According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing your hands is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Over the past few months, you have probably brushed up on and are practicing the best hand washing techniques. However, you’ve probably also noticed that all the constant washing can leave your hands dry, red, and itchy. In this blog, we will talk about the correct way to wash your hands and how to moisturize your dry skin.
How to properly wash your hands
- Wet your hands with lukewarm water
- Lather with gentle soap
- Scrub the back of your hands, between your fingers, and your fingertips for 20 seconds
- Thoroughly rinse your hands
- Dry with a clean towel
Why is it important to moisturize?
As you continuously wash your hands, the soap will strip the surface of your skin of its natural oils. This is why your hands feel dry with the increase of washing. To combat this, moisturizer can act as another layer of protection. It fills pores with the necessary hydration and keeps the germs away. All in all, it keeps your skin feeling healthier and reduces the risk of getting sick.
What kind of moisturizer should I use for my dry hands?
We recommend that you moisturize with a hand cream or ointment rather than a lotion. Hand creams tend to be richer and have more moisture compared to lotion. Creams will typically be better about locking in hydration, too. When applying the cream, make sure to get the backs of your hands and knuckles as they are the most tender when it comes to drying out and being irritated.
When should I moisturize my hands?
You should use a moisturizer throughout the entire day – use especially after washing, when you go to bed, and when they are feeling dry. Keep your moisturizer handy, leave a bottle next to your sink, bed stand, or in your purse for when you are on the go.
What ingredients should I be looking for in a moisturizer?
When looking for a hand cream that will hold in moisture, we recommend selecting one that has Vitamin E or Glycerin. While many people think that a moisturizer will just help with dry skin, it can do much more than that! Moisturizers can work against aging, too. Use a hand cream that has an SPF of 30 or higher. When protecting from the sun’s damaging UV rays, it will help lessen dark spots and wrinkles.
Closing thoughts
Hand washing is so important these days but, as we all know, it can leave your skin feeling dry and itchy. Make the time to protect your skin from life itself and put on moisturizer each day. It only takes a minute or two, but it will leave you with benefits that last! If you do not know what type of moisturizer is best for your hands or are experiencing overly dry or itchy patches of skin that don’t seem to be helped by moisturizer, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 402-423-1111. Dr. Basler and the team here at Complete Family Dermatology – located in south Lincoln – would be more than happy to help get you on the road to beautiful skin!
