A Guide To Rejuvenate Your Hands From Overwashing And Oversanitising

While handwashing is critical during these testing times, our skin’s natural moisture barrier is stripped due to abrasive action. It’s about time that you restore it to a supple condition.

We are on high alert as more of us resume work at the office and brave the outdoors after months of staying at home, and this means religiously cleaning our hands with antibacterial soap and hand sanitiser.

While this hygienic practice is helping to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, you've probably noticed signs of dry, peeling hands from the overuse of sanitisers and alcohol solutions. As Dr Roxana Daneshjou, a researcher and dermatology resident at the Stanford University School of Medicine, explains, “You’re stripping away the oils on your skin that are the natural barrier, but you’re also exposing your skin to things that are irritants to it.”

Since dialling back on handwashing during a pandemic is not an option, there are measures you can take to replenish moisture levels in the skin of your hands, and we have just the guide for you!

LE NOMADE ARTISANAL BAR SOAP BY ORRIS

Tailored for dry skin, this bar soap from Orris (@orris.paris) uses turmeric to form a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory solution that soothes dry and dull skin for the face, hands and body, while the choice of sheep’s milk within helps to gently nourish and retain moisture.

Le Nomade is an ode to hunter-gatherers and pastoral nomads, using the woody scents of cedarwood and cypress to bring the narrative to life — far from the city, and engulfed by diverse terrain and wildlife. Each of Orris' handcrafted cold-process soaps is blended with a luscious concoction of sustainably sourced shea butter, olive oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and castor oil to ensure that the skin is deeply fed with rich nutrients.

Available at orrisparis.com.

RESURRECTION AROMATIQUE HAND WASH BY AESOP

If your preference is toward liquid soap, Aesop’s (@aesopskincare) hand wash is crafted with a gentle formulation containing oils of mandarin rind, rosemary, and lavender. As part of the company’s sustainable efforts, this formulation can be purchased as a refill without a pump (requiring 12g less plastic), while the bottles are made of 97% post-consumer recycled PET.

Available at all Aesop stores and online at aesop.com.

ESSENTIAL CARE LAVENDER MULTIPURPOSE CREAM BY COSMYDOR

This lightweight, vegan hand and face cream from Cosmydor (@cosmydor) comprises 99.5% organic ingredients, including kernel oil to effectively seal in moisture, and jojoba oil to rebalance dry skin. If moisturising regularly throughout the day is not possible, we recommend you apply two coats in the evening before bed as a hand mask — its calming lavender properties can also act as an aid for a good night’s sleep.

Available at cosmydor.paris.

SO RICH VITAMIN-E INFUSED CUTICLE OIL BY NCLA

If your cuticles need a little extra TLC, this NCLA (@nclabeauty) product is infused with Vitamin E and sunflower seed oil to help lock in moisture, leaving you with perfectly prepped tips. Aside from aesthetic reasons, the maintenance of cuticles prevents bacteria from penetrating our natural skin barrier.

Available on NCLAbeauty.com.