Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, hand-washing is part of the new norm. After all, it is one of the ways to reduce your risk of infection. And we’re not just talking about a three-second rinse under the tap: you need to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds multiple times a day.
Even if we’re not touching soap and water, we’re reaching for alcohol-based hand sanitisers to disinfect our hands. This becomes more frequent if you’re a germaphobe or work in an environment that requires strict sanitation and hygiene standards such as the hospital or a childcare centre. The result is you’re healthy, but the skin on your hands is dry, rough and possibly cracking.
What can cause dry hands?
While washing and disinfecting your hands repeatedly is great way to stay healthy and keep loved ones around us safe, it can be damaging to the skin barrier. Suds created by the soap wash away dirt, bacteria and germs, and along with it the skin’s natural oils that keep it soft and healthy. This can leave you with skin that is dry and scaly. Washing hands with hot water and using anti-bacterial soap can make matters worse leading to painful, itchy cracks.
If that’s a predicament you’re currently facing or want to avoid, keep reading as we share with you seven tips to rescue your dry, cracked hands.
