Cold outside, dry heated air inside, plus tights and long trousers: in winter, many people find the skin on their legs feels especially tight and itchy. Add shaving to the mix and red bumps and stinging are often not far behind. Here you'll find out why your legs in particular dry out so quickly in winter, what a simple care routine looks like, how to shave without razor burn and when dry or reddened skin should be checked by a doctor.
In short
The skin on your lower legs has few sebaceous glands and dries out quickly in winter because of the cold, dry heated air and hot showers. Keep showers short and lukewarm, moisturise your legs right after towelling off and shave with a sharp blade, plenty of shaving gel and in the direction of hair growth. If you like to care for your legs with a 2-step routine, The Signature Leg Duo, made up of a serum and a cream, is one option. For very dry or itchy skin, fragrance-free care is the gentler choice. If it itches a lot for no visible reason or doesn't get better, have it checked by a doctor.
In this article
01
Why the skin on your legs gets dry in winter
There are several reasons why your legs in particular feel rough and flaky in winter:
- Few sebaceous glands. On the lower legs especially, the skin produces very little of its own oil. Its protective film is thinner than on your face, for example.
- Cold and heated air. The air is cold outside and dry indoors. Both draw moisture from the skin.
- Long, hot showers. What feels especially good in winter strips oils from the skin. Frequent baths and very foamy shower gels make this worse.
- Clothing. Tights, wool and tight jeans rub against the skin all day long and irritate it even more.
- Shaving. Every shave also removes a thin layer of skin flakes. Afterwards, your skin is more sensitive.
02
A leg care routine in 5 steps
- 01Take a short, lukewarm shower. Five to ten minutes is enough. Use a mild body wash and only wash your legs briefly.
- 02Dry gently. Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing.
- 03Moisturise straight away. It's best to apply your care products while the skin is still slightly damp, within a few minutes of showering. Massage them in with upward strokes, starting at the ankles.
- 04Stick with it every day. Dry skin needs regular care, not just a thick layer every now and then. A set moment in the evening makes it easier.
- 05Be gentle on shaving days. Right after shaving, fragrance-free care feels more comfortable. Save scented products for when your skin has calmed down.
Our leg care from The House of Legs comes in two steps, and both products are scented: first the light LymphGlow Leg Serum, which absorbs quickly and feels fresh, then The Ultimate Leg Cream for skin that feels smooth and cared for. You can get both together as a set.
The House of Legs
The Signature Leg Duo
LymphGlow Leg Serum and The Ultimate Leg Cream: the 2-step routine for well-cared-for-looking legs.
More ways to tackle dry air: Air your rooms briefly and thoroughly several times a day instead of leaving windows tilted open all the time, and turn the heating down a little in the bedroom. Drinking enough is important, but it doesn't replace caring for your skin from the outside.
03
Shaving your legs without razor burn: 7 tips
- 01Shower first, then shave. After a few minutes under lukewarm water, your skin and hair are softer.
- 02Use shaving gel or shaving foam. Never shave dry. Shower gel is only a stopgap, too.
- 03A sharp blade. Blunt blades tug at the hairs and irritate the skin. Change them regularly.
- 04Shave in the direction of hair growth. Shaving against the grain gives a closer result but is more irritating.
- 05Don't go over the same spot again and again. One clean stroke is better than three with pressure.
- 06Rinse cool and pat dry. Finish by rinsing your skin with cooler water and pat it dry.
- 07Follow up with mild care. On freshly shaved skin, a mild, fragrance-free product feels more comfortable. If your skin stings, leave out scented products for now.
By the way, you don't need to shave as often in winter as in summer. Every break gives your skin time to recover.
04
Razor burn on your legs: what to do when your skin is irritated or itchy
Red bumps, stinging and itching after shaving are often called razor burn. The skin is irritated, and small spots can appear around the hair roots. Sometimes hairs also grow back into the skin, which is known as ingrown hairs. Here's what helps:
- Cool it down. A cool, damp cloth for a few minutes is soothing.
- Don't scratch. Scratching irritates the skin even more.
- Take a break from shaving. Only shave the area again once the redness has faded, usually after a few days.
- Loose clothing. Soft fabrics instead of tight jeans and scratchy wool directly on your skin.
- Mild, fragrance-free care. For example with panthenol or aloe vera. Our Ultimate Leg Cream and the LymphGlow Leg Serum contain fragrance. On freshly shaved or irritated skin, it's better to wait until it has calmed down before using them.
- Don't squeeze ingrown hairs. A gentle exfoliation a few days later can help the hairs find their way back to the surface. If the area becomes inflamed, have it looked at by a doctor.
05
When tights and thighs rub
Your thighs can rub together in winter too, for example under a dress and tights, in leggings during sport or on long walks around the Christmas market. Freshly shaved skin is more sensitive. An anti-chafing stick leaves an invisible protective film on your inner thighs so that skin glides more easily against skin and against fabric. Apply it to clean, dry, intact skin, not to open or weeping areas. If your skin stings right after shaving, wait until it has calmed down.
Peach scentSUMMERSAVER WomanFor dresses, tights and everyday wear.
No added fragranceSUMMERSAVER SensitiveFragrance-free, for sensitive skin, even after shaving.06
When should you see a doctor?
Have your skin checked by a doctor if
- it itches badly even though you moisturise regularly, or the itching keeps you awake at night,
- the skin cracks, weeps, bleeds or forms crusts,
- red, scaly or sharply defined patches appear,
- pus-filled bumps, painful lumps or a larger area of redness develop around the hair roots,
- your lower legs are permanently swollen or discoloured,
- you have diabetes and the skin on your legs or feet is dry, cracked or injured.
Seek medical advice immediately if one leg suddenly becomes swollen, warm and painful, or if redness spreads and you have a fever. Dry, itchy skin can also have other causes, such as skin conditions, metabolic disorders or medication. Only a doctor can determine this.
07 · FAQ
Frequently asked questions about leg care in winter
Which cream helps with dry skin on the legs?+
Good choices are care products that moisturise and keep the skin supple, for example with glycerin, urea or plant oils. Urea can sting on freshly shaved or cracked skin. More important than finding the one perfect product is moisturising every day after your shower. For very dry, cracked skin, ask a pharmacist for advice.
How often should I moisturise my legs?+
Ideally once a day, right after showering. For very dry skin in winter, morning and evening is fine too.
Should I shave my legs before or after showering?+
Ideally towards the end of your shower, when the warm water has softened your skin and hair. Then rinse with cool water, pat dry and apply mild care.
How long does razor burn last?+
Mild razor burn usually fades within two to three days if you don't shave the area again, don't scratch and care for it gently. Razor bumps and ingrown hairs can take longer. If it gets worse, or pus-filled bumps or lumps form, have it checked by a doctor.
Why do my legs itch after shaving?+
The blade irritates the skin and hair roots, and regrowing stubble can itch. A sharp blade, shaving gel, shaving in the direction of hair growth and mild, fragrance-free care afterwards help prevent it.
Can I use the LymphGlow Leg Serum and The Ultimate Leg Cream straight after shaving?+
Both contain fragrance. On freshly shaved skin that stings or is reddened, it's better to wait until it has calmed down. Once your skin is calm, you can use them as usual.
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