Cracked Heels? Chicken Skin? Here's the Skincare Mantra for Your Arms & Legs

We are all guilty of neglecting our body when it comes to skincare because the primary focus has always been our face. We are also guilty of using the same products on the rest of our body that we use for facial skin. Reason? We think the skin is almost of the same texture and thickness everywhere.

Yes, our face is the most noticeable part and so it gets more attention and pampering. We look at ourselves in the mirror, note how are facial skin health is and then look for remedies accordingly. We’d change our food habits, add new supplements and even look for alternative products for better results. But we rarely pause to observe the skin below our neck and end up ignoring spots or other issues that may have sprouted.

When summer hits and the flowy dresses, cut sleeve tops and swimwear come out, that’s when we think of our arms and legs that will be regularly exposed to the sun. Because we want them to be smooth and silky, we’d shave and moisturise after a cool shower but that’s about it. When you start feeling the chill in the air and bundle up in multiple layers of clothing, we again end up ignoring our body’s skincare needs. Slapping some moisturiser on your arms and legs every day is not enough to keep the skin supple. They need a proper skincare routine too.

Here are a few tips to incorporate in your beauty regimen for beautiful arms and legs.

FOR VELVETY LEGS

First, take a note of the fact that the epidermis thickness on your face is thinner than the rest of your body. Your face has a large number of pores and the toxins are released in the form of pimples, blackheads, blemishes etc. which can be treated. Breakouts may not very common for other parts of your body but if they do pop up, they are difficult to treat. Your soles have the thickest skin and are more susceptible to dryness and cracks that will take more care and time to heal.

Exfoliate your legs regularly if you want smooth and glistening skin. We ensure that we scrub our faces at least twice or thrice a week but don’t act on removing dead cells from the outermost layer from the rest of our body. You can buy a body scrub (that suits your skin type) and use exfoliating gloves to gently massage or scrub your legs. You can make your own using granulated brown sugar, coconut oil and add a few drops of essential oil like lemon or tea tree. Mix the ingredients and scrub your legs in a circular motion. Rinse after a few minutes. Make sure to soak your legs in water before exfoliating them so that the pores open up. You may also opt for chemical exfoliators like a mild salicylic acid peel but make sure to do a patch test to see if it suits your skin.
You need a pre-shave ritual because simply wetting your legs and using a razor will leave your skin irritated and itchy. Start by steaming your legs first by stepping into a warm shower for a few minutes that’ll help open your pores and soften the skin. Go slow when shaving your ankles and shins or you’ll end up with cuts.
Don’t forget your knees which can get extremely dry and also sag as you age. Exfoliate your knees regularly and moisturise generously every day. The thicker the cream, the better.
Load up on rich creams because your legs will be drier compared to your facial skin. Compared to your facial skin, there are less sebaceous glands on the rest of your body excreting oil. Choose a moisturiser which is rich in hyaluronic acid that’ll keep your legs hydrated and soft. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your legs if they’ll be exposed to the sun.
Your heels have almost no oil glands and get easily cracked which can be painful. Though it’s great to indulge in a pedicure session at your local salon, you can pamper your feet at home as well. Soak them in lukewarm, soapy water for at least 15 minutes and then scrub the heels using a pumice stone or foot scrubber to get rid of the dead skin. After patting it dry, apply a moisturiser and then a layer of petroleum jelly. Wear socks to lock in the moisture.

FOR SMOOTH ARMS

The most common skin condition that erupts on the arms are these small reddish bumps called Keratosis Pilaris or ‘chicken skin’. Though harmless, this condition can make your skin itchy and cause a bit of swelling especially for people with dry skin. When the skin overproduces keratin (a type of protein that protects the skin from infections) it forms plugs that block the hair follicles. It may get aggravated during winters because of low moisture. For this, you must gently exfoliate your skin using a mild scrub or chemical exfoliant. Use lukewarm water to rinse and then moisturise using a thick cream which is fragrance-free. You can also use a humidifier to help the skin soak up some moisture. Include more foods rich in Omega-3 fat like salmon, flaxseed, tuna, etc. in your diet to keep your skin nourished.

The skin on your arms is to be protected from UVA and UVB rays so don’t forget to massage them with a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF before you step outside. Whether you have ‘chicken skin’ or not, non-abrasive exfoliation will always help keep your arm skin fresh and radiant. Always keep your moisturiser handy and apply at least twice or thrice a day.

Before picking products or creating a DIY skincare routine for yourself, it is advised to consult with your dermatologist especially if you suffer from skin ailments.