How to care for your hands when using alcohol hand sanitiser

While a vaccine may have been announced, it’s probably not going to be available any time soon, which means that COVID-19 looks set to continue into 2021. As a result, we’re all going to have to continue using hand sanitisers like our lives depend on it. Although keeping your hands clean and germ-free is never going to be considered a bad thing, it’s also important to remember that there are a couple of adverse effects associated with hand sanitisers, particularly those with high alcohol content. 

We’ve put together a simple guide to some of the issues associated with alcohol hand sanitisers and how you can avoid getting dry hands after using them. First up, we thought we’d introduce you to some of the best hand sanitisers offered by L’Oréal…

L’Oréal has a couple of awesome alcohol hand sanitisers that can leave your hands purified, clean, and comfortable. Featuring 70% alcohol, our Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser Gel kills 99.9% of germs in just 30 seconds. It’s been enriched with Glycerin for added hydration, and to ensure that it’s safe for all skin types, we’ve tested it on real skin over 600 times. For ease of use, we also offer a hand sanitiser option with a cap, so you can apply sanitiser while you’re out and about with minimal fuss. 

It’s crucial to understand the importance of caring for your skin when you’re using alcohol hand sanitisers and washing your hands more frequently, as we’re all (hopefully!) doing these days. 

Put simply, the outermost layer of our skin is made up of wax and oils. Essentially, it’s a barrier that maintains your skin’s natural moisture, while also acting as a shield against the outside. However, this barrier can be broken down by soap suds or alcohol hand sanitisers, leading to a range of symptoms, including flaking, redness, drying, itching, and discomfort. In some (severe) cases, it can also cause cracks in your skin. 

So, what can you do about it? Read on to find out!

Dryness is probably the most common complaint from people who experience issues with alcohol hand sanitisers. As such, it makes sense to take particularly good care of your hands if you’re prone to dryness or other skin conditions, like eczema. No matter – we’ve put together a list of fantastic tips to help you avoid dry hands after making use of antibacterial hand sanitisers: 

• Avoid extra hot water – First up, let’s talk about temperature. Washing your hands with extremely hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils. While it will kill bacteria, it’s also likely to cause your hands to dry out. Try turning the heat down a couple of notches. Remember, both cold and warm water are equally effective when it comes to getting rid of germs, so there’s no need to break a sweat! For best results, go for lukewarm water. 
• Opt for thicker creams and moisturisers for dry skin – Another great option is to use thicker creams and moisturising lotions immediately after you’ve applied hand sanitiser. This can help counteract the harshness of antibacterial hand sanitisers, while also leaving your skin feeling soft and nourished. 
• Pay attention when moisturising between your fingers – When you’re moisturising your hands, remember to cover every area, not just your palms. Don’t miss the back of your hands, the ends of your fingers, or the spaces in between your fingers and around your cuticles. It’s easy to neglect these areas, but it’s super important that you don’t, otherwise, you could end up inadvertently drying out your hands. 

So, there you have it, with a couple of simple precautions, you can ensure that you’re able to use hand sanitiser throughout the day without drying out your skin. 
Want to see L’Oréal’s alcohol hand sanitisers for yourself? Check out our Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser Gel. Looking for the best hand sanitiser to use when you’re on the go? Explore our Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser with Cap, right here.