My legs are constantly dry and flaky. Here are the products that actually work
The body care category of beauty has exploded in recent years. Once upon a time, the only choice to make was between body wash or soap, but now there are shower oils, shower creams, body scrubs, exfoliants and much more. Choice is a great thing, but when it comes to the products I actually use, I am boringly consistent. There are a handful I buy over and over again and regularly recommend. As someone with perennially parched skin, my focus is always on moisture and, to a lesser extent, soothing irritation and sensitivity. My legs in particular seem to be constantly dry, but there are certain products that have helped them feel more comfortable and hydrated. Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil Starting in the shower, I’m a long-time fan of Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil (€25 for 1L from millies.ie). Not only is it luxurious to use, but it’s also affordable for the amount of product you get, and a dab hand at soothing dry, irritated skin. I’ve interviewed many dermatologists, skin doctors and experts over the years and so many have referenced this as one of the products they recommend to clients with eczema, significant dryness and general irritation on the body. Saltair Serum Body Wash A couple of months ago, I came across a reasonably new and very affordable brand called Saltair. They have a wide range of body products, but I’m particularly enamoured of their body washes (€19.55 for 500ml from Space NK). They’re light and nourishing, affordable and they smell absolutely delicious – my favourite scents are Salt Water Vanilla and Coral Coast. Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment When it comes to exfoliation, I’m a huge fan of the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Peel Pads (€24 for a pack of five from Brown Thomas) but I also love the ones they have for the body. Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment (€65 for a pack of eight treatments from Brown Thomas) are excellent for stubborn dry patches and helping to unclog pores and ingrown hairs, as well as for exfoliating heels, elbows and other tougher areas of skin. Simone Gannon: Six good beauty buys under €25 They’re undeniably expensive, so for a more affordable alternative I always keep a bottle of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner on hand (€14.40 from Boots). A few drops on a cotton pad swiped over dry, flaky areas like legs, elbows, knees and ankles can work wonders. Just make sure the skin isn’t overly sensitised at the time of use, as an exfoliator will only irritate it further. Caudalie Vinosculpt Crushed Scrub The other type of exfoliating body product I love is a scrub, the more luxurious and spa-like the better – I’ve long been beholden to the charms of Caudalie Vinosculpt Crushed Scrub (€26 from Space NK). It has a beautiful texture; thick, rich and sugary. It’s gentle, but highly effective at sloughing away dead skin cells and smoothing the skin, and it smells beautiful. I find it particularly good for buffing and polishing the skin, or for removing the remnants of fake tan. Necessaire The Body Serum (€55 from Space NK) If you struggle with dryness or dehydration, especially on the legs like me, adding an additional product underneath your moisturiser, like a serum, can be a game changer. I especially love Nécessaire The Body Serum (€55 from Space NK). It’s lightweight and gentle, but still feels rich and soothing on the skin. It’s perfect during the summer as it’s lighter and thinner, and equally brilliant in winter when layered underneath a body moisturiser of choice. Eucerin Atocontrol Calming Balm And when it comes to body moisturiser, there’s only one I buy again and again – Eucerin Atocontrol Calming Balm (€19.99 from Boots). It’s a little richer and thicker than other options on the market, but I love it so much. It’s instantly soothing and calming and quenches dry skin immediately and for hours post application. A particularly great one, again, if you deal with eczema, dehydration or very tight, dry irritated skin. This week I’m loving … Sol de Janeiro Intense Perfume Mists Sol de Janeiro has grown up and become a little moodier, a little darker, a little sexier. With its new Intense Perfume Mists (€34 each from Space NK), expect deeper, richer interpretations of Cheirosa 91, Cheirosa 59 and Cheirosa 62, along with the new amber floral Cheirosa 74 – my personal favourite. Juicy orange, pineapple, bergamot, pink pepper and vanilla bean, among other scents, intermingle to create something that smells like sundown on the beach, at the end of a summer party, when you find yourself thinking, gosh, what a night.