Summer is often synonymous with shorter outfits — shorts, mini skirts and slit dresses that put your legs on display. But if you’re not entirely happy with yours — too heavy, puffy, not toned enough — rest assured there are plenty of ways to take care of them. Here are a few tips to pamper your legs and show them off as they deserve!
Tip no. 1: the cold water rinse
An age-old trick, yet one of the most popular when it comes to feelings of heaviness in the legs, especially in summer. If you’re prone to water retention and/or interested in veno-lymphatic circulation, applying cold water from the ankles upward will give your legs a pleasant feeling of freshness. A simple gesture! This tip is also ideal:
- During summer, when the heat can make legs feel heavy, even for those who aren’t usually bothered.
- After a long day on your feet (shopping, standing at work, visiting an exhibition… you know the feeling!), when standing still and/or shuffling around have really put your legs to the test.
- For smokers, since yes, cigarettes don’t spare your legs either.
- If your legs feel uncomfortable after wearing overly tight trousers or ill-fitting shoes.
Tip no. 2: walking in water
And since we’re on the subject of water, let’s stay there! Walking in water, up to your calves, your thighs or even your waist (even better!), is a brilliant way to work your legs. Here’s why:
- Water creates a gentle resistance. Walking is already very beneficial for the legs, but when done in water, it’s doubly worthwhile, as it demands extra muscular effort. A lovely way to work your calves!
- Moving through water envelops your legs with every step, providing a light massage of sorts! The water accompanies your legs as they move while you walk.
So if you live near the sea, a lake, or even a river, don’t hesitate to kick off your shoes and socks and take the plunge — or at least wade in!
Tip no. 3: roller skating
If you’re a fan of roller skates, you’ll be pleased to know this fun activity is very much a sport — it works the entire body:
- The shoulders, for the momentum and swinging motion that gliding requires
- The core and back, since maintaining balance demands constant engagement of these areas
- The glutes and leg muscles (quadriceps, hamstrings and calves), which roller skating works intensely
It’s hard to find a better activity for working your legs and your silhouette! Other sports with similar movement patterns (think ice skating and cross-country skiing) work the same muscles, which makes them ideal if you’re aiming for toned legs and a firm figure. Ready, set, roll!
The cooling gel that leaves thigh skin firmer
- Immediate cooling effect: menthol kicks in as soon as it is applied, then skin is firmer under your fingers (keep the gel in the fridge for even more intensity)
- Caffeine & Lipothetic®, a patented active ingredient, at the heart of a formula designed for thighs and buttocks
- Sorbet texture: it absorbs faster and makes the feeling of freshness last longer
Tip no. 4: cutting back on salt
We say it often, but it bears repeating. Salt is best enjoyed in moderation. So go easy on the salt shaker, and on cured meats, cheese, ready meals, tinned foods and shop-bought soups too. Salt hides everywhere, so read the labels and opt for home cooking. You can easily swap salt for spices and herbs, which bring plenty of flavour to your dishes. It’s a simple everyday habit to adopt alongside your leg care routine.
Tip no. 5: trying leg-focused fitness
One of the great things about fitness is how varied it is: depending on the exercises you choose, you can target specific muscle groups. And there’s no shortage of exercises, since fitness draws on stretching, aerobics, Pilates and yoga. Go for a routine that works your legs and thighs, with moves such as leg raises, scissors, lunges and squats. If you’d like to step things up, try doing your workout with a resistance band. Handily, the S.O.S. Bikini programme includes one, along with our Slender Legs in 21 Days guide to support you session after session!
Tip no. 6: massaging your legs with coffee grounds
A DIY tip that ticks all the boxes. Why coffee grounds? Simply because they’re an eco-friendly ingredient, rich in caffeine, and their fine granules gently exfoliate the skin. And if you’re not sure where to start, there are countless recipes for scrubs, lotions and body masks made with coffee grounds. For example, you can:
- Mix coffee grounds with a little natural vegetable oil, massage your legs from the ankles upwards, then rinse with clean water.
- Combine coffee grounds with lemon juice and exfoliate your legs with this refreshing lotion.
- Leave a mixture of coffee grounds, oil and grapefruit essential oil on your legs, wrapped in a little cling film (the body wrap principle).
A natural and thoroughly pleasant leg care routine to pamper your legs!
Tip no. 7: watching what you eat
A somewhat obvious tip… but an essential one. If your diet is erratic, too fatty and/or too sugary, it may be time to rethink your habits. Your legs deserve this attention too! Day to day, it’s best to adopt a varied, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates. And don’t forget to stay well hydrated with water throughout the day. For salt, see tip no. 4; and to find out more, read our article on foods and water retention.
Tip no. 8: considering an intensive programme!
Last but not least: to look after your legs, alongside healthy lifestyle habits, why not consider a more intensive routine? Our Intensive Slimming Legs Pack is an option worth considering. It includes:
- Our Cryo Slimming Gel, inspired by cryotherapy, which brings a refreshing feeling to the legs while giving the skin a boost.
- Two Thigh Slimming Belts, which simply strap onto the thighs and provide a continuous cooling sensation. They come with 8 gel packs to be chilled in the fridge before use.
- A Slimming Shorty, whose micro-encapsulated fabric releases active ingredients around the waist, buttocks and thighs.
- Our Night Slimming Treatment, which works alongside you overnight while softening the skin on your legs and thighs.
This programme is followed over 21 days, for a complete routine dedicated to the buttocks, thighs and legs.
What about your thighs? They benefit from most of the tips above: walking in water (tip no. 2), roller skating (tip no. 3), fitness exercises (tip no. 5), the coffee grounds scrub (tip no. 6) and a balanced diet (tip no. 7). Mix and match them however you like!
Related articles
- 6 home exercises to tone your legs, with dumbbells
- Soft stomach: causes and 3 natural approaches
- How to slim your thighs in one month?
Useful categories: Slimming Solutions, Weight Management.
The body cream that hydrates and helps firm the skin
- Kigeline & Fenugreek, two plant-based actives at the heart of the formula
- Hydrates the skin and helps strengthen its firmness on targeted areas
- Melting texture: it absorbs quickly, with no residue or greasy film
