Put an end to itchy legs in winter! This really helps against dry shins and these mistakes you should avoid.
We've all been there: when you take off your pants or stockings, your legs are covered in dust. Especially in autumn and winter, this can really spoil our fun.
Because dry skin on the legs is not only unsightly to look at. Dry shins can itch like hell.
The urge to scratch is often difficult to resist. After a few times of rubbing the other leg or the edge of the table, you finally give up.
Scratching dry shins sounds like a wonderful idea at first. It does sooooo good. At least for a short time. A little later, the thin and sensitive skin begins to bleed or ooze.
We can say goodbye to dresses, skirts and the like for the time being. We squeeze ourselves back into jeans. But dry shins itch even in pants.
That the skin is prone to dryness at this point is quite normal. But fortunately there are a few good ways to break out of this vicious circle.
Table of contents
Why are my legs so dry?
The cause of dry shins are low temperatures and dry weather. Dry heating air, long and hot showers or baths also play a role. The fact that your legs are so dry can also be attributed to a wrong care routine with too aggressive lotions, shower gels and co.
Tight-fitting pants and pantyhose rub against the skin of the legs, exposing them to many mechanical irritants.
In addition, razors and shaving gels cause flaky skin on the legs. Shaving foam and shaving gel in particular often contain alcohol, which dries out the skin.
The most common causes of scaly skin on the legs:
- Dry, cold air
- Tight fitting clothes
- Hot water when showering or bathing
- Aggressive care products
- Frequent shaving
- Chlorinated water
- Unbalanced diet
- In summer: strong sunlight
Extremely dry skin
Dry skin areas occur more frequently with age. Young skin is plump, elastic and well supplied with blood. Older skin loses elasticity and moisture because the elastic and collagen fibers in the deep-lying connective tissue are broken down. Therefore, mature skin is more cracked, sensitive and thinner.
In addition, the skin's ability to store water decreases. The fat content of the skin decreases further and the activity of the sebaceous and sweat glands decreases. The result: mature skin becomes scaly even more quickly on the shins.
Why are my shins so itchy?
We have particularly few sebaceous glands and fat pads on our shins. On the rest of the body, sebum ensures that our skin is supplied with sufficient moisture. At temperatures below 8 degrees Celsius, the blood vessels contract. As a result, the sebaceous glands in the skin are no longer supplied with sufficient moisture.
In winter, we additionally sweat less, which imbalances the balance of water and fats on the skin.
The glands cut back on sebum production. The result: very dry skin on the legs and arms. And especially itchy shins, because the skin is particularly thin here.
In addition, the protective fat coat that provides skin protection on the rest of our body is missing. The missing fat pads cannot shield our skin against the cold.
But genetic predisposition can also be a reason for dry, itchy legs.
What is the body missing when the skin is very dry?
Have you already tried a lot, but little has helped? Cracked, dry skin, itching and a feeling of tension can be an indication of a zinc deficiency. Have this clarified with a blood test.
Put rye and wheat sprouts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, fish, oatmeal and lentils on a diet - they are packed with zinc.
DIY lavender scrub with coconut for dry skin
What helps against dry shins?
Avoid skin care products that contain alcohol. It has an additional drying effect. Use products with water-binding ingredients such as urea or lactic acid - they ensure that the skin retains moisture. There are, of course, a number of home remedies and tips to combat dry skin on the legs, such as Coconut oil* or olive oil on damp skin.
But let's look at it in detail now.
1. do not let the skin cool
The colder it is, the more susceptible our skin becomes to dryness. We can't turn off the cold. But we can dress better. On the legs, the skin is very sensitive.
Keep warm is the motto. We don't usually feel it on our shins. But they can also get really cold.
A warm pair of tights during a walk is not only good for you, but also for your legs. Or how about stylish cuffs when it's really cold outside?
Your dry skin will thank you if you stop by here: "The best care tips for skin and hair in winter„.
2. use moisturizers
Gauntlets, tights and co are great helpers, but not the panacea. Even if we wrap ourselves up tightly, the body needs a large amount of moisture.
Many normal body lotions are not enough for this.
If often has dry shins, which must find other ways and means. More precisely, fat-rich body butter.
Shea butter*mango butter and co. are a blessing for dry legs!
Creams with very high water content are exactly the wrong thing for your dry legs. The skin can not store water in the dry heating air and low temperatures. This weakens the skin barrier even more.
Creams with linoleic acid soothe irritated skin and restore its softness. Likewise, products with glycerin, panthenol, aloe vera, vitamin E and urea are now a very good choice.
Try these DIY body lotion with extra moisturizing cocoa butter.
3. olive oil against dry legs
If you don't have body butter on hand, just head to the kitchen and grab an olive oil.
Apply the olive oil directly after showering. Even before drying off. Leave it on for a short time and then gently dab it off with kitchen paper. Do not rub!
10 minutes after that you can get dressed, the skin is now very supple and soft.
Alternatively you can also Coconut oil* use.
4. change the shower gel
Many shower gels additionally dry out the skin. This is also the reason why dermatologists advise against showering every day. This destroys the natural skin barrier because it degreases the skin. Your skin dries out even more.
If the skin on your legs is already dry as dust and you use a shower gel that dries it out even more - you're in for a treat. Itchy shins and arms will be the result.
Use a mild shower gel that is specially made for dry skin. And make sure that it does not contain alcohol.
5. drink a lot when you have itchy shins
Yes, in winter we all have quite little thirst. Still, your body needs plenty of water to function properly.
Drink at least 2 liters of water a day for the sake of your skin. This makes you more active overall and there is still enough moisture left over for your skin.
Dry skin is very often a sign that we do not drink enough. Our body wants to tell us something through itchy shins. Namely: Drink a little more!
6. linseed oil capsules for extremely dry skin
For whom all the tips against itchy shins and arms do not help, you can start with Flaxseed* help.
More precisely, linseed oil capsules. They contain linolenic acid, which generally helps against dry skin.
7. avoid long hot baths
On cold days, there is nothing more pleasant than a warming bath. But unfortunately, the hot water draws additional moisture from the skin. So you're not doing your skin any favors.
If you still want to take a bath, make sure to use a nourishing bath additive and apply a good cream afterwards.
Do you struggle with very dry skin, then prefer a lukewarm shower to a hot bath!
8. mix a carrot mask
Did you know that carrots contain a lot of vitamin A and beta-carotene? Both have a very positive effect on dry skin. You support your body if you regularly include carrots in your diet.
You can also prepare a mask from carrots, which you apply on the shins. To do this, grate carrots very finely and mix them with Coconut oil* or olive oil. Apply the mixture to the legs and wrap cling film around the legs.
Leave the mixture on for at least 15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. And don't be alarmed: your skin may appear orange. But this will pass quickly, just do not rub.
How to make a DIY cream for dry legs?
If you've tried herbal oils, rich lotions, and many other tips and tricks, but haven't been able to achieve visible success, a homemade skin cream can help.
I have mixed this very rich cream myself and use it regularly. It contains no less than four ingredients that specifically help against dry skin on the splint legs and arms. Namely Shea butter*, Grape seed oil*wild rose oil and vitamin E.
Homemade cream for dry shins
Du benötigst
- 30 g Shea butter
- 10 g Beeswax
- 20 g Grape seed oil
- 15 g Wild Rose Oil Alternative: Argan oil
- 1 g Vitamin E
- 10 Drop Lavender oil
- 1-2 Knife tips Purple color Optional! I take an old eye shadow for this
Equipment
- Cooking pot
- Empty glass with large opening
- Hand mixer
Anleitung
- Melt the shea butter in a water bath. To do this, place a glass with a large opening in a pot. Fill the pot with water so that the glass is about 2 cm in the water. Bring the water to a boil and stir regularly.30 g shea butter
- When it has dissolved, add the wax beads. Take the pot off the stove.10 g beeswax
- Now stir in the grape seed oil.20 g grape seed oil
- Take the jar out of the pot and let the mix cool for 5 minutes.
- Stir in wild rose oil, vitamin E and lavender oil.15 g wild rose oil, 1 g vitamin E, 10 drops lavender oil
- Put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Take the cream out of the refrigerator, pour it into a bowl and whip it with a hand mixer.
- The color is added step by step. Attention: Do not take too much, otherwise your legs will be purple later :)1-2 knife tips purple color
- Set aside for another 20 minutes.
- Now like whipped cream with the hand mixer again properly whip. Done!
Notes
How to apply the cream correctly
Apply the ointment generously to the legs incl. feet after showering or simply in the evening. Put on fine cotton stockings and leave the body butter to soak in.
In the morning you will be rewarded with beautiful legs.
Why to do it this way? Our cream is pure in oils and fats. If you put cream on in the morning, you would have at least some of it on your clothes.
Dry shins need time to properly absorb the cream.
What other creams help?
If you don't feel like starting a DIY project, then of course you can buy a rich lotion. But beware: not all creams are suitable for dry skin. You need a very rich lotion.
Very good helpers are vegetable oils such as macadamia oil, evening primrose oil, Argan oil*, Grape seed oil* or olive oil.
If you have very stubborn dry legs and even cracks in the skin, it is best to have this clarified by a dermatologist. Very high-quality creams from the pharmacy are helpful here, which work specifically against inflammation and itching.
Witch hazel (witch hazel) is often used in these preparations, which also supports very dry skin areas and cares for chapped areas. In addition, it promotes wound healing and provides extra moisture and healthy fats.
Our conclusion
Dry shins can be well controlled with a few small measures. The most important thing is to drink and apply a lot of cream. Use creams that are particularly rich and made for dry legs. You can either mix them yourself or buy them.
Get well soon!
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