Hand Care in the age of COVID

Ramped-up hand washing has become the norm in the age of COVID. This has become a necessity as our hands are one of the most common ways that viruses, bacteria and other harmful germs are spread. We touch our faces, our things, and other people so much and we don’t even notice it, nor did we realize that we could be spreading potentially harmful substances from one person to another. In this new norm where we are constantly washing or sanitizing our hands, it’s important to keep our hand skin healthy. Here are three things you can do:

• Always moisturize after you wash your hands – The natural oils produced by your skin not only act as a way to moisturize the outermost layer, but also to act as a protective barrier. Washing your hands or using hand sanitizer strips this away, making your hands susceptible to dryness and irritation. Make sure you re-apply your hand moisturizer after you wash. Keep a small bottle of moisturizer with you at all times if possible for quick application. 
• Choose gentle hand sanitizers – Hand sanitizers need to have at least 60% alcohol content to be effective, and with that much alcohol content, they tend t o dry out your nails and skin. However, because hand sanitizers are so popular now in the age of COVID, many manufacturers are putting out more skin-friendly product. Opt for a hand sanitizer that contains aloe vera, chamomille, calendula, or other herbal blends that soothe and moisturize your skin besides protecting it. You should also look for one that doesn’t have a very strong scent, as the alcohol smell can sometimes trigger allergic reactions. If you are able to wash your hands instead of using a hand sanitizer, do that instead as hand sanitizer usage does come with side effects.
• Avoid washing your hands with hot water – By now, you should know the most effective hand-washing method, dubbed as the “happy birthday” method. Now what you need to know is that hot water removes the moisture from your skin, leaving it defenseless against irritation and dryness. Soap in general can cause dryness and not formulated to deal with your hands’ more delicate skin, so try to avoid using soap, and instead use a gentle cleanser that contains moisturizing elements like lavender and shea batter. One of the most important things you need to do after washing your hands is to dry it, as germs tend to thrive and spread more when your hands are wet.