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8 WHAT’S TRENDING IN BEAUTY FROM PAGE 7 because soap-based products really risk drying out the skin further and irritating it more”. She also points out that soap-free products should be as effective as soap in helping prevent coronavirus transmission through skin contact with a contaminated surface, because the key is correct handwashing. “The key point is that handwashing needs to be for at least 20 seconds,” she said. “So, regardless of whether it’s a soap-based or soap-free wash, if you’re washing your hands for at least 20 seconds under running water, it should be just as effective to get rid of coronavirus.” It’s important to pat-dry hands, Dr Yip adds (“rubbing and friction will traumatise the skin further”) and to “immediately after drying your hands, put on moisturiser”. She recommends the “liberal use of a greasy, thicker moisturiser” as this is “much better at sealing in and trapping water within the skin”. What about hand sanitisers? The clear recommendation is to use a hand sanitiser containing at least 60 per cent alcohol. While this can have a drying effect on the skin, hand sanitisers with such content will have the antiseptic properties required. “While less alcohol may be gentler, it likely won’t serve the same purpose with antiseptic properties,” Dr Yip said. To look after the skin on your hands, she reiterates the message of moisturising after hand sanitising. “After the hand sanitiser dries, put on a liberal layer of moisturiser, just like after handwashing – the greasier the better,” Dr Yip advised. Ms Phillips says Chemcorp, having foreseen that dry hands would be an issue for many people, has “just developed a hand mask” for dry hands. “It’s a glove that you wear for 10 minutes to get an intensive treatment,” she said. “So, because hand sanitisers can be an issue, we’ve developed an intensive, repairing hand mask, which we’ll have available in about four weeks.” “We’ve seen a bit of growth with our Epsom salts. People have more time to have a bath ... that’s the best way to look after yourself, because it helps you to feel relaxed...” RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAY 2020