Dry pores and skin, particularly on the legs, most likely probably the most annoying issues to take care of. They’re itchy, crimson, irritated, and might severely mess up a glance if you do not get it underneath management. That is why we we consulted three board-certified dermatologists and a star facialist to study extra about what causes dry pores and skin on legs, in addition to recommendations on the way to deal with this beautiful frequent downside. Their suggestions and product suggestions—together with a couple of of our personal—will assist create a routine that nourishes and protects the pores and skin from dryness.
Meet the Professional
- Joanna Vargas is a star facialist whose shopper roster contains Mindy Kaling, Jenna Dewan, and Julianne Moore. She has two salons (NYC and L.A.) and is the creator of her eponymous line of skincare.
- Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, is a extremely sought-after board-certified dermatologist with over 40 years of expertise. She is an avid medical researcher, revealed writer, and common on-camera professional.
- Dr. Lauren Penzi is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York.
- Dr. Azadeh Shirazi is a board-certified dermatologist and founding father of AziMD Skincare.
Causes of Flaky Legs
Interested in why dry pores and skin seems most frequently in your legs? Ciraldo tells us that our pores and skin has a lifeless cell layer referred to as stratum corneum, which is thicker on the leg space, and why that’s the reason we regularly see flaking and dry pores and skin. Based on Vargas, dry pores and skin in your legs may be attributable to solar publicity, lack of exfoliation, and even airplane journey. Scented lotions, (which normally comprise alcohol) may dry out your pores and skin.
And Penzi provides, “Scorching showers can strip the legs of their pure oils, leaving the pores and skin very dry. Harsh soaps, perfume merchandise, and so on. may strip the pores and skin of its pure oils and trigger an irritant dermatitis that compromises the pores and skin barrier. Sure pores and skin situations like eczema and psoriasis may positively trigger dry flaky legs. Additionally unhealthy practices with shaving, waxing, and so on. may result in dry flaky legs.”
Winter climate, although, is usually the driving drive in dry pores and skin. “In colder climate, pores and skin’s lifeless cell shedding slows down, and pores and skin produces much less wholesome floor pores and skin oils that hydrate pores and skin floor in hotter months,” says Ciraldo.
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Use a Dry Brush or a Buff Puff
A every day dry-brushing ritual will assist increase the circulation round your whole physique, and the tough bristles will even work to dislodge any tough, dry pores and skin cells clinging onto the floor of the legs. Not solely that, however Vargas provides that “Dry brushing will increase blood movement, which is wholesome, however its foremost function is to stimulate collagen manufacturing, which is able to assist to thicken the pores and skin and reduce the looks of fats cells.”
Pre-shower, sweep the pores and skin brush in upwards motions. “Begin on the tops of the toes and brush upward towards the guts. Dry brushing instantly will increase circulation, so you’ll really feel hotter if you find yourself executed,” she says. Do not press too laborious—it ought to really feel vigorous however not painful.
One other bodily exfoliator you should utilize—as really useful by Ciraldo—is a physique buff puff. Like a dry brush, a buff puff exfoliates away dry, lifeless pores and skin for a smoother, brighter look. Attempt prepping your pores and skin with it earlier than shaving or going out into the solar.
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Exfoliate With a Scrub
“Exfoliation is my secret weapon to having nice pores and skin,” Vargas says. You’ll be able to even make your personal scrub at residence by combining a cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of coconut oil, and 1/4 cup of honey. “The brown sugar is tremendous smooth on the pores and skin however is powerful sufficient to scrub out your pores. I like to recommend exfoliating twice weekly in summer season and as soon as weekly for winter.” Coconut oil deeply moisturizes, and honey is a identified antimicrobial, that means it fights germs whereas additionally being able to assist heal pores and skin. Plus, these substances make an all-natural scrub—a win-win.
For a non-DIY possibility, we love this brown sugar physique exfoliator from Contemporary, made with a mix of night primrose, candy almond, apricot kernel, and jojoba oils. You will be so distracted by the candy scent you will not even understand your lifeless pores and skin is being scrubbed away.
The 12 Finest Physique Scrubs for Silky-Clean Pores and skin
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Swap to a Physique Oil
Ever stopped to think about whether or not it is perhaps your physique wash that is drying out your legs? Shortly make the change to a nourishing oil-based method, like Glossier’s. In contrast to soapy variations, this one will not strip the pores and skin, and it additionally does not linger like an undesirable veil of grease—the oil foams up and washes away, abandoning solely a light-weight hit of hydration. Vargas additionally says that oil helps soothe troubled pores and skin, moisturizing and lowering redness and irritation. It’s going to cleanse your legs of any dust and lifeless pores and skin constructed up through the day, and it smells incredible, too.
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Search for Components like Salicylic Acid
Yup, the acne-fighting ingredient may assist your dry legs. Shirazi recommends to “Use chemical exfoliants which are additionally humectants similar to lactic acid or salicylic acid. They assist renew pores and skin cells, keep away from construct up of lifeless pores and skin, and entice water to remain within the pores and skin. They assist improve the results of moisturizers.” Not solely does salicylic acid assist exfoliate away dry pores and skin it should additionally assist stop any crimson bumps or ingrown hairs you might get from shaving or different hair elimination strategies.
If you wish to deal with your self, you may also go to the spa for severe exfoliation. Vargas gives full-body exfoliation (with a therapeutic massage!) utilizing freshly grated coconut compresses. Speak about paradise.
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Go for a Nourishing Lotion
Utilizing a nourishing and hydrating lotion after exfoliating is essential. Ciraldo suggests utilizing the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. “CeraVe Cream is loaded with ceramides, the wholesome pores and skin oils that work to provide us good barrier perform, that means they lure moisture into damp pores and skin,” she provides. “This product leaves a silky really feel and will increase pores and skin luminosity in only one use. Should you apply it within the morning, there’s a good likelihood your pores and skin will look lustrous till night.”
“The most effective treatment is making use of a nourishing moisturizer to damp pores and skin ideally proper after showering. It’s essential to not dry the pores and skin utterly because the dampness helps lock in hydration leaving the pores and skin smoother and extra hydrated. Search for moisturizers with ceramides to assist the pores and skin barrier, aloe vera, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, Provitamin B5 (panthenol) to calm and nourish, and occlusives like shea butter to maintain water within the pores and skin,” Shirazi provides.
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Attempt a Cooling Spray
Whereas Susanne Kaufmann’s intelligent spray is meant to cease that itchy feeling and revive drained legs (it is a godsend for flights, by the way in which), the truth that it guarantees to spice up circulation—together with the hydration meant to be offered by sunflower and wheat germ oils—makes it the right ending product for the driest of legs. Plus, it is practically mess-free since it is a spray. No have to get lotion or oil throughout your palms, and it is excellent for conditions if you want a fast and dependable dose of hydration.
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Spend Some Further Time within the Bathe
The most effective place to start out your dry pores and skin regime is within the bathe. Ciraldo tells us to start with a fragrance-free physique wash. She is a specific fan of the Dove Perfume-Free Physique Wash. Facet word: Merchandise which are scented generally comprise alcohol, which solely dries out your pores and skin extra.
Then, she says to go in with an exfoliator and finish with a moisturizing cream. Sure, it could sound like quite a bit, however this routine will get the job executed.
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Bathe with Lukewarm Water
Sure, we all know simply how good a blazing scorching bathe can really feel. But it surely’s positively not nice for the pores and skin. Penzi’s suggestion? To take quick, lukewarm showers. Shirazi additionally provides, “Excessive temperature water damages pores and skin cells, disrupts the pores and skin moisture barrier, accelerates water loss and ends in inflicting extra dryness.”
FAQ
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Are there medical causes for dry pores and skin on legs?
The dry pores and skin in your legs may additionally come from a medical difficulty similar to psoriasis or eczema. It may be laborious to inform the distinction between a pores and skin illness and common dry pores and skin since all of them have related signs, but when your dry pores and skin persists, it is best to seek the advice of your physician or dermatologist to seek out out extra.
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Can shaving irritate dry pores and skin on legs?
Shaving dry pores and skin might trigger irritation, however to stop this, be sure to use a moisturizing shaving gel. Additionally, keep away from any shaving product with alcohol listed within the first few substances as a result of that will trigger additional dryness.
Let’s Speak About Pores on Your Legs
Article Sources
Byrdie takes each alternative to make use of high-quality sources, together with peer-reviewed research, to assist the info inside our articles. Learn our editorial tips to study extra about how we hold our content material correct, dependable and reliable.
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Cleveland Clinic. Dry pores and skin. Up to date Could 13, 2020.
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Cleveland Clinic. The reality about dry brushing and what it does for you. Up to date November 2, 2021.
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Ogunbiyi A. Pseudofolliculitis barbae; present remedy choices. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:241-247. doi:10.2147/CCID.S149250
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