6 Ways To Exfoliate Your Legs Naturally + How To Pick The Best Method For Your Skin

Whether you're struggling with "strawberry legs" or you just want a better shave and a radiant glow, exfoliation can help. While there are plenty of products on the market to get you there, not all of them are fit for every person and skin type.

Scrubs are just one form of "manual" exfoliation—as opposed to chemical exfoliation, which we'll cover next. Using a body scrub will help to physically lift excess dead skin and reveal a fresh canvas. Plus, it just feels great to connect with your body through hands-on massage.

One perk of using a body scrub is that it's typically done in the shower (read: extremely low lift). You can keep your favorite store-bought scrub right next to your body wash (a few mbg-approved picks here), or make your own—we'll share our go-to DIY recipe in a bit.

Alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids (commonly referred to as AHAs and BHAs) are two superstar ingredients for exfoliation. While you may be more familiar with them in facial skin care serums, there are plenty of chemical exfoliation body products out there, too.

You should know that chemical body exfoliators are often way more potent: The skin on the body is thicker than the skin on the face, which is why exfoliating serums generally have a higher percentage of AHAs or BHAs.

For general exfoliation, AHAs like glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid will help to gently dissolve dead skin and brighten tone. Salicylic acid, on the other hand (which is oil-soluble), may help manage body breakouts while exfoliating.

While retinol doesn't technically exfoliate the skin, it does help to increase cell turnover and thins out the outermost layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum), thus aiding in the process of brightening and smoothing.

If you're just as concerned about exfoliation as you are easing crepey skin, then a retinol body lotion might be a good addition to your routine. As shown in clinical studies, retinol treatment can stimulate collagen production1 and help decrease the appearance of wrinkling.

Dry brushing is a classic Ayurvedic ritual that involves brushing your full body with a special bristled tool. While there are common claims that dry brushing can clear cellulite or improve immune function, that hasn't been scientifically proven.

What we do know is that dry brushing is a form of physical exfoliation that can also increase circulation on the skin. However, it's still up for debate whether you actually need to manually stimulate circulation (some studies show lymph pumps can improve lymphatic function2) or if simply moving your body is enough. Regardless, studies show that improved circulation is better for skin overall—no matter how you get things going.

"Dry brushing can be useful as an exfoliating mechanism, but great care must be taken to make sure that the bristles are gentle enough that the skin is not being abraded," Marcus explains. "Disrupting the skin barrier can lead to increased dryness and do more harm than good."

If you have sensitive skin or you simply want to skip extra exfoliation steps, then a classic washcloth is the best way to go. You can use a loofah as well, but a cloth is much easier to clean and tends to be a more sustainable option.

The exfoliating mitt might just be the easiest tool of all for a strong exfoliation, sans extra steps. All you have to do is slip the mitt over your hand (or grab the exfoliating pad), apply some body wash, and gently massage the body.

"With regular exfoliation, skin will look and feel smoother and more youthful," medical esthetician and founder of JTAV Clinical Skin Care Joie Tavernise tells mbg.

When your skin is clogged up with dead cells, it's more difficult for your other products to penetrate (this is true for the whole body, not just the legs). So when you remove that buildup, your topical moisturizers can better penetrate the skin, thus making them more effective.

And remember: You should always apply a body lotion or body oil after you shower, especially if you've just exfoliated.

Those who are prone to ingrown hairs or leg pimples (yes, you can get zits on your legs) should be exfoliating regularly—and always do so before you shave.

"Gentle exfoliation can help [loosen] the free edge of hairs that may be trapped under the skin," board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., once told mbg. "This can give you a smoother shave and lower the likelihood of razor bumps or irritation." 

KP can show up in many places on the body, but it's commonly found on the backs of the arms and legs. In order to reduce its appearance (no, it cannot be fully cured), look to chemical exfoliants.

"Exfoliation is one of the key treatments to help with keratosis pilaris, as it is often recommended to use an alpha-hydroxy acid, like glycolic or lactic acid, to help improve skin texture," Garshick says.

If you have hypersensitive skin (read: even the simplest of formulas make your skin irritated), you should steer clear of exfoliation. You may be able to occasionally cleanse the skin with a soft washcloth, but be sure to keep the rubbing to a minimum and stop if your skin gets red or inflamed.

When it comes to exfoliation schedules, it all depends on your skin type. While those with dry or sensitive skin might want to stick with once a week, people with oily skin or those prone to ingrowns may need to exfoliate twice a week.

For those with sensitive skin, fine sugar and oats will be a better option. If you're looking for a tougher scrub, then coffee grounds and even fine salt will do the trick.

As you can tell, exfoliating the legs (and the whole body, for that matter) isn't a step you'll want to miss. If you have sensitive skin, stick to gentle chemical exfoliants or a washcloth. For those looking to get a deeper scrub, sugar and coffee scrubs, along with exfoliating mitts and dry brushes, will be the perfect solution.