How to care for your constantly washed hands

If all that handwashing or sanitising is leaving your hands parched, here’s how to give them some rehydrating TLC. 

Between the regular, thorough handwashing required to stave off coronavirus and other nasties, and the cooler weather, your hands might be a tad dry or even cracked.

Parents of school-aged children in particular may have noticed the skin damage to their kids’ hands because of vigilant hygiene practices at school such as washing and sanitising.

While it’s important to keep our hands clean, we also want to protect the skin on our hands from becoming red and irritated.

Not only that, the skin provides a physical barrier between our body and the outside environment.

It produces it’s own natural oils and is colonised by a diverse microbiota that helps our immune system, so it’s important not to disrupt this with excessive washing.

Here are some ways to keep your hands clean, while not interfering with your skin’s natural barriers and causing irritation.

Wash and dry with care

Washing your hands with antibacterial handwash that contains alcohol or using hand sanitiser will dry out even the softest hands.

To renew the suppleness of the skin, save the germ-killing formulas for when you’re outside your home (or have just returned home), and instead use a milky, sulphate-free soap when you’re at home.

Germs spread more easily from wet skin than from dry skin, so drying your hands completely is important.

Paper towels are the most-effective way to dry hands without spreading germs.

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Exfoliate (it’s not just for your face)

You can help revive dull, dry hands by removing the dull, dry, dead cells.

This can be done either with an exfoliation brush, sponge or scrub, or by applying a topical product to help dissolve dead skin cells.

Exfoliation may not be suitable for everyone, so consider your skin type and choose a method you think might be best.

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise

Moisturising plays a crucial part in keeping hands germ-free, because being cracked or dry can impair the skin’s protective barrier.

Apply a rich hand cream, aqueous or petroleum jelly over your hands at night, or when your skin is slightly damp, and sleep with gloves on to lock in the moisture.

Hello, soft hands in the morning!

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DIY hand treat

To give your hands a home-spa treatment, exfoliate your hands, then massage in a treatment cream or apply your favourite nourishing face mask.

Pay attention to the backs of your hands and around your cuticles.

Next, slip on some plastic gloves, wrap them in warm damp towels and leave on for 30 minutes.

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How to protect your child’s hands at school

If your child’s hands are looking red, raw and irritated from too much handwashing, consider sending them to school with own soap-free handwash or a gentle olive oil soap.

They should also be encouraged to take their own emollient to school and apply it after washing and throughout the day.

See your doctor if their skin continues to look inflamed.

Written by Nikki Yazxhi.