What You Need To Know About Over-Washing & Over- Sanitizing Your Hands

Hey EMstore fam! In light of recent updated surrounding COVID-19, we understand the importance of handwashing and sanitizing. According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control, it is “one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.” In today’s blog, we want to spread awareness of overwashing your hands and more ways to protect your skin from harmful bacteria and pathogens. 

What does overwashing do to your skin?

Our skin’s outermost layer is composed of oils and wax, and it works as a shield from the outside and a protector that keeps natural moisture in the skin. Washing your hands every day will not harm your good bacteria, but overwashing can be harmful. Worst case scenario, your hands start to become dry, which creates cracks, and then you will begin to kill the healthy bacteria and expose you to the harmful bacteria. With that being said, excessive handwashing will make you more susceptible to illness.

How and when should you wash your hands to avoid dry skin?

We are not implying that the formality of washing your hands after using the bathroom is a bad thing; we want you to be aware of dry skin. Before and during food preparation, eating a meal, and coughing or sneezing are all good times to wash your hands.

Guide to keep your hands clean and moisturized

Counsel from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says “people should scrub their hands for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of germs effectively”.

Moisturizing your hands right after wash will be your best defense against dryness. You want to seal it and prevent dry skin and cracks from occurring. Instead of overdrying your hands, try to pat your hands dry and leave them slightly damp before moisturizing.

When choosing a hand cream, it is essential to look at the ingredients. Water-based lotions may dry out the skin more because the water evaporates, while oil-based creams are typically thicker and more effective. Listed below are some of Eminence Organic’s luxurious hand creams to keep your hands in tip-top, preventing the spread of unwanted viruses and bacteria.