By Valentina Olivares
Hard times are coming and our skin knows it. As a precaution against COVID-19, now we wash our hands more frequently and expand the use of antibacterials.
While this is a good measure to prevent getting the disease, it is one of the worst things we can do for our skin.
Read on to find out the effects of dry and irritated skin, and the remedies we propose..
The skin is the largest organ in our body, although we don’t usually think of it that way. It is alive and continuously regenerating. Furthermore, it fulfills some very important functions for your health.
Antibacterials contain up to 70% alcohol. While they are very efficient in eliminating bacteria they are also very aggressive products that spoil our skin’s natural pH, which protects us from irritations.
Dry hands are harmless, it’s true, but if we don’t take proper care of them we will experience some problems like:
Atopic dermatitis: redness, cracking and inflammation can appear in our skin. This dermatitis can also lead to continuous itching.
Infections: When the skin dries out it can crack, as it does in winter or due to excessive hand-washing. As a result, bacteria can settle in and cause infection
Maria Diaz, biologist, says: “Dry skin contains fewer lipids and less water on its surface. Regularly, the skin contains between 15% and 20% of lipids, while being dry it can go down to less than 10%. You should use creams or lotions that provide the water and lipids it needs to function properly, avoid using aggressive soaps and other irritating substances or that modify the normal pH of the skin.”
To both prevent and cure our skin from becoming rough, tight, flaky, itchy, cracked and lacking in elasticity, we recommend these creams:
1. L’Occitane Shea Intensive Hand Balm
Honey, almond and coconut nut extracts complete the nourishing action of the shea to optimize the effectiveness of this care.
2. Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Formulated for the driest and most active hands, contains a blend of botanical oils to soothe, condition and moisturize the skin.
3. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Soothing Hand
This thick, rich, non-greasy formula is immediately absorbed to form a protective glove-like barrier against moisture loss. Therefore, it soothes, relieves, moisturizes and conditions the skin.
“I have such sensitive skin and I suffer a lot when my hands are dry. But I have been using this cream for like a year and it helps me so much. The best thing to do is to apply it before going to bed every night, and a good quantity I mean. In the morning your hands will be like new,” says Elena Esteban, 24.
4. CeraVe Soothing and Repairing Hand Cream
Enriched with three ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid, this cream replenishes vital moisture to hands to strengthen the protective skin barrier and provide lasting hydration.
5. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Concentrated Hand Cream
Its glycerin-rich formula instantly relieves and protects extremely dry or chapped hands, leaving them noticeably softer and smoother.
Leave a Reply