It occurs to the most effective of us. Even should you’re utterly dedicated to a hydrating face care routine, typically dry legs can catch you off guard.
In reality, probably the most widespread locations dryness reveals up is on the legs — saying itself with flaking, itching, and tough patches. Step one to combatting dry, itchy pores and skin on legs regardless of the season? Constant hydration.
However should you’re already a body-lotion loyalist, you may want to try what different elements of your each day routine may very well be counteracting your onerous work.
Let’s uncover why your legs is likely to be drier than traditional and what you are able to do about it.
1. You’re washing with water that’s too sizzling
As tempting as a sizzling bathe or bathtub is likely to be, washing in water too excessive in temperature could make your pores and skin dry and itchy. Sizzling water can strip the pores and skin of its pure oils and trigger irritation.
What you are able to do: Strive your greatest to take transient, heat showers. When you’re accomplished, gently pat your legs and the remainder of your physique dry with the towel — that is kinder to your pores and skin than rubbing.
2. You’re utilizing merchandise that irritate your pores and skin
In case your pores and skin tends to be dry or delicate at instances, utilizing sure physique washes could make issues worse. Some cleaning merchandise might be harsh on the pores and skin, disturbing its pure pH steadiness, and drying it out.
Why is the pH of your pores and skin vital? Its pure degree is mildly acidic, normally between 4-5.5. This acidic pH influences your pores and skin’s pure barrier perform, together with the manufacturing of lipids (pure oils within the pores and skin). Utilizing cleansers that don’t complement your pores and skin’s pure pH can strip the pores and skin of its protecting oils – typically leading to dryness and irritation.
To see in case your bathe gel or physique wash is the offender, change it up and search for a mild product that may respect your pores and skin’s pure pH. Search for pH-balanced or for delicate pores and skin on the label.
3. You aren’t making use of the best moisturizer
With so many various textures, consistencies, and formulations to select from, discovering a physique lotion that works properly along with your pores and skin could be a journey. For those who’re experiencing dry pores and skin in your legs, attain for a focused physique moisturizer particularly formulated for dry or very dry pores and skin.
What components to search for on the label? First up — urea. This hydrator helps the pores and skin retain water and promotes optimum moisture ranges. Emollients additionally work to revive your pure moisture barrier. Dimethicone and avocado oil are each common emollients that you simply’ll discover inside hard-working physique lotions.
What you are able to do: After your bathtub or bathe, pat your pores and skin dry after which apply a superb moisturizer for dry pores and skin over your entire physique. Select a fast-absorbing lotion to keep away from a greasy or sticky feeling after you’ve gotten dressed, and moisturize as soon as a day to maintain your pores and skin hydrated.
4. Your shaving approach might use an replace
For those who shave your legs, it may very well be one cause behind the discomfort. You may be shaving too often, the incorrect manner, or too shortly – resulting in razor burn, AKA itchy, pink, infected pores and skin.
Listed here are some easy suggestions that can assist you keep away from irritation:
- Use a shaving foam or gel to assist prepared the pores and skin
- Strive to not dry shave or shave in chilly water – lukewarm or heat is best
- Don’t shave in opposition to the pure path your hair grows
- Hold rinsing your blade as you shave
- Substitute your razor blade often
- After shaving, hydrate your pores and skin along with your physique lotion of alternative
5. You aren’t consuming sufficient water
The highest layer of your pores and skin is made up of round 30% water — contributing to its plumpness, elasticity, and resilience. For those who’re not consuming sufficient water, then your pores and skin may lack hydration too.
What you are able to do: After your bathtub or bathe, pat your pores and skin dry after which apply a superb moisturizer for dry pores and skin over your entire physique. Select a fast-absorbing lotion to keep away from a greasy or sticky feeling after you’ve gotten dressed, and moisturize as soon as a day to maintain your pores and skin hydrated.
6. You haven’t checked in along with your dermatologist
Sure medical circumstances could be a reason behind dry pores and skin. In case your dry pores and skin isn’t only a section (lasting for a number of weeks or extra) regardless of taking excellent care of it, it’s a good suggestion to go to your dermatologist. They’ll assist decide if there’s an underlying trigger for the dry, itchy pores and skin in your legs (or wherever else). They will additionally supply a customized plan to fight dryness and irritation.
7. You’re getting old
As your pores and skin ages, it will get drier extra simply — turning into thinner and extra fragile. The pores and skin’s pure barrier perform additionally weakens because the years go by — which may end up in dryness, flaking, and irritation in some instances.
Keep in mind how we mentioned the water in your pores and skin helps to maintain it clean and plump? Overwashing and utilizing harsh merchandise can diminish hydration, compounded by the truth that your pores and skin’s water content material reduces as you become old.
What you are able to do: Embrace it! Wholesome pores and skin is gorgeous pores and skin, regardless of your years. Care to your pores and skin from head to toe with a each day routine that fits your wants and preserve observe of any main modifications in look and texture to tell your dermatologist.
Sources and references:
Surber, C., Abels, C., Maibach, H. (eds): pH of the Pores and skin: Points and Challenges. In Present Issues in Dermatology. Basel, Karger, 2018, vol 54, pp 1-10.
Popkin, B., D’Anci, Ok., Rosenberg, I. Water, Hydration and Well being. In Vitamin Critiques (2010), Quantity 68, Subject 8, Pages 439–458.
https://www.nursingtimes.web/clinical-archive/maintaining-skin-health-in-older-people-29-11-2012/
https://www.nap.edu/webcast/webcast_detail.php?webcast_id=261
Editorial Workforce
Our namesake embodies the spirit of embracing life and all its marvel. As wellness journalists, we discover subjects that invigorate the senses and preserve curiosity alive. We imagine that glowing pores and skin is the results of a wholesome physique and thoughts. Weaving magnificence with science, we goal to encourage you to reside younger at all ages.
