wound or inflammation
Prevention is better than Cure
Prevention is undoubtedly simpler than the cure. The best way is to clean your skin regularly without amiss. Easiest is to exfoliate your elbows and knees with a mild soap, water and loofah while taking your daily bath or shower. This will help in removing dead skin cells and leave the surface clean and rejuvenated. This daily ritual will prevent the buildup of dirt , sebum and bacteria on the skin. You can apply saffron oil on your skin after taking a bath.
Few steps to avoid skin darkening on elbows and knees;
Cleanse and moisturize
Wash your elbows and knees daily and apply a moisturizer .
Exfoliate the elbows
Get rid of dead skin cells by exfoliating your skin at least twice a week. It is important that you should not rub your skin, instead always scrub in a gentle circular motion to avoid irritation on your skin.
Wear sunscreen
Saffron is used as an astounding sunscreen to protect it from harmful UV rays. Take special care in applying the product to your elbows. Since there’s a natural stretch in this area of the arm from bending your elbow, you’ll likely need to reapply your sunscreen often.
Include Vitmain A and Vitamin E in your diet
Include Vitamin A rich foods such as milk, eggs, green leafy vegetables, orange or yellow vegetables. Vitamin E rich foods such as wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, almonds, peanuts and peanut butter, red bell pepper, pumpkin etc.
Benefits of Saffron
Protects your skin from UV rays
Ultra Violet rays are harmful for your skin as it accelerates the production of free radicals which causes oxidative stress that fastens the aging of your skin.
Work as an antioxidant
Saffron contains Crocin, a carotenoid chemical compound that is found in the flowers crocus and gardenia. . It is a potent antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals. It also protects your skin from inflammations.
Supports wound healing
The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of saffron helps in wound healing and keeps your skin healthy.
Brightens your skin
As an antioxidant ingredient, saffron brightens the skin without harsh side effects.
Shields from Environment
Saffron is rich in minerals and contains two types of powerful carotenoids: crocin and crocetin that are effective in damage repair and overall cellular health.
Reduce Hyperpigmentation
Topical usage of saffron not only brightens skin tone but also improves and reduces pesky hyperpigmentation.
Fight Acne
Saffron’s anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities treat acne and scars effectively.
It has anti-aging properties
The antioxidants in saffron make it a wonderful anti-aging ingredient as it helps to prevent degradation thereby reducing fine lines and wrinkles on your skin.
Here are the five best saffron and elbow creams ;
- The Beauty Co. Elbow and Knee Whitening cream
- Sanctus Elbow and Knee Whitening Cream
- Ningen’s Saffron Knee and Elbow Cream enriched with Mulberry and Curcumin extracts.
- Floher Saffron Knee and Elbow Cream
- Skinkraft Knee and Elbow Brightening Cream
