How many times do you wash your hands on average during the day? I wash them too many times and I get dry skin even with the use of moisturizer?

Question

Screenwriter · Accepted Answer

How many times is "too many?"

Since Covid, I'm a more serious handwasher. I do the 20-count when washing my hands and I am more cognizant of washing hands, especially after bathroom use and when preparing food.

I spray that darned bleach spray and wipe down my counters multiple times during food prep per day.

One issue might be you aren't using a moisturizer with ENOUGH emoillents to stand up to the ordinary handwashing that we're all doing. Another issue could be you're washing your hands too much. If you're using hand sanitizer, that is a big no-no because it is inherently drying to skin. Use a soap that aids your skin.

Any antibacterial soap is super drying. At my workplace i brought soap from home and placed it in the bathroom. There's antibacterial soap on the wall, but I use the bar soap I brought because it's triple-milled lavender soap. It's the mechanical scrubbing and water use that removes bacteria and dirt. No need for anything else.

And when you are using a rich soap, you can feel the difference on your hands.

Sanitizer is ONLY needed when no soap and water are available. Avoid using it because it IS too drying. And try some testers of moisturizers in travel sizes to see if another kind if better for your skin.

Now, if the real reason is you're obsessively OVERwashing your hands, that's another kettle of fish entirely. Then you may need to see a therapist about OCD issues. Good luck!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I'm probably about 15 times a day.

I've used Aveeno hand cream for years now and swear by this.

I've got a crap job where I'm going through old boxes of 20 year old files. Due to the dust and roughness of the old paper, my knuckles have become quite dry and flaky.

Aveeno has helped a lot.

I always wash my hands after I come back from the mall, out to get groceries, come home from. work etc. Even before covid.

Try a smaller bottle. of Aveeno, best hand cream I've ever had.

Creampie_Baker · Accepted Answer

I wash my hands whenever I touch my face lips or nose cause I don't know I would feel alittle icky if person was touching there nose annd then went out to take there money and I get paid with that same bill , im no germaphobe by a long shot bt there’s something about direct fluids from someone with a cold etc that rubs me wrong. But that’s for strangers for girlfriend idc if I get sick or if her boogers touch my lips or so be it. I prefer dry hands lol I don’t get ashy or start cracking. I don’t like lotion makes me feel moist lol sticky then in gets in the middle of the fingers and don’t get me started.

Levin · Accepted Answer

Hello Mlle. Raven.

I would say , perhaps 10-20 times a day.

Yes, I'm a clean freak.

However, my skin is mostly alright. It used to get dry and sore. Some suggestions. Use natural soap where you can. You only need antibacterial abrasive stuff if you've touched someting particularly dirty ie raw fish. Also, I avoid the alcohol disinfectants cause it's abrasive. Finally, rinse your hands thoroughly when washing your hands so none of it gets left on your hands and causes irritation. All this has helped me.

GoodManDave · Answer

When I go to the bathroom. When I brush my teeth and head to bed. When I apply hair gel (as it gets a little sticky). Often when prepping lunch or dinner. Five to six times, maybe? I also wear little vials of Purell, and apply when I'm about to shake someones hand (especially if they have a reputation for being gross, I discreetly use it after a few handshakes). I half joke that I am a moderate germaphobe. I don't have the level of Howie Mandel or anything, but if I know someone is sick... even with kids... I have trouble wanting to get near even family or close friends... kids I will bite the bullet and be an adult if I'm taking care of them, but secretly, I'm just waiting until I can disinfect myself. ;)

I try to moisturize, too, but I hate most moisturizers. Most are tacky or greasy... I DID find one about 10 years ago (through friends) that is good for people who work with their hands a lot (like me), and it smells nice (it's a very light smell); You get a huge bottle for like five bucks. I'm not even through my fourth bottle of the stuff yet.

I always think about the scene from Ocean's 11 (The one with Pitt, Mac, Damon, Clooney, etc), where Bernie Mac is shaking the hand of some car dealer; he goes to shake the guy's hand, and then starts complimenting the guy's hands... and starts a whole discussion about "his hands not being as nice as the dealers..."

hahahmm · Answer

After using the bathroom... after touching dirty stuff before I eat. Stuff like that.

I find that if I forget to rinse off the back of my hands well, then that area can get dry. Not all moisturizers are great too. And some only work when it's humid but suck when it's dry (winter weather). Can try putting moisturizer on when in a humid environment like right after taking a shower for example. Or run a humidifier.

Razp_Sorbet · Answer

I work in a kitchen so too many times to count. I have pretty bad dermatitis on my hand which sucks so bad. The soap at work though "mild" is still too harsh. We've decided to buy "soap free" soap specifically for the kitchen which has been a game changer! Need to get some more since we've run out.

PeachyPie93 · Answer

Me too I constantly wash my hands even after just going for a walk outside I always been a bit weary of germs since I was a kid. I use Dove Essential body lotion NutiDUO for dry skin.. it works pretty good with daily use.

FreyaRed · Answer

Well, I have to use disinfecting agent several times a day, those dry hand skin massively. I got used to use latex or nitrile gloves at home for cooking and cleaning like I do that in workplace, gloves help to re-moisturize my hand skin better than all hand balms and cremes which are just fatty and cause often the feeling of slight burn over hours.

Nikki1989 · Answer

A dozen or more times with hand sanitizer in between.

HaveNoName · Answer

Enough to make my whole family think I am "extra". There are certain things I find ultimately unclean. Mainly, anything to do with a bathroom, or shaking hands with people at work who I know never wash their hands as the last action before exiting the bathroom.

If I wash hands and end up touching any area of the sink, I wash again... WITH SOAP.

rachel776 · Answer

Once or twice plus when I shower, but I always have wipes and Purell with me so my hands are always clean.

Staximus · Answer

After I use the bathroom and before I prepare food or eat. After I eat if I'm eating something messy with my hands. If my hands get dirty from doing something else around the house then I will wash them, but I don't just wash my hands to wash my hands.

NicholasRedone · Answer

Many times  Multiple times Never to an extent thats like "red lobster" lol 😆 ♥️ 🦞

Abbycado · Answer

Oh lord...10+ for sure. I have never counted. Now I am interested to find out. XD

Garud · Answer

7-8 times, mostly after I go out and come back home, before-after eating, after taking a leak.  I have dry skin, so I apply lotions 2-3 times a day.

Joshydavid25 · Answer

Usually after a good session with one of my hands... I give it a good wash of course..

mrkdvsn · Answer

An average of 4 times a day. And this winter, my hands are the smoothest that they've ever been since I've been an adult

SleepingHazard · Answer

I wash my hands a lot. Sometimes 4 times within 10 minutes, just because I'm not satisfied with the feeling yet.

Phoenix98 · Answer

Unless I get something nasty on my hands usually twice once at lunch and once when I get off of work since my hands will usually be covered in dirt and grime.

Cormac995 · Answer

I wash them every time I use the bathroom and any time after I pick up something icky or potentially full of germs.

dustybiker2 · Answer

I'm on the wagon from teen OCD, so I try to keep it rational. But I snack a lot and like clean hands to eat at least.

AviatorTom · Answer

Probably 4 or 5 times, when I use the bathroom and before eating.

HungTexan · Answer

I wash my hand s 6-8 times a day or more. Moisturizer and moisturized hand soap work for me.

Purpleronnie · Answer

On average I’d say 10 times a day, before and after eating , before and after using the facilities and showering in the morning and evening before sleep

MysticDevice · Answer

The nature of my job makes me wash like 8 times a day.

LiamS95 · Answer

Haven't really thought about it before, I'd guess around 6 to 12 times per day.

Circushowcowboy · Answer

I’d guestimate about 12. Every time I go to the bathroom and before and after every meal b

David5668 · Answer

Definitely after going to the loo; handling raw meat and fussing the cats.

nawtee_me · Answer

I do maintenance work so I wash my hands after leaving each apartment.

kaucky1 · Answer

Poppy flower mix soaps kind rocks certain smells feels numb even makes stuff grow

NathanDavis · Answer

lmfao... I don't want to say...

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

I wash mine a lot so much that I have to moisturize my hands cause they get hella dry

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

It varies, I don't use creams or lotions though. If I'm dry I just drink more fluids.

jacob33131 · Answer

I’m paranoid about germs so I wash my hands all the time.

YourExLover69 · Answer

I wash probably between 12-18 times a day.

Jennz6 · Answer

After sex

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Probably a dozen.

Anonymous · Answer

At least three times a day.

BCRanger10 · Answer

Quite often. Probably more than I should.

Cassandra2003 · Answer

Few times after I use the ladies room.

QuietRunner · Answer

several. 10-12 maybe more

Anonymous · Answer

A day?

exitseven · Answer

20 times maybe.

How many times do you wash your hands on average during the day? I wash them too many times and I get dry skin even with the use of moisturizer?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

How many times do you wash your hands on average during the day? I wash them too many times and I get dry skin even with the use of moisturizer?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.