What common mistakes damage the hands?

Regular handwashing is essential for hygiene, but washing too frequently, especially with detergent-based soaps, can weaken the skin barrier. With each wash, some of the surface lipids, which are essential for maintaining skin hydration, are removed, which increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL). At the same time, skin pH, which is normally slightly acidic and around 5, tends to rise, disrupting the skin’s enzymatic activity and its antimicrobial defence mechanisms.

These effects are cumulative: the more frequently the skin is washed, the more vulnerable it becomes, promoting the onset of dryness, tightness, irritation and even microfissures.

These observations were confirmed by a study conducted in 15 volunteers, designed to assess the impact of different washing and drying techniques on the skin. The results show that even simple washing with water increases transepidermal water loss, and that this effect is amplified after repeated washes. For example, washing with soap followed by drying with a towel increased TEWL from 10.1 to 13.1 g/h·m² after only two washes. Even greater increases were observed depending on the drying method, reaching up to 30.1 g/h·m². At the same time, skin pH exceeded 6.0 after two soap washes, indicating impairment of the skin barrier and its protective functions.

The issue is not to reduce hygiene, but to adapt it more appropriately so as to avoid damaging the hands.

For example, it is preferable to use mild cleansers with a physiological pH and to avoid the most aggressive anionic surfactants, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), known for their strong detergent action and irritant potential. Conversely, milder surfactants, such as glucosides (decyl glucoside, coco-glucoside) or betaines (coco betaine), are better tolerated. The systematic application of a moisturising cream after each wash is also a good habit to adopt in order to restore the hydrolipidic film and compensate for water loss, thereby helping to preserve the integrity of the skin on the hands.

Because the skin of the hands is naturally poor in sebaceous glands, it produces fewer protective lipids than other areas of the body. This particularity makes it especially dependent on external inputs to maintain its hydration and the integrity of its skin barrier. In addition, the hands are constantly exposed to multiple everyday aggressions, whether repeated washing, temperature variations or friction, which progressively weaken the stratum corneum. Without appropriate care, the skin becomes drier, rougher and less supple, encouraging the appearance of crêpey hands and accentuating fine lines.

Moisturising one’s hands is just as important as caring for the skin on one’s face.

To achieve this, the ideal approach is to apply a moisturising cream after each wash, when the skin has just lost part of its protective lipids, in order to rapidly restore the hydrolipidic film. Application in the evening, before going to bed, is also particularly beneficial: as the skin is less exposed to external stressors during the night, active ingredients can work more effectively. For a moisturising cream to be effective, it is important that it combines humectants, such as glycerine, emollients, such as ceramides, and film-forming agents, in order to bind water, limit its evaporation and strengthen cellular cohesion. Without these regular contributions, a vicious circle sets in, in which dryness weakens the skin, making it even more vulnerable to everyday aggressions.

Exposure to UV rays is one of the main factors responsible for premature skin ageing, including on the hands.

Yet this area is often overlooked when applying sunscreen, even though it is exposed to the sun every day. UVA rays, which are able to penetrate deeply into the skin, generate significant oxidative stress and activate metalloproteinases, enzymes responsible for the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Gradually, the skin loses firmness, wrinkles become more pronounced, and pigment spots appear. This is referred to as photoageing, insofar as this ageing is caused by UV light.

Incorporating sun protection into one’s daily routine is therefore essential to preserve the appearance of the skin on the hands. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning, with reapplications in the event of prolonged exposure (driving, outdoor activities), helps to limit UV-induced damage. Some hand creams now include sun filters, making this step easier. Without these precautions, the effects of the sun accumulate in a silent yet continuous way, significantly accelerating the cutaneous ageing of the hands.

Household cleaning products, particularly washing-up liquids, contain surfactants capable of solubilising fats… including those naturally present on the surface of the skin. A study conducted in 11 volunteers examined the impact of five detergents diluted to 0.5% on various skin parameters, notably its lipid content. The results show a negative correlation with skin lipid content (r = –0.53), indicating a removal of sebum by the washing-up liquid.

The alkaline detergents in washing-up liquids deplete the skin’s lipid barrier, making it more vulnerable to dehydration and external aggressions.

In view of these effects, it is appropriate to wear gloves during household tasks to protect the hands. However, not all gloves are equivalent, and their use should be measured. Latex gloves, in particular, can trigger cutaneous reactions if worn for prolonged periods. A study conducted among 455 healthcare professionals showed that 45.05% of participants reported skin symptoms related to glove use, such as dryness, irritation or itching, and that 18% presented reactions consistent with contact urticaria. The risk of dermatitis increased significantly in individuals wearing gloves for more than 5 hours per day, highlighting the impact of occlusion and maceration on the skin.

Thus, if gloves are essential when using household products, it is preferable to opt for materials that are less sensitising, such as nitrile or vinyl, and to limit wearing them to the time strictly necessary. Prolonged use of occlusive gloves indeed promotes perspiration, which can further impair the skin barrier. Once the gloves have been removed, applying a moisturising care product helps to restore skin lipids and to compensate for the losses induced by these repeated exposures.

Environmental conditions, particularly cold, wind and dry air, are major factors in weakening the skin of the hands. Cold induces vasoconstriction, reducing the supply of nutrients and oxygen needed for proper skin function, while the decrease in ambient humidity observed in winter exacerbates transepidermal water loss. The skin then becomes drier and rougher, and may develop cracks, redness or sensations of discomfort. If the hands are not protected, they are quickly damaged.

Wearing gloves in winter, or simply when it is cold and/or windy, is a straightforward measure to prevent the hands from becoming damaged.

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