How To Remedy Dry Flaky Skin On Your Legs
According to a celebrity skincare expert.
Mathilde Langevin/Unsplash
Itchy, flaky skin. At times, it may seem like there is no beauty problem that’s worse. The good news is that you are not alone in that thought. Dry skin, specifically on legs, is extremely common and surprisingly easy to fight if you have the right tips and tricks. Dry skin can come from a number of different thingshot showers, shaving, the weather, and more. Outside of hot showers, these are things we, unfortunately, can’t control. On the other hand, creating a regime tailored to your skin’s specific needs is something you can control.
To learn more about how to fight against this dreaded, itchy issue, we consulted celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas and certified dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo. Their tips and product recommendationsalong with a few of our ownwill help in creating a routine that nourishes skin and protects it from dryness.
Meet the Expert
- Joanna Vargas is a celebrity facialist whose client roster includes Mindy Kaling, Jenna Dewan, and Julianne Moore. She has two salons and is the creator of her eponymous line of skincare.
- Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, is a highly sought-after board-certified dermatologist with over 40 years of experience. She is an avid clinical researcher, published author, and regular on-camera expert.
Read on to get the scoop on everything from dry brushing to body oil, and say goodbye to flaky legs for good.
What Type Of Skin Products Should I Use If I Have Dry Skin
If you have skin that feels dry, you should use gentle and fragrance-free skincare products. Some skin care products you might use, such as deodorant and soaps, can be harsh for dry skin. Skin doctors recommend using products labelled as fragrance-free. If you find any product with the word unscented written on it, the product can contain chemicals that neutralize or hide the odours of other ingredients. These chemicals can irritate dry skin.3
Add Your Favorite Oil To Your Bath
Natural oils are great for moisturizing the skin and helping to re-create the natural skin barrier, which is often damaged by frequent hand and face washing with water and drying soaps that strip the skin of its natural protective oils, Dr. Shainhouse says. Aside from olive oil or coconut oil, you can test out other natural oils that are free from irritants, including jojoba, argan, and avocado oils. To use, Shainhouse recommends adding a few tablespoons of the desired oil under running bathwater. Treat yourself to a short soak and gently pat your skin dry afterward to avoid rubbing all the oil off. You can also apply a small amount of your preferred oil to your skin post-shower to keep it soft and moist.
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Lemon Juice And Sugar
Sugar and lemon juice scrub helps to make the skin soft, glowing and smooth. Lemon has vitamin C which is a great astringent that helps in lightening your skin tone, gets rid of patches on your skin and also encourages the skin cell growth in order to prevent the dry skin on legs. Sugar while scrubbing will help to clean the skin from scaly characteristics as well as allow locking the moisture to remove the dry skin on legs. For the most beneficial results, what you need to do:
- Take sugar and mix it with the juice of half lemon.
- Then use a cotton ball to scrub all over the dry skin.
- After that, slowly massage it in one circular motion.
- Leave it to scrub for around 10 15 minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Keep the remaining in a jar or air tight container to apply it regularly.
Have An Omega 3 Rich Diet
Your diet plays a key role when it comes to your skin health. To treat dry skin on your legs, you should be having a diet that is rich in antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids. These minimise the damage caused by toxins in your skin, giving you smooth, hydrated skin. Some healthy food options are carrots, tomatoes, blueberries, lentils. Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and can help you get smooth, soft skin.
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How Can I Prevent Dry Skin
You can prevent dry skin at home by:
- Cleansing with a mild, fragrance-free, moisturizing non-soap cleanser.
- Taking warm baths or showers.
- Managing stress, which can aggravate eczema and other skin conditions that cause dry skin.
- Minimizing sun exposure, which evaporates oils and moisture from your skin.
- Moisturizing as soon as you finish bathing, while your skin is damp.
- Patting your skin dry with a soft towel.
- Preventing dehydration.
- Stop smoking, as nicotine dries out your skin.
- Using a humidifier to add moisture to your homes air.
Never Use Excessive Face Wash / Harsh Soap
Always use little amount of facewash inorder to prevent skin dryness. Use of excessive facewash and soap leads you to dry skin. it irritates your skin and also it cause skin redness sometimes. Always Prefer soap for body and facewash for face. soaps were harsh and it was meant for body only, face washes were mild and suitable for any skin type.
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Milk Powder Face Pack
Mice studies show that milk consumption can improve dry skin conditions . Hence, the phospholipids in milk powder may moisturize dry skin on topical application.
You Will Need
What You Need To Do
How Often Should You Do This
Do this 2 times a week.
Home Remedy #: Milk And Honey For Dry Skin
You should avoid taking long hot baths for healthy skincare. However, you can still enjoy a relaxing bath set at a warm, moderate temperature. Best of all, you can add milk and honey to the bath as a method of treating skin dryness.
Milk can nourish your skin, exfoliating it to remove those flaky dead skin cells. Similarly, honey has moisturizing and antibacterial properties. Together, they have beneficial effects on the severe dry skin on your legs. Pour half a cup of honey into a bowl and insert some boiling water. Next, introduce one cup of milk and mix well. Add the mixture to the water of your bath, and soak in it.
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Natural Dry Skin Remedy: Avocado
Smash one half on your toast and save the other half for your face: Avocado is loaded with skin-healing vitamins A and E. Thats a nutritional duo that moisturizes and protects skin from damaging UV rays. Spread the avocado on your face, massage it in, wait , then rinse with warm water. Or try this avocado oil before bedtime. Here are some more powerhouse avocado benefits.
Consider A Fruit Enzyme Cleanser Or Exfoliant
Fruit enzymes can be lifesavers during dry-skin season. These alpha-hydroxy acids are great for gently exfoliating the superficial layer of dulling dead skin cells on the face and body, says Shainhouse. She recommends using a fruit-enzyme-infused wash or mask twice per week. Some good fruit enzymes to look for include pineapple, pumpkin, and papaya.
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How To Get Rid Of Dry Scaly Skin On Legs
Preventing is the best option to combat scaly patches.
Step: 1 Washing/Bathing Routine
Experts recommend avoiding hot water and strong anti-bacterial soaps if youve dry skin. Instead, use mild soaps with lukewarm water. Also, frequent bathing is not recommended.
Step: 2 Milk it Down
Dr. Taylor, assistant professor in the University of Pennsylvania advises applying refrigerated milk on itching or inflamed area. As milk has the anti-inflammatory ability it will soothe your skin.
Step: 3 Moisturize with Greasy Creams
Watery and fragrance filled lotions are useless for the dry scaly skin. Petroleum jelly is one of the inexpensive creams that hydrate your skin. Products with vitamin A, salicylic acid, and urea as an ingredient can do wonders.
Apart from these cosmetic creams, you can opt for home ingredients available at home.
Step: 4 Seal Dry Patches
Topical application will not hydrate super-dry spots. For this, youre advised to apply greasy moisturizer and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow the cream to affect over the dry patches overnight and remove the wrap in the morning.
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This Winter May Have Taken A Toll On Your Skin Leaving It Dry And Scaly Check Out These Easy And Inexpensive Ways To Keep It Soft Supple And Hydrated Year
If you havent done a thorough check, theres a good chance your skin is looking a little scaly from a long winter. Turns out, winter can be very tough on your skin. As soon as the heat goes on, skin dries up. Low humidity during the winter months, both inside and outside, enhances the drying effect, as does exposure to the colder elements of the seasons weather. So if youre in need of a little moisture Rx, try these off-the-beaten-path home remedies!
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Home Remedies For Dry Skin On Feet
Why does it seem like no matter how much moisturizer you slather on your feet, they still look and feel as if youve been living in a desert? The skin on the feet has fewer oil glands to keep them hydrated, so its no wonder that trying to keep them soft and smooth can be rough going. That goes double if you suffer from hard, dry, cracked heels.
Dry, cold weather, standing for long periods, walking a lot, wearing shoes that are too tight and using harsh soaps can contribute to dry, cracked feet and heels. But so can skin conditions such as athletes foot, eczema and psoriasis. Diabetes can also cause changes in the feet that lead to dry, cracked foot skin.
For many people, the following six home remedies can help turn the skin on the feet from rough, dry and uncomfortable to smooth, hydrated and soft.
How Is Dry Skin Diagnosed
Dry skin can be easy to diagnose by its appearance. Your healthcare provider will diagnose dry skin after a complete medical history, a physical exam and learning more about your symptoms.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your healthcare provider may order tests to check for health conditions that cause dry skin, such as:
- Allergy test to identify substances that cause allergic reactions.
- Blood tests to check for problems like diabetes or kidney disease.
- A skin biopsy or tissue sample to test for eczema or other skin conditions.
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What Can I Expect If I Have Dry Skin
Most people can successfully treat dry skin by using a daily moisturizer and taking proactive steps like minimizing exposure to hot temperatures and other irritants. Its a good idea to take care of dry skin for your overall health. Rough, dry skin can feel uncomfortable and if your skin gets too dry, it can crack and break open, which makes you more prone to infection.
Replace Booze With Cool Clear Water
A good goal: drink more water. Research in 2015 in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology found that adding 2 liters of water to your daily diet for a month may improve skin hydration, especially if you typically dont glug enough H20. If you find it challenging to drink enough water, a snazzy steel bottle that keeps it super cold for hours might help. This one comes with a wide mouth, so you can ice up your drinks with ease.
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Expert Tips For Avoiding A Dry
There are other steps you can take to protect your skin and help keep it from drying out.
Additional reporting by Diana Rodriguez and Laura McArdle.
Go For A Nourishing Lotion
Using a nourishing and hydrating lotion after exfoliating is key. Ciraldo suggests using the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. “CeraVe Cream is loaded with ceramides, the healthy skin oils that work to give us good barrier function, meaning they trap moisture into damp skin,” she adds. “This product leaves a silky feel and increases skin luminosity in just one use. If you apply it in the morning, there is a good chance your skin will look lustrous until evening.” Sign us up!
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What Causes Dry Skin
A lack of moisture within the layers of your skin causes dry skin. Factors that cause dry skin include:
- Age: As you age, your skins moisture-producing oil glands dry up. This causes the fat and collagen in your skin to also dry up, which leads to thinning skin. This is a natural part of your bodys aging process.
- Climate: The temperature of your environment can affect your skins hydration. Climates that lack humidity like desert-like climates or cold climates where theres heavy wind cause dry skin. Dry skin is often worse during the winter, but dry skin can occur year-round.
- Health conditions and genetics: You could be more at risk of getting dry skin if youre born with genes that make you more prone to it or you have a health condition that causes dry skin as a symptom. Some conditions that lead to dry skin include allergies, eczema, diabetes and kidney disease.
- Occupations: Certain professions can lead to dry skin, especially if you work outdoors, with chemicals or wash your hands frequently. Some professions that make you more likely to develop dry skin include healthcare providers, hairstylists and farmers.
Whip Up An Olive Oil Cleanser To Soothe Dry Skin
A great natural oil to use is olive oil, which works as a natural cleanser and moisturizer, says Brandy Crompton, a licensed aesthetician and former manager of LeBliss Salon and Spa in Louisville, Kentucky. “Just rub the oil into your skin and drape a warm, damp cloth over your face until it cools,” Crompton says, “then wipe away the excess oil.” Olive oil is a good choice as a cleanser because it won’t strip your skins natural oils, but it will clean your skin, she adds.
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What Causes Dry Skin On Legs
Dry skin occurs when the top layer of the skin is not able to keep enough water in. Our skin utilizes our bodys natural oil as a barrier to lock in moisture. Several factors can cause the skin on your legs to dry, ranging from allergens, environment, or medical conditions.
The following list reviews the most common causes of dry skin on the legs:
Why Is Your Skin So Dry
Dry skin happens to the best of us. There are many reasons why people get dry skin, says Alexander Dane, DO, of Affiliated Dermatologists & Dermatologic Surgeons, PA, in Morristown, New Jersey. Some people can inherit conditions genetically where they have a tendency to have dry, cracked skin. Others develop skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, which arent necessarily inherited, but theyre acquired, he says.
Dry skin can affect your appearance and your quality of life, including making it tough to concentrate at work and at home. These home remedies for dry, itchy skin might be just what you need. Of course, Dr. Dane reminds us that sometimes dry skin can be too severe for home remedies to work, and thats when its time to see your dermatologist. If you do have dry skin, heres how to start a healthy skincare routine.
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Simple And Inexpensive Ways To Moisturize Itchy Dry Skin
Dry skin occurs when skin doesn’t retain sufficient moisture. This can happen as a result of frequent bathing, use of harsh soaps, aging, or certain medical conditions. And for those in colder climates, it can stem from cold, dry winter air.
During winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, you may suffer from red, rough, raw, and itchy skin. This is because cold winter air means low humidity, both outdoors and indoors. The water content of the epidermis tends to reflect the level of humidity around it. Fortunately, there are many simple and inexpensive things you can do to relieve winter dry skin, also known as winter itch or winter xerosis.
Even if you live in a part of the world where cold winter air is not currently or ever a concern, most people will need to manage dry skin at some point. These tips for keeping skin soft and healthy can help all who battle dry skin, from chilly New England to balmy Hawaii and beyond.