The feeling of heavy legs is a common complaint during the hot summer months. Luckily, specially formulated creams can provide effective relief.
In France, nearly one in three individuals experiences heavy legs. This bothersome sensation affects not only the elderly; it can also stem from factors like poor blood circulation, obesity, prolonged sitting or standing, heat, air travel, or water retention. Women are often more affected due to hormonal changes brought on by menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, or contraceptive use. The root of the issue lies in inadequate blood returning to the heart, often caused by dilated blood vessels, leading to numbness, cramps, swelling in the calves, and even tingling or burning sensations.
To alleviate this discomfort, it’s essential to stimulate circulation by walking, massaging the legs from the bottom up, or indulging in “light legs” herbal teas enriched with red vine. Applying cold creams infused with menthol, eucalyptus, or butcher’s broom is also highly effective for constricting blood vessels and easing discomfort. A little tip: storing your cream in the refrigerator before use will amplify its cooling effect and enhance its benefits!
Editor’s Pick: Heavy Legs Spray by Puressentiel
Composed of a blend of 17 essential oils paired with menthol, this entirely natural spray revitalizes and refreshes the legs, providing an instant feeling of lightness. It relieves heavy legs immediately, tones the skin, and boosts blood circulation. Simply spray it onto your legs, even over compression stockings, or mix six sprays into a basin of warm water for a soothing foot bath. Since it contains essential oils, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those on medication should consult with their healthcare practitioner before first use.
Cooling Gel for Heavy Legs by Rap Phyto
This product has recently been archived but has received 402 reviews since its inception on Beauté Test, making it a favorite within the community.
Brand Promise: Featuring horse chestnut and butcher’s broom for their decongestant properties, combined with black currant to tone, Rap Phyto Gel effectively relieves heavy legs. The menthol provides an immediate refreshing sensation that lasts for at least 1 hour and 15 minutes for 96% of users, with a feeling of lighter legs persisting for at least two hours. With its quick-absorbing, non-sticky formula, you can easily apply it in the morning before getting dressed or during the day over compression tights. Being paraben-free, fragrance-free, dye-free, and free from phenoxyethanol, it’s suitable for many users. Conveniently, it comes in a travel-friendly 40ml size or a larger format.
With 402 reviews and a score of 4.7/5, the Rap Phyto Gel has taken the top spot in this ranking. ArtemisAdalhrod discovered this product during her second pregnancy through her midwife, calling it “a miracle” for her “super heavy and swollen legs.” Initially, she felt “nothing” during application, but “suddenly, the cooling effect is truly incredible, pleasant, and lasts quite a while.” She “loved using it during the last two months” and “recommends it to all future mothers.” Pepette2 notes, “this product is really good,” emphasizing it’s “a mighty refreshing boost for your legs.” She describes how it “really relaxes” them, “reduces swollen ankles,” and even helps with “muscle soreness after a workout.” Having tried many products, Kujaku finds this one “the only one that doesn’t turn her legs into sticky paper.” After applying it, “her skin feels smooth and the freshness lasts a long time.” In short, she is “hooked.”
However, some testers reported negative experiences. For instance, Sandy2803 decided never to repurchase, claiming “the cooling effect takes about ten minutes to kick in.” She couldn’t detect “any decongestant effects or feelings of lighter legs.” Mystica experienced no cooling sensation; in fact, it caused her discomfort, stating that “applying it burnt my legs to the point of discomfort for thirty minutes.” This was her first-time reaction with such a product. Lastly, Stephconom used it during pregnancy and was disappointed by its “strong, unpleasant chemical odor,” noting that while the cooling effect was immediate, it didn’t last long.
Heavy Legs Milk by Clarins
Brand Promise: Clarins’ heavy legs milk delivers an immediate cooling sensation that alleviates heaviness in your legs thanks to essential oils and natural plant extracts in its formulation. Additionally, the milk ensures proper hydration for your legs. Its creamy texture allows for easy application at any time of the day, even over tights.
With 132 reviews and a rating of 4/5, Clarins’ heavy legs milk ranks second in this top three list. Trina describes it as “a fantastic product.” She uses it after spending a whole day walking while on summer vacation and identifies “no downsides.” The cooling effect is “guaranteed and immediate, almost giving you goosebumps.” Orleans has a fondness for this milk, recalling that she “always saw it in her mom’s bathroom.” She finds its scent “delightfully pleasant,” noting that it “absorbs quickly” and has an immediate effect on heavy legs. While she clarifies it won’t “solve significant problems,” it does “provide relief” and is a pleasure to use. Tree2 claims she “can’t live without this cream,” praising its ability to cool her legs “immediately,” offering “genuine relief” and improving “blood circulation.”
However, not all testers share these positive sentiments. For Earley, it’s “pretty promises with no actual results.” Despite the nice packaging, it “doesn’t relieve tired legs.” She also found no “cooling effect” and mentions that the “size is too small for the price.” Helleane dislikes this product, citing an odor that “irritates the throat and clears the sinuses.” Additionally, “the texture is sticky,” causing discomfort. Lastly, Oceja concludes that this product “is useless,” explaining that regardless of her generous application, the “cooling effect is fleeting and barely noticeable,” asserting that it “doesn’t relieve heavy leg feelings.”
Copper Toning Gel by Weleda
Brand Promise: Featuring its star ingredient, witch hazel, Weleda’s copper toning gel rejuvenates blood vessels, leaving legs relaxed and lighter for lasting relief. Fatigue sensations are diminished. Its non-greasy formula allows for application at any time of day, and it’s NaTrue certified and dermatologist-tested.
According to Beauté Test reviewers, the third top anti-heavy legs remedy is Weleda’s copper toning gel, which has received a rating of 3.7/5 from 104 reviews. ShopGirl2008 has fallen for this product. Spending long hours on her feet, she sought a remedy that would “prevent the feeling of heavy legs without stickiness or an unpleasant scent,” finding the Copper Toning Gel to be “perfect.” She says, “its fluid texture is instantly refreshing,” and it “absorbs quickly.” Mulo notes it “effectively relieves heaviness and discomfort in her legs.” She applies it whenever she “feels fatigued” and her legs feel heavy. Overall, she finds that “this gel is highly effective.” Isbaelle uses it as soon as she comes home from work to ease her sore and overheated legs, and she finds it “incredibly beneficial.” The fluid texture is a plus for her, as “it doesn’t require much product to cover a good area.”
However, not everyone finds this product satisfactory. Amélie2000 believes it is “completely ineffective” with “no cooling or therapeutic effect.” Furthermore, she describes the scent as “very peculiar and unpleasant,” adding that the gel “balls up when massaging for relief.” Petitmatin was “not impressed,” deeming it “ineffective.” She stated that the “cooling effect is just not great,” and it “dries out the skin.” Babou expressed disappointment with the texture: “It’s supposed to be a gel, but it’s runny and grainy,” making application tricky, compounded by its “unpleasant smell” and “lack of refreshing effect.”
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Have you tried any of the products mentioned in this article, or others in the same category? Share your thoughts to make your voice heard and share your experiences with the Beauté Test community. Describe what you liked or disliked, your favorites, and what fell short for you. Thank you in advance for your expert and passionate contributions.
