How to Avoid Dry Skin When Washing Your Hands More Often?
By Space Coast Daily // December 16, 2020
Chances are you’ve been washing your hands more frequently these days. And there are plenty of good reasons to do so. Thoroughly washing your hands using a good soap or detergent is important because it minimizes the risk of spreading germs to objects or other people.
When you know how to wash your hands properly, you can reduce the risk of spreading germs that can cause viral infections, seasonal flu and skin infections.
But repeated hand washing and the use of alcohol-based sanitizers can quickly lead to dry hands. The skin on your hands may feel drier than usual and could become cracked. Here’s how to replenish the moisture in your skin.
Why hand washing causes dry skin
The skin on your hands acts as a natural barrier. As water comes into contact with the skin, it can take away some of the natural oils.
The more often this process is repeated, the more moisture is being withdrawn from the skin. When using very hot water or soap, even more of the skin’s natural moisturizing oils get stripped away.
How to wash your hands to avoid dry skin
It is possible to keep your skin healthy when washing your hands more often. Try to avoid using very hot water when washing – lukewarm water is better and won’t reduce the effectiveness of washing your hands.
Use a mild soap or one that is specially formulated for dry skin and wash your hands for 20 seconds. You don’t need to use a lot of soap, a small amount will be enough. When you’re done, dab your hands dry with a soft towel rather than scrubbing them as this minimizes irritation.
Moisturize immediately
After you’ve washed your hands, immediately apply a hand cream. It’s best to choose a moisturizer that’s free from fragrances or alcohol because these ingredients can further dry out your skin.
Petroleum jelly is still one of the most effective and cheapest ways to replenish lost moisture in skin. If you prefer to use hand sanitizers, opt for one that includes moisturizing agents like aloe vera. You can buy creams in travel sizes so that you can carry them with you wherever you go.
Treat your hands overnight
If you’ve noticed that your skin is very dry, give it a moisture boost overnight. It’s also the perfect time to apply a thicker, greasier treatment because you won’t be using your hands during the night.
Simply apply a generous layer of Vaseline or olive oil to your hands and put on some lightweight fabric gloves before you go to sleep. This deeply nourishing treatment will leave your hands feeling soft and replenished when you wake up.
