There is no way to completely protect yourself from germs. Indeed, different types of bacteria live on our skin without putting our health at risk. However, washing your hands regularly can limit the spread of viruses and thus keep diseases at bay.
Here’s how it works: During our day, we touch many things, from our keys to the tips of our hair, to many other objects that we don’t even think about. This is how our hands come into contact with a multitude of germs, viruses and microbes.
If we touch our eyes, nose or mouth afterwards, these germs can enter our body and make us sick, according to the Mayo Clinic . We also risk spreading them to other surfaces, where someone else can then catch them, causing the disease to spread.
So washing our hands not only removes dirt, but also microscopic germs from our skin and kills certain types of pathogens.
Why should you avoid having dry hands?
Know that soap cannot tell the difference between germs and what is naturally on our skin . It therefore ends up eliminating everything, including the natural oils that protect it. Indeed, the outermost layer, called the stratum corneum, is made up of lipids (or fats) and other cells that serve as a protective barrier.
To properly perform its barrier function, this layer must contain between 10% and 30% water, according to Harvard Medical School . But, if the skin cells do not contain the right amount of water and they become dehydrated, they begin to scale, crack and bleed. Germs then have a chance to slip through these openings, making us more susceptible to infections, according to the Mayo Clinic .
When the skin begins to show signs of dryness, rehydrate it with a suitable cream. Look for hand creams containing ingredients such as glycerin , a humectant that draws environmental moisture into the skin, and emollients, which create a protective film to limit water loss.
Neutrogena wash your hands 2
How to wash your hands and moisturize them effectively?
Like trying to recreate a grandma’s recipe from memory, washing your hands seems simple. But doing it effectively requires following certain steps.
How to reconcile hand washing and hydration? Here is the routine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention :
Run your hands under clean water. It can be lukewarm or cold, but avoid hot water, as it dries them out.
Close the faucet and soap them.
Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds and be sure to rub your palms, the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
Rinse them with clear water.
Pat your hands on a towel or let them sit out in the air for a few moments so they don’t get wet. But here’s an essential tip: don’t let them dry out completely.
While your hands are still slightly damp, apply moisturizer to aid absorption.
Also keep another at your desk and apply during the day as soon as your hands are dry.
For even more hydration, you can use a hand mask. Keep it on for at least 15 to 20 minutes, or even overnight. This hand mask will help your skin absorb the lotion better.
