Why are my legs so dry??

[murphys]

My legs are just so dry, badly if I put a bit of pressure on the skin, it appears cracked. BUT, the rest of me is fine. I tried oils in bath, directly onto legs, but if I use anything oily, everywhere else turns oily (face goes all shiny and oily, and hair turns into an oil slick). So I have resorted to just rubbing on body lotion (tried expensive ones and cheap ones, no difference), and tried to shave less thinking it was maybe that. Nope, still the same, and I even bought the razor with the aloe strip on it to try.

I am not in UK, so it isn't a winter thing as it is mid summer here.

Anyone experienced this, what helped please if you have?

I get bit lizardy on my forearms, and my legs in winter, and find that a 40+ sunscreen is a superb moisturiser.

I have horribly dry legs in the winter. I find Neutrogena Comfort Balm really helps.

I’ve been wondering the same for a few months now. Then I read, a week or so ago, it’s a common peri menopausal symptom. Grrr, another bloody one . Course you might be a lot younger than me so might not explain it for you.

Do you shave/de-hair that part of your legs? It could be a reaction to whatever product you're using

As in, not the razor but the foam/cream

I think that it is something to do with estrogen (too much or little, I don't recall)

Try pure coconut oil - works a treat for my granny. Virgin, cold pressed is best for food-grade, but I don't think it matters for legs so long as nothing is added. You can buy it in boots, or next to the olive oil in the supermarket. Holland and barrett stocks as well

My leg are by far the driest part of my body. I use flexitol for feet and legs on them. Doesn't smell great, but put it on every day for three days and I swear you will see an improvement. I think it's the urea content.

I had this, especially after shaving, the only thing that helps is Aveeno cream!

Ah thanks everyone, wondered if it was just me.

common peri menopausal symptom Juda, oh no, this might be the reason, I am 47.

I just use soap (Lux) when I shave, as I found my legs itchy after using the foam, which was an Olay one supposed to turn your legs into one like a supermodel... er, it didn't.

I will look for Flexitol, the name rings a bell, but don't think we get Aveeno here.

Maursh, I tried coconut oil, but not sure why, anything oily put on another part of my body, causes me to get so oily everywhere else except where I need it.

Do you exfoliate them? If not try that daily/ every other day and follow with a body butter

Bubbles, no I don't, ooh thanks I will give that a try.

I have a tube of Clarins exfoliator that I use on the cellulite prone areas, never thought of doing the legs.

Could you have a thyroid problem? If my thyroid medicine is slightly out of whack my legs look like they have dandruff ( a pleasant thought for you all!) I don't get it on any other skin, just the legs

Do you shower or bath? If bather avoid too hot water.

My legs are really scaley/flakey at the moment.

I assumed it was diet is poor at present/winter tights/need more liquid & oils.

Are you hydrated enough? Exfoliator would help.

I've got a moisturizing mud body mask which I'm planning to use at some point, it comes with a natural sponge to wash it off.

It's just that I don't fancy sitting around with green legs for a while before I get in the shower so keep delaying it!

Judas, oh no, this might be the reason, I am 47. hmm
I know, crap isn’t it? All the symptoms slowly revealing themselves. I’m currently battling severe migraines on a daily basis. One sided and so tender I have to lay down pressing the right side of my head into a pillow for hours on end. GP even sent me for tests for giant cell arteritis as it is so bad. Thank goodness it wasn’t that but yet another peri symptom.

Soap will be drying to shave with, I use hair conditioner instead of shaving foam. It works for me

Try marula oil too. The ordinary has one that is £8. Very good.

Exfoliating gloves work well with a soap or shower gel so you don't run out of the clarins too quickly!

I have this, and the only thing that works is foot cream with urea in it. Also have lovely scaley patches on my knees and elbows.

Time of year doesn't help. Maybe wear tights under trousers to stop the wind getting to your legs and drying them out even more.
I second the recommendation to use foot cream or very rich creams for very dry parts of the body.

I have this too, I use Palmer's on it

Another vote for a urea cream, the eucerin moisturisers are brilliant, aveeno is also good but urea even better

Thanks all, well I did the exfoliating thing in the shower, didn't make too much difference really, I purposely didn't put cream on afterwards to see if they looked any better, but sadly not.

Right, I think urea is the answer for a try.

Or I just have to face the fact, I am getting old (sobs)

Not sure about thyroid, dare I Google the other symptoms, anything medical related on Google terrifies me.

I use the Palmers lotion, have a small bottle in the car for my hands. I am just not sure that I can walk around all day with it lathered on me smelling like a chocolate bar.....

Garnier hydrolock is a body moisturiser with urea in it, but a low urea content (5%). It rubs in much easier than those with a higher urea content. I would start with that and see what you think.