What to Do About Dry Scaly Legs

They look ugly, they make you feel ugly, dry scaly legs suck our self-confidence and tell us we’ve been doing a bad job in the skincare arena. Dry skin, mainly if it’s itchy, can irritate the legs. 

Anyone can experience it, and it can come and go. The skin on your legs becomes dry for many reasons, such as weather changes, reactions to something that the skin comes into contact with, or a disease.

Your skin can also dry out with too-hot showers or scented lotions (typically containing alcohol). Starting a routine, one where you regularly exfoliate and moisturize is the secret to keeping your legs flake-free. 

Use a Dry Brush

A daily routine of dry-brushing will further improve the blood flow around the whole body, and the coarse bristles will even act to dislodge any rough, dry skin cells that stick to the legs’ surface.

Dry brushing is healthy because it improves blood flow. However, its primary function is to stimulate the production of collagen, which will aid in thickening the skin and reduce the presence of fat cells. 

Sweep the skin brush in upward movements, pre-shower.

Apply Moisturizer Daily

Moisturizers are formulated to help hold water in your skin. It comes in the form of ointments, creams, and lotions. Daily moisturizer application can significantly minimize dry skin,  particularly right after you bathe. 

Look for products with one or more of the ingredients below.

• antioxidants
• aquaporins
• plant butters and oils
• salicylic acid
• petroleum
• ceramides
• Glycerin
• hyaluronic acid
• glycolic acid

For specific individuals or skin diseases, certain ingredients perform better than others, so you will need to test and see which is suitable for your skin. 

For instance, in soothing dry skin from eczema, colloidal oatmeal (ground oatmeal mixed in liquid), an ingredient in store-bought moisturizer formulations, may be beneficial.

Swap to a Body Oil

Have you ever paused to realize that it could be your body wash that dries your legs out? Make the transition to a rejuvenating oil-based formula immediately. 

Choose a product that will not strip the skin, but will not stay as an unwelcome grease veil, either. Ensure that the oil foams up and washes away, leaving only mild hydration hit behind.

Not only moisturizing but also reducing redness and irritation, the oil helps soothe distressed skin. Your legs will be cleaned of any dirt and dead skin that’s accumulated throughout the day, and it smells great, too.

Shave Legs with a Moisturizing Gel

One of the most common reasons for really dry leg skin may be shaving. Natural oils that keep the skin smooth and moisturized can be eliminated by shaving your legs. Shaving also causes skin abrasions, which may contribute to dryness.

Using a moisturizing shaving foam or gel can help replace lost oils and moisture, instead of only shaving the legs with water and regular soap. After shaving, it is also essential that you take care of your legs to keep them from drying out.

Exfoliate No More Than Once a Week

Although using exfoliating body brushes and grainy body scrubs to cope with dry, scaly skin can be enticing, exfoliating too much will further irritate the skin. Exfoliate no more than once a week when you have dry skin on your legs. 

This duration can help to remove dry, damaged skin cells from the surface without triggering much more skin irritation.

Takeaway

Dry skin on the legs has several common causes, spanning from allergic reactions to changes in the weather to chronic health conditions. 

But it’s possible to get relief from uncomfortable symptoms, including itching, peeling, and cracking on your skin with a good routine. But if you’ve tried the above and it doesn’t work then consult a dermatologist to help you figure it out.