4 Simple Steps to Get Your Legs Smooth, Glowing, and Summer Ready

You wake up in the morning and look at your phone to see what the weather is like. You see it’s going to be warm enough for you to wear a dress without leggings or boots. That’s when you realize your legs aren’t ready to be exposed. After being cooped up in jeans, pants, leggings, and boots you may have noticed your legs look a little pale, dry, and maybe even hairy.

Related read: How I Switch Up My Beauty Products For Summer

The cold dry air during the winter months and indoor heating can dry out the skin and cause it to be flakey, feel rough, and look dull.

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And if you’re anything like me, you may have some dark spots or discoloration left from scars that have yet to fade. This can give your legs an uneven tone.

Here are four things you can do to get your legs in shape for all of the exposure you want to give them in the warmer spring and summer months.

1. Exfoliate

After the winter, you’ll want to remove all the dead skin from your legs and give them that healthy summer glow. You can exfoliate by using an African net sponge, a body brush, or homemade sugar scrub.

2. Remove hair

When you’re keeping your legs covered up for months by wearing pants and leggings, you don’t see a need to remove your leg hair often or even at all.

There are multiple ways to remove hair, such as laser hair removal, waxing, or the traditional way of shaving. Shaving can also be another way to exfoliate your skin and give it a smoother feel.

Related read: 8 Ways To Use Up Conditioners Your Hair Doesn't Like

To get the smoothest, closest shave possible, use a shaving gel. If you’re on a budget, using a cheap drugstore hair conditioner can also be a good alternative. That's what I use to shave my legs.

3. Fade scars/dark spots

If you’ve gotten that summer glow back on your legs, you want to ensure it’s not interrupted by any dark spots or marks from scars. You can fade those away over time by applying cocoa butter or natural oils with ceramides, like sunflower oil, to the spots.

Other options are looking for products that contain ingredients that can help reduce or fade hyperpigmentation in the skin and brighten the skin. Some of the key and more popular ones to look for are niacinamide, turmeric, vitamin C, retinol, and glycolic acid, just to name a few. Most of those ingredients can be found in skincare creams, lotions, and serums bought in drugstores or beauty stores.

As a word of caution, make sure you read the instructions for any skin-brightening product before use. Many of the skin-brightening ingredients shouldn't be mixed together. Also, for some, such as vitamin C, wearing sunscreen is highly recommended.

Related read: How I Keep My Skin Moisturized In The Summer

4. Moisturize 

Last, but not least, is to moisturize your legs. It keeps your skin hydrated, so it continues to feel smooth and glow.

You can do this by cleansing with moisturizing products like the Olay Ultra Moisture with Shea Butter body wash or Dove Moisturizing bar soap.

Another way is to use a good body moisturizer like the Gold Bond Cocoa Butter Glow Daily Hydrating Lotion with Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter & Coconut Oil. It moisturizes the skin with a blend of coconut oil, African Shea Butter, and cocoa butter. Plus, it also gently exfoliates your skin while locking in moisture for 24 hours, which helps keep the dry, flaky skin and ashiness away. 

Right after you get out of a shower is a great time to apply moisture to your skin because it’s more easily absorbed.

What do you do to get your legs ready for summer?

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