From cleansing to toning to moisturizing, our skincare vanity is loaded with products that promise the bliss of flawless skin. However, in the race to stack up products on our shelves that cater to the needs of our face, we tend to forget that hands are also an equally important part of our body’s skin. Little do we notice how regular skincare glows up our face, but leaving our hands unnoticed just ends them up dry and lifeless. So, if you are someone who has been ignoring your hand care lately, this one is for you.
Health Shots got in touch with Dr Nidhi Aggarwal, dermatology, Paras hospitals, Gurugram, to understand the importance of hand creams in any skincare regime.
Why using hand cream is non-negotiable?
We should always moisturize our hands after washing them, just like we always do after cleaning our faces since we perform the majority of our work with them.
Here’s why you should add an extra step for hand care in your skincare regime.
1. The skin on our hands expire quicker
In the words of Dr Aggarwal, “Since there are fewer sebaceous glands on the top of our hands, the skin of our hand dries up more quickly. Additionally, they frequently have too much exposure to a variety of environmental stressors such as the sun, water, dryness, pollution, etc. These elements contribute to the early onset of ageing in them, including skin thinning, pigmentation, and wrinkles”.
2. Heal dry and cracked skin
Routine cleaning and washing can dry up your hands. In severe situations, the loss of natural oils and moisture can cause the skin to split and create rashes. While many of us regularly moisturize our hands with body lotion or moisturizer, these products are insufficient for the job. Hand creams are developed with an incredibly moisturizing mix and have a fuller consistency.
Also read: Global Handwashing Day: 5 steps to wash hands properly to stop the spread of diseases
3. Repair damaged skin
Continuous washing and cleaning of hands can rip off the natural oils in the hand’s skin and can leave them dry. Dr Aggarwal suggests that to repair damaged skin, choose a hand cream with a power repair formula created with hydrating components like kokum butter, honey, aloe vera, coconut oil, apricot oil, etc.
4. Guard against infections
Bacterial and viral infections are more likely to develop in hands that are cracked or bleeding. If we don’t keep up a regular routine, washing our hands frequently won’t do much good because damaged and exposed skin stores more bacteria. Thus, to prevent dryness or cracking of the skin, we must regularly moisturize our hands.
5. Don’t forget your nails
Dr Aggarwal says, “Apply some hand lotion to your nails while you are at it. They are quite vulnerable to injuries and diseases. Applying the lotion to your fingertips will keep your cuticles and nails nourished, healthy, and free of dirt, and bacteria”.
The bottom line
The skin of our hands is as fragile as the skin of our face. It requires equal care and nourishment to stay clean and healthy since they get washed and touched in a lot of areas.
Source link
