I’m a skinfluencer – 8 cheap tips for summer-ready legs and why Vaseline and vinegar are the secret to smooth pins
WITH temperatures soaring in the UK, bare-leg season is just around the corner.
And when it comes to getting our pins ready for summer, DIY hacks are taking TikTok by storm.
But do they actually work?
In one viral video – which has gained over one million views – a user recommends using dry shampoo after applying fake tan to avoid stickiness. But one skin expert reckons it could do more harm than good.
While she praises some of the online tips and tricks, Ridah Syed, senior medical aesthetician at Skinfluencer London, says that not all home products are skin-friendly.
“Hacks that include make-up are good, as are any that use natural ingredients like sugar, but I would be really careful with some of the others.
“I would avoid using things such as hair products, baking soda and aerosols.”
Here, Georgia Trevitt reveals what works – and what to avoid – when it comes to getting those legs smooth and glowing.
Spray dry shampoo to set tan
WHEN it comes to your fake tan routine, dry shampoo is being hailed as the “best hack” to set the tan and stop it transferring on to your clothes. But is it recommended?
Ridah advises against it, especially if you suffer from dry skin.
“Dry shampoo contains alcohol so if you’re using the product on skin which is on the drier side, you’re essentially going to be stripping it and drying it out,” she says.
Instead, the skin expert says that prevention is better than cure in this case, so prepping before applying fake tan is key.
“It’s about buffing the skin by keeping it moisturised and hydrated,” she adds.
Conditioner and sugar to exfoliate
FAKE tan can be a nightmare to remove, leaving legs patchy and streaky. But one popular hack involves mixing conditioner and sugar to act as an exfoliant – and the results can be impressive.
But while sugar can work well, Ridah suggests there are better options than conditioner.
She says: “Conditioner is designed specifically for the hair, so I wouldn’t really be using it on the skin.
“Some conditioners can be quite rich and thick, so if you’re prone to breakouts, that could happen,” she says.
“Sugar is a natural exfoliant, but you have to be careful. Personally, I would exfoliate with a product that contains glycolic acid, which is more gentle.”
Your best bet for natural exfoliation is papaya, Ridah says.
“It contains enzymes, so it’s great.”
Swap moisturiser for hair oil
HAIR oil is known for hydrating and lubricating our tresses – but some people use it to improve their pins.
Adding a couple of drops to your bath water can keep legs smooth, according to beauty fans online.
However, Ridah suggests sticking to your trusty moisturiser.
“It would clog pores,” she says. “A lot of hair oils are thick and if you put that on the skin, I don’t think it’s going to be beneficial.
“Something like an amber oil would be much better for hydrating the skin.”
She adds: “I wouldn’t waste hair oil on legs. It’s more expensive than moisturiser.”
Make a leg mask using cider vinegar
LEG masks can be expensive, so a cheaper option is making your own concoction at home.
Some suggest making a mixture with coconut oil and apple cider vinegar, something Ridah says can really work wonders.
“Apple cider vinegar is kind to the skin,” she says.
“You traditionally tend to use it more on skin that’s breaking out, but it’s fine to use on normal skin too.
“So is coconut oil, which can be used on all skin types. That’s its biggest plus.
“Coconut oil has lightening and brightening properties, so it will give your legs a nice glow. It’s also really good for hydration.”
Lemon or baking soda for fresh finish
USING ingredients such as lemon and baking soda has been recommended by online beauty fanatics to soothe dry knees – but Ridah says this is a no-no.
“Lemon is acidic and it’s going to help exfoliate, so people use it sometimes on their knees and elbows,” she explains.
“But lemon and baking soda can actually give you all sorts of skin conditions. It’s too harsh.
“You shouldn’t use baking soda on your skin, and lemon has to be used in moderation.
“It strips the skin and it can aggravate conditions such as eczema. In some cases, patients have to be put on steroid creams.
“So it can have lots of adverse effects.”
Liquid highlighter for glowy skin
ANOTHER popular TikTok hack is using a liquid highlighter from your make-up bag to give your legs a natural glow and make them appear slimmer – and Ridah agrees.
“It would be fine to put on your legs,” she says. “You can actually buy foundation that is specifically made for your legs, so that you can make them look more tanned, glowing and smooth.
“Or try a DIY hack by mixing a little bit of your bronzer into your moisturiser to give your legs a nice glow.”
Brew tea bags for tanned look
BEAUTY fanatics have suggested swapping fake tan for tea bags to get beautifully bronzed legs. Just brew a tea bag and add the liquid to a moisturiser to achieve a sun-kissed tan.
However Ridah warns: “Certain components in tea can spark an allergic reaction. These include caffeine, tannins and theanine.
“That said, if you are not allergic to any of these ingredients, this hack is brilliant. Tannins have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, while caffeine does an excellent job reducing inflammation.”
Vaseline to reduce chafing
CHAFING is a common problem when the weather gets hot, but there are ways to avoid it.
Some suggest rubbing Vaseline on your inner thighs before heading out, while others use aerosol deodorant.
Ridah says: “Vaseline creates a barrier, so essentially it’s fine for the skin. But if you have broken skin with chafing, you should be using something that actually rebuilds the skin’s barrier function – like shield creams such as the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (Amazon, £10) which helps take inflammation down,” she says.
“We’ve come a long way with products since your only option was to use Vaseline.”
As deodorant contains alcohol, Ridah advises against using it on the skin if it’s going to be exposed to the sun as it can burn or irritate your skin.