Dry legs are distinguished by dehydrated, cracked skin on the legs that can be caused by numerous reasons but the most common reason is the lack of moisture in the skin. Dry skin on legs aren’t typically indicative of serious health conditions and can be prevented and treated with appropriate care.
What do dry legs indicate?
Although dry legs are not typically a cause for worry, if your dryness continues even after you’ve tried treatments, it is always recommended to consult your doctor. Chronic dryness may be indicative of underlying health issues like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or kidney disease.
Symptoms of dry legs
- Flakiness
- Rough texture
- Itchiness
- Loss of elasticity and tightness
- Dullness
- Peeling skin
- Pain or burning
- Cracks in the skin
Causes of dry & cracked legs
Contrary to what you might think, dry skin on legs isn’t just caused due to a lack of moisturization, there are many various factors that could be the reason for your dry skin on legs. Some of these factors are-
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Weather- Cold or dry weather with low levels of humidity can cause the skin to lose moisture and become dry.
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Age– As you get older, the sebaceous glands of skin become less active and produce lesser amounts of sebum, that keeps the skin hydrated and moisturized. That is why aged people are more likely to suffer from skin dryness.
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Harsh soaps- Harsh soaps or detergents contain potent chemicals that remove skin’s natural sebum, disturb skin’s pH level and are likely potential to irritate the skin, leaving it dry, dull and unhydrated.
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Hot water- Hot water damages the skin’s barrier function and leaves the skin lack of moisture and hydration.
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Skin conditions- Certain skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can lead to dry skin.
Tips to relieve dryness on legs
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Moisturise- Use a good moisturiser according to your skin type to treat dry legs. Always remember to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day, you can even go one step further and provide intensive care for your dry legs by slathering a moisturiser on and keeping your legs covered overnight. Use moisturisers with occlusive ingredients such as shea butter, mineral oil, jojoba oil, etc to prevent trans-epidermal water loss.
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Wear socks- Socks can help protect your feet from environmental factors and prevent the skin’s moisture loss.
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Consider using medication- Some skin conditions like eczema, etc can make the skin dry, it would be recommended to consider consulting a dermatologist to get a diagnosis and use specific medications to treat the dry skin. Your dermatologist may prescribe steroids, they may even suggest oral or injectable treatments for more severe cases.
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Exfoliate- Exfoliation is important to slough away dead skin cells. You can use AHAs or BHAs to gently exfoliate your skin. Lactic Acid is an AHA that’s best suited for those with dry skin as it’s mild and hydrates the skin while exfoliating.
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Use gentle soaps- Consider using gentle soaps with hydrating and soothing ingredients to prevent irritation which can aggravate dryness.
Remedies for dry legs in winters
It’s important to take care of your legs regardless of the season, but as humidity takes a nosedive, winters especially can wreak havoc on your dry skin. Here’s how you could provide some extra care for your mitts in winter.
- Use a good moisturizer like the Deconstruct NMF Hydrating Moisturiser, which consists of many moisturizing ingredients including oils to prevent dryness. Look for ingredients like Glycerin, Oats, Shea Butter and Vitamin E which will help provide your dry legs a much-required dose of hydration and nourishment.
- Certain environmental factors, especially the cold winds during winters can cause your leg’s skin to dry out. Try using socks and full-pants and protect your legs every time you step out.
- Consider adding oils to your skincare routine. Oils can prevent dryness by deeply moisturizing the skin and strengthening the skin barrier. Some oils also have many added benefits like anti-aging, soothing or anti-microbial properties which is just a little something extra your dry skin may need.
Anti-aging treatments for dry legs
If your face gets a whole skincare routine why shouldn’t your other parts of the body like legs? Here’s how you could show your dry legs some love and protect them from accelerated signs of aging-
- Use Aloe Vera to treat the dry skin of your legs. Aloe Vera is a gentle, soothing ingredient and studies have shown that it’s effective in getting rid of signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines by increasing collagen and hydrating the skin. This easily accessible ingredient, which most of us take for granted, can do wonders for your dry skin.
- As we mentioned before, making oils a part of your skincare routine could not only be beneficial in treating dry legs but can also help prevent signs of aging. You can go for oils like Rosehip, Ylang Ylang, Pomegranate, and Frankincense which may be helpful in restoring the skin.
- Consider using retinol to prevent signs of aging. Since retinol may have exfoliating properties, amp up on your moisturizer to prevent any excessive dryness. Try using a serum like Deconstruct Retinol and Peptide serum or even better, choose a retinol-based moisturizer to treat dryness and signs of aging in one go.
How to prevent dry legs?
- The easiest way to prevent dry skin on legs is by moisturizing the skin regularly. You may be tired of hearing this but just slathering on a bit of moisturizer every night before going to bed could actually be the solution to many of your skin woes.
- Use mild soaps to wash your legs and avoid using hot water and harsh chemicals. These can cause harm to your epidermal barrier and lead to chronic dryness.
- Consider using a humidifier if you live in dry or cold climates which can be especially drying for the skin.
- Most of us have a dedicated skincare routine for our faces (If you don’t you should! You can read our blogs about ideal skincare routines for your skin type) and you can prevent dry skin on legs by just including them in this routine. After applying any product on your face, apply any leftover products on your neck and hands. This could ensure healthy skin on your neck and hands.
- Opt for comfortable clothing with natural fabrics such as cotton and silk which are gentle and minimise the risk of irritation. These fabrics don’t restrict the skin and allow it to breathe efficiently.
Conclusion
Dealing with dry skin on legs can be quite an ordeal, especially if nothing seems to work. It’s important to hydrate the skin inside and out, drink plenty of water and use a moisturiser to treat and prevent dryness. Follow other precautions and you should be able to treat dryness in no time. In case your dryness doesn’t resolve even after following the precautions and taking care, consider consulting a dermatologist to diagnose any underlying condition which may be the cause for your dry legs.
FAQs
- Is legs dryness a chronic condition?
Typically dry legs resolve with proper moisturization, but in some cases, it could be indicative of some conditions such as eczema or psoriasis which may cause chronic dry skin on the legs.
- What is the best way to treat dry legs?
The best way to treat your dry legs is by determining the underlying cause and eliminating it. For example, if using harsh soaps is what’s causing your hands to become dry and cracked, switch to a milder soap. It also helps if you keep your legs moisturised. Consider using an oil or a hydrating moisturiser to prevent dryness throughout the day.
- What ingredients are good for dry legs?
Ingredients like Glycerin, Oats, Shea Butter, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and Vitamin E can be beneficial in treating dry hands. You can also add oils like Rosehip, Olive, Argan, and Frankincense oil to your skincare routine.
