If you have been washing your hands non-stop and sanitising in between your hands probably feel so dry that they could be used as sand paper right now.
Where it is essential to keep washing them as often as possible at the moment it is not fun for the skin.
Apart from feeling uncomfortable it can actually be dangerous. Our skin is the body’s first defence against bacteria and viruses so if it becomes dry, cracked and damaged it can lead to infections.
So lets try and restore some moisture with some of these quick fixes!
1. Moisturising Hand Washes
Avoid using bars of soap as they can strip the skin of their natural oils leaving them dry. Look for products that are free of soap,
E45 Emollient Wash Cream, £4.50 is a clinically proven treatment for dry and itchy skin, it doesn’t alter the natural pH so it helps maintain the natural moisture.
It is also soap and detergent free. I often recommend it to those who suffer with dry skin conditions such as eczema to use on a regular basis.
Another option which smells amazing is the Aromatherapy Associates Hand Wash 300ml £21. It is packed with essential oils so it doesn’t only clean the skin it nourishes it as well, oh and it smells AMAZING.
2. Add Oils To Your Hand Wash
If you have already stocked up on hand washes, you can mix in a table spoon of an essential oil to the bottle of hand wash and give it a mix. This will help to moisturise and nourish.
Some options are coconut oil; this has anti-microbial properties too. Alternatively you can try olive oil or grapeseed oil. Try Vita Coco Organic Virgin Coconut Oil £6.99 or Naissance Grapeseed Oil £4.99
3. Use A Rich Cream
It goes without saying we need to be moisturising like never before.
I recommend some of these on a daily basis to people suffering with eczema and dry skin conditions.
Aveeno Moisturising Cream £5.51 contains colloidal oatmeal which binds to your skin forming protective barrier. It also helps hold in moisture and ease inflammation that may have occurred if you can’t resist the need to scratch. If that isn’t enough, it cleans your skin, too.
Cerave Cream £3.00 is amazing as it absorbs quickly leaving the skin soothed and moisturised instantly. It is fragrance free so stops reactions that might occur with fragranced products in skin that has become chapped exposing it. It is used by dermatologists for dry skin conditions like eczema.
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve £15.99 is infused with sesame oil, avocado oil, and olive, which are all packed with essential fatty acids to keep skin soft and nourished.
4. Use Cotton Gloves At Night
Cotton gloves are great to lock in moisture over night so you can start your new day with moistures soft hands. Apply a rich cream generously such as one of the ones mentioned above and then wear the gloves. You can get these from most pharmacies or try Luter White Cotton Gloves, £7.98
5. Massage With Essential Oils After Washing
You can massage oils into your hands instead off or with a moisturiser. Give Naissance Extra Virgin Olive Oil £7.99 a go, it’s filled with anti-oxidants, is anti-microbial, contains vitamins as well as fatty acids that keep moisture locked in.
Coconut oil is a good option too as mentioned above.
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