Maintaining good hand hygiene has become essential for staying healthy and to prevent the spread of infections such as COVID 19. While there are many different types of soaps available out there, such as a bar of soap, liquid hand wash and foaming hand wash, it’s important to choose the most effective option for frequent hand washing. Here’s how a bar of soap is different from foaming hand wash, and which one is best suited for sensitive skin.
1. Easier to lather
Because a foaming hand wash is already in the form of foam, it is easier to lather and rinse. This makes it easy for young children to use the hand wash on their own and parents don’t have to supervise them. With a bar of soap, children may not end up cleaning their hands thoroughly as it takes time to create lather with the soap, apply it on various parts of the hands such as the palms, between the fingers, on the wrists, under the nails and back of the hands and then rinse it.
2. Good for the environment
Foaming hand wash is organic hand wash and is required in lesser quantity to wash the hands. Washing hands with a bar of soap require more water to create foam, apply on wet hands and then washing them.
3. Cleans and moisturizes
Foaming hand washes often have added moisturizers which prevent hands from drying, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin and frequent hand washing. Bar of soaps usually don’t have moisturizing ingredients and tend to leave the skin feeling dry.
4. Gentle on the skin
Liquid hand wash such as foaming hand wash is best suited for sensitive skin and for children as it doesn’t dry out the skin and is fortified with moisturizing ingredients such as Jojoba and Apricot oils. The pH level of bar of soap is higher due to binding agents in the product which can leave the skin dry and stretchy, making it less suitable for people with sensitive skin.
5. Natural ingredients
Bar of soap are traditionally made by saponification process and has a higher pH level which can be harsh on the skin. Foaming handwashes are often made with natural ingredients which makes them gentle on the skin and suitable for repeated use.
6. Ease of use
Foaming hand wash comes in a special dispenser which makes it convenient to use and store. A bar of soap, on the other hand, needs to be kept near the sink and can get slimy and mushy from constant exposure to water and moisture. While this does not affect the effectiveness of the soap, it does make it less appealing to use.
The best hand wash are those that are made without toxins such as Sulphates, Triclosan and Parabens as these are known to dry out and irritate the skin or get absorbed into the skin and harm the body. Choose a foaming hand wash that has Coconut-based cleansers along with natural ingredients such as Calendula extract and Aloe Vera extract which are known for their antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Other natural ingredients such as Organic Apricot and Organic Jojoba oils keep the skin moisturized and soft and are must-haves when it comes to natural hand washes.
