How to Soothe Sore Skin from Hand Washing
At this point, we know the drill: Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds frequently through-out the day to protect against coronavirus COVID-19. For many of us however, weeks of washing our hands over and over, has resulted in dry, cracked skin and angry inflamed patches of eczema.
While stopping the hand washing isn’t an option, there are some things you can do to protect your skin while doing it. Leading aesthetic doctor, Dr. Michael Barnish recommends avoiding alcohol-based soaps which can strip away our skins natural moisture barrier causing chronic irritation and dryness.
But it’s not just alcohol-rubs which can leave your skin feeling dry; hands have few sebaceous glands so frequently washing them with soaps containing Sodium lauryl sulphate will also draw moisture out of the skin leaving hands feeling sore and irritated.
Dr Pamela, an award-winning specialist aesthetic doctor, suggests the application of a hand cream after washing.
"To help alleviate the dryness and to restore the protective skin barrier, look for hand creams that contain emollients, including ceramides, and humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Ceramides are lipids that help form the skin's barrier and help your skin retain it's natural moisture. Hand creams with ceramides also help to protect against environmental aggressors like irritants and pollution. I would recommend to stay clear of parabens, perfumes, alcohols, and silicones when shopping for hand creams."
A strong, healthy skin barrier plays an important role in keeping bad bacteria away from the body so, if frequent hand washing leaves you with dry skin, replenish skin to avoid any cracks which could otherwise leave you exposed to the virus is must.
We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite hand duo’s to help you stay safe while avoiding irritation.
GREEN PEOPLE
With Organic Aloe Vera, Glycerine and Brassica campestris seed oil, Organic People’s ultra-gentle, everyday hand care set keeps hands clean and healthy, while £1 of every sale goes directly to the NHS.
ASHLEY & CO
Botanical Hand Wash £24 and Sootherup Hand & Body Lotion £28
We love using this natural, fragrant hand wash by Ashley & Co (also available as a refill) followed by their soothing lotion containing nourishing botanicals of honey, camomile and sweet almond.
ORGANII
Organic Liquid Soap £4.95 and Hand & Nail Cream £2.95
Available in fragrance-free, citrus, lavender or rose, this non-drying natural soap is free of synthetic colours, flavourings and preservatives, instead using pure essential oils - and olive oil for moisture and scent.
Pair with Organii Hand and Nail Cream, to benefit from the rejuvenating and healing effects of organic sea buckthorn.
BJORK & BERRIES
Fjällsjö Hand & Body Wash £26 and Fjällsjö Hand & Body Lotion £35
Inspire by the mountains of Northern Sweden and enriched with natural antioxidants and vitamins from organic sea buckthorn, to stimulate blood circulation and cell function, this eco luxury duo with its invigorating cold water scent will leave hands feeling gently cleansed and nourishingly hydrated.
L’OCCITANE
Ultra Rich Hand & Body Wash £16 and Shea Butter Hand Cream £21.50
Did you know that a Shea Butter Hand Cream is sold somewhere around the world every 3 seconds? Enriched with 20% Shea Butter, as well as a blend of almond, honey, and coconut oil for added nourishment it’s the perfect accompaniment to L’Occitanes rich shea milk foaming cream wash.
GALLINEE
Cleansing Bar £10 and Hand Cream £7
Soap-free and oh-so-gentle, the Gallinée Cleansing Bar is formulated at pH 5.8, to respect your skin’s natural pH levels. While it’s soothing and repairing hand cream helps support your good bacteria by regenerating dry and damaged skin for hands that are soft, supple, and are protected from external aggressors.
DR BRONNER’S
Pure Castile Soap Bar £5.35 and Organic Lotion £10.99
Fresh and invigorating these Pure-Castile Soap Bars are made with certified fair trade ingredients and organic hemp oil for a soft, smooth lather that won't dry your skin. Keep a bottle by your sink alongside Dr Bronner’s highly emollient Organic Lotion.
SUKIN
Teaming up with Australian fashion label Arkie and inspired by contemporary Aboriginal culture, Sukins super nourishing hand wash & cream duo leaves skin feeling clean, hydrated and supple without stripping the skin of essential oils. Enhanced with their signature signature scent of Mandarin, Tangerine, Lavender & Vanilla.
MALIN & GOETZ
Soap Bar £18 and Vitamin B5 Hand Treatment £18
These triple-milled foaming cleansing bars by Malin & Goetz gently yet effectively purifies all skin types, including sensitive without drying or stripping. Team with their Vitamin B5 Hand Treatment to deliver intense hydration to skin, cuticles and nails.
Sniffle season is here, but your best defense isn’t in the medicine cabinet—it’s in your gut. Feed your microbes right, and they’ll keep your immune system in fighting form.