hands | Your Skin care help

May 5, 2020July 26, 2023

Hand Sanitiser – Gels and Wipes – What You Should Know

Hand sanitiser, this is a subject that seems to be on everyone’s mind in the never ending daily fight against Covid-19. People are searching for answers, what makes medical-grade hand gel, how to make your own, are hand wipes as effective as a gel? We reveal what matters in the fight to keep your hands clean and protect against COVID-19.

Hand Sanitiser – Gels and Wipes: What You Should Know:

We are all now hyper-aware of hand hygiene due to the coronavirus pandemic. Still, there is some confusion about exactly what works best on removing the virus from your hands, and why? We know that trying to find alcohol-based hand gel is like looking for moondust at the moment! Does it matter the type of hand gel or soap you buy, and what options do you have if you’re struggling to get hold of these products?

The reason soap and alcohol gel work against Coronavirus is to do with the type of virus we are dealing with called COVID-19. It is an ‘enveloped’ virus, and what this means is that the RNA (nucleic acid – the viral genetic material) coated in a lipid (fatty) layer. Soap can dissolve this lipid layer, causing the virus to fall apart and stopping it from binding to our cells. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser works in a similar way, deactivating the virus by breaking down the lipid layer.

Click – FFP2 Face Masks – Available In Stock

Which Hand Sanitiser Should You Buy?

Keep in mind that hand sanitiser isn’t the ‘be-all and end-all’ of hygiene. If like millions of people around the world now you are mostly staying at home, hand washing is the best option.

With hand sanitiser, you have probably seen it written that you need at least alcohol content of 60% for a hand sanitiser to work and kill the Coronavirus. You can buy hand sanitisers with varying degrees of alcohol content. The level of alcohol required for it to work and inactivate most types of viruses, including COVID-19, is between 60-95%.

You will find that most alcohol-based hand sanitiser gels contain one or more alcohols in them. And they include Ethanol, Isopropanol – or a combination of the two. You can check the ingredients label to see how much it contains.

The well-known High St brand ‘Carex’ has one of the highest alcohol content, from the information on the label it states: Carex hand gel – contains 70% alcohol. Cuticura hand gel – includes 66% Ethanol.* Dettol hand gel – has 63% Ethanol.

*If you have a Cuticura hand sanitiser, you might notice that on the label it says it contains 56.7% Ethanol. Cuticura state this is the value by weight, this converts to 66% ethanol by volume (the important measure), and above the 60% minimum requirement.

One of the downfalls of hand sanitiser is that it doesn’t work as well on sweaty, greasy, or visibly dirty hands. You need to use a lot to cover the entire surface of your hands thoroughly. Another problem people find with repeated use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser can irritate your skin, too, despite many containing moisturising agents.

Do Alcohol-free Hand Sanitisers Work?

Alcohol-free hand sanitisers are usually in the form of foam. They can be less severe on the skin, but, on the downside, there isn’t as much scientific evidence supporting their action against some viruses, including Coronavirus.

The alcohol-free hand sanitisers commonly contain ingredients such as Chlorhexidine Digluconate or Benzalkonium Chloride.

A study recently in the Journal of Hospital Medicine (March 2020) found these ingredients not as adequate at deactivating viruses similar to COVID-19 (although the study looked at surfaces, not hands).

These ingredients seem to work better against bacteria and viruses such as norovirus. Reemphasizing it is ‘alcohol, detergents, hydrogen peroxide, extremes of pH and bleach that inactivate COVID-19’.

See on – boots.com

How Does Medical-Grade Hand Sanitiser Differ – Do I Need It?

Medical grade sanitisers, such as Defendol, generally have around 70% alcohol. A product like Defendol will be tested to show specific pathogen-killing efficacy relevant to hospital settings. The average person shouldn’t need to use this grade sanitiser, as standard alcohol gels are sufficient so long as you keep in mind to wash your hands regularly!

Hospitals, care homes, and general medical environments understandably need added protection. They will need products that have been certified for these high-risk environments, so it’s best to leave this for those who need it.

Can You Make Your Own Hand Sanitiser?

You can, in theory, make your sanitiser by mixing 3/4 of a cup of rubbing alcohol with 1/4 of a cup of aloe vera, but it’s not that desirable. The reason being is that anything homemade is not ‘laboratory validated’ to the standard of retail hand sanitisers. And importantly, you would need to ensure you use sterilized containers and source some Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol.

Either of these is 99% proof, so a bottle of vodka from your local store won’t do the trick! And like other raw ingredients associated with popular Coronavirus products, it’s challenging to find or to purchase anyway.

The critical thing to remember is to wash your hands after contact with the outside world. At all costs, avoid touching your face or face mask if you wear one before you have washed your hands thoroughly.

Click To Read Our Recommendations on – Intensive Hand Creams

Are Antibacterial Wipes As Effective As Hand Sanitiser?

Some pharmacy chains have been pointing their customers to stocks of antibacterial wipes when their hand gel stocks run out. But is it the same thing?

Hand wipes tend to have less alcohol in them, and more antibacterial compounds in them. These are Benzalkonium Chloride found in ‘Wet Ones’ as well as water and wetting agents such as detergent and surfactant.

Before you purchase the wipes, you should check the range of pathogens the wipe is active against; this can find this on the back of the packet or checking the active ingredients online. These type of hand wipes, and antiseptic creams such as Savlon or Germolene, are more ‘antibacterial’ than ‘antiviral.’ They are designed to work on the skin where bacteria are (usually) the main skin pathogens.

See on – boots.com

Our Conclusion:

Using a Hand Sanitiser, alongside washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, can help you and your family stay clean and protected. Practicing good hygiene can begin with a hand gel kept in your bag for when you’re out and about. Being able to clean your hands when you have no access to soap, hand wash, or water is easy with antibacterial hand gel. When you’re at work, a larger hand sanitiser gel can be kept at your desk or workstation ready for when you need it. Using Antibacterial gel can kill up to 99.9% germs, helping you to stop spreading germs to those around you.

Do you have any other tips for caring for your hands, or a particular hand sanitiser you find protects your hands and skin? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

May 3, 2020August 6, 2023

Keeping Your Hands Healthy During A Pandemic

No doubt you have seen and heard The Department of Health & Social Care, and the World Health Organisation frequently advising us to wash our hands or use hand sanitizer gels in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19. The problem you will get from excessive hand washing and using hand sanitiser is that your hands become dry, sore and irritated.

Keeping Your Hands Healthy During A Pandemic – Stop The Spread:

Frequent hand washing is crucial in the fight to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. However, this can lead to damage to the outermost layer of skin (the stratum corneum) if we don’t take supplementary measures. We must all keep our hands clean and free from the virus but, remember to protect the skin at the same time. If you continue to keep the hands clean but don’t look after the surface, you could end up with dry, damaged skin.

It’s essential to keep the skin nourished, so it’s there as an effective barrier. To help you keep your hands healthy, we’ve looked into the most suitable hand cream ingredients and what they do. We also offer tips for looking after your hands, so that the surface continues to appear young and elegant, and keeping your hands healthy during a Pandemic.

How Hand Cream Works:

We all know how general wear and tear leaves the skin on our hands feeling like cardboard by the end of the day. Another of the leading causes of dehydrated hands is when they are exposed to the elements. When you add to this to the increased, and hopefully by now, regular washing, it can cause severe dryness and irritation. The use of a good quality hand cream will help to restore and protect the skin, leaving it feeling moisturized and hydrated.

If you are applying hand moisturizer throughout the day, you do not want your hands to feel greasy so that you can’t even pick up a pen! Look for a hand cream that hydrates but soaks into the skin that allows you can pick up items without them slipping through your fingers!

Here you will find the different ingredients in a typical hand cream that should keep your skin nourished and healthy. We also advise on how to look after your hands while Coronavirus is widespread.

Read Our Recommendations On – Intensive Hand Creams

What’s In Your Hand Cream:

Humectants are one of the three crucial ingredients you’ll find in hand moisturizer, along with occlusives and emollients. The way they work by drawing water from the air and into the skin. Glycerine is a common humectant. It has three hydrophilic (water-loving) alcohol endings, and why it attracts water so effectively.

It also provides skincare products such as hand creams, a soft, creamy skin-feel – although too much of it can be a bad thing and make a product feel sticky. Other humectants you find in hand creams include butylene glycol, urea, sorbitol, honey, aloe vera, sea salt (Maris sal), and wheat proteins.

Occlusives form a protective ‘physical’ barrier on the surface of the skin to seal water in and prevent it from evaporating or ‘extracted’ by secondary factors such as the cold, wind, or frequent hand-washing. They can also leave the skin feeling greasy and heavy on the surface (petroleum jelly is a good example).

Dimethicone is a popular synthetic occlusive that provides an effective barrier without feeling ‘heavy’ on the skin. It allows a hand cream to feel smooth and flow from the bottle for easy application. Dimethicone is like a liquid plastic seal to help with the skin’s barrier function. It also helps with lubrication, allowing the moisturizer to fill the gaps between the skin cells. Other popular occlusives include beeswax and liquid paraffin.

Emollients soften the skin and stop the skin from drying out in reduced humidity environments or after cleansing. Shea butter is a suitable alternative that serves as an occlusive too. Some other emollients you will find include myristyl alcohol, capric triglyceride (made from coconut oil), and lanolin Emulsifiers. These help to stabilize mixtures of oil and water-based substances by reducing the surface tension of the ingredients from being emulsified so that they blend.

Click – Surgical Face Masks – Available In Stock

If they are not present, you may find water forming towards the bottom of a jar or tube and oil gathering towards the top. Common emulsifying ingredients include glyceryl stearate, glyceryl stearate citrate, lecithin, carbomer, and beeswax. Sensory modifiers convert an unfavorable sensation into a more pleasing one. They include ‘slip modifiers’ or ‘absorbents,’ which help to give hand creams a silky skin-feel as well as excellent oil absorption.

One such slip modifier is tapioca-starch, a modified starch that emanates from the root of the cassava plant that helps ingredients to flow more conveniently from the bottle or tube. If you are regularly applying hand cream, a sensory modifier should mean not having to deal with a greasy residue. Other sensory modifiers include talc and kaolin.

Stabilizers are used in conjunction with emulsifiers to help stop products from separating into their water-based and oil-based components. Sodium carbomer is a synthetic stabilizer and rheology modifier that helps with the viscosity of a skincare product. In essence, your hand cream should have the texture you expect and want from it.

The slight downside, it does have potential environmental consequences. Sodium carbomers are microplastics, which are microscopic (less than 5mm) synthetic polymer particles that are like microbeads, but smaller and finer. They also resist biodegradation. A more eco-friendly substitute for sodium carbomer is xantham gum, which is a natural, sugar-based polymer.

Preservatives added to keep skincare products at their best by eradicating microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, and yeast. These could taint your cosmetic products and reduce their shelf life. One such ingredient is Phenoxyethanol; it’s synthetically made and works by damaging the cells of the unwanted microorganisms and prevents mold from developing on the inside of the top.

Fragrance, how a hand cream smells can make or break it for some people. Linalool is a typical fragrance in cosmetics; this has a floral aroma similar to lavender and bergamot. It’s a naturally occurring terpene alcohol, but can also be produced synthetically found in many flowers. These ingredients can be allergens, and this is why they are listed.

Anti Bacterial Hand Gel

See on – boots.com

Looking after your hands during the COVID-19 Pandemic:

It’s quite simple; all you have to do is to wash them frequently. Hand washing is the best thing you can do to protect from Coronavirus because it physically removes it if it’s on the skin. Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, making sure not to forget your wrists and the backs of your hands too.

Use hand sanitizer gel (when hand washing isn’t possible). A gel is preferable to a liquid formula because it remains on the skin for longer and, therefore, more likely to kill pathogens. You may want to look for non-greasy formulations for use during the day. Products containing sensory modifiers like tapioca starch, rice starch, or corn starch do tend to help to lessen the greasiness of a product. Lotions are lighter and more easily absorbed into the skin than creams, and these are good to use during the day when you wash your hands more frequently.

Apply thick hand cream at night. Put a rich hand cream on at night and use it as a night mask for your hands. Doing this, you will help to nourish the skin during the night. Doing this helps to repair the surface if you don’t like to moisturize during the day, or you forget to do so.

Are you struggling to find a hand cream? If you are, a regular moisturizer will also work. Some have very similar formulations. An example of this is Aveeno Skin Relief Body Moisturiser that has an identical list of ingredients to its hand cream version. The price is comparable for more than twice the amount of product (200ml vs. 75ml).

If your skin is dehydrated, cracked, or irritated, talk to a pharmacist about alternatives, as a standard hand cream may not be adequate to deal with the problem.

Biodegradable Hand Wipes

See on – boots.com

Keeping Your Hands Healthy During A Pandemic – Conclusion:

It can’t be emphasized enough the importance of keeping your hands clean. It’s still the number one thing you can do to protect yourself and others from contracting Coronavirus.

But, it’s equally important that you don’t neglect the moisturizing side too. Increased hand washing and the use of hand gel that often contains alcohol can be drying for your skin. Putting a rich moisturizer on overnight and moisturizing after washing your hands should help to keep hands looking young.

Do you suffer from dry hands and irritated skin? How do care and look after them? Do you have any other tips for caring for your hands? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

February 6, 2019July 27, 2023

Intensive Hand Cream Reviews – Maintaining Healthy Skin

Our hands often betray our age much more freely than our complexion because we are not giving them a daily shot of serums, oils, and moisturizers with scrubs and masks thrown in for good measure. But you can soon fix that with everyday use of a good quality Intensive Hand Cream.

Use throughout the day especially if you have severely dry hands – ensuring you leave a tube by the washbasin, so you always use after washing up or hand washing, and keep a tube in your desk drawer at work or handbag for regular application.

If you do not like the feel of lush, rich cream, go for a lotion instead – these tend to be lighter and thinner and absorbed easier. Remember too always apply a good quality cream at bedtime and to help the cream work even better on your hands wear cotton ‘beauty’ gloves, wearing these helps your skin to get a massive boost of nourishment overnight.

Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream:

Originated in1979, this hand cream has been a best-selling product for more than 30 years. Clarin’s offering is simply one of the most luxurious and nourishing creams that we tried, but it also absorbs almost immediately upon application and with no greasy residue.

There are very few creams that deliver on nourishment and absorption so efficiently – this one can even keep mild eczema at bay. The moisturizing base of sesame oil and shea butter is boosted by Japanese mulberry extract to work on minimizing age spots, while myrrh extract is used to strengthen the nails.

See On – clarins.co.uk

A moisturizer that softens Protects, Hydrates and Strengthens nails and condition cuticles to give a naturally clean, soft and youthful-look to your hand

Almost like an invisible protective glove that cares for the hand and the nails to shield them from the elements, keeping skin soft and silky and reducing the signs of aging.

Hands can become damaged and painful when exposed to the aggressiveness of our daily life, such as the weather, harsh water, and the everyday tasks we perform with them. So take time to care for your hands with Clarins professional, emollient-rich moisturizing hand cream – with soothing Sesame Oil and fortifying Japanese Mulberry.

Performance:

Softens the skin and hydrates.

Protects from environmental damage (the cold, the sun, hard water, and chapping).

Diminishes dark spots.

Regenerates and strengthens the nails.

This non-sticky cream spreads quickly, and the skin absorbs instantly.

To apply, massage gently into your hands, from the fingertips up to the wrist, giving careful attention to the cuticles to ensure the cream is completely absorbed.

Ingredients: Click To ViewAqua/Water/Eau, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Myristate, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Heptanoate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Parfum/Fragrance, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Unsaponifiables, Tetrasodium Edta, Limonene, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Lecithin, Sodium PCA, Tapioca Starch, Dehydroacetic Acid, Palmitoyl Myristyl Serinate, Linalool, Caramel, Disodium Edta, Morus Alba Root Extract, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Geraniol, Eugenol, Tocopherol, BHT, [C1473F]

Clarin’s Class:

When put to the test, Clarin’s products always perform, and this trusted hand cream is no exception, it delivers above and beyond expectations, yes it is slightly more expensive, but you won’t be disappointed with the results.

Neutrogena Hand Creams

Norwegian Formula – Visibly Renew Elasti-Boost Hand Cream SPF20:

This innovative daily hand cream not only gives exceptional hydration but also helps re-establish skin’s suppleness and limit the occurrence of brown spots. It blends Norwegian Formula moisture with active minerals, which help promote skin’s own collagen production. For a visibly smoother and more supple skin, with a fast-absorbing texture that leaves a delicately scented and soft after-feel. Available in 75ml.

See On – lookfantastic.com

Ingredients: Click To View[PR-015233] Aqua, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Homosalate, Dimethicone, Buthyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Steareth-2, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Sorbitan Stearate, Steareth-21, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Linseed Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Isohexadecane, Sucrose Cocoate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, PEG-8 Laurate, Polysorbate 60, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates Copolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum.

Finally, A Hand Cream with SPF that I love!

If you are a person who has to work outside or who is out and about a lot during the day, then this is probably the best option day cream for your hands as it has SPF 20 included. I’ve been trying Neutrogena Visibly Renew SPF Hand Cream for the last month and found that it prevents my hands from drying out. The other thing that I like about this product is how quickly it absorbs into the skin, leaving hands feeling soft and moisturized without any greasy effect. I keep my hand cream in my bag – this has got me into a reliable routine of using hand cream throughout the day, and I have to say what a difference it has made to my skin.

View our recommendations on Hand Gel and Hand Wipes

Norwegian Formula Fast Absorbing Hand Cream:

The Neutrogena Norwegian Formula® Fast Absorbing Hand Cream keeps hands hydrated and comforted with its instantly absorbed formula. The light, non-greasy texture is immediately merged into the skin for an instant feeling of comfort and moisturization, leaving no stickiness or residue. Available in two sizes: 75ml and 150ml.

See On – lookfantastic.com

Ingredients: Click To ViewAqua, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane,Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceteth-20, PEG-75 Stearate, Steareth-20, Cetearyl Glucoside, Paraffin, Cera Microcristallina, PV/Hexadecene Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Parfum.

One of the best ever hand creams:

I suffer from very sore dry, chapped hands, but having found this cream made my hands feel protected again. This product is perfect, and so reliable. Now, every time I wash my hands I always use this cream, it absorbs very quickly and is non-greasy. I love what it does for my hands, I have a tube by my kitchen sink & one in the bathroom at all times! Because it’s fast absorbing, I don’t have to worry about what I touch after applying to my hands.

Norwegian Formula Hand & Nail Cream:

The Neutrogena Norwegian Formula® Hand & Nail Cream is a luxuriously rich hand cream that melts into your hands and contains panthenol for complete hand and nail care. Its innovative formula makes nails twice as strong and helps soften cuticles as well as intensively moisturizing and nourishing the skin. Available in 75ml.

See On – lookfantastic.com

Ingredients: Click To ViewAqua, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane,Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Phytantriol, Xylitol, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitylglucoside, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Trisiloxane, Cetearyl Glucoside, Paraffin, Cera Microcristallina, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, PEG-75 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum.

Softer Hands – Stronger Nails:

I was looking for an intense hand cream that wasn’t solely mineral oil based. This cream has higher levels of glycerin (the “Norwegian Formula”) making it very moisturizing, and the addition of panthenol has made a vast improvement to my brittle nails, they now look shiny, healthy and strong. A small amount can be used throughout the day to really keep my nails in perfect condition. I use it liberally at night, and also I wear cotton gloves to lock in moisture and really feel the benefits in the morning.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume Hands:

This is, without doubt, one of the best value hand creams, this isn’t a luxurious beauty treat, but instead, it’s indispensable for anyone who has irritated, over-worked hands in need of some affectionate TLC. A cream that is so insanely efficient you may wonder how you ever got by without as it soothes and restores the skin’s protective barrier.

Another plus point with this cream is it is so easy to use throughout your day time activities as it isn’t oily or sticky, it’s transparent and fast-absorbing, which is quite rare for a barrier cream. Also, it stays on your hand when in water, better than a lot of other hand creams, and there is much less skin dryness after washing up and hand washing.

See On – lookfantastic.com

It contains no parabens, no perfume, it’s non-comedogenic, 100 percent hypoallergenic and has been tested on sensitive skin. It also has an anti-histamine effect thanks to 4 percent niacinamide, which reduces inflammation and prevents cracked skin. If you have irritated, red, sore skin you will find this cream gives considerable relief.

Apply to clean hands throughout the day as required.

Available in 50 ml

Ingredients: Click To View Aqua / Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter / Shea Butter, Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol.

Great Value – Quality Product:

I have sensitive skin, and all through the winter months my hands get dry, sore and crack and sometimes even bleed. This hand cream is very soothing, non-greasy with no stinging, as it is not perfumed.

It soaks in quickly and thoroughly and doesn’t have an overpowering smell, making it ideal for everyday and nighttime use.

Click To Read About – Dry Cracked Hands Treatment

Our Conclusion On Hand Creams:

For hands prone to chapping and eczema use La Roche Posay. Need sun protection anti-aging protection go with the Neutrogena range.

But Clarins is a cult classic; it’s been sustaining skin, strengthening nails and minimizing age spots for the last 30 years, and shows no signs of stopping.

Neutrogena cosmetics have an extensive history in skincare, their products help keep skin hydrated, offering sun protection in the belief that healthy skin helps create beautiful skin.

Have you used any of these hand creams? How did you find it worked for your hands? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

jo@yourskincarehelp.com

January 29, 2019December 13, 2023

Dry Cracked Hands Treatment – Maintaining Healthy Skin

The bitterly cold winters wreak havoc with my hands, they always end wintertime looking like something out of a freak show! It’s time we looked into some Dry Cracked Hands Treatment.

TLC and Moisturiser:

My skin reacts terribly to the cold air and severe winds of the British winter, finding my once smooth skin has vanished before my eyes.

Winter seems to take sadistic pleasure in slowly stripping the natural oils from my feeble hands.

All of my positive efforts for better-looking hands undone in the cruel, harsh winter months, leaving them dry, cracked and crying out for TLC and moisturizer!

There are a lot more options other than your standard hand lotion in the cosmetic department these days. The newest generation of hand creams contains a mixture of occlusives, such as petrolatum, that stops moisture from escaping from your skin; humectants, such as hyaluronic acid, which helps your skin retain water; and emollients, such as oils that can do both of these.

And hand creams these days also contain barrier repair ingredients like ceramides, without the proper proportion of ceramides the skin’s barrier can become compromised, that leads to dryness, itching, and irritation. They also have specialized salts to cover the surface like a glove, which prevents vulnerability from the environment like water and other elements the winter likes to put upon them.

Click To Read Our Recommendations – Intensive Hand Cream Reviews

Sensitive Winter Skin:

Almost everyone experiences sensitive winter skin at least once in their lifetime, and as the hands are the most exposed and overworked member of our body, they are often unintentionally abused. It’s generally at night that the results from a long day are felt, hands become red, chapped, even swollen, the surface breaks and cracks and they might even bleed.

This is extremely painful, and if left without proper care and attention can result in infection from this damaged skin. What starts as an oversight on our part through lack of hand moisturizer can quickly become a medical condition.

Remember, winter skin is dry skin no matter what part of the body it is on! Our hard-working hands become dehydrated twice as fast in winter.

Yes, to keep drinking plenty of water in winter is a good idea, but, it can not replace the lost moisture in the hand tissue when it has become so dehydrated, in this situation prevention really is better than cure!

View Hand and Nail Cream – clarins.co.uk

Watch – 6 Way To Protect Your Hands

Washing Your Hands:

Dry winter hand conditions are often agitated even more by the mere act of washing your hands. Of course, we have to wash our hands, hygiene dictates we wash hands numerous times each day; however, do not wash them in hot water, warm water is more than sufficient, and do not let your hands stay wet too long.

Another way to prevent water getting onto your hands is to do all the dishwashing, household chores, washing the car, and pet cleaning, can and should be done while wearing protective rubber gloves, and do remember moisturize your hands after each job to prevent dry, irritated skin from developing. Do this each time your hands are touched by water.

magic gloves — **Magic Silicone Dishwashing Brush Gloves Review**

Avoid all the alcohol-based cleansing gels, as these gels are particularly hard on protective oils that are trying to prevent damage to your hands. If you want beautiful, soft and smooth hands, take care of them and look after them the same way you treat your face or neck.

Dry Cracked Hands Treatment:

cream on hands — **Intensive Hand Cream Reviews**

Your choice of hand creams include balms, lotions, butter, creams, and oils, your decision should be based on what extent your hands are suffering, and on your skin type.

If your hands go from being dry with slightly rough skin to developing minor splits and cracks that are tender or bleeding, then it’s time to move on to more therapeutic moisturizers.

Petroleum jelly is a solid option, or alternatively, you could pick a thick, creamy moisturizer with a formula that contains denser ingredients such as dimethicone, cocoa, beeswax or shea butter.

You don’t have to keep to one product, you may find something more suitable to keep re-applying throughout the day and use a ‘heavier’ moisturizer at night, the important thing is to get that moisture into your hands daily.

Mini Heated Airer + Cover

Click Here For More Details

On The Outside:

If you are someone that stays outside most of your day, either due to work or leisure you may have to find additional ways to keep your hands hydrated.

When preparing to go out, apply your moisturizer, then slide hands into a pair of white cotton gloves, by doing this it will help to keep the moisture in your skin, then put on a second pair of protective winter gloves over the first cotton pair. Your hands will soften while driving, walking, even jogging, etc. and you can keep a jar or tube of moisturizer in your car’s glove box to ‘top up’ throughout the day.

If you are unfortunate to suffer from severe dry hands during the winter months by doing this with the moisturizer and white cotton gloves going to bed, and leaving on overnight, it will bring great relief to your hands, and they will feel amazing again by the morning.

Exfoliate Your Hands:

The exfoliation process will help remove those dry, flaky dead skin cells and encourage the growth of new smooth skin.

Immediately after exfoliating, your hands will feel smooth and soft again, but you have to apply moisturizer, or you risk your hands starting to dry out all over again.

Treat Your Hands To A Manicure:

Largely, the hands are the most hardworking part of the human body and warrant being well looked after.

A manicure may be considered a ‘beauty treatment’ but trimming the nails, removing cuticles, exfoliating and moisturizing the skin during a manicure will all help to make your hands look and feel good at any stage of the year, not just the winter months.

So treat your hands once in a while, they deserve it.

If in doubt – see a specialist!

If you are in constant pain due to painful, dry, cracked or bleeding hands and they are not responding to the advice mentioned above, you should arrange to see a dermatologist.

Do you suffer from dry hands in the winter, how do care and look after them? Do you have any other tips for caring for your hands in winter? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

jo@yourskincarehelp.com