Rejuvenate and soothe skin with six simple tips

Hand-washing is a necessity, but can also lead to irritation. Read on to find out how you can regain soft, supple skin with the right regime

Washing your hands with soap and water or using sanitisers on a regular basis is scientifically proven to be effective in reducing the risk of infectious diseases. With the global Covid-19 pandemic, this message has turned into a mantra, with reminders taking over different platforms to encourage youth and adults to adopt the habit. 
But while most of us are now spending the recommended 20 seconds scrubbing the nooks and crannies of our fingers at various intervals, our hands have become distressed. Depending on the nature of your skin, you are either left with dry, cracked hands, or suffer from greasy hands.
Here are some tips to regain smooth, supple hands:
1. Cleanse with moisturising soap: Be it a bar, foam or gel, soaps consist of ingredients that loosen dirt and germs off the hand surface and expels them with the help of water, but can also leave skin feeling parched. Look for varieties that contain organic contents, vitamin E and essential oils. Steer clear from parabens and sodium lauryl sulphate, whenever possible.
2. Adjust the water temperature: It may be mentally assuring, but hot water does not guarantee cleaner hands; it all depends on the technique. So, rather than subjecting your skin to harsh temperatures, turn the faucet to mild to cold settings when washing hands. Hot water tends to strip the natural oils of the skin, leading to either drier, cracked and often irritated hands, or excessive oily skin caused by overproduction of sebum.
3. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise: Dry skin or not, it is important to use a quality lotion to replenish the lost natural oils of your skin after washing hands. You can also opt for petroleum jelly to treat cracks and soothe the skin. For oily skin, choose a gel-based formula that will infuse the right amount of moisture back into the skin, without leaving it feeling sticky or greasy.
4. Change towels on a regular basis: Stop leaving damp towels around. According to US-based The Cleaning Institute and other healthcare organisations, towels must be washed and properly air-dried after three uses to avoid the growth of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms. Also, avoid sharing towels to protect yourself from contracting infections off others.
5. Choose hand gear wisely: Gloves have become a part of our wardrobe in this present situation, giving us additional protection when outdoors. But these can leave our skin feeling sweaty, especially with the rise in temperature. If choosing disposable ones, choose a pack that is lightly powdered to absorb excess sweat or greasiness, or opt for a reusable medically-approved variety that features breathable fabric made with durable fibres.
6. Maintain a balanced diet: Clean eating with a healthy dose of carbohydrates, proteins and fats provides the body with essential nutrients to revitalise the skin and cells. Avoid salty and fried foods (especially during Suhoor and Iftar, if fasting) to prevent greasiness and excessive oil production. Plus, one of the best ways to quench tired skin and promote suppleness is to hydrate with water at room temperature.

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