Dry skin in the legs is a skin disease defined by dermatologists as xerosis or asteatosis, although it is commonly referred to as "winter itch". It is more common in the cold months, when the level of humidity in the air is lower. Dry skin in the legs can appear at any age, and to any person, turning the skin into a rough, cracked surface. In severe cases it can also cause skin wounds.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Changing Personal Hygiene Habits
Step 1. Change how often you shower
When you wash, you remove most of the natural oils that are on the surface of the skin. These not only deeply moisturize the skin, but also protect it from damage that can lead to more dryness. If you shower too often, it removes more oil than your skin can produce, making the skin on your legs dry.
- Try to shower every other day or every three days. In case you need to wash more often, use the coldest water you can tolerate and soap only the areas that need it (such as the armpits).
- Frequent or too long showers cause problems. Try not to wash for more than 10-15 minutes and no more than once a day.
Step 2. Use lukewarm water
Another factor that helps to eliminate the protective oil from the skin is the temperature of the water. Very hot water removes the sebum and dries the skin. You need to set the thermostat so that the shower is barely warm if you want to avoid irritating your legs.
Most people don't have a thermostat or thermometer to monitor their water, so how do you make sure it's not too hot? The general rule is that if you don't put a baby in the water at that temperature, then you shouldn't go in either. Test the water by touching it with sensitive points on your body (such as the inside of your wrist) and cool it until you find it tolerable in those areas
Step 3. Avoid harsh soaps
Soaps that have been created to remove oil or have a poor pH balance can make your dryness problem worse. Look for cleansers that are "for sensitive skin" or those that also have moisturizing agents.
A study revealed that Dove soaps, especially the one specifically for children, are among the most neutral for sensitive skin
Step 4. Be gentle with your skin
When proceeding with your personal hygiene routine, don't be too aggressive. The skin is very delicate and that of the legs is particularly thin and prone to problems. Treat her with care to help her heal and to prevent problems.
- Occasionally exfoliate the skin. This is beneficial for the skin, but you need to be as gentle as possible and do it with the right frequency. A baking soda paste or a towel is more than enough to remove the layer of dead cells, while the vegetable sponges and pumice stone proved to be too aggressive.
- Use a new razor and shave your legs gently if you have to. Used, dull razors can irritate the skin and worsen or trigger the problem of dryness.
Step 5. Air dry or pat dry
After your bath, you need to be gentle with drying yourself too. If you scrub vigorously with the towel, you make the skin too dry and irritate it as it removes most of its moisture. Let the air dry you and just gently pat dry with a soft towel.
Part 2 of 3: Moisturize the skin
Step 1. Apply a moisturizer immediately after showering
As soon as you're done washing, apply at least a layer of light moisturizer. In this way you partially replace the natural oils of the skin that you have eliminated with the bath and at the same time "blocks" the water absorbed by washing inside the skin.
If you don't have time to take a shower but want to moisturize your legs, wrap them in a warm, damp cloth for 10-20 minutes. This moistens the skin and opens the pores allowing the moisturizing lotion to be absorbed properly
Step 2. Try lanolin based creams
This is one of the few products recognized as long-lasting moisturizers for dry and irritated skin. Lanolin is of natural origin and is obtained from the wax that is generated during the processing of sheep's wool. Sheep's wool is designed by mother nature to protect the skin.
- Smear your legs with lanolin cream without worrying about overdoing it. Do this every day for a week. After seven days you can switch to a thinner layer, once every 3-4 days.
- You can also apply a generous layer in the evening, before going to sleep. Wear the pants of an old pajama to allow the product to penetrate your skin while you sleep.
Step 3. Use oils
They can be coconut, baby or whatever you prefer. All of them prove to be very useful in treating dry skin and help you bring your skin back to normal. However, they are not always the best solution in the long term. If you shave your legs, the oil may cause irritation and block the hair follicle, thus generating ingrown hair. For this reason, you shouldn't rely on oils for a long time, but you can use them to help your skin heal as you work to change your habits or to protect your skin on the coldest days of winter.
Step 4. Avoid most moisturizers
Many other products do very little for the skin. Most form a greasy layer on the skin. Check the ingredients and buy only those that contain elements that are healthy for the skin: humectants, emollients. Avoid all other creams, they are just a waste of money.
- You need to buy products that contain lactic acid, propylene glycol, and urea.
- What you absolutely must avoid are fragrances - most are irritating chemicals.
Part 3 of 3: Systemic Approach
Step 1. Drink more water
When you don't drink enough, your skin is one of the first organs to be affected. Dehydration quickly leads to dry skin, in addition to many other problems. Drink plenty of water every day to protect your skin and the rest of your body.
The quantity changes for each of us. The recommended dose is at least 1.5 l per day, but it must be adapted to various needs
Step 2. Protect yourself from the cold
When the air becomes cold, the humidity level drops, leaving an atmosphere drier than normal. This leads to a dryness of the skin (to achieve a kind of balance); this is why xerosis is more pronounced in winter. Protect yourself from the cold with warm clothes and moisturize your skin with a suitable product.
To protect your legs, wear tights or other similar items under your pants in cold weather. This allows the skin to stay safe (remember that jean fabric is a bad thermal insulator)
Step 3. Keep the house air at the right level of humidity
Dry, hot air draws moisture to your skin, so maintaining an acceptable humidity level in your home helps you fight dry legs. Put a small humidifier in the bedroom at night, and you can keep one in the main rooms of the house too, you will soon notice their beneficial effects.
However, make sure that the humidity is not excessive. You may find yourself facing mold, which generates health problems
Step 4. Don't expose yourself too much to the sun
Sunlight is very aggressive towards the skin. In addition to the risk of developing tumors, sun exposure irritates the skin and makes it dry. Wear light but opaque clothing when outdoors, such as linen pants. If you can't or don't want to protect yourself with clothes, at least smear some sunscreen. A broad spectrum (UVA / UVB) cream should be applied according to the instructions on the package. Use at least one product with SFP 15.
Step 5. Modify your diet to get all vital skin nutrients
You probably know that you need vitamin C to stay healthy and that your muscles need protein, but do you know what your skin needs to stay healthy? This organ also needs to receive specific nutrients to stay healthy, so be sure to consume foods rich in Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Good sources for obtaining these elements are sardines, anchovies, salmon, almonds, olive oil, carrots and cabbage.
- You can also take supplements, but your body doesn't absorb them as well as from natural food.
Step 6. Get a skin brush
Buy one that has pure bristles - but not so stiff that it damages the skin. Calmly brush your legs, front and back, being careful not to overdo it. Then take a shower and apply high-quality coconut oil, almond or grapeseed oil. Moisturizing lotions could make the problem worse, so try to avoid them. You will see that your legs will stop flaking.
If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before proceeding with this technique
Step 7. See a dermatologist
If all of these procedures have not led to the desired results, it may be a good idea to discuss them with a doctor. You have to rule out pathologies, dry skin is a symptom of some diseases and the side effect of some drugs. It is important to have a medical examination to make sure that dry skin is not the result of some health problem.
