John Myers
Washing, drying, disinfecting: The corona pandemic is putting our hands in focus – and putting a lot of strain on them due to the frequent washing. Find out here how to avoid skin irritation and dry skin with natural hand care.
Dry hands: causes, symptoms, and natural care
Microorganisms are mainly transmitted via the hands. If the face is touched, the pathogens can enter the body and cause an infection. Thorough hand washing and the use of disinfectants interrupts this transmission path and thus significantly reduces the risk of infection. However, excessive hand hygiene can have a detrimental effect on the skin over a longer period of time.
Frequent contact with aggressive soap, detergents and disinfectants with harsh chemicals weakens the skin’s natural protective acid mantle. The result: scaly, cracked and dry hands. What to do if the skin is damaged? In any case, don’t stop washing your hands – because that’s essential, especially in Corona times!
Better to take preventive measures and moisturize the skin with a natural hand care. She needs it because hands are just as sensitive as facial skin. The skin on the back of the hand is particularly thin and has little fatty tissue in the subcutaneous tissue. This makes you vulnerable to external influences. Read below what you should pay attention to when caring for your hands, which hand cream protects you and how you can make a DIY hand mask.
Wash hands: Preventive measures
Dry fingertips, rough hands: You don’t have to let it get that far – because hand care starts with washing your hands.
Hot water no more effective than cold water: In principle, the water temperature has no influence on the reduction of viruses, bacteria and other germs. However, the water should not be too hot when washing, since excessive heat attacks the skin’s natural protective acid mantle.
Use mild soap: When buying liquid soap, make sure that it has a mild formula and as many organic extracts as possible and is suitable for your skin type. The natural ingredients are gentler on the skin and counteract drying out of the hands. If you have particularly sensitive hands, it is also advisable to use pH-neutral soap.
Hand Cream: Natural, quickly absorbed, and kind to the skin
In order to support the skin’s natural barrier function with important nutrients and thus protect it from damage in the long term, hands should be moisturized after each wash. Important: The hand cream should be natural cosmetics that are kind to the skin, absorb quickly and provide long-lasting moisture. And this is how you cream your hands properly:
Step 1: Apply a hazelnut-sized amount of cream to the back of your hand.
Step 2: Rub the backs of both hands together to distribute the hand cream evenly.
Step 3: Now rub the spaces between the fingers, the edges of the fingers, and the palms of the hands. Don’t forget your thumbs!
Step 4: Finally, apply lotion to nails and nail folds.
Step 5: You can massage the rest of the cream into your wrist and spread it on the palms of your hands.
Hand mask: recipe for soft skin
As an alternative to hand cream, you can also make your own hand mask in no time at all. Everything you need for this: ½ banana, 2 tbsp organic honey, and 1 tbsp olive oil. The ingredients provide moisture, are rich in vitamins, and have an anti-inflammatory effect thanks to their enzymes.
Preparation: Mash the banana to a pulp – this is best done with a fork. Now add the honey and olive oil to the pureed fruit and mix everything into a mass. Apply the mask to your hands and leave it on for 20 minutes. You can then rinse off the residue with lukewarm water. Finished!
