Dry skin: Top Tips To Help Combat Itchy Shins

As we head into the warmer months, it’s normal for our skin to feel drier than normal. If your legs get inflamed or itchy, it can impact your everyday life and can leave you feeling uncomfortable. Whether you’re trying to get to sleep, walking around or sitting at work, itchy shins can be a real annoyance in our everyday lives. Luckily, there are a few different ways that you can sort dry skin on shins, and there are many topical treatments on the market that you can try.

Why do we get itchy shins?

There are a host of reasons you might have itchy shins. This could include:

Dry skin - You might have dry skin on your shins for a number of reasons, including a change in temperature (such as when the seasons transition) making your skin dry and itchy.

Age: As you get older, your skin is less elastic and doesn't hold moisture like it once did. This can mean you're more susceptible to dry skin on your shins

Dehydration: If you’re dehydrated your body doesn’t have enough moisture meaning you can be more prone to having dry skin on your shins

Your skincare routine: There are many reasons your skincare routine might be making your dry skin worse. You could be bathing with water that’s too hot, which can dry out your skin, or you might be using products that are too harsh.

What are some of the top ways to help soothe itchy shins?

While itchy shins can be a hindrance, luckily there are a variety of ways you can try and soothe them. Some of the main things you can do to help soothe itchy shins include:

Bathe in warm or cool water

Hot water can be an irritant to the skin and also dry it out even more, leaving you prone to further itching. It also dries out the sebum layer on your skin, which is the layer that keeps in moisture and protects the skin from outside elements. Instead, look to take baths in warm or cool water that soothes the skin, protecting this layer and providing relief from itching. This can also help clear up a rash on your skin that might appear.

Use a body wash tailored for your skin

When having a bath or shower, it’s a good idea to use a body wash that can help combat dry skin. These body washes are designed to rid your skin of oil and dirt without drying it out.

Lessen stress

Stress can play a big part in not only your mental health, but your physical health too. If you find you’re often stressed, it could cause your skin to flare up. Try to avoid this by managing your stress with things such as breathwork, yoga and figuring out the root of the cause. It can be worth speaking to a professional if your stress becomes too much to manage. You should find that once you are feeling better mentally, your skin clears up too.

Improve your diet

If you've tried a number of things but still have dry shins, your diet could be the root cause. Studies have found that if your diet is high in fat or sugar, it can cause your skin to become inflamed and irritated. Foods such as refined carbohydrates, salty foods, alcohol or high levels of caffeine can all also dry out your skin, exacerbating existing conditions or causing flare-ups.

Moisturise regularly

You must keep your skin moisturised to help combat dry skin and stop it from getting worse. The way that moisturisers work is that they trap existing moisture within your skin, as well as replenish moisture and add nutrients to help it repair itself. It's generally recommended that you apply moisturiser to your skin twice a day - one in the morning and once in the evening. This ensures the moisture levels in your skin remain at a steady constant over twenty-four hours, allowing it to work as it should.

Use fragrance-free products

While you might like the scent of your favourite skincare product for dry skin, this could be making your dry shins worse. Research has found that fragranced skincare products are some of the most sensitising products and contribute to several skin conditions. Instead, you may want to try out products that are fragrance-free and don't include any fragrances, whether they are natural or synthetic. Make sure to watch out for the difference between "fragrance-free" and "unscented." Fragrance-free products don't contain the ingredients at all, whereas unscented products tend to have extra chemicals in them that deodorise the ingredients within.

Avoid extreme temperature changes

If the room you’re in, tends to get humid or can be prone to extreme temperatures in the winter or summer, it’s a good idea to rectify these. Invest in a dehumidifier that can help with the quality of the air and keep windows open when possible. 

What is the best body lotion for dry skin?

There are a host of body lotions on the market for dry skin. These work best when applied twice a day, every day. If possible, lather on the skin straight after showering or bathing to give it the best chance of being absorbed. Some of the best body lotions for dry skin include CeraVe Moisturising Cream, Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Moisturising Lotion, Avène XeraCalm Lipid-Replenishing Cream and St. Ives Soothing Body Lotion, Oatmeal and Shea Butter. These are all praised for their good results and how soft and smooth they make your skin feel. If you have dry shins, these can really help soothe and heal them in no time.

Which is the best body wash for dry skin?

When you have dry skin, finding the best body wash can feel like a challenge with so many on the market. Some of the best ones we would recommend include: Aveeno Daily Moisturising Yogurt Body Wash, Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter, St. Ives Soothing Body Wash Oatmeal and Shea Butter and Urban Hydration Vanilla Body Wash. We recommend trying a few to see which works the best for your own skin.

If you are looking to help your itchy shins, try the steps above and implement changes to your skincare routine. Ensure you have a good body wash and body lotion designed to help with dry skin, as this should assist with combating the dryness. We have a host of products for dry shins on our website, you can check these out here.