It won’t be your main line of defense against dry, cracked hands, but because the sun can dry out your skin, sunscreen can help prevent further parching. Gloves are also recommended if you work with chemicals or plants, especially if you have sensitive skin that is prone to dryness. Gloves lined in cotton may be more comfortable on dry skin and are easier to put on and take off. If your hands are frequently immersed in water, such as when washing dishes or washing your car, wearing rubber or latex gloves can prevent the water from stripping away your skin’s oils. If using a hand sanitizer, choose one that contains at least 60 percent alcohol and is enriched with an emollient like glycerin or vitamin E to help counteract the drying effect. However, hand sanitizer is far better than nothing when you don’t have access to soap and water. For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hand sanitizers don’t kill the stomach bug or a type of parasite that causes severe diarrhea. Washing your hands is your best bet at removing all types of germs - even better than hand sanitizer. “Some dyes can irritate dry skin, so generally, I wouldn’t get the pink frilly one,” said Dr. Ceramides are a key ingredient in CeraVe products.īe sure to stay away from lotions and moisturizers with fragrances and dyes. Petrolatum helps block water loss from your skin Ceramides are a type of lipid (fat) that helps form your skin’s barrier and increase hydration. Ingredients to search out include petrolatum and ceramides. Here are a few brands to try: Cetaphil, CeraVe, Eucerin, Gold Bond and Aveeno. Cream moisturizers are also more effective at trapping water in the skin and repairing its barrier function. If an ointment is messier than you prefer, choose a cream moisturizer, which contains more oil than water-based lotions. “It sounds messy, but it’s extremely moisturizing and your hands are going to love it.” “That’s why, when we prescribe topicals, we usually pick ointment forms - more medicine gets in that way.” She recommends a product like Aquaphor Healing Ointment or a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Ointments work better than other types of moisturizers because they penetrate the skin better, according to Dr. Ointments can work extra well overnight when skin naturally loses more water. For extra dry skin, apply an ointment at bedtime and then wear a pair of cotton gloves to help seal it in. This will lock in moisture that got into your skin while washing and prevent evaporation that dries out the skin even more. “The best thing is literally to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize,” said Dr. No need for vigorous rubbing, which can disrupt your skin barrier, lead to irritation and cause dry, cracked skin. “They go down the drain.” After washing, pat your skin dry. “When you wash your hands, the germs get washed off,” Dr. That’s because the goal of hand-washing isn’t to kill germs. Lukewarm water is as effective as boiling water is at reducing germs. Of course, if your dermatologist has prescribed an anti-bacterial soap due to recurrent infections or other special circumstances, keep using it.Ģ. O’Brien recommends Dove) will get the job done just as well as antibacterial soap, which is more drying and hasn’t proven to do a better job at preventing illness than regular soap. O’Brien offered this advice: Wash your hands correctlyġ. To curb dry, cracked hands while practicing good hand hygiene, Dr. They can also lead to cracks in the skin which allow for the entry of germs like staph that make you more susceptible to skin infections. With frequent use, both can lead to dryness, irritation, and rash-like dermatitis or eczema. Soap doesn’t discriminate between germs and the skin’s protective oils neither does the alcohol in hand sanitizer. “And if you’re using hot water and harsh soap over and over throughout the day, it’s the perfect storm for drying out your skin.” Alissa O’Brien, a dermatologist at Water’s Edge Dermatology. “People think water is moisturizing, but it’s actually drying - when it evaporates, it reduces skin’s natural oils,” said Dr. That goes double in winter when colder temps and drier air conspire to zap skin of the natural oils that maintain moisture and provide a protective barrier. Frequent hand-washing may be key to staying healthy, especially now and during cold and flu season, but it can really take a toll on your skin.
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