While the world comes to terms with the pandemic of the Corona Virus, we must keep safe and work together to prevent further spreading. Social media has been plagued with hand washing memes, and whilst it is good to bring the humour from an otherwise frightening epidemic, it is crucial for us to follow hand washing and other hygiene advice. NHS Medical Doctor, Dr Ejikeme has found that many of her patients have dry, itchy hands as a result of intense washing and use of hand sanitiser. We need to moisturise our hands regularly to avoid cuts and cracked skin as this may lead to infections.

Her top tips to prevent drying hands include:

• Wash instead of sanitising: If you can, wash hands with soap and water for 15-30 seconds instead of using hand sanitiser as it has a high alcohol content which is very drying on the skin.

• Don’t over-wash: Wash when necessary (after using the toilet and visiting public spaces, and before touching your face or others). Washing hands too frequently will dry them out.

• Water first, soap second: Make sure to wet hands first before soap to reduce irritation.

• Use hand cream- After washing, apply a hand cream to prevent the skin drying out and apply throughout the day.

• Super dry hands: If your hands are already dry, itchy or sore, apply a barrier cream (Vaseline or Lanolin) covering any areas of cracked skin.

• Please see more information on Dr Ejikeme and her West London clinic, Adonia Medical Clinic here.

Wash instead of sanitising: If you can, wash hands with soap and water for 15-30 seconds instead of using hand sanitiser as it has a high alcohol content which is very drying on the skin.

Don’t over-wash: Wash when necessary (after using the toilet and visiting public spaces, and before touching your face or others). Washing hands too frequently will dry them out.

Water first, soap second: Make sure to wet hands first before soap to reduce irritation.

Use hand cream- After washing, apply a hand cream to prevent the skin drying out and apply throughout the day.

Super dry hands: If your hands are already dry, itchy or sore, apply a barrier cream (Vaseline or Lanolin) covering any areas of cracked skin.

Please see more information on Dr Ejikeme and her West London clinic, Adonia Medical Clinic here.

Our Top 5 Hand Creams:

Best for sensitive skin:

1). The Body Shop Almond milk and honey calming and protecting hand cream

This hand cream is perfect for those of us dealing with sensitive skin as the nourishing almond milk helps bring moisture to dry hands, and the honey (full of antibacterial goodness) helps heal cracks. £5 for 30ml.

Best non-greasy formula:

2). Clarins hand and nail treatment cream

This rich lotion is packed full of essential ingredients like shea butter and sesame oil which offers quick relief to dry hands without leaving greasy residue behind. £23 for 100ml.

Best value:

3). Aveeno daily moisturising hand cream

Suitable for sensitive skin and clinically proven to help hands look healthier from the first use. Enriched with oatmeal to nourish skin. £3.99 for 75ml.

Best overall:

4). Neutrogena Norwegian formula hand cream

Rich with glycerin, this cream helps bind moisture to the skin and is long-lasting even after hand washing. Gives you soft skin without breaking the bank. £3.99 for 50ml.

Best high-end brand:

5). Liz Earle Superskin hand serum

Perfect for mature or dry skin, this serum is packed full of active ingredients like rosehip oil and cranberry seed to ensure skin is left plump, smooth and soft. £23.50 for 75ml.

Words by Camila Karalyte

Graphics by Katie Janes

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The post How to Combat Dry Hands During the Current Climate appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Skincare can be complicated, and it seems to get more complicated with each passing year. That’s why, now we’re reaching February, it’s really time to solidify and improve your skincare regime. Routines don’t have to become a laborious half an hour in the bathroom, morning and night, so here’s Voir’s rundown of some resolutions for your skincare cabinet.

Arguably the most important step of skincare: a good cleanser. Cleansing your skin gets rid of dirt, impurities, makeup and excess oils that gather on your face throughout the day. If you layer other products on an uncleansed face, you will be more prone to breaking out, so a washed face is a prepped face for the rest of your routine. Liz Earle’s Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser has raving reviews, and at £13.18, it’s not a bad place to start. Kiehl’s also has an affordable Ultra Facial Cleanser which is suitable for all skin types. For those who wish to spare no expense, Tatcha’s ‘The Deep Cleanse’ has a luxurious gel-based formula with added Japanese luffa fruit fibres, which incorporate a soft exfoliation to your routine, without needing a whole other product! These fibres actually dissolve as your cleanse, so there’s no harshness and risk of dry skin. Although exfoliating is important in order to get rid of more stubborn dirt and dead skin, it really shouldn’t be done more than once or twice a week. Too much exfoliation and your skin will become damaged, irritated and dry – not ideal, especially in winter.

Speaking of dry skin; moisturiser is a must. It keeps your face looking fresh and wrinkles at bay, but there’s a fine line between a nice glow and looking oily. That’s why products such as the Clinique Moisture Surge and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel are perfect; they’re lightweight and long-lasting. Even better? A moisturiser with SPF. In the summer, completely swapping your moisturiser with SPF is a viable option, as a sunscreen contains oils and moisturising elements, however, in the colder and harsher months, it’s best to stick with a heavier moisturiser, especially if you are prone to dry skin. The Glossier ‘Invisible Shield’ is a perfect option for sunscreen as it has a water-gel formula so it feels like a serum and has no white cast. It also plays well underneath makeup, so you don’t have to worry about a greasy residue. The Body Shop also does a range of moisturizing and enriching products at a lower price than that of Glossier. Their Vitamin C Glow Protect Lotion has SPF 30, and even their CC creams have SPF 20. Using products like these takes out two birds with one stone, whilst cutting down on expenses.

Serums, sprays, oils and daily face masks can all be incorporated once you know how your skin reacts to these basic steps. But really, it’s time to give your skin a break! Jade and rose quartz rollers? We’ve gone skincare mad! Less is definitely more, and although it’s easy to layer product after product, let’s strip it back down and give your skin a bit of TLC, by listening to it and giving it what it truly needs. This isn’t to mean we shouldn’t ever use other products and more luxurious items, but in this way we can use them to pamper ourselves – a nice face mask at the end of a hard day at work, or dousing of serum and eye cream after a night out. With a reduced list of products, you can save money and time this January.

Words by Amy Ellis

Graphics by Katie Janes

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The post Keeping it Clean: Our Skincare Resolutions appeared first on Voir Fashion.