6 easy tips to get smooth, soft legs, just ahead of your summer wardrobe's return

Happy, healthy summer skin is made long before shorts season kicks in, so if you’re wondering how to get smooth legs, now’s the perfect time to slough, soften and silkify.

We’re all familiar with this scenario: an unexpected bout of sunny weather arrives and you’re forced to confront rough, craggy, sun-starved legs. The good news is that if you start incorporating a regular body scrub and the best body creams for dry skin now, in a matter of days, you’ll be greeted with glistening, smooth legs - it’s the ultimate confidence boost.

With warmer weather looming, we’ve pinned down the experts on their top tips on how to exfoliate, hydrate and prep your way to smooth legs.

How to get smooth legs, according to the experts

1. Body brush

“Body brushing with a bristled brush is one of those wellbeing marvels, which delivers enormous benefits for very little input," explains Kate Shapland, founder of Legology. "The bristles are naturally exfoliative, so will greatly improve skin softness.” It also boosts circulation, which Kate says, “brings freshly oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood to the surface of the skin, which helps to plump it up, make it smoother and more toned.”

So, how often should we be body brushing? “It’s definitely worth doing daily, but it doesn’t always have to be done on dry skin,” explains Shapland. “You can body brush before, during or after a shower. And it should take no longer than a minute, brushing in swift, light strokes from ankles to knees, knees to hips, wrists to shoulders and over buttocks.”

2. Exfoliate with a scrub

Our skin is in a constant cyclical process of renewal. For most of us, the time it takes for our skin to complete the regenerative cycle is about 28 days. This slows down as we age, meaning that dead skin cells linger for longer and build up, making skin rough, craggy and dull. Regular exfoliation will slough this build-up, smooth rough skin and make it firmer and more resistant to ageing.

“We recommend weekly exfoliation with a granular scrub on top of daily body brushing,” explains Shapland. “It’s best to apply exfoliator to dry skin, so before your shower or bath. The reason for this is that the exfoliator’s smoothing benefits are better because there is no cushion from wet or damp on the skin.” Just be mindful of your shins, warns Shapland. “The skin here is particularly thin, and more so when it is mature.”

3. De-fuzz (if you wish)

Lots of people choose to go au-natural these days, but if you’d prefer to remove your body hair for smooth legs, you’ve got lots of options. Waxing is one of the longer-lasting methods, and is less likely to cause ingrown hairs than shaving.

“Typically, you can expect your legs to stay hair-free for anywhere from three to six weeks, depending on your hair growth cycle,” says Monica Botros, Managing Director at Strip Hair Removal Experts. “Waxing also helps reduce hair regrowth over time, as repeated treatments can weaken the hair follicles, leading to finer and sparser hair.”

Botros recommends visiting a professional for optimal results, but if you are waxing at home here are her top tips.

• "Make sure you always prep the skin, so it's moisturised and exfoliated the day before to remove dead skin cells and minimise ingrown hairs."
• "When removing the wax, make sure you do this quickly and with confidence to ensure the strip is removed efficiently, to ensure no wax is left behind."
• "Pull the skin taught to avoid pulling at it and always pull in the opposite direction to which the hair is growing."
• "Waxing never ends at the treatment. You must follow aftercare steps such as cooling the skin with aloe vera to calm any redness or irritation."

4. Upgrade your shower suds

If your skin is particularly dry, itchy and rough, it’s worth upgrading your body wash. A bad one can strip already-dry skin. A good one gives your skin barrier a nice big cuddle to help lock in hydration, as well as cleanse. Look for a formula that combines humectants such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin with emollients like ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier.

5. Moisturise religiously

When you’re wondering how to get smooth skin on your legs, it comes down to two things - exfoliation and hydration. Dry skin on the legs is particularly common, made worse by hot baths, central heating and the ageing process, so daily hydration is a must.

“Apply moisturiser directly after a shower or bath while the skin is still warm and circulation is up,” advises Shapland. “This will encourage the skin to absorb product more quickly to benefit from the actives to the max.”

Just like choosing a skincare routine, Shapland recommends selecting a body lotion based on your skin type and concern. “For example, if your skin is particularly thin and fragile, a moisturising cream which is rich but not heavy, so easy to wear, is the best option,” she says.

If you’ve waxed, pause before moisturising. According to Botros, “Your skin may feel sensitive, so it's best to wait about 24 hours before applying any body lotion or moisturiser to ensure your pores can settle down and avoid clogging them. Opt for a soothing lotion with ingredients like aloe vera for added calming benefits.”

6. Add a flattering sheen

Give your legs a nudge in the smooth direction with a little liquid trickery. You might have noticed celebrities sporting glistening limbs on the red carpet - well, that’s because artfully applied shimmers and oils reflect the light to create the illusion of smoother skin. Body oils give a healthy, all-over gleam, or you could mix a few drops of golden highlighter in with your body lotion for a subtle sheen.