Why You Should Use Glycolic Acid On Your Legs
You may already be familiar with the benefits of glycolic acid for your face.
Glycolic acid is a common alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) made from the sugar cane plant.
Glycolic acid and other AHAs are popular among skincare enthusiasts because they help exfoliate the skin chemically.
This means your skin absorbs the glycolic acid and interacts with it to increase the rate of skin cell turnover, producing newer, fresher skin more quickly.
The result? A glowing complexion, even skin tone, fewer breakouts and blackheads, and even a reduction in fine lines.
Glycolic acid is present in a lot of popular skincare products, but did you know that it carries the same benefits for the skin on the rest of your body?
Many people don’t realize this, but you can use glycolic acid below the neck to tackle some common issues that the skin on your body might be dealing with.
One of the most effective uses for glycolic acid on your body is on your legs.
So why should you use glycolic acid on your legs?
Glycolic acid can do wonders for the skin on your legs. Glycolic acid can help eliminate a common problem known as “strawberry legs,” prevent razor burn, and make your legs smooth and soft.
In this post, we will go over all the ways glycolic acid can be used on your legs and the gorgeous results you can expect.
Strawberry Legs
One of the most common issues below the neck that people can treat with glycolic acid is affectionately known as “strawberry legs.”
Although it sounds cute, most people who have this condition don’t find it endearing.
It is a term used to describe the skin on your legs when it is covered in tiny dark dots.
Interestingly, not all skin types are prone to getting strawberry legs, but some are.
The little dark dots resemble strawberry seeds, hence the name.
The condition is prevalent and harmless.
It typically does not cause any pain or discomfort, but for those who have it, it can be a cause of insecurity.
The dark dots that cover the skin are often the result of buildup in and around the hair follicles.
Some people notice an increase in the dots after shaving, while others can experience the phenomenon without a particular trigger.
Sometimes strawberry legs are caused by folliculitis, which is when the hair follicles are inflamed or irritated.
This can be caused by bacteria being trapped in there, or simply by the irritation caused by shaved hair growing through the skin.
In some instances, strawberry legs can be caused by a buildup of keratin (keratosis pilaris) forming around the hair follicle and creating the appearance of dark bumps.
If you have particularly oily skin, you can develop strawberry legs as a result of clogged pores.
Just like the skin of your face, the skin on your legs is covered in tiny pores that can get clogged with sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells.
This results in tiny blackheads all over your legs, giving you the appearance of ‘strawberry legs’.
Regardless of the specific cause of strawberry legs, one thing all the causes have in common is that there is a build-up of something around your hair follicles and in your pores that causes a darkening and thickening of the skin in those areas.
If you are someone who gets strawberry legs, we have good news for you: it can be solved with glycolic acid.
Here’s a great explanation of keratosis pilaris from Doctorly on YouTube.
How To Use Glycolic Acid For Strawberry Legs
Because glycolic acid is so good at penetrating the skin and removing dead skin cells, it’s very effective at targeting strawberry legs.
When dead skin cells are removed, the buildup surrounding the hair follicles and clogged pores can be cleared, allowing for healthier hair growth.
This can help eliminate dark spots on your legs and reveal smooth, even-toned skin.
Although this won’t happen overnight, incorporating glycolic acid into your leg care routine will give you results quickly and help maintain those results in the future.
Here’s how you can use glycolic acid for your strawberry legs:
- Start with clean legs fresh out of the shower. This is when your pores are open due to the steam, and your skin is more easily penetrated by glycolic acid.
- Apply your glycolic acid product in small circular motions all over your legs. You can find a glycolic acid solution on its own (like this one) or as part of a lotion (like this).
If you are on the go, you could also use glycolic acid pads. - Finish off with a moisturising lotion. Glycolic acid can cause some dryness to the skin, so it’s essential to moisturise after use.
If you are using a glycolic acid lotion, it may be moisturizing enough on its own, but it never hurts to add more hydration!
How Often Should You Do This?
Consistency is important when fighting folliculitis, keratosis pilaris, or clogged pores.
Your strawberry legs won’t disappear overnight.
However, if you practice the routine above every time you shower (no more than once a day), you should start seeing results after 1-3 weeks.
Once your legs have reached the desired appearance, you can reduce the glycolic acid application to 1-2 times per week to maintain your results.
Doing it too often without actually needing to can over-dry your skin.
What You Should Know When Using Glycolic Acid On Your Legs
Glycolic acid products are effective, but there are a few things you should know.
Irritation
People with dry, overly sensitive skin can experience significant irritation from glycolic acid. If that sounds like you, you might want to start slow.
Instead of using glycolic acid on your legs each time you shower, try incorporating it once a week, then after a few weeks, twice a week.
Slowly add more days to your routine, allowing your skin a few weeks to adapt.
If you notice your skin becoming too irritated or flaky after using it, reduce the amount.
If you notice that your skin feels irritated after each use, regardless of how infrequently you use it, consider switching to a product with a lower concentration of glycolic acid.
A concentration of under 10% glycolic acid is ideal for those with sensitive skin, but keep in mind that lower concentrations will lead to slower results.
Another consideration is the importance of proper moisturizing after applying glycolic acid.
If your skin is sensitive, it is recommended to find a moisturizing glycolic acid lotion and then follow up with another moisturizing lotion to lock in hydration.
Stinging
It is normal for glycolic acid to sting slightly for 15-20 minutes after application. If it’s stinging – it’s working.
However, it should never feel painful. If your skin starts to feel like it’s burning or getting irritated painfully, the glycolic acid product might be too strong for you (see above).
That being said, if it’s your first time using glycolic acid, expect it to sting a little bit immediately after application, and don’t worry about it as long as it’s not stinging for hours or causing any pain.
Here’s a tip we learned the hard way – avoid using glycolic acid on your legs immediately after shaving. If there are any cuts or wounds on your skin, it will burn like hell.
Sun Exposure
We get it; you’re probably itching to use glycolic acid in the summer to get rid of those strawberry legs and wear your bikini for a day at the beach.
Summertime is prime time for making our legs look smooth and sexy.
But before you rush out the door in your bikini, know this: glycolic acid makes your skin more prone to sunburn.
Because it speeds up your cell turnover rates and removes the layer of dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, your skin becomes thinner and more delicate.
This means that it’s most likely to burn and get damaged by the sun, which is not worth it!
If you are using glycolic acid on your legs in the summer, try to avoid applying it on days when you plan to be outside with your legs uncovered.
And always – always – wear SPF on your legs, primarily if you’ve used glycolic acid on them within the last week.
Other Skin Conditions
If you struggle with other skin conditions, you are likely to see positive results from using glycolic acid.
It helps with so many things!
Aside from strawberry legs caused by folliculitis or keratosis pilaris, glycolic acid can help reduce the appearance of psoriasis, acne, blackheads, razor burn, and other skin imperfections.
It can help even out your skin tone on your legs and make your skin texture smoother.
Final Thoughts
Glycolic acid is a great ingredient to use on your legs – it helps eliminate strawberry legs, blackheads, razor burn, and other imperfections, giving you smooth and sexy legs.
Ensure you have a suitable glycolic acid product on hand and keep your skin moisturized and protected while using it to achieve optimal results.
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