Hand Hygiene and Skin Care for Cold and Flu Season

Health information notice. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always ask your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider. In an emergency, call 911.

Quick answer. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds. When soap is not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Because frequent washing dries skin, put on hand cream or ointment after washing, as dermatologists advise.

October 15 is Global Handwashing Day, and it is a good reminder. In winter there is a catch: the more you wash, the drier your skin gets. Dry, cracked hands are uncomfortable.

Part of our guide: The Personal Care Supplies Guide for Caregivers and Families.

How do I wash my hands the right way?

The CDC recommends these steps:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
3. Scrub for at least 20 seconds. That is about the time it takes to hum "Happy Birthday" twice.
4. Rinse well.
5. Dry your hands with a clean towel or an air dryer.

The CDC advises washing after using the toilet, before and after eating, before, during and after preparing food, after you blow your nose, cough or sneeze, and before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea. A pump bottle by the sink makes it easy. Example: Lobana Liquid Hand Soap, 16-ounce pump bottle. Browse Personal Hygiene Accessories.

When should I use hand sanitizer instead?

If soap and water are not readily available, the CDC advises using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub until they are dry. Sanitizer may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy, so wash with soap and water in that case. Browse Hand Sanitizers for pump bottles and personal sizes.

How do I keep my skin from drying out?

Handwashing helps prevent illness, but the American Academy of Dermatology notes that frequent handwashing can dry your skin. Its advice is to apply hand cream or ointment to damp skin right after washing, and to apply it again after hand sanitizer dries. It also notes that moist skin can better protect you from germs. A few habits help:

• Use lukewarm water.
• Dry your hands with a clean towel, leaving a little water on your skin, then apply cream.
• Look for fragrance-free, dye-free moisturizers.
• Barrier creams are designed to help protect skin that is exposed to moisture. Examples: Tena ProSkin Barrier Cream and 3M Cavilon Barrier Cream, Unscented.

Browse Skin Care.

What should caregivers know about gloves?

If you help someone with personal care, disposable gloves can help protect both of you. Put on a fresh pair for each task, take them off without touching the outside, and wash your hands afterward. Gloves do not replace hand washing. Example: Micro-Touch Nitrile Exam Gloves, sold by the box in several sizes. If you notice redness or itching from gloves, tell your provider. Browse Gloves.

When should I ask my provider about my skin?

Cracked, bleeding or very red skin, or skin that looks infected, is worth a call to your healthcare provider. People with diabetes or fragile skin should ask their provider about daily skin care.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I wash my hands? At least 20 seconds with soap and clean running water, according to the CDC.

How strong should hand sanitizer be? At least 60% alcohol, according to the CDC.

Why do my hands crack in winter? Frequent washing can dry your skin. Applying cream or ointment after washing helps, say dermatologists.

Is soap better than sanitizer? Soap and water are the first choice, especially when hands look dirty or greasy. Sanitizer is a good option when soap is not available.

Next steps

Browse Skin Care and Hand Sanitizers, and see The Cold and Flu Home Care Kit.

Sources

1. CDC, "About Handwashing": https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html
2. CDC, "Hand Sanitizer Guidelines and Recommendations": https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/hand-sanitizer.html
3. American Academy of Dermatology, "Dry skin relief from handwashing": https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/coronavirus-handwashing

This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always ask your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider. In an emergency, call 911. Last reviewed October 2026.