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DEXERYL supports you and take care of your dry skin each day
Find out how to treat and prevent dry skin on the legs with our expert advice. Moisturize and care for soft skin.
Summary
Legs are particularly susceptible to skin dryness because they contain fewer sebaceous glands than other body areas, such as the face or hands. Moreover, they often receive less attention regarding appropriate moisturising care and are subject to irritation from repeated rubbing by clothes and physical activity, leading to flaking and a scaly skin appearance.
The skin's lipid barrier, comprised of sebaceous lipids, sweat and keratinocyte residues, is crucial in defending against environmental aggression. Many environmental factors can compromise this barrier and exacerbate skin dryness on the legs. Frequent showers or baths in hot water and harsh alkaline soaps can damage the skin's lipid barrier, leading to moisture loss. Exposure to cold climates, low humidity, dry indoor heating, air conditioning and intense sunlight can also contribute to dry legs.
The metabolism of filaggrin, a protein fundamental to skin hydration and barrier function, and the intercellular lipid composition of the skin depend on genetic factors and vary with age. Dry skin is more common in older people because the sebaceous glands that produce sebum and the sweat glands are less active.
Many inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, can cause symptoms in the legs. Infectious conditions such as scabies and bacterial or fungal infections can also lead to dry skin.
Other conditions can cause dry skin:
Xerosis of the skin on the legs manifests through various symptoms that significantly impair quality of life. Subjective symptoms include feelings of tightness, itching, and sometimes pain or burning. Objectively, the skin appears dry, rough and scaly, often with a greyish tinge. Signs visible on physical examination also include reduced skin elasticity, wrinkles, redness and cracks.
Dry skin on the legs can become scaly, commonly known as "crocodile skin."
Establishing a suitable skincare routine is crucial to properly hydrating the often drier skin on the legs. This routine should include daily moisturising products combining hydrophilic components such as glycerol or urea, which act as humectants or natural moisturising factors, with lipophilic components such as petroleum jelly, which form a protective lipid film on the skin.
Regularity and perseverance are essential; use a moisturising cream morning and night to keep the skin hydrated continuously. Choose formulas specifically adapted to the needs of your legs, especially during periods of intense dryness. Finally, opt for richer moisturisers in winter to boost protection against the cold and keep the skin hydrated.
Dermatologists recommend choosing moisturisers that combine hydrophilic and lipophilic ingredients. Hydrophilic agents such as glycerol or urea are particularly beneficial for attracting water and retaining moisture in the stratum corneum, acting effectively as natural moisturisers or humectants. These components help to reduce trans-epidermal water loss and significantly improve skin hydration.
On the lipophilic side, ingredients like vaseline and nourishing oils such as argan, sweet almond, and coconut oil play a dual role. They form a protective lipid film on the skin's surface, preventing water evaporation while helping to restore the intercellular lipid matrix. Vaseline is renowned for its proven effectiveness as an occlusive, creating a barrier that retains skin moisture and facilitates lipid barrier repair.
The drier the skin, the more lipid-rich the moisturiser should be. Water-rich formulations can provide relief for inflammatory symptoms or severe itching. Soothing ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal may benefit skin prone to redness or itching.
To effectively combat dry skin on the legs, avoid hot, prolonged showers and baths in favour of a short washing routine using lukewarm water. Use gentle, soap-free cleansers, and apply a nourishing moisturiser while your skin is still damp to lock in moisture. Choose comfortable clothes that are not too tight, opt for non-irritating fabrics such as cotton rather than wool or synthetics, and use a home humidifier to maintain a good humidity level. Avoid overheating your home or staying too close to heat sources such as fireplaces.
Regular physical activity stimulates blood circulation, promoting cell renewal and skin hydration. After exercise, apply your usual cleansing and moisturising routine⁵.
Skin hydration starts within: drink enough water throughout the day⁶. Eat a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids to strengthen the skin's lipid barrier⁷. Dermatologists also advise avoiding potentially irritating foods (citrus fruits, spicy foods) and excessive consumption of hot drinks and alcohol.
Consult a dermatologist for dry skin on the legs if:
DEXERYL Emollient Cream moisturises and protects your legs from scaly skin thanks to its unique fragrance- and paraben-free composition:
- Glycerol draws water to the epidermis for long-lasting relief from skin dryness.
- Vaseline and paraffin form a protective film on the skin of the legs, repairing the lipid barrier.
Choose DEXERYL moisturising cream to care for dry skin on the legs.
References
1. Augustin M and al. Diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis - a position paper. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2019 Nov;17 Suppl 7:3-33.
2. Gade A, Matin T, Rubenstein R. Xeroderma. 2023 Oct 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–.
3. Piérard-Franchimont C, Petit L, Piérard GE. Skin surface patterns of xerotic legs: the flexural and accretive types. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2001 Apr;23(2):121-6.
4. Kim S and al. A consistent skin care regimen leads to objective and subjective improvements in dry human skin: investigator-blinded randomized clinical trial. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 Feb;33(1):300-305.
5. Oizumi R, Sugimoto Y, Aibara H. Effects of regular exercise on skin moisturizing function in adults. Dermatol Reports. 2023 May 18;15(4):9711.
6. Palma L and al. Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015 Aug 3;8:413-21.
7. Parke MA and al. Diet and Skin Barrier: The Role of Dietary Interventions on Skin Barrier Function. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021 Jan 29;11(1):e2021132.