Hand Washing is Key

Good hygiene starts with good hand care. Our hands are the most used parts of our body and are the most overlooked when it comes to skincare. The most consistent piece of advice that health experts continue to give us is to wash our hands. A proper hand care routine is essential if you want your hands to look as good as the rest of your body. It is the first step to a good skincare routine.  Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. In addition, washing your hands can help keep you healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Over the last two years, we saw soap and sanitizers fly off the shelves. The drying effects of many hand soaps and hand sanitizers cause damage and disruption to the skin barrier. Alcohol-based sanitizers dry out your skin, so it’s important to moisturize your hands after application. When using hand sanitizer, it’s best to wait until your hands are completely dry before moisturizing, as the alcohol-based gel can repel the moisturizer. If you frequently use hand sanitizer, try a hand sanitizing cream to protect yourself from germs and dry skin. As the effects of washing and sanitizing hands began to take their toll, consumers are now seeking products that contain ceramides and lipids to help nourish, heal, and refortify skin. Did you know the weather and environment are additional factors? Sun, wind, and humidity all play a role in skin dryness and hand care. Even small temperature changes, like going outside from an air-conditioned house to a sunny sidewalk, can affect your skin. Also, lifestyle choices include the food you eat as well as personal habits like sleep, alcohol use, smoke intake, weight loss or gain, and stress level can affect your hands.

With self-care now the focus for many consumers, behavior suggests they search for moisturizing hand care and hand care products, that offer repairing or healing benefits. The drying effects of many hand soaps and hand sanitizers cause disruptions to the skin barrier. Never touch your face unless your hands are clean. Bacteria on your hands feeds pimples.

It’s okay to use your hands to touch your face and apply skincare products as long as you thoroughly wash your hands first. That means with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to wash between your fingers, and under your nails, and don't forget your thumbs. Use cold or lukewarm water, not hot. Hot water dries out your skin more quickly without being any more effective than lukewarm water. Similarly, stay away from prolonged heat. Instead of using a hand dryer to dry your hands, shake your hands dry and gently pat them down with a soft towel. The hands tend to be one of the most exposed areas of your skin, so the skin on your hands tends to shed skin cells faster and more often. Regular moisturizing allows the skin to retain its natural supple texture. The best times to use moisturizers on the hands are after a bath, exfoliating, dishwashing, and before going to bed. For those of us with dry skin conditions on our hands, it’s best to moisturize them each time you wash your hands. In closing, let’s improve the look and feel of our hands by including them as the first step in our skincare routine. Let’s continue this skincare journey together!