Help! Dry, scaly legs??

[allettamento]

Hello!

Just wondering if anyone has a miracle solution for scaly looking legs?

I moisturize everyday and I use Moroccon oil as well. I have tried other oils and different types of moisturizers and I just can't seem to get rid of the scaly look. It's not flaking at all. It literally just looks scaly and I absolutely hate it.

If I use lotion on it it doesn't look that bad but once it's been a few hours the scales come back.

[k617]

@allettamento I also suffer from scaly looking legs, pretty much no matter how much water I drink (I do minimum 2-3 litres per day), how moisturized I keep my legs, or how much I exfoliate my legs without scrubbing my skin bloody. I religiously put on body lotion (or at one time, body oil) all over - day and night, and everything is soft except my legs still have a scaly pattern. For me, it's a genetics thing--it runs on my mom's side of my family and both my sister and I inherited it. My legs look a bit scaly even when all of my other skin, hair and nails look beautiful from higher humidity climates.

The thing that I've found to help the most is actually a body lotion with AHA in it. There aren't many out there that I am aware of, but I have used up an entire large tube of Paula's Choice Skin Revealing10% AHA body lotion and it WORKS. The only reason I haven't repurchased is because the CAD sucks against the US and I have to pay shipping and international handling fees to buy from PC.

I used this lotion strictly on my legs and a tube lasts me awhile.

[jesscheems]

You might be dehydrated. Drink plenty of water. Try exfoliating and applying coconut oil. Hth!

[seaofcowards]

use a salux japanese beauty cloth. they're much better for exfoliating than a loofa, sugar/salt scrubs (though you can use a scrub with the salux if you need extra exfoliation), washcloth, etc.  you can find them at asian grocery stores, on ebay or amazon, etc.

i prefer using oils instead of lotion moisturizer as well as i find oils absorb better for me - i'm not personally a fan of coconut oil but i know a lot of people are.  i like nuxe huile prodigieuse dry oil the best, but it's expensive, so on most days i use neutrogena body oil light sesame. they both smell really nice and absorb quickly (best to use when your skin is still damp). 

[locsoflove]

I used to suffer from scaly skin too.  Here are some things that worked for me

1) drink water (1- 2 litres)  your skin will thank you

2) I use a body scrub in the shower.  My faves are the ones from Lush, very moisturizing and exfoliating.

3) I am addicted to the coconut body butter from the body shop. 

Sorry none of this is Sephora but they are staples for me and I get a lot of complements on my skin now.

[asmiebee]

Have u tried shea butter? Just pure shea butter.. not like in lotion form or anything.

I have similar issue. I usually use the steam room at the gym, then exfoliate and use shea butter. The steam and exfoliation is good for a month I feel.  I use shea butter every night though.

[itsjess92]

When I'm going to shave I use Soap and Glory Flake Away to exfoliate. Venus Moisturizing Shave Cream. Then Soap and Glory Clean on Me shower Gel. And I sometimes use the Nivea In Shower body lotion. I put on my lotion while my skin is still damp. that helps it soak it up good and leave your skin soft. Also try not to use hot water.

[Ellen34]

Have you considered not shaving your legs? I used to have this exact same problem and literally nothing helped, so I decided to stop shaving and see if I could stand it. Once I got past the prickly stages the hair was thin and soft (it gets worn down from putting on pants, etc) and the sun lightens the hair in the summer. It totally fixed my scaly dry skin on my legs because the hairs are able to actually distribute the natural oils and keep my skin naturally hydrated. 

[angelszenden]

I use Skinfix Cleansing Oil Wash, a lightly foaming oil based cleanser. It does leave your skin feeling a bit "slick" like you just put on lotion, but it will absorb quickly. A little goes a long way, and you can get this at Target, $14.99 for 12.5 oz.

In the winter when I am really dry, I double down with Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Calming Body Moisturizer. A little of this also goes a long way, and hydrates for the whole day. It's also great for razor burn, and skin irritation. 

[Anonymous]

Pure coconut oil after the shower. Slather it on heavy, wait about 5 minutes then use a towel to blot off any excess. It does wonders for me. 

[chlomorw]

Use shea butter as a moisturizer after exfoliating with a gentle but effective body scrub in the showerr!! Coconut oil works really well too!

[Tinacorgi]

Have you tried coconut oil? I would suggest you exfoliate your skin in shower and then apply a generous amount of coconut oil. Hope it helps:)

[malday]

Do you exfoliate at all? I often use a body scrub 2-3 times a week on my legs and arms, especially before I shave. You may want to try something like a shower oil instead of body wash too! As for shaving...I have to use a moisturizing shave gel or my legs get SUPER dry. I'm a fan of the Aveeno shave gels, but Target makes off brand versions of the same thing.

http://www.sephora.com/cleansing-softening-shower-oil-with-almond-oil-P107319

http://www.sephora.com/coco-rose-coconut-oil-body-polish-P400211

[MissPuff]

In-shower lotion! Game changer, especially in the winter. I use the Nivea in-shower nourishing cocoa butter and there's an immediate difference. It's a little weird lotioning your legs in the shower, then rinsing off, but my skin...so hydrated and so soft! An absolute necessity in the winter, works even better than my body oils.

Word of caution, definitely rinse off your bathtub/shower floor thoroughly after using this, the lotion is slick and no joke!

[greeneyedgirl107]

@allettamento Whenever I get razor burn, I use Neosporin.  Do you think that would help you?

[allettamento]

It's not razor burn, I always use a shaving cream or soap 🙂 I wonder if it would make a difference though? I'll have to give that a try too!!

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greeneyedgirl107 wrote:

@allettamento Whenever I get razor burn, I use Neosporin.  Do you think that would help you?

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[NotCrocker]

@allettamento It may be this time of year. I drink a ton (a serious amount) of water every day, and that's made a big difference in my skin feeling hydrated (legs as well). But also, with the hot weather, especially in a dry climate, you may find you need to lotion up more often to keep your skin hydrated. 

For really dry patches (or spots that get a lot of sun), I use aloe, let that dry and top with another lotion. I moisturize at night, before bed, and in the morning, especially after a shower. 

If it's persistent, it might be worth going to a dermatologist to see if anything else is going on.

[allettamento]

It tends to be all year round for me, but I'll definitely try aloe and upping my water consumption. 🙂

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NotCrocker wrote:

@allettamento It may be this time of year. I drink a ton (a serious amount) of water every day, and that's made a big difference in my skin feeling hydrated (legs as well). But also, with the hot weather, especially in a dry climate, you may find you need to lotion up more often to keep your skin hydrated. 

For really dry patches (or spots that get a lot of sun), I use aloe, let that dry and top with another lotion. I moisturize at night, before bed, and in the morning, especially after a shower. 

If it's persistent, it might be worth going to a dermatologist to see if anything else is going on.

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[fairlywell]

@allettamento Have you tried dry-brushing before you shower? It's a really nice way to exfoliate!

[allettamento]

No! What do I use...? Pumice stone? Or is that too harsh?

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fairlywell wrote:

@allettamento Have you tried dry-brushing before you shower? It's a really nice way to exfoliate!

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