5 Ways to protect your hands while doing household chores

5 Ways to protect your hands while doing household chores

Doing household chores is not an easy task. From washing dishes to doing your one laundry, these tasks take a toll on your body. But more so, they directly affect your hands, which do all the work. And while you might have an elaborate skincare routine for your face in place, it’s your hands that get ignored. Given the fact that your hands are also one of the most exposed parts of your body, don’t they deserve the same love and care too?

Lack of proper hand care can lead to dry palms, wrinkly skin and end up feeling like sandpaper after a while. This gets worse when you have daily, unavoidable housework to do. So, here are five ways to protect your hands while doing household chores.

01. Wear gloves for chores that require getting your hands wet

Ever wondered why our palms get wrinkly after being wet for a long time? Research says that it’s your body’s way of holding wet objects easier. The wrinkly texture will have better hold on slippery surfaces. Prolonged wetness can also lead to over-drying of hands since the skincare product on your hands is stripped off and replaced by the harsh elements in tap water. Hence, it’s best to wear gloves to keep your hands dry and protected.

02. Keep your nails clean

An important detail about hand care that we tend to ignore is cleaning our nails. Dirt under your nails can trap germs in them. Keep them clean and use hand and nail care products to keep them feeling healthy and looking fabulous!

03. Opt for gentler ingredients in your cleansers, soaps and detergents

Dishwashing soaps, laundry detergents and standard cleaners used in household chores are made up of some pretty harsh ingredients. The chemicals present in these cleaning products can severely damage your skin, leading to irritation, redness and even damage your skin’s barrier.

You can switch to gentler alternatives. Do a label check before you purchase these products (avoid Triclosan at all costs). You can also try DIY recipes for homemade cleaning essentials. A simple lemon, salt and vinegar mix can clean your dishes while keeping your palms citrusy fresh!

04. Use SPF on your hands

There are household chores that will take you out in the sun. From getting your laundry done to taking care of your houseplants, you need to protect your hands while doing these jobs. Much like wearing sunscreen indoors is recommended for your face, extend it down to your hands as well!

05. Treat your hands well

You need to have a skincare routine for your hands as well. Your hands and neck show the first signs of ageing. This is because of the lack of skincare some fail to give these areas of the body. Use a scrub on your hands twice a week. Always moisturise your hands every time you wash them. You can also do deep conditioning by applying hand cream at night and sleeping in fabric gloves!