Hand care: how to properly care for your hands during the pandemic

“Love is in the air but so is the virus. Wash your hands!”

At the onset of the pandemic, we’ve been repeatedly told that frequent handwashing (along with staying at home) will greatly reduce the risk of catching the coronavirus. And like a good student that’s just what I did. But all that handwashing has left my hands feeling dry, cracked, chapped, and wrinkled. Waah!

While vigorous handwashing and using hand sanitizers are vital in reducing the spread of the virus, doing it excessively depletes the skin’s natural protective barrier. It strips away natural oils and causes hands to become dry, sore, and irritated. And dry skin increases your risk of picking up germs

However, this does not mean that you should stop the regular handwashing. Just as you care for your face, so should you care for your hands. Here’s how…

1. CLEANSE

• When washing, use a gentle hand soap, preferably organic and fragrance-free. Clear soaps are often more harsh than creamy ones.
• Use warm water not hot. Hot water can add to dryness and irritation.
• Avoid using too much alcohol-based sanitizer. Keep them for when you are out of the house and not able to access soap and water.