DRY SKIN ON THE LEGS

Dry skin of the legs, known in medical circles as cutaneous xerosis, is a widespread condition characterized by a reduced amount of water in the stratum corneum, the most superficial part of the epidermis. When the water content drops below 20 percent, the skin loses elasticity, appears dry, rough and tends to crack.

Legs are particularly prone to dryness because they have fewer sebaceous glands than other areas of the body. This makes the skin barrier more fragile and less efficient at retaining natural moisture.

Xerosis can be temporary, related to environmental or seasonal factors, or chronic, especially with advancing age or in the presence of systemic disease. In either case, it is important to intervene early to prevent dryness from evolving into painful fissures or infection.

What does dry skin on the legs look like?

Skin dryness can present with signs of varying intensity. The most common symptoms include:

• Roughness

• Skin tightness
  Sensation often accompanied by itching.

• Visible desquamation
  Unlike normal skin renewal, dry skin produces prominent, silvery-white horny lamellae.

• Dull appearance
  Skin loses radiance.

• Cracks and fissures
  In severe cases, real painful fissures form in the stratum corneum.

• Redness, itching or burning
  Typical signs of a compromised skin barrier.

Causes of dry skin on legs

Xerosis may depend on a combination of external and internal factors.

External factors

• Aggressive cleansers and foaming agents They remove the skin’s natural protective lipids.

• Water that is too hot and frequent washing Promote skin dehydration.

• Cold or dry climate Reduces ambient humidity and increases water loss from the skin.

• Exposure to wind or sun Damages the skin barrier.

• Synthetic or too tight-fitting garments Increase friction and irritation.

Internal factors

• Skin aging As we age, the production of protective lipids decreases.

• Hormonal alterations

• Systemic diseases Including diabetes, circulatory failure, hypothyroidism.

• Drugs Diuretics, retinoids, chemotherapeutics.

How to treat dry skin on the legs

To combat dry legs, we recommend moving away from foaming cleansers and proceed with the following treatment:

DRY SKIN

Use Eudermic Cleansing Base, a gentle, nonfoaming cleanser, for washing and, after drying the skin thoroughly, apply, once in the morning and once in the evening Mosturiser, an emollient body cream enriched with Shea Butter, Phytosqualane, Allantoin and Vitamin E, which restores the skin barrier and soothes the skin.

VERY DRY SKIN

If the dryness is very pronounced with itching and burning sensation apply, during the evening treatment, Extreme Emollient Ointment,with self-hydrating action for very dry skin, it retains the water already present inside the skin, recreating balance in the skin environment. Once the dryness has regressed, resume the use of Mosturiser.