Frequent Hand Washing and Dry Hands: How to Protect Your Skin Barrier

Hand washing is essential hygiene, but anyone who washes their hands a lot knows it can leave skin dry, tight and sometimes cracked. Here is why that happens and what helps.

Why frequent washing dries the skin

Research in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that both soap and hand sanitiser significantly increased transepidermal water loss, a measure of skin barrier disruption, with the effect most pronounced after washing with soap and water (Hui-Beckman et al., Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 2022). In other words, repeated wet and dry cycles wear down the skin's protective barrier, which is what leads to dryness and irritation.

How to protect your hands

• Use a gentle, well-formulated hand wash rather than a harsh one.
• Pat hands dry rather than rubbing them roughly.
• Apply a hand cream after washing, and again before bed. Regular moisturising is a recognised part of caring for frequently washed hands.
• In cold, dry weather, moisturise more often, since rapid drying makes irritation more likely.

Make it easy

Keeping a hand cream by the sink and in your bag makes the habit easier to keep. At Verdo we stock the Pure Fiji Hand Creme and the Pure Fiji Vanity Handwash.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. The studies cited are from peer-reviewed journals and are provided for educational context. Individual results vary. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before changing your routine. Verdo Cosmetics makes no therapeutic claims about the products or services mentioned.