The challenges of Brown skin- Knees Edition

The Journey to Embracing My Dark Knees

Growing up, my knees were always the darkest part of my body. It’s a common experience for those with darker skin tones, but as a kid, I didn’t know that. All I knew was my mom’s teasing: “Drink more water! Your knees are looking dark and dry!” There was some truth to her words—hydration does wonders for the skin—but I still felt self-conscious.

Magazines, movies, and perfectly toned legs in media didn’t help. Seeing flawless, one-toned skin everywhere made me ask, why me? Why were my knees dark and uneven?

Over time, I learned it wasn’t just me. Dark knees are often caused by hyperpigmentation, a condition where the skin produces extra melanin in specific areas. It’s triggered by things like sun exposure, friction from kneeling, tight clothing, and sometimes, it’s just natural for darker skin tones. But knowing that didn’t make me feel less embarrassed.

In my culture, turmeric was the ultimate cure-all for dark spots. As a child, I’d hear aunties say, “Use turmeric, you’ll look fairer!”—as if fairness was the goal. Back then, we didn’t understand that turmeric’s real magic was in calming inflammation and evening out skin tone. I still use it sometimes, even on my knees and elbows, but let’s be honest—it’s messy, time-consuming, and not exactly a quick fix.

I’ve tried baking soda scrubs (big mistake), and now, I’ve created my own little moisturizing stick with extracts that target hyperpigmentation. It’s easy, mess-free, and I’ve been consistent with it.

The results? Still a work in progress. But I’ve learned something bigger along the way: dark knees aren’t a flaw—they’re part of who I am. Some days, they look darker; other days, they don’t. Either way, I’m learning to embrace them while caring for them the best I can.

Stay tuned—I’ll update you on my stick soon. And who knows? It might just be the next must-have in your skincare routine.

Dark knees or not, we’re all beautiful. Let’s own it.