Spring will be here soon and once again we’ll be able to show off a little leg in cropped pants, skirts, dresses, and eventually shorts! It’s time to start taking care of your legs and getting them ready for spring. No matter the season, it’s always important to take good care of your legs, but this is definitely the time to get them back into tip-top shape. Whether you’ve continued shaving through the winter or you’ve let your leg hair grow out like a hippie, your legs need some TLC. The cold, dry winter weather can cause all sorts of skin issues including cracked, dry, and scaly skin.
Are you looking to have silky smooth legs by Easter? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s everything you need to know to keep your gams looking gorgeous.
1. Improve Your Shaving Technique
If you’re like most people, you get your legs wet, lather in shaving cream, and then use your razor. But, there’s a method to shaving madness. Shaving incorrectly can irritate your skin, and using a dull blade can leave stubble.
First, before shaving, you should soak your legs in warm water for at least 3 minutes so that you can soften the hair. After you’ll want to apply shaving cream and then shave in the direction of the hair. Never go against the grain as this can cause irritation and ingrown hairs. While your razor may still work after weeks of use, it’s best to use a sharp blade. Swap in a new razor after every 6 shaves.
I personally recommend using a high-quality razor like Gillette Venus. They make the best women’s razors on the market that will give you the closest shave you can achieve with smooth, silky results every time. When it comes to razors, don’t cut corners or settle for anything less than the best.
2. Use a Quality Shaving Cream
Think you don’t need to worry about shaving cream? Think again. While the product is only on your skin for a short period of time, the harmful ingredients in most store-bought shaving creams can irritate your skin, causing red bumps and dryness.
Your skin is at its most vulnerable during and after shaving. The warm water opens your pores, allowing shaving cream to sink in deeper. This can also create micro tears or tiny cuts that are a gateway for harmful ingredients.
Most shaving creams found in stores contain harmful ingredients including:
- Glycols
- Sulfates
- Triethanolamine (TEA)
- Palmitic acid
- Fragrance
- BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
- Isopentane
- Polytetrafluoroethylene
Some of these ingredients have been labeled as toxic or linked to a variety of health issues including dermatitis, dizziness, and even hormone disruption. To take the best care of your legs, use a natural shaving cream. All-natural shaving cream is free of chemicals and other harmful ingredients that may worsen the health of your legs.
Most natural shaving products use coconut oil, Shea butter, and other organic ingredients that are safe for use, even on the most delicate of skin. As an added bonus, these ingredients will leave your skin feeling smoother than ever.
3. Exfoliate
Shaving is only one part of keeping your legs looking and feeling their best. While a sharp razor blade exfoliates your skin slightly, it’s best to invest in a product meant specifically for exfoliation. Lightly drying your legs with a towel after shaving removes all of the dead skin cells from your legs, uncovering the new, glowing skin underneath of it.
While there are plenty of natural exfoliation products, you can save money by creating your own. In fact, you probably have a natural exfoliator in your kitchen! Honey, sugar, yogurt, papaya, and lemon juice are all examples of ingredients for at home exfoliants. A sugar scrub created with coconut oil and essential oils will leave your skin soft and supple.
4. Use a Quality Moisturizer
Once you’re all shaved and smooth, the quest to silky legs isn’t over just yet! While an all-natural shaving cream is made with moisturizing products, it’s best to use a quality moisturizer after shaving to give your legs a finishing touch. Though there are tons of lotions you can use, it’s best to stick with the natural route. Just as you can find exfoliators in your kitchen, chances are you also have a few moisturizers on hand too.
A great oil-based option is coconut oil. Not only does it smell good, it’s chock full of lauric acid which is a great moisturizer that won’t leave your legs feeling greasy. Its natural anti-bacterial qualities will help prevent ingrown hairs as well.
Looking for a non-oil option? Try Shea butter. Castor oil is also a great moisturizer because of its high concentration of fatty acids. The oil quickly soaks into the skin and won’t leave you feeling slippery. Castor oil is especially effective on dry patches of skin which we all know is quite common on the legs. Since the oil hydrates from the inside out, you can expect silky smooth legs for days.
With these 4 tips, your legs will have their full beauty on display no matter the season.
Which tip are you most likely to try? How else how you embraced natural body care into your daily life? Tell us about it below.
