Dermatologists explained if antiseptics are really useful

Good quality hand cleansing is a natural human need in everyday life. However, in recent years, the coronavirus pandemic has led to the need to not only clean but also disinfect the skin to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19. Disinfectants promise to clean and disinfect the skin, but can sometimes cause dryness and cracking, so their selection should be taken seriously.

Proper hand hygiene is one of the best ways to keep your own health, and disinfecting can help to disinfect germs. Certified dermatologists shared with EveryDayHealth how to choose hand sanitizers and avoid harming your skin.

Routine, thorough hand washing with soap and water is effective enough to fight germs, but sometimes you need to use antiseptics. So, if you are on the road and cannot wash your hands, a disinfectant containing at least 60% alcohol is a good option.

However, according to dermatologists, frequent use of such preparations can have unpleasant consequences, such as irritation of the skin barrier and excessive dryness of the skin. For people who already have skin conditions, such as those suffering from eczema, the use of disinfectants can worsen and lead to redness, inflammation, and flaking.

Fortunately, today's industry offers the latest antiseptic products that combine the ingredients needed to fight infection-causing microorganisms with traditional moisturizers.

Use expert advice to help you choose the right-hand sanitizer:

Study the composition and alcohol content. According to dermatologist Karan Lal, ethyl alcohol is better at killing germs than isopropyl alcohol. Products with an alcohol content of 60 to 95 percent are also the most effective, but medium-range levels are better for avoiding excessive dryness. At the same time, pay attention and avoid products with possible hidden methanol content, which can have dangerous effects on the body.

Choose an alternative. If your skin is too sensitive, consider using an alcohol-free antiseptic. Benzalkonium chloride products can be a good alternative, as research shows it can deactivate the COVID-19 virus on both skin and surfaces.

Look for moisturizing elements in the composition. Glycerin, coconut oil, or squalene are all ingredients in antiseptic products that can hold moisture inside and prevent dry skin.

Avoid fragrances. In people who have sensitive skin or suffer from eczema, fragrance can cause a breach of the skin barrier and lead to a worsening of the condition.

As you can see, if you need to use disinfectants, there are plenty of opportunities to pick safe options that aren't too harmful to the skin. However, even to them dermatologists advise treating with caution and using traditional moisturizers for the skin of the hands, and do not forget about daily care.

Previously OBOZREVATEL told about the peculiarities of hand skin care. Experts explained that to prevent dry skin you should wash your hands with room temperature water and use moisturizing cream.

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