Choosing the right hand hygiene products can help skin health
In throes of winter, many areas of the U.S. have seen a drastic drop in both temperatures and humidity.
Cold weather often can mean an uptick in indoor gatherings. And perhaps also an increase in hand washing and hand sanitizing.
This is also the season many people complain of dry hands. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between correlation and causation, but we can help demystify the true culprits in skin damage this time of year.
Will cold weather dry my hands?
Yes! Cold, dry air can strip moisture from the skin. Even worse, many types of indoor heat also make the air dry, compounding the issue. There seems to be no escape.
Pro Tip: Choosing a good hand lotion and always wearing gloves when outdoors on cold days can help protect your natural moisture barrier from the elements.
Does hand sanitizer dry out hands?
It depends on quality. Certainly, repeated application of alcohol alone could disrupt the balance of skin’s natural moisture barrier, but a high-quality hand sanitizer will be designed to counter any negative effects.
Pro Tip: PURELL® hand sanitizers evaporate quickly, while leaving skin conditioners behind to nourish hands. Our hand sanitizers have been developed for use in high-frequency settings and help maintain or improve skin’s condition. PURELL® hand sanitizers do not remove skin lipids (which strengthen the protective barrier of skin and keep it soft).
Can soap and water make my skin dry?
Definitely … but once again, ingredients are key. It seems counterintuitive, but water can dry out hands. Skin needs a moisturizer to lock in that hydration. A soap that has low-quality ingredients can make the situation even worse by stripping natural oils at the same time. Without the right soap, repeated handwashing can lead to rough, dry, or even cracked skin. And when skin is damaged, it’s more vulnerable to dirt and germs.
Pro Tip: PURELL soaps are designed with your hands in mind, offering a variety of formulations that not only keep hands clean but also help keep skin healthy, even with frequent use. PURELL HEALTHY SOAP™ with CLEAN RELEASE® Technology has a mild formulation, with ingredients designed to maintain skin health and support your skin’s natural ability to protect itself against dirt and germs.
Prioritizing hand hygiene and skin health with the right products ensures that your hands remain a resilient first line of defense against germs, without sacrificing comfort, even in the coldest months.