I don't know about the rest of you, but my grandmother used to sing this song to me when I was little and was in the bathtub, so that I wouldn't miss scrubbing any important body parts! Ok, so that's a bit TMI, sorry for that. But, now that I'm a grown-up, I do occasionally find myself humming along to this song in the shower, or as I lather up with body lotion afterwards. There is only one little problem with this tune, it leaves out one crucial spot on the ole bod. Can anyone guess what it is?
You guessed it, it's your elbows. This often-neglected (and rarely-attractive) body part seems to get left out of all the bathtub and moisturizing fun. Unfortunately, it's also one body part that could use a bit of attention. Without a proper scrub and moisturizing, the elbows can be left looking a bit like, well, rhino skin. Ashy, dry, and even on some of us a weird gray color.
So what can you do to prevent this common problem? The good news is, it's easy! Next time you are in the shower, use a good strong body scrub on your elbows. Give squirt a little bit in your hand and really concentrate on each elbow. Give it a good strong rub. Since most of us neglect our elbows, they could stand to get a nice buff. I really like Clinique's Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator. This is a nice, grainy scrub that really gives your skin a strong buffing. You can find it in most department stores, but the best price I've found is here, at Saks Fifth Avenue Online. 
If you are prepared to spend a bit more, say around $35, then you might also like Clarins Smoothing Body Scrub, which you can also find online at Saks Fifth Avenue. I like this scrub, because it contains a heap of really nice ingredients like Bamboo Powders and Licorice Extract, and it will leave you feeling scrubbed, but also soft. It's a tad more expensive than I normally like to spend on a shower product, but it's a good one that I think you'd enjoy from time to time. Clarins is a great brand, so if you are interested in learning more about this product line, let me know! I've been a fan of their HydraQuench line for a long time.
If you're not looking to spend a fortune on scrubbing your elbows, there is good news. Drug Store or Grocery Store brands like Alba, Kiss My Face, e Booth, and Neutrogena all have great products that will deliver many of the same kind of results without the designer price tag. And, because your elbows won't typically be too sensitive, it's ok to find a scented scrub that you like a lot. One of my favorite "budget" scrubs is like Neutrogena Sugar Scrub, because if you use it in the morning, the Energizing Citrus scent helps give you a little "wake up lift" which is really nice. You can find this scrub on www.drugstore.com for only $8.55!Once you've scrubbed, the second step is pretty easy. Just take whatever moisturizer you were already going to use on the rest of your body, and remember to give your elbows a little attention. I really like the Biosilk and Vaseline concoction that I mentioned in a previous post, The Skin Below the Chin- Part I. However, any good strong lotion will do. Don't be afraid of over-moisturizing. Have you ever had a zit on your elbow? I doubt it!
If you find that your elbows are very ashy and dry, you may want to try using a cream-type lotion or a body oil. Just don't let it get on your clothes, as the oil might stain more delicate fabrics like silk. One of my new favorite oils is this Sweet Almond Oil by Aura Cacia, which I find at Whole Foods. I like to put this stuff in my bath water, as well!Now go enjoy a nice long shower and give those elbows some attention. And while you are at it, change the song! Head, shoulders... and ELBOWS! And, elbows!
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