Sanitizing the hands , in this particular period, is more important than ever to protect both ourselves and the people around us. It is clearly a healthy habit regardless, but in recent months hand disinfectant gels have become, alongside face masks , the protagonists of our daily life.
However, we must admit that often hand sanitation does not go hand in hand with skin care and we find ourselves at the end of the day, after having rubbed our hands over and over again with the different products, with cracked fingers and palms. . But how to sanitize your hands without attacking the skin
Read the article to find out more!
Why it is important to sanitize your hands
It is inevitable, in everyday life our hands come into contact with numerous organisms present on any surface. This happens on the most diverse occasions: while we are on public transport, at the supermarket or at the office desk. Therefore, having an excellent sanitizing product to wash your hands under running water or a more practical disinfectant gel from the bag, which does not require rinsing, is even more essential.
It is good to resort to the use of these products whenever our hands have potentially come into contact with pathogens, touching surfaces that have not been disinfected or engaging in direct contact with other people. Remember: if you do not have sanitizing products immediately available, it is best to avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes, which are privileged entry doors for bacteria and viruses.
Sanitize your hands by taking care of your skin
The frequency of sanitation and medical guidelines – which require a procedure of at least 2 minutes – put a strain on our skin over and over again a day. In fact, rubbing must last long enough to allow the products used to act. Often, however, disinfected products appear too aggressive for those with very delicate skin , causing cracking and micro-abrasions.
In fact, the skin is covered with a hydrolipidic film, a real constitutive and natural barrier that must be preserved so that it does not lose its highly protective function.. In cases where this coating is damaged – through aggressive and frequent sanitization – the skin becomes more sensitive and is more prone to cracking and really annoying irritation.
Given these assumptions, it is more crucial than ever to choose the right product to sanitize the hands and preserve the well-being of the skin . It is therefore essential to use an emollient sanitizer, made up of natural products. Many of the gels and disinfectants currently on the market contain very high alcohol percentages that dehydrate the skin and alter the protective hydrolipidic film.
It is much better to choose sanitizing products, capable of soothing the skin at the same time, preventing irritation and dehydration which would inevitably be encountered due to the indispensable alcohol content.
How to choose the best product to disinfect your hands
The World Health Organization has established that a gel – to be truly defined as a disinfectant – must contain an alcohol percentage of at least 60% . Many gels on the market have a lower percentage, confusing those who would like to ensure proper hygiene. Many others, on the other hand, appear really too aggressive and tend to dry out the skin causing really annoying cracking.
Ideal forsanitize your hands without attacking the skin and choose a product containing the right alcohol content on the one hand and natural ingredients characterized by emollient properties on the other. In this way it is possible to balance the two functions: sanitation and deep hydration.
Two natural ingredients that perfectly perform these actions are definitely Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Vera . Tea Tree Oil, also known as Melaleuca essential oil, is a natural extract that has several beneficial properties. A natural solution that cleanses both inside and outside the body in a delicate but effective way, eliminating bacteria and germs. Not surprisingly, thanks to hisantimicrobial action , it is also used to promote the body’s natural defenses and strengthen the immune system .
The Aloe Vera gel, on the other hand, has a regenerating , elasticizing , moisturizing and antioxidant effect on the tissues . It is particularly useful as a soothing agent for dry and damaged skin , in case of inflammation and abrasions, as it accelerates the healing of tissues. Furthermore, it deeply hydrates and nourishes the dermis, increasing its tone, and contributes to the hydrolipidic balance of the epidermis.
Of course, taking care of your hands cannot be separated from an additional daily routine: the cream. Massaging your hands with an excellent cream based on Aloe Vera , Argan Oil or Vitamin E is an essential step for the well-being of our skin. All these precautions will allow our hands to remain healthy, sanitized and hydrated.