As we all know hand washing is very important. Handwashing is an essential part of maintaining basic hygiene and preventing illness whether we do it multiple times a day due to our work or for other reasons.
The good news is that we can preserve our skins integrity and appearance while also effectively cleaning our hands to remove germs.
Rinse, wash, repeat and then apply moisturizer.
Water and soap though necessary for hygiene can have an adverse effect on the skin barrier which is the outermost layer of skin cells made up of fatty acids cholesterol and ceramides. Your hands may appear red flaky cracked and dry when the skin barrier is compromised. It also keeps your skin hydrated and healthy.
What then should a diligent handwasher who is concerned about germs do?
Make sure that your hands skin is clean and well-hydrated. No matter how much emphasis is placed on cleaning thoroughly and frequently there is no need to use a cleanser that has the consistency of battery acid. I simply advise using a mild and effective hand soap instead. If like us you were taught to wash your hands with warm water lather the soap for at least 20 seconds and wash your hands thoroughly including between your fingers then even in the absence of antibacterial soap you can rest easy knowing that your hand washing routine will work.
Gentle Reminder
Even if you take good care of your hands if you notice inflammation or other changes in your skin see your board-certified dermatologist. Your doctor might be able to provide advice over the phone or through video consultation in the event that in-person visits are not possible as well as recommend over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
As usual remember to apply sunscreen to your hands and any other exposed skin every day especially if you plan on being outside. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater to shield your skin from UVA and UVB rays which can cause damage and to avoid sun spots on your well-maintained hands.