Gentle hand soap, possibly with moisturisers

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quickymart

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#298779 15-Jul-2022 21:02

I've been following the government guidelines for not catching coronavirus (mask, vaccinated, boosted, hand washing, etc). The last point is a bit of an issue for me as I've probably been overdoing the whole handwashing thing, and finding it's drying out my skin. I was using the foamy-Palmolive hand soap but found that was really bad for drying out the skin on my hands, so I've been using Dove shower soap instead - however I'm now finding it's having the same effect.

Can someone recommend a good hand soap to use on a daily basis that won't dry out the skin? Maybe something with moisturisers as well?

I've been looking around online and found these two, but no idea how good they are for use on a daily basis (the latter I have used a few times and thought the smell was really nice):

https://www.pharmacydirect.co.nz/Dettol-Soft-On-Skin-Liquid-Hand-Wash-250ml-Lemon-Lime

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/soft-care-citrus-splash-antibacterial-hand-wash-500ml_p0165822?store=9470&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwfDZxpv5-AIVo5hmAh1vfgjREAQYByABEgJf6vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

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#2942405 15-Jul-2022 21:22

Since you mention overdoing the hand washing, have you considered Microshield handwash?

It's what they use in hospital's, so I assume it's not too harsh on the skin.

timmmay

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#2942407 15-Jul-2022 21:40

Try a moisturizer with urea, from the supermarket or pharmacy, in addition to a gentle soap. Alternately ask your doctor for something to help, an eczema treatment.

quickymart

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#2942464 15-Jul-2022 22:21

Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'll head along to the Chemist Warehouse and see if they have either of those things you both mention.

timmmay

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#2942561 16-Jul-2022 09:53

Aveeno is a good brand, generally doesn't have urea. I use this one (HealthE Urea 10%) which my doctor gives me, since it's on prescription it's free :)

andrew75

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#2942577 16-Jul-2022 10:28

Use Sorbolene. Its a moisturizer but works fine as a soap too. Comes in a pump pack. Microshield will still dry out your hands.

qwertee

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#2942581 16-Jul-2022 10:38

Hand wash with Dove soap and I second to the use of Aveeno. Try their hand cream

I was suggested Cetomacrogol cream by my doctor and is free if you have a prescription with the discount chemists.
Comes in a large tub and last a long time.

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duckDecoy

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#2942633 16-Jul-2022 11:05

Completely avoid the foaming ones. My son is a chronic hand washer (OCD) and they DESTROY his hands.

richms

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#2942635 16-Jul-2022 11:09

We get this at work because there were complaints about the $16 stuff, it seems ok and complaints have reduced.

https://nzsafetyblackwoods.co.nz/en/prochem-antibacterial-hand-soap-5l-each-3020282

Richard rich.ms

TinkerOn

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#2942636 16-Jul-2022 11:12

Soaps dissolve grease. That covid virus has a fatty outer layer. So, using soap destroys that virus. It also removes protective skin grease, resulting in skin rashes eventually.

I concluded that all the so-called "mild" soaps and handwash solutions by the major brands (Palmolive etc) are just skin strippers. Have you ever noticed that there are only "mild" soaps and handwash bottles on the shelves? That's making it pretty clear it's just advertising lies.

I'd go with something from companies who actually care about both your hands and the environment, like ecostore.com/nz, glowlab.co.nz, earthwise.co.nz, and support local business and product development at the same time.

The critical difference however is using a moisturiser after washing hands. The soap takes the fat layer off the skin by necessity, the moisturiser puts it back on again. Ask a hospital nurse. I read that they're recommended to use moisturiser after washing hands, as well as making sure the soap is rinsed off well after washing. IIRC Siouxsie Wiles said before to also make sure to dry off well.

chatterbox

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#2945983 24-Jul-2022 18:06

Have you considered not washing your hands as frequently?

Your skin is a very important barrier to keeping out germs. If it's drying out or worse cracking, you're ruining the largest barrier against disease your body has and covid won't be the only thing you'll be worrying about. Remember it's predominantly respiratory route. The fomite transmission hasn't borne out to be of concern. The NZ cases were further investigated and aerosols deemed responsible.

Admittedly I went over the top with hand washing when covid first came out but after seeing someone else online with skin issues decided to pull back. That was in 2020. I wash my hands after the bathroom and before eating and if I touch something dirty. Like really dirty. Or after touching meat I'm cooking. That's it.

Make sure you try and moisturize after you've washed your hands, especially when you go to bed so that moisturizer actually has time to stay on and work. You won't moisturize after every hand wash but do try to increase this if you're increasing your hand washing. Maybe keep one of those small moisturizers in your pocket or with you that you can refill from the larger moisturizer bottle at home.

But I would basically cut back on hand washing to normal amounts. There are downsides to being over the top. Everything in moderation as they say.

nakedmolerat

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#2945995 24-Jul-2022 19:49

Hi, you can get your doctor to prescribe Cetomacrogol to wash your hand with then, same thing to moisturize after you dry your hand.

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quickymart

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#2946938 27-Jul-2022 14:23

To summarise, so far these are the suggestions (along with a couple of extra queries I have):

https://www.lifematamatapharmacy.co.nz/api-sorbolene-glyc-cream-500ml

https://nzsafetyblackwoods.co.nz/en/prochem-antibacterial-hand-soap-5l-each-3020282 (is this in a pump bottle?)

https://www.nzonlinechemist.co.nz/products/cetomacrogolglycerol-cream-pump-1000ml?variant=32371277398076&currency=NZD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIifelsIGY-QIVzTArCh06LgLOEAYYASABEgK5ZPD_BwE (is this a soap as well, or just a moisturiser?)

Ideally just something in a pump bottle without having to need to apply something separately would be great :)

gbwelly

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#2946980 27-Jul-2022 15:49

I personally swear by this:

It's for people who literally wash their hands every 5 minutes.
I have been refilling the same pump bottle with this for a decade.

quickymart

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#2947016 27-Jul-2022 17:12

Thanks, I remember Moore Wilson's when I lived in Wellington :) is that also available in a pump bottle form, and is that only the refill you're showing there?

richms

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#2947021 27-Jul-2022 17:23

They are made to fill dispensers that you put on the wall by the sink. You can use them in pumps but I have found them a little thick compared to the liquids that come in supermarket pump bottles and the spring will often not push the handle back up again.

If you're looking on the cleaning supplies sites many are made to only take overpriced bags of handwash and dont just get filled up with whatever liquid you want. The bags are to tie you into one brand which is why the dispensers are so cheap.

Richard rich.ms

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