Quel type de savon choisir pour ne pas abîmer ses mains ?

What type of soap should you choose to avoid damaging your hands?

Frequent hand washing is a crucial and effective preventative measure to avoid contamination. However, excessive washing can damage the hands, especially when the skin is sensitive. With all the soaps available on the market, it is important to choose the right solution to keep your hands clean while avoiding irritation.

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How does soap eliminate microbes and dirt present on the hands?

Unlike hand sanitizer, soap allows us to remove viruses and bacteria through a mechanical effect , rather than killing them. Indeed, soap is made up of long molecules, called surfactants, composed of a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (fat-loving) tail. When washing hands with water and soap, the surfactant molecules attach to the hydrolipidic film, a layer of fat that covers the epidermis, through their hydrophobic tail to avoid water and group together to form micelles. The dirt, dead cells, microbes, and bacteria present in the lipid layer are then detached and eliminated during rinsing with water, thanks to the hydrophilic part of the surfactants, which is attracted to water molecules.

Furthermore, the surfactants contained in soap act on the envelope that surrounds viruses, which is formed of a lipid membrane that also contains proteins and encapsulates the virus's genome. When soap is lathered, the tails of the soap molecules, which repel water, will latch onto the lipid membrane of the viruses, causing their disorganization. Indeed, the resultant forces exerted on the virus lead to the dismantling of the viral envelope. The virus is then broken down into different fragments that will get trapped in the micelles, before being washed away during rinsing. The virus is thus deprived of its ability to penetrate cells, rendering it inactive.

Which soap should you choose to optimize hand washing without damaging them?

Regular hand washing with soap indeed reduces the risk of germ transmission, but it can also lead to certain discomforts: skin dryness, irritation, cracks, tightness, etc... Although it is important, right after washing when your hands are clean and dry, to apply a moisturizing and nourishing balm to restore softness, hydration, and flexibility to your hands.

It is also recommended to use a soap that will not strip the skin. To do this, opt for a cold-processed soap. Less harsh than traditional soaps and despite its alkaline pH, this type of cleansing care not only helps to restore the skin's protective film, but also to hydrate, soothe, and soften the skin of the hands thanks to the ingredients it contains. Indeed, unlike traditional soaps, the glycerin obtained during the saponification reaction is retained. Present in large quantities, it has moisturizing and protective properties. Moreover, these soaps preserve all the nourishing virtues of the vegetable oils used in their making. Thus, cold-processed soaps allow for effectively cleaning the skin of the hands gently, without causing harm.

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