Got a dry skin on legs situation? We've all been there. The sun comes out and suddenly it's time to unearth your pins from the leggings, joggers, tights, or whatever you’ve been covering them up in—and that’s when you remember about the dry, ashy skin that's been building up.
Great, another thing you have to incorporate into your ever-growing skincare routine. But never fear, with our expert advice, handy tips, and genius product suggestions you can get your legs spring-summer ready in no time. And whilst this is all about how to get your legs looking great during the warmer season, that’s not to say that this advice is for a few short months only, because dry skin on your legs happens all year round. If you want to get your skin feeling smooth, silky, and looking radiant then here’s what you need to know.
A dermatologists guide to dry skin on legs
What causes dry skin on our bodies?
Much like dehydrated skin on our face, on a very basic level dry skin happens when the skin loses too much moisture. Our skin is built up in layers and it needs a certain amount of water and natural oils in the top layers to keep it soft, supple, and hydrated. Not only does our skin need to be able to lock moisture in and prevent it from escaping but it also needs to absorb it. It is a well-oiled and balanced machine. But lots of things can affect it, and when they do, that's when dry skin happens.
“Dry skin is something we can all experience. It can be due to weather conditions, the products we use, or the clothing we wear. Dry skin can also be a side effect of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis,” says consultant dermatologist, Dr. Derrick Phillips. Aging is also a factor—as we get older our body gradually stops producing as much sebum which makes it feel drier and there are also certain medical conditions and medications that cause the skin to become parched.
How to tell if your legs are dry
The good news is that for lots of people dry skin on their legs starts off in smaller areas. This is because the skin on our legs is different from the rest of our body. “The skin on our legs is a lot stronger than the skin we have on our face and neck so when we get dry skin on our legs the main area it is noticeable is our knees,” says Dr. Phillips. However—and here’s the bad news—“our dermis layers and oil control are vastly different on our legs and the cellular turnover is slower. So, if we suffer from dryness in this area, it will take longer to resolve.”
And how can you spot it? Dry skin isn't always the nicest thing to look at. "In mildly dry skin, you might have rough, slightly scaly skin that is red and can sometimes be itchy. Moderately dry skin is more scaly, itchy, and red. The skin can become inflamed and crack which can be painful. In severe cases of dry skin, the itching, pain, and scaliness are more intense. The cracked skin can become worse if not treated and this can lead to bleeding in some cases," explains Dr. Phillips
How to treat dry skin on your legs
Dr. Phillips has some pointers for how to revive dry skin on legs. Here they are:
- Keep it simple: Using gentle soaps and cleansers avoid stripping the natural oils from your skin which helps preserve the skin moisture.
- Go fragrance-free: Fragrances in products are known to be a leading cause in skin allergies. The harsh chemicals can only sometimes lead to more dryness, flakiness, and redness upon application.
- Try Vitamin C: Even though the skin on our body is different from that on our face, that doesn't mean this skin should be neglected, and more brands are bringing out skincare body products. Vitamin C can brighten the skin, therefore any scarring, dark patches, and stretch marks can be treated using this ingredient.
- Pat don’t rub: Being kind to your skin by patting instead of rubbing when drying off will maintain your skin barrier and make a dramatic difference to moisture retention.
- Avoid extremes: Hot and chilly weather or very hot baths and showers can dry out the skin even more so try to avoid if you can.
- Go see your doctor: If your skin is chronically dry or painful it may be related to a skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema, if your dry skin lingers go and see your GP.
Our favorite products for dry skin on the legs
To cleanse, our beauty editor recommends...
To hydrate, our beauty editor recommends...
To finish, our beauty editor recommends...
woman&home thanks Dr. Derrick Phillips for his time and expertise.