Problem Solvers

How to get rid of pores on your legs

Although their (unofficial) name may sound like something from a cute cartoon, ‘strawberry legs’ can make many of us feel self-conscious when it comes to baring our pale, sun-starved stems during party season.

To the uninitiated, ‘strawberry legs’ are what’s known as those tiny speckles on your legs that mimic the seeds on – you guessed it – a strawberry. These are just enlarged pores that look darker due to the oil glands reacting with oxygen in the air, which causes that unsightly, brownish hue. They’re especially prominent if you regularly shave or wax, and usually afflict those who have darker hair and skin tones. They’re not to be confused with ‘chicken skin’ (otherwise known as keratosis pilaris) – those pesky red bumps that most often appear on the tops of your arms.

So what can you do about it? Not much in terms of permanent removal – but with regular exfoliation – and a little clever make up trickery, you can disguise them to get your limbs looking flawless, fabulous and flashbulb-ready. Here are a few products to help …

{DERMADOCTOR KP Duty Dermatologist Formulated Body Scrub}

Regular exfoliation can help slough away dead skin cells that clog pores and give them an enlarged appearance. This hardworking scrub works in two ways – first chemically with glycolic and lactic acid to dissolve dead skin cells, while eco-friendly grains deliver a final polish. The best way to use it is with a damp flannel, rubbing gently over your legs in the shower or bath – it also works for unsightly chicken bumps (keratosis pilaris) on upper arms too.

{Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish}

Not only does this non-streaky formula bestow limbs with a sunkissed glow, it also camouflages imperfections and evens out the skin tone – so those tiny dark speckles look less noticeable. Think of it as foundation for your pins.

{BECCA} {Luminous Body Perfecting Mousse}

Not just great for legs, this is a handy temporary enhancer if you’re going strapless, backless or baring any kind of skin. The light-reflective shimmer blurs and deflects attention from speckled legs and is great for getting skin to look less ashy (or sun-starved) during the winter months. Plus the mousse formulation goes on quickly and easily when applied with a tanning mitt.

{Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body}

Once you’ve exfoliated and applied your camouflaging/light-diffusing product, this fabulous roll-on shimmer by {Charlotte Tilbury} is the cherry on the cake. The idea is to roll down the centre of your limbs, which attracts the light and will detract from any blemishes, dark spots or scars.

SHOP LIMB PERFECTORS >>



Verity Douglas

Verity Douglas

Content Editor

Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...