How to stuck back on dry, scaly itchy legs

[Phunkychicken]

Obviously not literally but they are so dry and itchy and the moment, and really scaly/ashy looking.

I have been using nuxe oil but nowhere near enough, I have a crap skin barrier so think cream is better as it adds hydration in.

Bonus if unscented as most fragrance triggers migraines. Thanks

Dry brushing

Salt scrub

Plus moisturising

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula and Aveeno are both good for this - just slather it on twice a day. Maybe do that for a few days before exfoliating cos it sounds sore.

Aveeno is brilliant for this - I whack it on whenever I remember and my shins are SO much nicer for it...

Body Shop body butters are good for this, as long as there's a fragrance that doesn't bother you.

Nuxe oil makes my skin feel lovely but it's not very moisturising, this time of year I tend to use a cream before bed I'm currently using glossier body hero but any thick cream or body butter will do and the nuxe oil after the shower in the morning when my skin is damp. I also rate lush ceridwen's cauldron for baths.

https://www.lush.com/uk/en/p/ceridwens-cauldron-bath-oil

Cream (I use cerave) then vaseline on top - this has worked wonders for my shins

E45 cream, you can buy a big tub and use it while your skin is still damp after a shower/bath. It doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy either.
It’s cheap and more effective than anything else I’ve used- I’m 71 so, believe me, I’ve tried many!
It’s unscented too.

Second Aveeno. I’d use the straight Aveeno Cream to begin with (that’s its name) but they do an itch relief one, but I think Aveeno Cream is best for very dry skin.

Exfoliate weekly, otherwise the moisturiser is just sitting on top of dry skin cells and not sinking in to your skin.

I'm currently trying daily a heavy layer of nivea blue pump (easier to use than the tub), followed by some of the blue tub, followed by a vaseline type layer. I've always had dry skin, but I think my age now is a strong factor. I'm hoping this will reduce the dry, scaly look.

Body brush
Pre shower body oil
Mild shower gel or don't use on legs at all
Blue Aveeno

Salt scrub a couple of times a week

Is there a medical reason / diagnosis for the crap skin barrier? If so I’d suggest seeking advice from medical practitioners.

If not - have you looked to your

Diet?
Shower gels? Proper soap (not Dove) is much less irritating.
Laundry stuff?
Anything else in your environment that might be compromising your skin health?

If all those possible cause have been dealt with then, as pp have suggested, start with:

an exfoliating cloth in the shower.

handfuls of magnesium bath salts in the bath.

homemade body scrub - salt or sugar + oil + a few drops of your preferred essential oil - maybe once a week.

regular use of body oil. Any cream will be a partly unnatural product, you’ll have a much better long term outcome with oil. Experiment - olive oil is superb but try them all. This is my preferred source:

Baldwins carrier oils

Scroll through them all.

It will take a while for your legs to go from dry and flaky to reliably moisturised and smooth - but this is definitely the best route.

Don’t use a scrub to exfoliate - it just scratches at the surface and makes the skin layers flaky.
I have very dry legs but have now found that using Cerave cleanser with salycilic acid, followed by The Ordinary Body care with inulin has made a massive difference. I use a flannel in the shower with the Cerave. My legs are far smoother now.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CeraVe-SA-Smoothing-Cleanser-236ml/dp/B07W8H2X23/ref=asc_df_B07W8H2X23?mcid=90eb36def09d3700ba37d7a275eb5f08&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697192275042&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15130081068576506580&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046607&hvtargid=pla-803137115414&psc=1&gad_source=1
theordinary.com/en-gb/natural-moisturizing-factors-inulin-body-lotion-100668.html

Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, stinks, but you only need to use a couple of times a week, rub it on before bed, legs look way better in the morning.

I use Ren rose body oil which is lovely - really soaks in.

Aveeno - the blue one (Skin Relief, Moisturising Lotion). I find on my skin it has an accumulative effect if you use it regularly, unlike E45 which seems to wash off after each shower.

Thank you all! I have Ehlers-Danlos, have had/have melanoma and bcc and a strong history of atopy so my skin will never be better but there's loads here to try.

I've got loads of boots points to spend so will pop there later, and interesting about using chemical exfoliants. I have tried using scrubs but they sting and still yet I still flake.

I've tended to not wash arms/legs just let the residual soap do its thing but maybe I do need to more to get the old dead skin away.

I'll report back

Ameliorate- best products ever for this! Made the world of difference to my scaly legs! Not cheap, but worth every penny.

I also have dry legs and arms and use La roche posay or Avene. long established for sensitive skins and these 2 products are scent free. I only use a small amount, don't slather it on. The relief is instant. Do no exfoliate, especially with scrubs and brushes, these will lead to further dryness and irritation.

LA ROCHE POSAY
Lipikar Balm AP+M Moisturiser For Dry Skin 400ml
www.laroche-posay.co.uk/en_GB/lipikar-balm-apm-moisturiser-for-dry-skin-400ml/LRP_093.html

AVENE
XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream
https://www.avene.co.uk/p/xeracalm-a-d-lipid-replenishing-cream-3282770154580-b5405ca4

I have tried all kinds of body creams for this and honestly the best I have found is Nivea soft in the white tub
The key is consistency keep applying it every day and don't be afraid to slather it on thick before bed

Agree, the best one is the one that you can get into the habit of putting on every day so for you that may be one that dries quickly so you can get tights on immediately after or a really rich one as you can sit with it on for a while.

I have found the Alpha H Retinol reboot one marvellous, only need a little and can get dressed fairly immediately after.