We all hate that feeling. The feeling of dry, scaly, ashy legs that are uncomfortably tight and dry to just exist in, let alone to touch. If you’re struggling with dull, flaky, skin on your legs, it’s time to exfoliate – and introduce a regular exfoliating routine into your shower time.
Whether you’re yearning for smooth, ingrown-free, razor-commercial legs, you’re tired of flaking all over the place, or you’re preparing for hair removal or self-tanning and you want to make sure your legs are adequately prepped, we’ll help you exfoliate like a pro so you can achieve soft, smooth, radiant skin without irritation.
Leg Exfoliation Basics
Simply put, exfoliation is the process of removing the dead skin that, over time, builds up on the outer layer of your skin and causes dryness and flakiness. Exfoliating your legs removes dead skin cells, revealing soft, smooth, more radiant skin.
When it comes to exfoliating your legs, you have two main methods you can choose from: physical exfoliation and chemical exfoliation. Physical exfoliation is a manual exfoliation method that works by rubbing the skin with some sort of abrasive product. This may include body scrubs with small, rough granules, or gentle abrasive surfaces like exfoliating gloves. When rubbed on the skin, these manually buff away the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal the healthier, brighter skin beneath.
Chemical exfoliation involves using products that break down the bonds between skin cells. Enzymes, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as lactic acid and glycolic acid, and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid are all commonly used chemical exfoliants.
Both chemical and physical exfoliation do a great job at refreshing dry, dull skin. It is truly a matter of preference and figuring out what works best for your skin.
Exfoliating 1-3 times a week is typically just enough to remove dead skin buildup without irritating skin. If your skin is especially dry or sensitive, you may want to exfoliate your legs only every other week. Check the label for any product-specific recommendations.
How to Exfoliate Legs Before Shaving
Dead skin buildup can cause friction and clog up your razor blade when you shave. Exfoliating beforehand helps to buff and prepare the skin for hair removal and can help prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
In the shower, using warm water, use a chemical or physical exfoliant to lift hairs and remove dead skin cells, preparing the skin for a closer shave without causing irritation. Rinse the skin thoroughly before shaving as usual. We love using the Glow Glove for an effective and gentle pre-shave exfoliation experience.
Note that shaving is notorious for causing ingrown hairs and razor bumps that exfoliating alone can’t always get rid of. Choosing a permanent hair removal method like Lumi at-home IPL can help improve skin texture long-term.
Leg Hair Removal: Exfoliation Aftercare
You may have already known that exfoliating before shaving was a good idea… but you may not know that it’s just as important after shaving. Exfoliating a couple of days after you shave to remove dead skin buildup makes it easier for hairs to regrow – making it less likely to get irritating ingrown hairs.
We don’t recommend exfoliating any sooner after leg hair removal as this can irritate your skin.
Leg Exfoliation for Self-Tanning Prep
If you’re getting ready for a self-tanning sesh, exfoliating beforehand is CRUCIAL. Getting rid of that pesky dead skin will help you ensure an even, natural-looking, streak-free self-tan.
In this case, body scrubs and chemical exfoliants may not be the way to go – they typically include heavy oils that can prevent self-tanner from absorbing. Using an exfoliating glove or body brush to exfoliate in the shower before tanning is best. Be sure to pay extra attention to rough, hard-to-reach areas like knees and ankles. Then, don’t put any lotion, oils, or serums on before applying self-tanner (but still moisturize afterward!)
For best results, some recommend a heavy exfoliating session the day before self-tanning, followed by light, gentle exfoliating right before application.
Choosing the Right Exfoliation Products for Legs
Exfoliation gets a bad rap sometimes. Harsh chemical exfoliants or rough physical exfoliants can do more harm than good, drying out the skin or even breaking and irritating the skin. When it comes to your legs, we recommend choosing a gentle exfoliant that’s capable of covering a large surface area efficiently. We’d go with a salt or sugar scrub, a body brush with gentle bristles, or an exfoliating glove.
Especially if you have very dry or sensitive skin, avoid alcohol-based exfoliants or scrubs with large, harsh granules.
Always Moisturize After Exfoliating Your Legs
Exfoliation and moisturizing should always go hand in hand. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, but lotion locks in moisture and nourishes that newly-revealed skin. Doing BOTH is what helps you achieve that silky, dolphin-smooth leg feel! We recommend using a gentle, soothing moisturizer like Aloe Coco Body Lotion after exfoliating.
