Hand hygiene

Introduction

Good hand hygiene should always be a matter of course. However, it is currently more important than ever, because in times of coronavirus, it can save lives. After all, our hands are constantly in contact with germs… including the coronavirus. If we touch our face with unwashed hands, consciously or unconsciously, the treacherous pathogen can easily enter the body via the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and eyes. This route of transmission can only be interrupted by consistent hand hygiene.

The golden rules for optimal hand hygiene are now well known. We should not only wash our hands more often, but also much more thoroughly and for longer. And if possible, we should also disinfect our hands. Those who meticulously adhere to hand hygiene significantly reduce the risk of infection, but sooner or later they will also notice that their hands suffer greatly from the constant procedure. Normal hand hygiene already dries out the skin considerably, and on top of that there is the enormous strain caused by disinfectants, which usually contain more than 70 percent alcohol and further damage the skin. Good hand hygiene therefore also includes careful hand care.

These hand care products are a blessing for stressed hands

Taking care of your hands after washing them is good for your skin. High-quality hand care products support the natural barrier function of our skin after washing and help it to regenerate. They can improve the oil and moisture content and smooth the surface of the skin, keeping your hands resilient and elastic.

Hand cream

The best-known variant is certainly hand cream. It spreads easily, is quickly absorbed, and does not leave a sticky feeling. A hand cream can contain a wide variety of moisturizing substances, but it should always be free of mineral oils, silicone oil, and parabens.

Hand butter

Hand butter is ideal for particularly rich care after hand hygiene. It is firmer than a cream and contains ingredients such as shea butter and/or cocoa butter. Hand butter is usually sold as a water-free product: to use it, simply warm the surface in your hands for a moment, then the hand butter can be spread very easily.

Hand serum

A hand serum contains a concentrated dose of active ingredients and is very concentrated. It repairs, regenerates, and effectively and quickly compensates for acute deficiencies caused by hand hygiene. Hyaluronic acid, essential amino acids, and microencapsulated active ingredients should be used here.

Hand scrub

If the skin is already very dry and rough due to hand hygiene, a hand scrub can be useful. It removes dead skin cells and is also ideal as preparation for actual hand care. As friction increases blood circulation, the hands immediately appear smoother and rejuvenated after the old skin cells have been removed. Mild exfoliants made of cellulose or wax beads are beneficial here.

Hand hygiene gel

An alcohol-based hand gel enables particularly thorough hand hygiene. Thanks to its special composition with a maximum of 40% alcohol and other glycols, it has an antibacterial effect, meaning that bacteria are removed quickly and efficiently.

It is not a disinfectant, but is well suited for hand hygiene in between, even when you are on the go and no water is available.

Nail care oil

For the care of delicate cuticles after hand hygiene, however, a nail care oil is recommended, which is ideally applied in the evening. Valuable oils such as kahai oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil are used here. Zinc stearate promotes the regeneration of cracked cuticles and makes them supple and elastic again.

The optimal hand care ritual for hand hygiene

To keep your hands healthy, soft and well-protected throughout the day, an effective hand-care routine should follow a few simple but powerful steps. The optimal hand care ritual is as follows:

– Use hand cream several times a day

– Apply hand butter and nail care oil in the evening

– Carry hand serum and hand gel in your bag when you are out and about

– Use a hand scrub once a week

The most important active ingredients for hand hygiene and hand care

Jojoba oil

INCI: Simmondsia chinensis seed oil

Extraction: from the seeds of the fruit of the jojoba tree

CAS number: 61789-91-1

Effect: provides plenty of moisture, is very well absorbed by the skin, makes the skin smooth and supple.

Argan oil

INCI: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

CAS number: 223747-87-3

Extraction: from the seeds of the argan tree

Effect: nourishes mature skin and skin with impaired barriers

Squalane

INCI: Squalane

CAS number: 111-01-3

Description: Component of numerous plant oils (e.g., avocado, wheat germ, olive, and rice oil)

Effect: Moisturizes, supplies the skin with valuable fatty acids, makes the skin elastic and soft

Vitamin F

Description: Vitamin F refers to the so-called essential fatty acids

Found in: mainly in linseed oil, walnut oil, and rapeseed oil

Effect: strengthens skin, hair, and nails, prevents moisture loss, protects against skin dryness

Plum butter

INCI: Prunus Domestica Seed Oil

CAS number: 90082-87-4

EINECS / ELINCS number: 290-179-3

Effect: moisturizes, keeps the skin supple

Shea butter

INCI: Shea Butter Glycerides

CAS number: 194043-92-0

Extraction: from the fruit kernels of the shea tree

Effect: antioxidant, maintains the skin’s natural protective barrier, cell regenerating, keeps the skin supple

Mango butter

INCI: Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter

CAS number: 90063-86-8

Extraction: from the fruit kernels of the mango tree

Effect: moisturizing and cooling, leaves the skin feeling particularly light

Passion fruit butter

INCI: Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil

CAS number: 91770-48-8

EINECS number: 294-833-9

Effect: soothing, softens the skin, anti-inflammatory

Ceramides

Description: form the main component of the fats in the human stratum corneum, the basic building blocks of our skin barrier

Effect: reduce the skin’s natural water loss, improve the barrier function

Dermo Membrane Structures (DMS)

Description: Products for the sustainable regeneration of damaged skin barrier, tailored to the DMS of humans

Hand care and hand hygiene: more important today than ever

The coronavirus reminds us how important good hand hygiene is. To prevent the skin from suffering as a result of constant washing and disinfecting, it needs high-quality care afterwards. Cosmacon is happy to develop innovative hand care products for you.

When you need it fast:

✨ Our partner Tojo Cosmetics offers innovative, active ingredient-rich private label products – quickly available, high-quality, and perfect for brands that want to impress with passion and quality.

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