Ever noticed how often you mindlessly touch your face throughout the day? In fact, our hands come into the most contact with other people and objects. Since Covid19 happened, in the bid to stop the spread of the virus, we’ve been constantly reminded to wash our hands (here are some top tips for washing hands so you don’t fall sick), keep them clean and of course, to stop touching our faces.
Why is washing our hands so important? Healthcare professionals have said that soap and water are the most effective when it comes to combating germs and dirt. The soap binds together with the visible and invisible nasties on the skin and physically removes them when you place your soapy hands under running water.
Therein lies the problem. The increased frequency of our handwashing is now causing many of us to suffer from dry hands, or worse cracked skin too.
So why are our hands getting dry? It’s because soap and water not only rinses away the bacteria, but it also strips the skin of its natural protective oils, which in turn dries out the skin, leaving it red and raw at times too.
To ensure that your hands are kept clean and protected, follow these three steps:
Step 1: Wash with warm water (and soap, of course)
Hot water strips away even more of your skin’s natural oils, so lukewarm or room temperature is best. Don’t forget to wash for at least 20 seconds — sing Happy Birthday to yourself twice, and make sure you get the back of your hands, in-between the fingers, wrists and fingernails too.
Step 2: Blot, don’t rub
After washing your hands, it’s better to blot them dry with your towel, especially when they’re already feeling tender. Rubbing them roughly can result in micro-abrasions on the skin, which can allow bacteria to enter.
Step 3: Nourish and protect
Once hands are dry, apply a nourishing cream or lotion to replenish moisture back into the skin. Active ingredients that you can look for include ceramides that will protect the skin along with humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin that attract and retain moisture within to keep hands soft and supple.
To help keep your skin soft and supple, here are nine pampering hand creams and lotions to treat yourself to.