Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Washing in a different way
• Part 2 of 3: Moisturizing the skin
• Part 3 of 3: Taking a whole-body approach
• Warnings
• Necessities

Dry skin on your legs is a dermatological problem called xerose cutis or asteatosis by dermatologists, but popularly known as winter legs. Usually this occurs in the winter months, when there is less moisture in the air. However, dry skin on the legs can happen to anyone and at any age. In extreme cases, this can even result in the skin cracking.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Washing in a different way

1. Shower less often. When you shower, you wash away a lot of the natural oils from your skin. Those natural fats not only keep your skin moist, but also protect your skin from damage, which can cause your skin to dry out even more. If you shower too often, you can remove more oil than your skin can replace, which can cause dry legs.
   • From now on, try to shower every other day or every third day. If you really need to take a shower in between, use colder water and soap only in areas where it is necessary (such as your armpits).
   • Taking a shower for too long can also often cause problems. Don't bathe more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time and no more than once a day.
2. Shower with warm water. The other part of your shower routine that removes a lot of the protective skin oil is the temperature of the bath water. Very hot water removes the oil and dries out the skin. It is better to use lukewarm water if you want to avoid irritated legs.
   • Most people don't have a water thermometer to use in the bath or shower, so how do you know what's too hot? Make use of the maxim that if you weren't keeping a baby under it, you shouldn't be keeping yourself under it either. Test the temperature on the most sensitive part of your skin (such as the inside of your wrist) and keep the water as cold as possible.
3. Take a warm oatmeal bath. Oatmeal baths can soothe your skin and help relieve itching. Mix 85 g of colloidal or ground oatmeal in a warm bath. Then let it soak for about 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water and then dry yourself.
   • You can find colloidal oatmeal at a drugstore or online.
   • If you want to make your own colloidal oatmeal, put regular oat flakes in a blender and grind them to a finer consistency.
4. Avoid harsh soaps. Soaps intended to degrease your skin or that have a poor pH balance can make sensitive skin even more sensitive. Look for a soap meant for sensitive skin or one with moisturizer.
   • One study notes that soaps from Dove, and especially Dove White and Dove Baby, are the most pH-balanced for sensitive skin.
5. Treat your skin with care. When you wash, it's a good idea to be gentle with your skin. Your skin is very sensitive and the skin on your legs is very thin and prone to problems. Be kind to your skin and prevent problems from returning.
   • Scrub your skin from time to time. Exfoliating the skin is good, but you should do it gently and not too often. Some baking soda or a washcloth should be more than enough to get rid of dead skin cells, while things like loofah and pumice stone can only make things worse.
   • If you shave your legs, use a clean razor and shave gently. Blunt razors can irritate the skin and make the problems worse, or even start.
6. Let your skin air dry or pat it dry. Always be very careful when you dry your skin after showering or bathing. Rubbing the skin vigorously with a towel can cause your skin to become too dry by irritating and removing too much oil. If possible, let yourself air dry, otherwise pat your skin dry with a soft clean towel.

Part 2 of 3: Moisturizing the skin

1. Apply moisturizer right after you shower. Immediately after you get out of the shower, apply at least a light layer of moisturizer. This will help replace oil that has been removed from bathing and will also aid in the loss of moisture absorbed during the wash.
   • If you don't have time to shower, but you want to moisturize your legs, wrap them in a warm, wet towel for 10 to 20 minutes. This will moisturize your skin and open the pores so that the moisturizer can soak in properly.
2. Try lanolin-based cream. Lanolin is one of the few products known to have a long-lasting effect on the skin. It is a natural product made from animal waxes with woolen coats, such as sheep, and specially intended for protecting the skin.
   • Apply the lanolin, such as Bag Balm, generously to your legs every day for a week. Once that week is over, you can switch to no more than a normal coat every 3-4 days.
   • You can also rub your legs in the evening and then wear old pajamas over them so that the product can absorb while sleeping.
3. Use oil. Baby oil, coconut oil, body oil: you name it. Any of these can be very helpful in restoring your skin. However, it is not always the best long-term solution. If you shave your legs, the oil can cause irritation and block hair follicles, causing hair to grow in. Hence, it is better not to rely on oil all the time. But just to help your skin heal while you work on making changes to your routine, or to protect the skin during the coldest days of winter, oil works great.
4. Avoid most other moisturizers. Many of the other moisturizers do very, very little for your skin. Many are no more than a slimy layer that actually does nothing else than sit on your skin. Look for ingredients that help the skin (humectans and emollients), and ignore the rest of the creams as they are just a waste of money.
   • Look for products with ingredients such as lactic acid, lactic acid, propylene glycol and urea.
   • One ingredient that you should really avoid is fragrance. Many fragrances are irritating to the skin, so you should avoid them.

Part 3 of 3: Taking a whole-body approach

1. Drink more water. When you don't drink enough water, your skin will be one of the first organs to suffer. A lack of moisture will quickly cause the skin to dry out, in addition to a number of other health problems. Drink plenty of water every day to protect your skin and the rest of your body.
   • How much differs per person. The recommended daily allowance of 8 glasses is only an approximation.
2. Protect your skin from the cold. When the air gets colder, moisture will naturally precipitate from the air, making it much drier than usual. When the air is dry, it draws moisture away from your skin (to regain some sort of balance). This is the reason why your skin is always much drier in the winter. Protect your skin from the cold by wearing warm clothes and applying moisturizer to prevent skin from drying out.
   • Protect your legs by wearing stockings or another thin layer under your pants in the winter. This helps to protect the skin, because denim is particularly bad at keeping the skin warm and protecting it.
3. Try to maintain the humidity level in your room. Dry, hot air will draw moisture away from the skin, so more moisture in the air will keep your skin from drying out. A small humidifier in your bedroom can make a huge difference, and keeping one in the other large rooms of your home can help too.
   • Just make sure you don't overdo it. Too much moisture can cause mold, which in turn has negative effects on health.
4. Avoid overexposure to the sun. The sun is very stressful for the skin. In addition to increasing the risk of skin cancer, it can also irritate and dry out the skin. When out in the sun, wear light but covering clothing, such as linen pants. If you can't or don't want to cover your skin with dust, you should at least put on sunscreen. Opt for a broad spectrum (UVA / UVB) sunscreen and make sure to apply it according to directions. SPF 15 should be more than enough to protect your skin.
5. Adjust your diet to get nutrients that are vital to your skin. You may know that you need vitamin C to prevent disease, or that your muscles need protein, but do you know what your skin needs to stay healthy? Your skin also needs specific nutrients to function optimally, so make sure your diet includes adequate amounts of the following three main ones: vitamin E, vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids.
   • Good sources of these nutrients include sardine, anchovy, salmon, almond or olive oil, carrots and kale.
   • You can also take supplements, although your body may not always absorb them as well as the nutrients naturally found in food.
6. Brush dry skin. Invest in a sheer bristle brush, but not one that is too harsh or it will hurt the skin. Continue to slowly brush your legs, back and front, being careful not to overdo it. Then rinse it off and use a good coconut, almond or grape seed oil afterwards. Lotions can make it worse, so don't use them. Your legs will no longer be powdery.
   • If you have skin problems, consult a doctor before brushing the dry skin.
7. See a doctor. If you've tried all of these techniques but find that you still have very dry skin, it may be a good idea to talk to a doctor. It is better to rule out that there is a medical problem. Dry skin is a symptom of some diseases, and in addition, certain medications can have the side effect of causing dry skin. It's important to visit your doctor to make sure your dry skin isn't the result of a medical or pharmaceutical problem.

Warnings

• If you start self-treating the dry skin on your legs, it should heal within 7 to 10 days. If the situation worsens or does not seem to be healing, see your doctor.

Necessities

• Moisturizing soap
• Cortisone ointment
• Lotions, ointments or baby oil