Choosing the Right Soap and Sanitiser for Your Hand Care

Beauty / Body Care
MD Alexandra Dorobantu
Dermatologist
On Aug 2nd, 2021
Hand Care
Episode 1

Avoid irritation and skin dryness by using suitable soaps for your skin type. Discover potent ingredients in keeping harmful bacteria away while still gentle with your hands.

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Our Hand Care mini-series sets the basics for your hand care regime, from tips on choosing soaps for your skin type, tackling dryness, advice for creating and adapting a routine for different seasons, to targeted recommendations for nails and cuticle care.

From washing to moisturising, finding the right products can be challenging with so many market choices. So, let's start our Hand Care mini-series with the first episode on suitable soaps according to your skin type!

Top Ingredients in Hand Soaps

Olive oil, Aloe vera, algae and glycerine are my favourite hydrating compounds when it comes to soaps. These ingredients are perfect for people with dry or sensitive skin that is prone to eczema. In addition, shea and cocoa butter are frequently found in moisturising soap bars. 

Regardless of the ingredients, it would be best to choose natural soaps made from pure ingredients, without synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or chemical compounds. A high-quality soap bar is full of good fatty oils rich in nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants that protect your skin barrier while keeping it hydrated and nourished. In addition, essential oils are often added to the mixture giving the product extra benefits and a lovely scent.

Keep your hands revitalised with the skin-boosting luxury liquid hand wash from Green Angel with lavender, mandarin and neroli essential oils. The ingredients are gentle to the skin, and the soap has a calming and soothing effect.

Antibacterial hand soaps have gained popularity since 2020. But we must keep in mind that this type of soap kills both harmful and helpful germs. Good bacteria live on our skin and are part of our skin's natural defence mechanism and balance. As a result, impaired skin with redness, stinging, or itchiness may appear. Therefore, we must be careful not to overuse it.

Soaps for Different Skin Types

Normal Skin 

The term "normal" refers to skin with no significant problems and balanced sebum production. As a result, your skin will be neither too dry nor too greasy. Many commercial soaps are appropriate for this skin type. 

Oily Skin 

Oily skin is often considered to be a "problematic" skin type. If you have oily skin, look for ingredients to eliminate excess oil without drying out the skin. For example, look for soaps that have salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera. Also, make sure that your soap is non-comedogenic.

Combination Skin 

If you have combination skin, it's usually better to use products with soft compounds, such as glycerine or algae. Likewise, you should avoid products with harsh chemicals, granules or microbeads that could strip off your skin.

Dry Skin 

Irritation, itchiness, stiffness, or stinging sensation are all characteristics of dry skin. Glycerine is the best ingredient to look for in products. However, other oils like olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, and Aloe vera may effectively wash your skin without further drying out. Don't forget to moisturise after

Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, the most important thing you can do is treat it gently. Soaps with fragrances, dyes, sulphate, alcohol, or preservatives should be avoided. Instead, gentle ingredients, such as green tea, chamomile, and Aloe vera, are preferred. In addition, choose soaps with lower pH levels.

Hand Sanitisers

The amount of alcohol in the hand sanitiser is essential. Ethanol is more efficient against viruses than isopropyl alcohol on its own. While the most efficient hand sanitisers include 60% to 80% alcohol, choosing the one with the highest percentage may damage your skin barrier in the long run.

Consider buying sanitisers infused with soothing compounds like Aloe vera, chamomile or products with a lipophilic (oil) base to minimise the dryness caused by alcohol. Squalene and shea oil are preferred as lipophilic bases restoring the protective barrier and softening the skin.

Use #DHHandCare for more tips and products to include in your hand care routine. After choosing the appropriate soap to match your skin type, it is time to move to the next step and protect your hands from dryness in the next article "Hand Care Top 9 Tips to Prevent Dry Hands".

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