HOW TO KEEP YOUR HANDS MOISTURISED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Hand sanitisers have become a must-have ingredient during the global COVID-19 pandemic but they can cause damage to the skin of your hands.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, the most searched-for ingredients on internet have been ethyl alcohol, carbomer, propolis and aloe vera. And it is obvious why – all of these are used to formulate hand sanitisers, both commercially and at home.

While washing hands with soap and water remains the recommended and preferred prevention for the spread of the virus, it is not always accessible, therefore hand sanitisers have become the best alternative – although not as pleasant to use and harsh on the hands.

Cosmetic chemist and owner of Botanichem, Robyn Brown, warns that not all hand sanitisers are created equal.

“While I see most hand sanitisers that are available have 60% alcohol content, 70% is actually preferable. Alcohol, whether it be isopropyl alcohol or ethanol (ethyl alcohol), attacks and destroys the envelope protein that surrounds most viruses, including coronaviruses. This protein is vital for a virus’s survival and thus multiplication. But a hand sanitiser needs to have at least 60 to 70% alcohol in order to kill most viruses,” says Brown. “Anything less than this is less effective and may not kill germs outright but rather just reduce their growth.”

DAMAGE TO SKIN

She also warns that alcohol-free sanitisers – which use ingredients such as benzalkonium chloride – while not as harsh on the skin, work mostly on bacteria and are not ideal for the current viral situation.

Regardless of what hygiene methods are used, be it handwashing or using hand sanitisers, what is without question is that it will cause damage to the skin.

“Both excessive handwashing and use of hand sanitisers disrupt the fragile microbiome of the skin,” explains Brown.

The microbiome refers to the ecosystem comprising the skin and related microorganisms living on the skin’s surface and within the outermost skin layers. Research has shown that a healthy skin microbiota provides an environment for the skin to thrive and even to fight unhealthy pathogens. An imbalance in skin microbiota leads to ageing, sensitivity and dryness.

Handwashing and hand sanitising, while killing dangerous viruses such as the coronavirus, also affect the good bacteria on the skin. “We need to therefore pay attention to using products that will help strengthen, repair and to some extent maintain the integrity of the skin,” says Brown, particularly in light of the fact that hand sanitising needs to be repeated every 20 minutes when exposed to high-risk situations.

She says that formulators are starting to look at ways of including moisturising agents and ingredients in sanitisers, which will reduce the drying and damaging effects of the high levels of alcohol. However, based on the immediate demand, new ‘safe’ formulations may take a while to reach the shelves as these need to be tested for efficacy and performance before they can be taken to market.

WATER CONTENT IN THE SKIN

According to BASF Care Creations, it is important to moisturise immediately after washing and as often as possible. The right amount of water content in the skin is mandatory for the enzymatic functions required for lipid synthesis and skin barrier restoration.

The term ‘moisturiser’ also does not indicate moisture is being added to the skin. A properly formulated moisturiser or repair cream contains the right occlusive, humectant and emollient ingredients, all of which help to maintain healthy skin.

Hand creams and hand masks that contain probiotics help moisturise, soothe, assist with barrier function and improve the skin’s defence system – all of which will strengthen skin defence and improve protection.

BASF Care Creations has a number of ingredients that can be used in formulations. Suitable products should contain nourishing components, such as Hydrasensyl Glucan from BASF Care Creations, to help moisturise, smooth and soothe the skin. Hydrasensyl Glucan combines the beneficial properties of hyaluronic acid and collagen, and is effective at combining large amounts of water in the skin like a natural watersuperabsorber.

Inca Omega Oil from Cobiosa, which has been proven to be effective in the reduction of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and the improvement of ‘normal’ barrier function of the skin, can be incorporated into sanitiser formulations and will not compromise the effectiveness of the sanitiser.

www.botanichem.co.za

This article was first published on www.pharmacos.co.za on 11 June 2020.