How to Clear Dark Knuckles

Co-authored by Lydia Shedlofsky, DO

Last Updated: July 1, 2024 Fact Checked

Dark skin on the knuckles can be frustrating to treat. Even though common knowledge suggests that washing your hands more frequently or using bleaching products could help, these can actually irritate the skin and make the problem worse. To clear dark knuckles naturally, try exfoliating, moisturizing, and protecting knuckles from the sun. Add vitamin C, kojic acid, niacinamide, or ellagic acid for an extra boost. If none of these solutions work after a couple of months, talk to a doctor about prescription treatments.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Home or Over-the-Counter Remedies

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1
Exfoliate your skin daily. To create a homemade exfoliating scrub, mix equal parts of sugar and olive oil. Rub the mixture in circles over your knuckles for about 5 minutes. Rinse the mixture off with soap and water. Once your skin has lightened, exfoliate once a week.
- You can also use an exfoliating scrub, available at pharmacies or Amazon have a variety to choose from here.
2
Apply moisturizer and sunscreen every day. While moisturizer and sunscreen can't lighten your skin, they can help maintain an even skin tone and prevent damage.^{[1]
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Lydia Shedlofsky, DO
Dermatologist

Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.} When used in combination with other treatments, moisturizer and sunscreen can help keep your knuckles light and smooth.^{[2]
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- Amazon has sunscreens specifically for hands here, and hand moisturizer here.
- Sunscreen can also help prevent additional darkening.
- Try to stay out of the sun or cover up as much as possible to help prevent your knuckles from darkening more.^{[3]
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  Lydia Shedlofsky, DO
  Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.}
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You may have heard that dark knuckles are caused by dirt, and can be cleaned by scrubbing your hands often or using a cream containing bleach. This actually has the opposite effect most of the time, as washing your hands too much or using abrasive products can damage your skin and make the knuckles look darker.^{[4]
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4
Make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice for a vitamin-rich, homemade solution. Mix together equal parts of lemon juice and baking soda to create a thick paste. Spread the paste over your knuckles and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Repeat this process every day for a month.
- If the paste is too thick to spread, add more lemon juice. If it is too watery, add more baking soda.
- Always moisturize after using lemon juice on the skin.
5
Use a cream with kojic acid or soy to lighten skin. Kojic acid is a naturally-occurring ingredient in soy. Over time, kojic acid can lighten melasma, freckles and brown spots. Apply cream with kojic acid in a thick layer over your knuckles 1-2 times a day. Amazon has a variety of creams with kojic acid available here. One in particular with great reviews is EnaSkin Corrector.
- Kojic acid in its natural state is unstable and becomes less effective when exposed to light and air. Many creams use kojic dipalmitate instead, which is also an effective treatment.
6
Find a product containing niacinamide for a gentle treatment. Niacinamide is an ingredient that helps reduce dark spots, fine lines, and inflammatory skin conditions. It is also generally not very irritating. If you do experience irritation, combine niacinamide with moisturizer. The irritation should go away as you keep using niacinamide. Use niacinamide cream in a thin layer on your knuckles once a day.^{[5]
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- For an even more effective solution, find a product with both niacinamide and vitamin C.
- Find a variety of niacinamide creams on Amazon here and some that combine niacinamide with vitamin c here.
7
Add some ellagic acid to your skincare routine for more antioxidants. Ellagic acid is a natural ingredient found in red berries like strawberries and cherries. It stops an enzyme that produces melanin. Find a cream with ellagic acid to lighten dark spots. Rub it into your knuckles once a day after washing your hands.
- Ellagic acid can also help protect against UV rays.
Lignin peroxidase is a fairly new product that seems to be a gentle way to reduce dark spots. Use the cream 2 times a day, only on the dark spots, and avoid sun exposure. Over the course of several months, you may notice significant lightening of dark spots.^{[6]
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9
Take vitamin B12 supplements if you don't get enough from your diet. A B12 deficiency can cause the joints, including knuckles, to darken. If you recently transitioned to a vegetarian or vegan diet, you may have a B12 deficiency. Try taking 1 capsule (around 500 mcg) of B12 a day to lighten your knuckles.
- Beef, fish, eggs, and dairy all contain naturally high amounts of B12.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Seeing a Dermatologist for Treatment

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See a dermatologist if home treatments don't work to lighten your knuckles. The dark spots could be a sign of an underlying condition, or you might simply need a stronger lightening product. Your dermatologist will be able to make a recommendation based on your case.^{[7]
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- Be sure to tell your doctor about any products that you have been using and any medicines you take.
2
Apply prescription lightening cream 1-2 times a day as recommended by your doctor. Powerful lightening creams are best applied using a cotton bud so that they don't damage the skin on your fingertips. Spread a thin layer of the cream over your knuckles using a cotton bud.^{[8]
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- Avoid touching the skin of your knuckles for a few hours after applying the cream.
- Use sunscreen in addition to prescription lightening creams. Using moisturizer and sunscreen helps ease irritation.
- These creams might contain ingredients like hydroquinone, kojic acid, or azelaic acid.
3
Ask if laser skin lightening treatment is right for you. Plastic surgeons can remove dark skin patches using laser treatment. Laser treatment usually takes 30-60 minutes and skin takes around 2 weeks to recover. Your doctor will offer anesthetic during the procedure, but your skin may feel sore or sensitive afterward.^{[9]
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- Laser treatment shows quick results but can be expensive and doesn't always work. In the US, expect to pay $600-2000 for the treatment, depending on the doctor and the specific laser procedure they suggest.
- With some people, laser treatment temporarily lightens skin and then it reverts back to a dark color.
- After laser treatment, a light tingling sensation similar to sunburn is normal.

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How can I lighten dark knuckles fast?

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Some skin lightening products, such as hydroquinone, can begin to work within a few days. However, it may take a few weeks for you to see a major difference. For a really quick (but temporary) fix, try covering your dark knuckles with a high-coverage, waterproof concealer (such as a tattoo coverup).

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How do you lighten dark knuckles naturally?

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Baking soda and lemon juice are natural options that may help. You can also protect your knuckles and keep them from getting darker by moisturizing your hands daily and wearing sunscreen.

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Why are my knuckles dark and dry?

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Your skin may darken a little bit when it’s dried out by exposure to hot water, sunlight, harsh weather conditions, or cleaning chemicals. Dark or discolored, dry skin can also be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as eczema or psoriasis.

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Tips

Be patient. You will likely only notice a change in your skin after a few weeks or even months of treatment. It takes time to treat dark knuckles.

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Warnings

Dark skin on the knuckles can be a sign of serious underlying conditions, such as diabetes or prediabetes. If you have one of these conditions, treating the illness can also get rid of dark knuckle skin.^{[10]
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Hydroquinone is often used for skin lightening. However, it has become controversial and can cause irritation or even more serious complications.^{[11]
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