Covid, the dermatologist: “For hand hygiene, use skin-friendly products”

‘Non-pharmacological’ measures such as hand hygiene remain crucial in the fight against Covid-19. But to avoid undesirable effects such as dehydration, weakening of the skin’s natural defenses and an increased risk of infections “it is essential to use products that reconstitute the hydrolipidic film of the skin barrier in the shortest possible time and support the restoration of a normal skin microbiome” . Alessandro Martella, dermatologist and founder of Myskin.it, recommends it, noting that the use of “soaps with a high pH and hot water” and “alcohol-based sanitizers visibly affect the skin, destroying the superficial lipid layer that protects it from all external aggressions “. And so “itching, fissures and fissures, symptoms that are typically found in atopic patients or with irritated skin, were also found in those who did not suffer from these manifestations”. The expert therefore advises attention in choosing the sanitizing product, also considering that 87% of people stated that they will continue to wash and disinfect their hands with the same frequency, and 73% believe that hand sanitizers have become products essential for everyday use, remember a note announcing the arrival in the pharmacy of “Biphase Lipoalcoolique, a double action hand treatment that combines ethanol, a safe alcohol capable of eliminating up to 99.9% of bacteria, yeasts and enveloped viruses, including Sars-CoV-2, with lipid components, specifically shea oil and squalane, which replenish skin lipids by strengthening the skin barrier in the long term and protecting the hands from dehydration without inhibiting the efficacy of ethanol “, describes Naos, a French group that includes Bioderma, Institut Esthederm and Etat Pur (brand not currently present in Italy). The treatment “forms a protective film on the hands as soon as it is applied, with an immediate and long-lasting nourishing action: after 14 days of use there is a 23% reduction in transepidermal water loss (Tewl) and a capacity to replenish the skin barrier 2.5 times higher than the glycerin-based formula “, explains Naos who will donate the entire proceeds from the sales of the new biocide to” foundations, associations and NGOs engaged in the prevention of future epidemics with humanitarian projects and objectives linked to the territory “. The philosophy of Naos – continues the note – is based on ecobiology, “a scientific approach that is based on the principle that the skin is an ecosystem that evolves by interacting with its environment and whose natural mechanism must be protected – states Aurélie Guyoux , director of the research and development division of the group – Instead of attacking the skin with excessive treatments, we must educate it to live according to its natural biology “. “The action of Biphase Lipoalcoolique, as well as that of all our products – he remarks – consists exactly in this. The sanitizers for ordinary hands do not help the skin to reinforce its natural barrier, on the contrary they tend to weaken it”, while the new product, “with its worldwide patent, is able to compensate for the reduction of lipids induced by alcohol, reintegrating them while eliminating microorganisms”. By devolving the proceeds from sales to associations engaged in the fight against epidemics, Naos wants to “make a contribution concrete to public health “. The company also confirms its commitment to “clear and transparent communication: AskNaos (https://ask-naos.it/) is an already active platform that allows you to decipher the composition of all the formulas of the Bioderma and Esthederm products” . The group’s intention is to “share its knowledge with consumers and give them the opportunity to choose the products that best suit their needs. Each Naos product will carry a QR Code on the outer packaging, which will allow it to be redirected directly to the formulation page of the product”.