Is your skin dry from frequent hand washing? Here are moisturizing tips from dermatologists
Hand washing is still one of the best ways to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
And ever since the pandemic had begun, people have been repeatedly advised by health care authorities to wash their hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds each session.
However, hand washing can bring about a very uncomfortable and unsightly side effect: dry skin!
Frequent hand washing can cause dry skin | Source: polina-tankilevitch (Pexels)
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), not only does dry skin cause discomfort, it can also increase your risk of picking up germs as dry and cracked skin makes it easier for them to enter your body.
So, since hand washing is a non-negotiable ritual, what should be done to combat its not-so-nice side effect? The answer is moisturizing!
Below are hand washing and moisturizing tips from different dermatologists worldwide, so you can prevent and heal dry skin.
Dry, unmoisturized skin can actually increase your risk of picking up germs | Source: moose-photos-170195 (Pexels)
1. Use lukewarm water.
Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, which can make your already dry skin even drier. So, opt for lukewarm water when washing your hands.
2. Dry hands with a clean towel, but leave it slightly damp before moisturizing.
Doing this simple trick can boost your skin's moisture by sealing in the water like a vacuum pack.
3. Choose the hand moisturizer you use carefully.
The AAD recommends moisturizers that are fragrance-free, dye-free, and contain mineral oil or petrolatum.
Use a hand moisturizer that dermatologists recommend | Source: rethaferguson (Pexels)
4. Use a hand cream or ointment after using hand sanitizers.
The best alternative to washing your hands with water and soap is using hand sanitizers. But since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol in order to effectively kill germs, this could also inadvertently dry your skin. So, the AAD also advises people to moisturize after using hand sanitizers.
5. For those with eczema, use plenty of emollient after washing your hands.
Hywel Williams, a professor of Dermato-Epidemiology in the University of Nottingham, warns that frequent hand washing can aggravate eczema or even trigger it for the first time. So, he advocates using plenty of emollient after each time you wash your hands, to replenish the precious oils in your skin.
With these hand washing and moisturizing tips, you can now achieve clean, well-moisturized, and supple hands. And, always keep in mind that you are better protected from germs when you have moisturized skin.
For more news on the Coronavirus Disease pandemic, go to GMA Network's COVID-19 page.
Sources: American Academy of Dermatology Association, University of Nottingham UK
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