How to Soften Rough Elbows

Soften rough elbows naturally.

Do your rough, dry elbows remind you of an alligator's hide? Does your skin catch on your sweaters when you slip your sleeves over your elbows? Rough elbows aren't just embarrassing and unsightly. They can be painfully uncomfortable. Luckily, rough skin on your elbows is not incurable.

Things You'll Need

• coffee grounds
• liquid glycerin soap
• petroleum jelly
• small saucepan
• cotton sleeves

Instructions

1. Carefully heat a couple of tablespoons of petroleum jelly in a saucepan just until it is liquid. Set the saucepan aside to cool while you wash and exfoliate your elbows.

2. Stir a tablespoon or two of unused coffee grounds into 1/4 cup of liquid glycerin soap. Moisten your elbows with warm, not hot, water, then rub the soap and coffee grounds into your skin. The coffee grounds are a natural, gentle exfoliant that help scrub away dead skin and encourage your skin to renew itself.

3. Rinse your elbows with warm water and gently pat them dry. Don't scrub them, and do leave them a little bit moist.

4. Check to be sure the petroleum jelly is cool enough to touch without burning your fingertips. Slather the liquefied petroleum jelly on your rough elbows generously. In addition to moisturizing, the petroleum jelly will keep your skin from drying out

5. Slip the cotton sleeves over your arms to protect your bedding and clothing from the petroleum jelly.

6. Repeat nightly until elbows are soft and smooth. Keep your elbows touchable by using this treatment once every week or two.

Tips & Warnings

• Make cotton sleeves from a pair of white cotton tube socks. Just snip off the toes and you've got sleeves!

• You can also use this treatment on your knees, hands or feet. It works just as well.

• Do not leave the petroleum jelly unattended over or near an open flame. It's very flammable.