Hand cream is a skincare product that is used to moisturize and nourish the skin on the hands. The ingredients in hand cream can have a significant impact on its effectiveness and safety. Here are some details about hand cream ingredients and their positive and negative effects:
Ingredients:
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Water: The most common ingredient in hand creams, water is used as a solvent and helps to hydrate the skin.
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Glycerin: A humectant found in many moisturizers, glycerin helps increase the water content of the outer layers of the skin by pulling moisture from the air and the deeper layers of skin. It’s usually paired with occlusives like shea butter or jojoba oil to “lock” moisture in.
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Cold-pressed fruit and plant oils: These natural oils are some of the best ingredients in hand creams. They are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help to nourish and protect the skin.
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Aloe vera juice and flower waters: These natural skin-soothers are great for hydrating and soothing dry, irritated skin.
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Lactic acid: An alpha-hydroxy acid commonly derived from milk, lactic acid gently exfoliates to remove dead skin cells, making it great for your hands. It can also stimulate collagen production.
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Parabens and phthalates: These artificial preservatives have been banned in many European countries due to their potential to disrupt the endocrine system.
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Fragrances: Some fragrances can be irritating to the skin, so its important to choose hand creams with natural fragrances or no fragrance at all.
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Alcohols: Some alcohols can be drying to the skin, so its best to avoid hand creams that contain them.
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Silicones: These ingredients can create a barrier on the skin that can trap dirt and bacteria, leading to breakouts and irritation.
Positive effects:
- Hydrates and nourishes the skin
- Softens and smooths the skin
- Can stimulate collagen production
- Can help to exfoliate dead skin cells
Negative effects:
- Some ingredients can be irritating to the skin
- Some artificial preservatives can disrupt the endocrine system
Its important to read the ingredients label before using hand cream to avoid potentially harmful chemicals. Some of the best hand lotion ingredients are natural oils, aloe vera juice, and flower waters. On the other hand, its best to avoid hand creams that contain parabens, phthalates, fragrances, alcohols, and silicones.
