What’s the best exfoliator for legs? The answer depends on why you want to exfoliate and what type of skin you have.
For example, if you’re wondering how to exfoliate legs with ingrown hairs, you can use either physical or chemical exfoliation. Physical exfoliation, like with a loofah or scrub, removes the dead skin and releases the trapped hairs. But if you have sensitive or delicate skin, you can use a chemical exfoliator like glycolic acid to do the same thing without abrading the skin.
We researched and reviewed the best leg exfoliators below. Scroll down to see our in-depth reviews that reveal the pros and cons of each exfoliating product. Here are the highlights:
| The best exfoliators for legs | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| EcoTools Dry Brush |
|
| EcoTools Soft Bristle Bath Brush |
|
| Soft Silicone Body Scrubber |
|
| Evridwear Exfoliating Dual Texture Bath Gloves |
|
| M3 Naturals Himalayan Salt Body Scrub |
|
| Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Sugar Body Scrub |
|
| First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA |
|
How often should you exfoliate your legs?
Exfoliating once a week should keep the skin smooth and healthy. If you’re just beginning to exfoliate to treat the problem like ingrown hairs, you might repeat the process up to three times per week.
As anxious as you may be to get results, take it slow to avoid irritating the skin. It’s worth the wait, especially if you use a high-quality moisturizer to keep the skin conditioned afterward.
Do you exfoliate before or after shaving legs?
Shaving is a type of exfoliation – it removes dead skin, for example. For a closer shave, exfoliate first.
If that’s the case, what’s the best exfoliator for legs before shaving? We recommend using whatever body exfoliator you prefer. Choose from our top picks.
Please don’t exfoliate after shaving because it’s likely to sting and irritate the skin.
Why should you bother to exfoliate your legs?
If you exfoliate before shaving, you’ll get a smoother shave.
If you’re going to apply self-tanner, exfoliating ensures even coloration. (That’s because dry patches of skin tend to be darker when self-tanning).
Moreover, exfoliation makes for silky skin with a radiant appearance. It improves circulation, prevents and treats ingrown hairs, and may minimize cellulite.
How to exfoliate your legs
When you think of exfoliating, you might imagine scrubbing at your legs with a loofah in the shower. That’s one option. Some people love silicone scrubbies or exfoliating gloves. Even a washcloth can exfoliate dead skin.
Some experts recommend dry brushing before showering. There are lots of tutorials on the Internet about how to get the most from it.
You can also use a charcoal, salt, or sugar scrub in the bath. Charcoal or salt scrubs are best for normal to oily skin while sugar is nice for dry skin. Use gentle pressure with circular motions to spread the product for thirty seconds before rinsing with lukewarm water. Scrub for less time if it starts to hurt or if you end up with red patches.
One of our tricks is to use a chemical exfoliator like salicylic, glycolic, or lactic acid. These active ingredients appear in body washes and standalone products like creams, lotions, and saturated pads. Salicylic acid is best for oily skin while the alpha-hydroxy acids are suitable for anyone (1).
Lastly, it’s essential to apply moisturizer after exfoliating.
Best Exfoliators for Legs in 2024
EcoTools Dry Brush
What’s the best leg exfoliator tool? We like this dry body brush. Use it before showering to boost circulation and remove dead skin. It may also help the lymph system work better.
It’s a round brush with an elastic strap on the back to keep it from slipping from your hand. The synthetic bristles are stiffer than you’d expect, however. They rapidly buff away dead skin and polish the surface of your body.
The manufacturer, EcoTools, offers a variety of vegan and cruelty-free products that go easy on the environment. This brush happens to be made with recycled material and renewable bamboo.
Users say this brush has significantly reduced the number of ingrown hairs. It takes a little getting used to but is easy to control and provides visible results. If you’d prefer something softer, check out the brush below.
Pros:
- Designed specifically for dry brushing before bathing
- Vegan and cruelty-free, made with recycled material and renewable bamboo
- Frees ingrown hairs, boosts circulation, and helps the lymph system
Cons:
- The synthetic bristles are a bit stiff, so choose a softer option if you have sensitive skin
EcoTools Soft Bristle Bath Brush
Although this brush is made for scrubbing in the bath, there’s no reason why you can’t use it for dry brushing beforehand. It has a 17-inch-long bamboo handle so that you don’t have to reach as far to exfoliate your back or lower legs.
Like other products from this brand, it’s vegan and cruelty-free. It’s crafted from renewable and recycled materials right down to the packaging.
Reviewers say it’s convenient and a pleasure to use. It comes with a way to hang it after use and they strongly recommend letting it dry completely to avoid problems with the wooden handle.
Pros:
- Soft, synthetic bristles suitable for exfoliating in the bath or dry brushing before
- Seventeen-inch-long handle simplifies reaching the lower legs and the middle of the back
- Made from vegan, recycled, and renewable materials
Cons:
- Like any other wooden-handled bath tool, be sure to let it dry completely to avoid mildew
Soft Silicone Body Scrubber
Have you ever used a silicone brush to clean your face? Try this hand-sized scrubber for your body. It’s durable, infinitely reusable, and hypoallergenic.
It’s made from food-grade silicone that’s BPA-free. It’s also acid-resistant and can be used with soap, shower gel, and oils. Rinse it, and it’s clean and ready to use again. It dries rapidly and shouldn’t develop mildew or any kind of an odor.
There are three finger grips on the back and a strap to hold it in place on your hand. The scrubby texture exfoliates without scratching the skin. It’s ideal for delicate, sensitive, and dry bodies.
Choose from a variety of colors like purple, pink, and green. Each one measures nearly five inches square.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic, food-grade silicone that’s BPA-free
- Soft yet scrubby for sensitive skin
- Can be used with all types of soap, bath gels, and oils
- Doesn’t develop an odor or mildew
Cons:
- The finger grips might be too small for folks with large hands
Evridwear Exfoliating Dual Texture Bath Gloves
There are three grades of exfoliating gloves: light, moderate, and heavy. You can buy them in a set or separately. Fortunately, they are colored differently so it’s easy to tell them apart. Fans of hammam will recognize how the texture resembles mitts in a Turkish bath.
Use the gloves individually or put them on both hands to massage dead skin and grime from your legs. Say goodbye to strawberry skin. They help free ingrown hairs (like keratosis pilaris) and prepare the skin for shaving or self-tanning.
Furthermore, they make more lather with bath soap, then you can summon up with bare hands. Just a little dab of body wash will go a long way when using these gloves.
Once you finish, rinse and squeeze them and hang them to dry. Alternatively, you can machine wash them, but don’t put them in the dryer. They have built-in loops for air drying.
The stretchy fabric is 100% nylon and surprisingly lightweight. That’s why the gloves fit most hand sizes.
Pros:
- Three textures available: light, moderate, and heavy
- Resemble hammam mitts; make a lot of lather out of a little bit of soap
- 100% stretchy nylon is lightweight and quick-drying
- Machine-washable with loops for hanging to dry
Cons:
- None
M3 Naturals Himalayan Salt Body Scrub
Here’s a classic salt scrub that doesn’t just exfoliate. It’s infused with collagen and fruit stem cells to firm the skin. Natural moisturizers like jojoba, sweet almond, and grapeseed oil leave the skin feeling like silk.
Regular exfoliation with the salt scrub may also fade blemishes, fine lines, shaving bumps, acne, and old scars.
Reviewers say it’s relaxing to use and works like a charm. It polishes the skin, leaving it extra soft and free of ingrown hairs.
Pros:
- Extra-moisturizing and infused with skin-firming ingredients
- Exfoliates dead skin and may also fade dark spots and clear up ingrown hairs
- Leaves the skin silken
Cons:
- It’s tempting to overuse this scrub
Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Sugar Body Scrub
If you love the smell of coconut, try this sugar scrub. It features organic coconut oil and other sustainably sourced ingredients. Thankfully, it’s free of mineral oil, parabens, gluten, sulfates, artificial colors, and phthalates.
The formula has Tahitian Monoi oil made with coconut and flower petals. It’s a beauty secret from the Pacific Islands that ensures soft, radiant skin. Other highlights include vitamin E and a touch of peppermint oil for tingle.
But it’s the raw coconut sugar that does the scrubbing. It has a creamy texture that polishes the skin smooth. Users say it works like a dream and leaves no residue.
Pros:
- Creamy scrub made with Tahitian Monoi oil and raw coconut sugar
- Polishes the skin and leaves it soft and moisturized
- Free of parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, phthalates, and artificial colors
Cons:
- Those with sensitive skin or allergies should read the label
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA
Get the best of both worlds by using a physical scrub with chemical exfoliators. This one has both glycolic and lactic acids. It fixes keratosis pilaris (KP), those dry rough bumps known as chicken skin or strawberry skin.
The acids loosen the bonds between the dead skin cells and unclog pores. Then, pumice buffing beads sweep away the debris. Lastly, licorice root, white tea, and other soothing extracts calm the skin. The most troublesome skin ends up smooth, soft, and unblemished.
The formula is dermatologist-tested, vegan, and cruelty-free. It’s considered safe for sensitive skin, plus it contains no nuts, gluten, soy, or oils. It doesn’t have other undesirables like mineral oil, artificial fragrances or colors, propylene glycol, alcohol, or petrolatum, either.
One thing to note: use sunscreen on exposed skin after exfoliating with this product.
Pros:
- Superior performance with alpha-hydroxy acids and pumice buffing beads
- Exfoliates, decongests pores, and leaves the skin smooth and calm
- Perfect for treating keratosis pilaris
- Fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested, and vegan
- Also free of all sorts of other undesirable ingredients
Cons:
- None, just remember to wear sunscreen after exfoliating with alpha-hydroxy acids
Conclusion
They say that the best exfoliator for your legs is one that you’ll actually use. We say get the best exfoliating product for your needs by checking out the reviews above. Whether it’s a scrub, a chemical exfoliator, or a dry brush, plan on using it at least weekly to keep your skin in top condition.
Source:
1. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/how-to-exfoliate-legs#1 accessed July 5, 2021