Washing Your Hands More Frequently? Here’s How to Ensure They Stay Hydrated & Healthy

Washing your hands before you eat and after you use the bathroom is basic hygiene, but the current global pandemic has emphasized the importance of hand-washing as an essential measure in preventing the spread of disease. Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best way to remove germs so you can avoid getting sick and prevent the spread of germs to others.

There’s no substitute for washing your hands when it comes to preventing the spread of germs, but even good things sometimes come with a price. If you’re struggling with dry, irritated skin, here’s what you need to know about keeping your hands hydrated and healthy.

Hand-Washing Tips for Hydration and Sanitization

Your skin is home to millions of bacteria at any given time. Fortunately, most of those bacteria are harmless, but it’s difficult to target only the potentially dangerous pathogens – the best way to protect yourself and others from the spread of germs is to wash your hands.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state, “clean hands save lives.” Washing your hands removes germs from the surface of your skin so it won’t be transferred to the surfaces you touch and the people you come into contact with. Washing your hands is a necessity, but all that soap and hot water can be rough on your skin.

With frequent washing, your hands can become dry, cracked, and irritated, which is more than just uncomfortable – it can open you up to the risk of skin infection.

Here is the proper way to wash your hands to minimize skin irritation:

• Wash for at least 20 seconds, using warm rather than hot water – hot water strips your skin of its natural protective oils.
• Choose regular soap and warm water over alcohol-based hand sanitizers when possible.
• Use hand soap made with hydrating ingredients like coconut and aloe – you don’t necessarily need to look for “antibacterial” on the label, either.
• Avoid scrubbing too hard when washing your hands – use your fingertips and be sure to reach the backs of your hands and between your fingers.
• Pat your hands dry with a clean towel rather than using a hot hand dryer – if you don’t have a towel, simply let them air dry.

People in certain professions find themselves washing their hands more often than others. If you work in the healthcare industry or handle food, it may be a daily struggle to keep your skin hydrated and to keep irritation at bay. Read on for some simple tips to help you keep your hands hydrated and healthy.

How to Keep Your Hands Hydrated

Choosing the right-hand soap and following proper hand-washing technique will help minimize skin irritation and dryness, but only to a certain degree. The best defense against dry skin is a strong offense, so be smart about the products you choose and take additional steps to rehydrate and protect your skin.

Here are some simple tips to keep your hands hydrated and healthy:

• After washing your hands, dry them with a clean towel but leave them slightly damp so your skin can absorb some of the moisture.
• Apply a pea-sized amount of hydrating hand cream like Yon-Ka Crème Mains after washing to soothe, repair, and protect dry skin.
• Give your favorite moisturizer a sanitizing boost with a pump or two of Yon-Ka Emulsion Pure, a multi-action emulsion that soothes, purifies, and regenerates the skin.
• Protect your dry, irritated skin from cold weather or air conditioning with a vitamin E rich oil or hyaluronic acid serum – apply to the hands, nails, and cuticles on a daily basis.
• Exfoliate the hands twice weekly using Yon-Ka Gommage Doux body scrub – it removes dead skin cells to reveal healthy skin while leaving a light hydrating film on the surface for protection.
• When using hand sanitizer, apply hand cream immediately after it dries.
• Give your hands a boost of hydration with an overnight mask – mix equal parts Gommage Yon-Ka and Crème Mains then apply in a thick layer and don gloves while you sleep.

Keeping a good moisturizer on hand is essential, especially if you find yourself washing your hands frequently. Avoid creams and lotions that contain artificial fragrances which can be irritating to the skin.

Yon-Ka Paris body products feature luxurious plant-based ingredients enriched with Quintessence, a proprietary essential oil complex that delivers a natural, therapeutic experience. Consult the Skincare Advisor or connect with your local Yon-Ka Paris partner spa for product recommendations according to your skin type. You can find a local Yon-Ka Paris partner using the Spa Locator.