Exfoliation.

I should know this by now, I am 28 so I have been shaving my legs for about 16 years but I just can't get it right.

When and how is the best way to exfoliate before shaving legs. Anything I have tried does not seem to work and I am over having itchy legs a day or so after shaving.

Any tips would be much appreciated:)

You need to be exfoliating afterwards also.

I use a mitt thingie to exfoliate after. I would usually use a salt scrub but I find it's a bit too tingly immediately after.

I must be doing something wrong because I never exfoliate my legs @ the time of shaving ??! BTW I've hit the roaring forties so it can't all be bad. Instead I exfoliate occasionally (when I remember) as part of an all-over body exfoliate. Sometimes I use a scrub but usually with a hemp or scrubby mitt from the body shop.

BUT the itching may not be related to the exfoliation/not exfoliation. Do you use a shaving cream/product? - they can be very irritating and drying. I just use a non-soap shower gel or a non-irritating soap, you only need the tiniest bit to lubricate the razor, and then I use the plainest low-chemical moisturiser afterwards (some of those scented body moisturisers like Nivea etc give me the itches something rotten).

Hmm, I always exfoliate the day after shaving, like Purplepixie said, it stings to do it straight after. I don't use anything perfumed and use non-soap too and I have tried all different types of razors, product (while shaving). So maybe it is just me and my skin.
It was only the other week that a friend told me you should exfoliate before shaving but that has not helped either.

I have a glove, would trying to exfoliate on dry skin be better or should it always be wet?

I don't shave my legs, I use a Silky Mitt. It's like sandpaper and exfoliates as well as defuzzes.

If I do shave, I exfoliate VERY gently beforehand with the tiniest bit of soap free gel (I have very sensitive skin).

I wouldn't exfoliate for a couple of days after shaving at LEAST because the skin is very raw and sensitive. The shaver takes off some dead skin from the top layer as it is so exfoliating too soon after is too much and can cause a rash/sensitivity. It is a good idea to gently exfoliate beforehand, but not immediately before - say a day or two beforehand.

The itching might actually be lack of moisture? You need to make sure you moisturise immediately after shaving and every day after that. :)

I exfoliate about a day or 2 before shaving and use a moisturising soap, like goats milk soap, when shaving. I also heavily moisturise afterwards.

I only exfoliate my legs just before shaving so I can't even give a time frame lol.

Yes I think using normal soap or shower gel only aids itchy skin after. I use a body oil to shave or sometimes my hair conditioner.

Maybe Moisturising is more my problem. I always thought you needed to let your legs air out after shaving so I never moisturised straight away. I will give that ago and see if that helps.

Ladylove, I heard about using conditioner but I use an expensive conditioner so there is no way I will be using that. If I can find a cheap fragrence free one I might give that a try too. Thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks everyone for your replies. It all makes sense really once I think about it.

Kazzo so do I! I usually use the conditioner from hotels for my legs lol- i have lots of the little bottles saved up. you can also use a cheap body oil or even olive oil or something like that. I use either Palmers body oil or Dermaveen bath and shower oil. The latter is particularly good as it has oatmeal which is good for itchiness.

I was told that it's best to exfoliate on dry skin, as opposed to in the shower when it's wet. I used to use a mitt with body wash on it in the shower, but now I do it just dry and have had less issues.

Thanks LL and Cally. I have tried all different suggestions and so far exfoliating on dry skin and lots and lots of mosturiser is doing the trick. Finally, I know how to look after my legs better.

I'm not sure about the timing, but I do have an excellent exfoliator (sp?) that doesn't cost a lot.

Raw sugar and honey. A couple of heaped tablespoons of raw sugar in enough honey to make it into a paste. Take it in the shower with you and then scrub yourself with it. It leaves my skin babysoft (and I'm 41). I just love it.

I have sensitive skin and use the sugar and honey scrub on my face, because I found that commercial face scrubs just tried my skin too much. It also did a great job on my legs, making them supersoft.

Thanks Malyna, that actually sounds really nice. I might just have to try that too. I am still not having much luck with stopping my legs from getting really itchy so still trying anything and everything.