I Used to Hate My Splotchy Legs—Until I Figured Out How to Transform Them

Jun 6, 2016

Design by Dana Tepper

For as long as I can remember, my legs have always been my least favorite body party. This, because it's the area on my body most concentrated with keratosis pilaris, a skin condition that causes small, hard bumps. Teamed with my natural, pinky-purple undertones, it creates perpetual blotchiness.

I've come to terms with the fact that this born-with-it situation isn't going anywhere, but with summer fast approaching, I decided it was high time for me to do the most for tending to my spurned stems.

Here, find the products that have given me the best legs of my life by evening out skin tone, smoothing texture, and improving the appearance of discolored spots.

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1 Dollar Shave Club 'The Executive'

<p>During a recent dermatologist appointment, I got scolded for not being diligent about 1) Choosing the right razor and 2) Changing it enough. Because I have such sensitive skin, they even suggested I change my razor every time I shave. </p><p><br></p><p>Now, I haven't been that good (I'm only human after all), but I did make the switch to shave subscription service Dollar Shave Club, which has made it easier. Not only do I have fresh blades no matter what, but I've also chosen their most expensive 6-blade model because if it's good enough for a would-be Don Draper's face, it's up to snuff for my high-maintenance legs.</p><p><br></p><p>Dollar Shave Club "The Executive", $9 a month; <a href="https://www.dollarshaveclub.com/page/checkout/product/6-blade-razor?hideWriteReview=true" target="_blank">dollarshaveclub.com</a>.</p>

During a recent dermatologist appointment, I got scolded for not being diligent about 1) Choosing the right razor and 2) Changing it enough. Because I have such sensitive skin, they even suggested I change my razor every time I shave.

Now, I haven't been that good (I'm only human after all), but I did make the switch to shave subscription service Dollar Shave Club, which has made it easier. Not only do I have fresh blades no matter what, but I've also chosen their most expensive 6-blade model because if it's good enough for a would-be Don Draper's face, it's up to snuff for my high-maintenance legs.

Dollar Shave Club "The Executive", $9 a month; dollarshaveclub.com.

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2 Paula's Choice Clinical KP Treatment Cloths

<p>When it comes to my beauty regimen, I love me the ease of a treatment in cloth form. These clinical-strength are packed with chemical exfoliants like lactic acid and salicylic acid, but are so gentle you can use them as often as twice a day to reduce the appearance of bumps. I love keeping packs at my desk and home alike for whenever I have a particularly bad flare-up.</p><p><br></p><p>Paula's Choice Clinical KP Treatment Cloths, $32; <a href="http://bit.ly/24mLlNH" target="_blank">birchbox.com</a>.</p>

When it comes to my beauty regimen, I love me the ease of a treatment in cloth form. These clinical-strength are packed with chemical exfoliants like lactic acid and salicylic acid, but are so gentle you can use them as often as twice a day to reduce the appearance of bumps. I love keeping packs at my desk and home alike for whenever I have a particularly bad flare-up.

Paula's Choice Clinical KP Treatment Cloths, $32; birchbox.com.

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3 Eucerin Professional Repair Extremely Dry Skin Lotion

<p>After I shower, I'm religious about applying body lotion head-to-toe. The thing is, because I love the water considerably hot, it leaves my skin slightly irritated. This drugstore find always soothes my skin in its post-shower state, plus is formulated with <em>lots</em> of urea, which as anyone with dry skin knows, is always key. I love how cheap it is, too, because I tend to be liberal with how much I slather on each day.</p><p><br></p><p>Eucerin Professional Repair Extremely Dry Skin Lotion, $10.79; <a href="http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=544290&catid=182918&aid=338666&aparam=544290&kpid=544290&CAWELAID=120142990000117955&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=15551035213&CATCI=pla-81847122351" target="_blank">drugstore.com</a>.</p>

After I shower, I'm religious about applying body lotion head-to-toe. The thing is, because I love the water considerably hot, it leaves my skin slightly irritated. This drugstore find always soothes my skin in its post-shower state, plus is formulated with lots of urea, which as anyone with dry skin knows, is always key. I love how cheap it is, too, because I tend to be liberal with how much I slather on each day.

Eucerin Professional Repair Extremely Dry Skin Lotion, $10.79; drugstore.com.

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4 Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad For Body

<p>As someone who is generally opposed to fake tanner, these mess-free pads give my lifeless-looking legs a natural glow that doesn't look awkward next to the rest of my body. Plus, they're formulated with antioxidants and gentle active ingredients that just make my skin look and feel better.</p><p><br></p><p>Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad For Body With Active Vitamin D, $45; <a href="http://bit.ly/24mK1dF" target="_blank">sephora.com</a>.</p>

As someone who is generally opposed to fake tanner, these mess-free pads give my lifeless-looking legs a natural glow that doesn't look awkward next to the rest of my body. Plus, they're formulated with antioxidants and gentle active ingredients that just make my skin look and feel better.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad For Body With Active Vitamin D, $45; sephora.com.

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5 Proactiv Advanced Dark Spot Correcting Serum

<p>I'd heard amazing things about this gel-like, discoloration-correcting serum, so I decided to use it on a variety of different imperfections on my legs–from shaving nicks to age spots (yes they're a thing, even for twenty-somethings). Over the course of a month, I've noticed all of these things gradually fading and plan to keep on keeping on with this easy-enough treatment.
</p><p>Proactic Advanced Dark Spot Correcting Serum, $32.95; <a href="http://www.proactiv.com/products/dark-spot-correcting-serum.html?GeoRedirect=false&uci=US-PA-O-PS-GA-69954&gclid=CJyy_OW0jM0CFcxZhgodFKkGTQ" target="_blank">proactiv.com</a>.</p>

I'd heard amazing things about this gel-like, discoloration-correcting serum, so I decided to use it on a variety of different imperfections on my legs–from shaving nicks to age spots (yes they're a thing, even for twenty-somethings). Over the course of a month, I've noticed all of these things gradually fading and plan to keep on keeping on with this easy-enough treatment.

Proactiv Advanced Dark Spot Correcting Serum, $32.95; proactiv.com.

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6 Bio-Oil Multiuse Skincare Oil

<p>As I'd written <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a17490/bio-oil-keratosis-pilaris/" target="_blank">back in December</a>, Bio-Oil helped transform my decrepit, cold-weather skin this winter. A worthy opponent to my braille-like texture thanks to its hydrating and soothing ingredients, I like to use it underneath lotion.</p><p><br></p><p>Bio-Oil Multiuse Skincare Oil, $7.86; <a class="body-el-link standard-body-el-link" href="http://bit.ly/1lJh8cW" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>.</p>

As I'd written back in December, Bio-Oil helped transform my decrepit, cold-weather skin this winter. A worthy opponent to my braille-like texture thanks to its hydrating and soothing ingredients, I like to use it underneath lotion.

Bio-Oil Multiuse Skincare Oil, $7.86; amazon.com.

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