Dry, Itchy Pores and skin on Legs? Right here’s Why

It occurs to the perfect of us. Even for those who’re utterly dedicated to a hydrating face care routine, typically dry legs can catch you off guard.

In reality, one of the vital 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 for those who’re already a body-lotion loyalist, you may want to check out what different components of your each day routine may very well be counteracting your laborious work.

Let’s uncover why your legs is perhaps drier than standard and what you are able to do about it.

1. You’re washing with water that’s too scorching

As tempting as a scorching bathe or tub is perhaps, washing in water too excessive in temperature could make your pores and skin dry and itchy. Scorching water can strip the pores and skin of its pure oils and trigger irritation.

What you are able to do: Attempt your finest to take transient, heat showers. When you’re completed, 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 stability, and drying it out.

Why is the pH of your pores and skin necessary? Its pure degree is mildly acidic, normally between 4-5.5. This acidic pH influences your pores and skin’s pure barrier operate, 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 perpetrator, 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 fitting moisturizer

With so many various textures, consistencies, and formulations to select from, discovering a physique lotion that works effectively along with your pores and skin generally is a journey. Should you’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 substances 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 well-liked emollients that you just’ll discover inside hard-working physique lotions.

What you are able to do: After your tub or bathe, pat your pores and skin dry after which apply a superb moisturizer for dry pores and skin over your complete 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 may use an replace

Should you shave your legs, it may very well be one cause behind the discomfort. You could possibly be shaving too regularly, the flawed manner, or too rapidly – resulting in razor burn, AKA itchy, pink, infected pores and skin.

Listed below are some easy suggestions that will help you keep away from irritation:

• Use a shaving foam or gel to assist prepared the pores and skin
• Attempt to not dry shave or shave in chilly water – lukewarm or heat is healthier
• Don’t shave towards the pure path your hair grows
• Hold rinsing your blade as you shave
• Exchange your razor blade regularly
• After shaving, hydrate your pores and skin along with your physique lotion of selection

5. You aren’t ingesting sufficient water

The highest layer of your pores and skin is made up of round 30% water — contributing to its plumpness, elasticity, and resilience. Should you’re not ingesting sufficient water, then your pores and skin would possibly lack hydration too.

What you are able to do: After your tub or bathe, pat your pores and skin dry after which apply a superb moisturizer for dry pores and skin over your complete 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 situations generally is a reason for 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 provide a customized plan to fight dryness and irritation.

7. You’re growing old

As your pores and skin ages, it will get drier extra simply — changing into thinner and extra fragile. The pores and skin’s pure barrier operate additionally weakens because the years go by — which can lead to 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 older.

What you are able to do: Embrace it! Wholesome pores and skin is gorgeous pores and skin, irrespective of your years. Care to your pores and skin from head to toe with a each day routine that fits your wants and hold 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, Problem 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 Group

Our namesake embodies the spirit of embracing life and all its surprise. As wellness journalists, we discover subjects that invigorate the senses and hold curiosity alive. We consider that glowing pores and skin is the results of a wholesome physique and thoughts. Weaving magnificence with science, we goal to encourage you to stay younger at all ages.