Hand Care Is the New Self Care
You’ve heard it over and over again this year—Wash your hands!
Many infections can be prevented by good hand hygiene. Regular and thorough (at least 20 seconds) hand washing with soap and water can rid your hands of viruses. When soap and water are not available, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend a minimum of 60% alcohol-based sanitizer as most effective.
Now that most of us have learned how to wash our hands correctly, many are noticing and seeking help for increased skin dryness.
“Why is my skin so dry?”
“What can I do for dry, cracked hands?”
“Why are my hands red and dry?”
Consumers are seeking solutions. Recent research shows 2900 weekly searches and a 1400% increased interest in hand masks. [Carl D’Ruiz; personal care regulatory affairs] Another recent study shows 3000 healthcare workers in the United Kingdom have irritant hand dermatitis.
Proper hand cleansing and treatment represent a new level of care. It’s important to understand and care for our hands, and to treat skin dryness.
Where are we now?
Studies of high-cleansing populations (healthcare workers, beauty industry professionals, and close-contact service providers, for example) show the impact of repeated cleansing on the hands’ skin barrier. Skin conditions that once applied to only a small segment of the population now affect many. Using moisturizers has become more important to maintain skin health. Manufacturers of such products may make unsubstantiated claims about the cosmetic benefits of such ingredients. [Carl D’Ruiz, Personal Care Regulatory Affairs U.S.]
Healthy Skin
The epidermis protects the skin from the outside world. Beneath this outer layer of skin are further layers, a variety of cell types, water, lipids, and natural moisturizing factor.
So?
Soaps and alcohol in sanitizers can delay or damage the natural process of skin cell growth and renewal, and dry out the skin.
Where does dry skin appear most often? Is dryness the same on all parts of the body?
Dry skin appears most often on the face, as this skin is exposed most to the sun, wind, and atmosphere. Dryness appears in 3 different ways, depending on the part of the body it’s on.
Body— flaking
Face— roughness
Hands— on the back of the hand (not the palm); roughness due to exposure and washing or sanitizer use
The Goal for Your Hands?
A moisturizer formulated for long-term moisturization.
Use a moisturizer that builds the deep, lipid barrier—where common humectants in over-the-counter products can’t work.
Try OWay remedy hand balm ™ An ultra-healing hand treatment that softens and repairs the skin with nourishing, organic chia butter and fair trade Patauà oil. Ideal for healthcare workers or beauty industry professionals with stressed hands and nails. Its key ingredients: Biodynamic walnut, rich in flavonoids and tannins that perform anti-aging and anti-redness action on hands. Also, it contains organic chia seed, packed full of Vitamin E and Omega-3, which combats skin dryness and simulates lipid barrier building. It’s hypoallergenic and nickel-tested. Use stylist code HHT2593 at checkout and receive 5$ off.
