Close-up photo of hands lathered in suds, holding a bar of soap under a running tap

Have you ever wondered washing your hands with soap or reaching for a sanitiser is more effective? What about how to tell if your hand sanitiser is getting the job done? The amount of information available on hand hygiene can be overwhelming at the best of times. It’s for this reason that Bargain Chemist has compiled an assortment of helpful tips on how to wash your hands, what to wash them with, how to care for painful cracked hands with good hand cream, and everything in between.

Read our handy guide below before you buy hand sanitiser, soap, or moisturiser on your next shopping run!

 

How to wash your hands correctly

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a total reset concerning how we wash our hands. Where previously we had a general idea of why handwashing is important, most people now know it’s about a lot more than just personal hygiene (read: it’s also our best protection against infection).

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises people to wash their hands in the following hand-washing poster, and it can be saved as a resource and used in public spaces.

  1. Wet both hands with water.
  2. Apply enough soap to cover all parts of the hands.
  3. Rub your palms together.
  4. Rub the right palm back-and-forth over the top of your left hand with fingers interlaced. Repeat this with the right hand on the bottom.
  5. Rub palms together with fingers interlaced.
  6. Rub the backs of the fingers to opposite palms, with fingers interlocked.
  7. Use the right hand to rub around the left thumb. Swap hands and repeat this with the right thumb.
  8. Use clasped fingers to rotationally rub the palms backwards and forwards.
  9. Rinse hands with water (the temperature used won’t matter if you’ve washed your hands correctly).
  10. Dry hands thoroughly with a single-use paper towel or hand towel.
  11. Use the towel to turn off the tap.
  12. …and you’re good to go!
World Health Organisation hand-washing chart

How does hand sanitiser work?

Hand sanitiser is great to have available when it’s not possible to wash your hands with soap and water. Sanitisers generally come in the form of a gel, liquid, or foam, and should contain at least 60% alcohol to be more effective at killing germs. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says people should apply sanitiser to the palm of one hand then rub it across the skin of both hands, only stopping when the sanitiser has dried.

The CDC also cautions that sanitiser may not be as effective in circumstances where:

  • hands are “visibly dirty or greasy”, or
  • a person’s hands have come into contact with harmful chemicals such as pesticides and heavy metals.

 

When to wash or sanitise

Regardless of whether we’re in the midst of a global pandemic or simply battling through flu season, the CDC says you should wash your hands:

  • Before eating
  • Before, during, and after preparing food.
  • Before and after looking after someone suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea.
  • After going to the toilet.
  • After changing a child’s nappy and/or helping a child use the bathroom.
  • After blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing.
  • After touching or putting out the rubbish.
  • After touching animals, animal waste, animal feed, or pet food.

Regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, people should also be washing or sanitising their hands:

  • Before touching their eyes, nose, or mouth (germs can travel into the body through these parts of the face).
  • After being in a public space where you came into physical contact with things other people have also been touching (EFTPOS machines, store countertops, gas station pumps, etc).

 

Should you wash your hands with hot or cold water?

Every time you wash your hands with hot water, the skin’s outer protective layer (the stratum corneum) is at risk of being damaged. Studies have shown that handwashing at various temperatures resulted in the same outcomes, meaning cold or warm water will kill just as many germs, as long as you’re still using soap and washing your hands for a full 20 seconds. Advice on the Ministry of Health’s website further supports this.

 

Caring for dry hands

An unfortunate by-product of increased handwashing and sanitising is dry skin. Symptoms of dry hands include flaky or cracked skin, itchiness, redness, and a general feeling of tightness. People who suffer from dermatitis and eczema may be more prone to this kind of irritation. Whether or not you live in a dry climate or enjoy piping hot showers can also contribute to dry skin.

Take the tips below on board and you just might be able to stave off cracked hands this flu season.

 

1. Say no to antibacterial soap

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen more people reaching for antibacterial soaps, which are particularly harsh on the skin. The good news is that leading global health organisations, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the WHO, say regular soaps should still be your go-to because antibacterial products do not affect viruses.

Those still wanting to use an antibacterial soap could opt for something more nourishing like Antipodes Nirvana Hand and Body Wash, which uses harakeke oil – a natural oil that boasts antibacterial properties.

2. Choose moisturising soaps

If you can afford to fork out a little extra for soap made from moisturising ingredients, you absolutely won’t regret it. Sukin Cleansing Hand Wash (which comes in an impressive 1L bottle) combines jojoba and avocado oils with soothing aloe vera and hydrating rosehip oil to keep hands clean and fresh. At a lower price point, Faith in Nature’s range of natural bar soaps is all made from nourishing essential oils and are free from parabens and sodium lauryl sulphate.

3. Keep hand cream nearby

Most mainstream beauty brands produce hand creams that can ease irritation caused by dry skin. If using hand cream during the day isn’t practical, a thick layer can be applied in the evening and left to soak into the skin overnight (wearing gloves once the cream has been applied will stop it transferring onto your bedding and pyjamas).

To get the job done, a good hand cream should be made up of occlusives, humectants and emollients which—when combined—moisturise skin. They work like so:

  • Occlusives– these ingredients are usually oil-based. When combined with humectants and emollients, they help to prevent moisture loss. Examples include petroleum jelly, lanolin, and shea butter.
  • Humectants– the neat little ingredients in this category draw moisture from both the air and other layers of skin into the top layer. When paired with occlusives, moisture will be trapped where it’s needed, rather than evaporating back into the air.
  • Emollients– these ingredients both protect and smooth the skin. Many emollients double as humectants and occlusives (e.g. shea butter and lanolin), particularly in mainstream products.

4. Seek medical advice if needed

If simple at-home treatments aren’t working and your hands are becoming increasingly dry, sore, and cracked, the problem could be caused by a medical condition. If this is the case, seek the advice of a medical professional.

 

Bargain Chemist Staff Picks

Check out our staff picks for the skincare products sure to keep your skin feeling fresh.

 

Find the perfect skincare product online

As New Zealand's leading online chemist, we have the skincare products most recommended by healthcare professionals, often cheaper than the recommended retail price! Find the Bargain Chemist near you or order your hand sanitiser, hand soap, moisturiser, or other skincare product online today!