Here’s how you can get smooth hands after all that hand-washing

Traditional soap tends to be made with harsh surfactants (think SLS/SLES) and has a pH too alkaline for our skin. This results in dry, cracked skin. Soap-free cleansers, on the other hand, have a gentler formulation that is as effective in combating harmful pathogens (20-second rule still applies). The Ceradan Moisturising Wash, $29.90 also includes ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterols to nourish and repair the skin.

(Here are “Gentle Hand Washes And Sanitisers To Keep Your Hands Clean And Smelling Great“)

Ingredients such as fragrance and denatured alcohol can irritate the skin further. So after washing your hands, we recommend patting it dry with a towel (not rubbing, as the friction can cause mechanical damage) and finishing with a sensitive skin-friendly hand cream such as the Ego QV Hand Cream, $7.90. It is pH balanced and contains moisturising and nourishing ingredients including glycerin and paraffin.

Repeated bouts of washing and sanitising can create painful cracks on the skin, especially if you haven’t been taking care of your hands. The solution is to plug these fissures with petroleum jelly, which is inert and hypoallergenic, before putting on gloves to prevent it from getting everywhere. Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly, $4.20 is an inexpensive option.

Speaking of wearing gloves, these accessories are great to help the hand cream deeply penetrate the skin without getting it all over your appliances and surfaces. Use a pair of gloves like The Body Shop Moisture Gloves, $16 after you’ve applied hand cream before heading to bed for an intensive overnight treatment.

If you want something more immediate and fuss-free, use a hand mask. Think of these as facial sheet masks but for the hands. The Mediheal Line Theraffin Hand Mask, $3.90, contains skin-loving ingredients including paraffin, shea butter, argan oil, niacinamide and ceramide to deeply nourish battered hands.

Don’t forget about your cuticles too. They are a delicate area that can get dry and cause painful peeling. Peeling the chapped cuticles would only result in a bloody and excruciating scene like Natalie Portman in Black Swan. Prevent that from happening by using Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail Cuticle Oil, $12.50 to nourish and soften the skin and strengthen the cuticles and nails.

To reduce any negative effects from washing and sanitising our hands, we should first limit our exposure to water and harsh chemicals that can further exacerbate the problem. So as much as possible wear waterproof gloves when you’re cleaning and disinfecting the space around you. This includes any activities where you need to be hands-on such as doing the dishes or gardening.

This article was first published in Cleo.

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