A Dry Legs Skincare Routine to Leave You Dreamy Smooth

Shorts, skirts, and dresses look sooo much better when your legs glow. But how to get them glowy? It all begins with hydration. Dry skin doesn’t reflect light well, which is why it’s prone to looking dull. The best way to alleviate dullness is by injecting some moisture into your dry legs.

Luckily, it’s easy to do. With a handful of skincare products, you can get your legs glowing in no time. In fact, some of these body care products work instantly. But to get the glowiest legs of your life, it’s best to follow this skincare routine and add all products in.

Want your legs to look smooth, soft, and radiant? Here’s a dry legs routine you need to take with you in and out of the shower tonight. Psstt..we haven’t included any shaving products in this routine as we believe hair removal is a personal choice. Whether you keep or remove your leg hair, it’s still possible to get them glowing with this routine.

#1: Exfoliate Your Legs

First things first: exfoliation. Like everywhere on the body, the legs accumulate a buildup of dead skin cells that cause skin to look dull and dry. These dead cells need to be buffed away for two reasons. First, to instantly reveal fresher, brighter skin. And second, to allow other products like your serums and body lotions to penetrate deeper into the skin — and ultimately work harder.

One of the quickest ways to brighten up your legs and improve skin texture is with exfoliation. To do it, look for a gentle body scrub infused with nourishing ingredients to buff away dullness and dryness without dehydrating the skin.

Our favorite is Rainbow’s Exfoliate Body Scrub. It’s made with glycolic acid and mango which work in tandem to shed dead skin, minimize pigmentation, and leave skin feeling and looking softer, smoother, and brighter. For best results, use 2-3 times per week. Make sure you spend a few minutes massaging it into those dry areas to lift dead cells and smooth out your skin. It can also be used for prepping for shaving and self-tanning.

#2: Apply a Leg Mask

Now that your legs are prepped for maximum product absorption, go in with a hydrating leg mask to drench skin in long-lasting moisture. It doesn’t need to be a leg mask, per se. A hydrating face or body mask will work just as well. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, itchiness, dullness, or flaking, a moisture-sealing mask can work wonders for making your skin look and feel better.

Our favorite is Rainbow’s Hydrate Mask. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to deeply hydrate skin, plump out fine lines and dimples, and soothe irritation. Best of all, it’s suitable for all skin types thanks to its cooling formula. Even the most sensitive skin can enjoy calmer skin after using this mask. For best results, let it sit on the skin for 15-20 minutes before rinsing.

#3: Slather on a Brightening Serum

Of course, one of the quickest ways to brighten up your legs is by slathering them in a skin brightening treatment. A skin brightening treatment typically works by exfoliating the skin or using glow-inducing ingredients like vitamin C or vitamin E to boost your radiance. Try making sure you’re brightening formula contains other nourishing ingredients so that you don’t lose any moisture. Some of the best ones include coconut oil, squalane, jojoba oil, shea butter, and ceramides.

Our favorite is Rainbow’s Smooth Serum. It’s powered by vitamin C and vegan collagen which join forces to even out skin tone, hydrate, and add some radiance to your skin. It also contains aloe and glycerin to soothe and lock in moisture. While it’s technically an anti-aging serum, this formula boasts powerful brightening effects. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that illuminates skin while fighting free radicals that contribute to premature aging. For best results, use daily. Let it fully absorb before moving on to the next step.

#4: Moisturize Your Legs

The final step in your leg care routine: hydration! To lock in all those active ingredients and keep your skin silky smooth all day, slather on a moisturizing cream or body butter. You should also moisturize after showering to replenish lost moisture and maintain healthy skin. Make sure you’re using a gentle, hydrating body wash and follow up with body cream or oil. You should also do this after shaving to soothe razor burn, prevent ingrowns, and strengthen the skin barrier.

Our favorite is Rainbow’s Hydrate Body Butter. It’s basically leg TLC in a tub! Made with shea butter, vanilla, and coconut, this restorative butter ups moisture retention and softens skin for your smoothest, glowiest legs. You’ve probably seen it already on TikTok...and it’s just as good as people say. For best results, apply as the last step in your routine and let it absorb before getting dressed. When applying in the morning or day time, complete your routine with SPF to protect skin from the sun — and thus, drying out more.

WHEN TO SEE A DERMATOLOGIST

If you’ve got severely dry legs or a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, speak to a dermatologist before starting a new routine or trying new products. They may be able to suggest or prescribe a body cleanser, body oil, or body cream to treat your skin concerns.

In the meantime, avoid using body care products that contain potentially harsh ingredients such as retinol and salicylic acid. While these are great for treating wrinkles and breakouts, they can be too harsh for dry skin types or those dealing with skin conditions. If you want to exfoliate your skin, the best ingredients are sugar, lactic acid, and glycolic acid. You’ll find these ingredients in foaming face washes, eye creams, serums, and other products. Always look for sulfate and fragrance-free products, too.

Next time your legs feel a little dry and depleted, try this 4-step leg skincare routine to leave them brighter, smoother, and skirt-ready.