Torzo Spa

Frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing can be brutal on your skin. Here are some tips on the best type, timing and technique for follow-up hand care.

First, thorough hand washing is the best way to destroy germs. It’s also less drying on your skin than hand sanitizers. Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with a mild soap physically removes most bacteria and germs from your skin.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizing gel works by killing bacteria and germs, but it’s not as thorough as washing. However, it’s a great backup to carry in your purse for when soap and water are not available. Just make sure you carry hand cream too.

After washing or using hand gel, dermatologists recommend waiting for your skin to dry completely before applying moisturizer. If applied too early, cream can dilute the effectiveness of hand-sanitizing gel, and halt the germ-killing process.

Another reason hand washing is better than hand sanitizer is that washing with warm water opens the pores, preparing the skin for better absorption of the beneficial moisturizer. I suggest creams with aloe vera, and those with natural oils such as almond and coconut. These have healing properties and are less likely to cause irritation.

Hi! Miss you! Here are a few tricks to keep your skin satisfied while we are apart.

Home steam treatment:
Clean your face as normal, but do not exfoliate. Boil water and let it cool for 5 minutes. Add some herbs, green tea or essential oil, if desired. Position your face over the steaming water for 5-10 minutes. Optional: use a towel to cover your head and concentrate the steam. This treatment is great for purifying the pores.

Exfoliating mask:
If you have fresh pumpkin, here’s another way to use it. In a bowl, combine up to a cup of grated pumpkin flesh with one egg. Mix well. If your skin is dry, you can add a little honey and milk. Apply as a mask. Leave on your skin for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Skin-softening mask:
Mix four parts flour to 1 part each of olive oil and milk. Apply as a mask and wait for 15-20 minutes. After rinsing the mask, the effects will be immediately visible.

Lip treatment:
Lips can be prone to drying and cracking, especially this time of year. So, after brushing your teeth, rinse your brush and lightly brush your lips several times in a light, circular motion. Then apply almond oil.