Knowledge 7 min read forpeople skincare

Hand care at the office without a greasy keyboard

In short

At the office, what matters is less the cream than the amount, the area and the timing: a little care, mainly on the backs of your hands, ideally during breaks rather than right before typing. A pea-sized amount for both hands, massaged in thoroughly, is barely noticeable after a few minutes. The thick layer belongs to the evening. No fat-based care is completely trace-free; once you know that, you can use it so that your keyboard, mouse and paper stay clean.

Contents
Why your hands dry out at the officeWhy cream ends up on the keyboardA routine for the working dayThe technique: backs of hands instead of palmsLight during the day, richer in the eveningFrequently asked questionsAt forpeopleSources

Why your hands dry out at the office

In winter, heating air dries out the skin. In one experiment, three to six hours in dry air were enough for the water content of the stratum corneum on the forearm and cheek to drop measurably and for the skin surface to become rougher (Egawa et al. 2002). In addition, the stratum corneum contains considerably fewer fats in winter than in spring and summer (Rogers et al. 1996). Yet the fats between the skin cells are exactly the layer that keeps water in the skin (Rawlings & Harding 2004).

Then there are things you barely notice at the office: washing your hands after every break, paper and cardboard that absorb fat, and constant rubbing against keyboard and mouse. The backs of your hands also have thinner skin than your palms. Why hands generally dry out faster than other skin is covered in Why hands dry out faster; everything about cold and heating in Dry skin in winter.

Why cream ends up on the keyboard

Greasy marks come from the part of the care that is still lying on the skin's surface. How greasy a care ingredient feels and how much residue it leaves is closely linked to measurable properties, above all how well it spreads and how viscous it is (Parente et al. 2005). Part of the oils penetrates the top layers of the stratum corneum; this was measured 30 and 90 minutes after application (Stamatas et al. 2008). Anything applied beyond that stays on as a film.

With occlusive substances this very film is intended, because it reduces evaporation. The greasy feel is considered one of the main drawbacks of such substances in the specialist literature (Sethi et al. 2016). At the office this means: don't choose the thickest layer, but the smallest one that still helps. More on the difference between greasy and cared-for in Greasy or cared for? and Solid cream or tube: which is greasier?.

A routine for the working day

WhenWhatHow much
In the morning at homemoisturise your hands before you leavenormal amount, including fingertips and cuticles
After washing your hands at the officedry thoroughly, then moisturisepea-sized, only backs of hands and knuckles
Before a meeting or a phone callmoisturise while you don't need to touch anythingpea-sized
Right before typing or signingbetter not–
In the eveningthick layer, ideally with cotton glovestwo to three times the amount

Sources for the table: Sethi et al. 2016 (application after washing, once to three times a day), Stamatas et al. 2008. Evening care with gloves is described in Overnight hand mask.

The technique: backs of hands instead of palms

Your palms touch the keyboard, mouse, phone and paper. The backs of your hands touch almost nothing. So at the office, spread your care like this:

  1. Put a small amount on the back of one hand, not in your palm. With a solid cream, briefly stroke it over the back of your hand.
  2. Rub the backs of your hands together and spread the care over your knuckles and fingers.
  3. Pick up the rest with your fingertips and massage it into your cuticles and fingertips.
  4. Give it a few minutes. If your palms are still shiny afterwards, dab them with a paper tissue.

A solid cream only melts on the skin, so you automatically take less than from a tube. How to spread it well is covered in How do I apply a solid cream properly?. The tin is best kept in your desk drawer, not on the radiator; why is explained in Storing solid cosmetics.

Light during the day, richer in the evening

Water-based products such as lotions or an aloe serum feel lighter straight away, because at first there is water on the skin that evaporates. Without fat on top, however, the effect lasts less long. Water-free creams stay on longer but feel richer at first. A practical split: little and light during the day, rich in the evening. How to combine both is covered in Combining aloe vera serum with oil or solid cream, the difference to urea creams in Urea or water-free cream?.

If your hands stay dry at the office despite care, it's often down to the amount or the timing. That is explained in Why do my hands stay dry even though I moisturise?. If your hands are red, cracked and painful, or don't improve over weeks, seek medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

Which hand cream isn't greasy at the office?
Any fat-based care leaves a film at first. How much you notice it depends mainly on the amount. A small amount, massaged in well, is barely noticeable after a few minutes.

How long should I wait after moisturising before I type?
A few minutes. Use the time for something where you don't have to touch anything, or dab your palms with a paper tissue.

Does hand cream make paper and documents greasy?
If your palms are still shiny, yes. That's why at the office you mainly moisturise the backs of your hands and give your palms only what's left over.

Is it enough to moisturise only in the evening?
For some people, yes. If you wash your hands often at the office, you'll get more out of adding a small amount after washing.

What do I do about greasy marks on the keyboard?
Switch it off, wipe it with a slightly damp cloth and a little washing-up liquid and let it dry. The manufacturer's cleaning instructions take priority.

At forpeople

Our solid hand creams are water-free and fit in a desk drawer. In the reviews of the Solid Hand Cream - Beeswax (30 g, €9.90), 54 positive statements about absorption compare with 4 critical ones; that's customer language, not a measurement. According to its INCI list it contains no added essential oils, which can be pleasant in an open-plan office. The vegan Solid Vegan Hand Cream - Bergamot (30 g, €9.90) is scented with lemon and bergamot. With the Hand Care Set – For Rough, Cracked Hands (2× Solid Hand Cream) (€16.90) you have one tin at home and one at the office; you refill with the Solid Hand Cream Refill - Beeswax (€7.90). If you'd like something light during the day, use the Aloe Vera Serum 99.6% (250 ml, €24.90); it is water-based and preserved. For the evening, the Beeswax Salve Larch & Mandarin in a Glass Jar (50 g, €12.90) is a good fit. More on this: Cracked hands from frequent washing · Hand cream for men · How long does a care film last? · Refillable hand cream

Sources

  1. Egawa M, Oguri M, Kuwahara T, Takahashi M (2002): Effect of exposure of human skin to a dry environment. Skin Res Technol 8(4): 212–218. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0846.2002.00351.x
  2. Parente ME, Gámbaro A, Solana G (2005): Study of sensory properties of emollients used in cosmetics and their correlation with physicochemical properties. J Cosmet Sci 56(3): 175–182. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16116522/
  3. Sethi A, Kaur T, Malhotra SK, Gambhir ML (2016): Moisturizers: The Slippery Road. Indian J Dermatol 61(3): 279–287. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.182427
  4. Stamatas GN, de Sterke J, Hauser M, von Stetten O, van der Pol A (2008): Lipid uptake and skin occlusion following topical application of oils on adult and infant skin. J Dermatol Sci 50(2): 135–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2007.11.006
  5. Rawlings AV, Harding CR (2004): Moisturization and skin barrier function. Dermatol Ther 17(Suppl 1): 43–48. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04s1005.x
  6. Rogers J, Harding C, Mayo A, Banks J, Rawlings A (1996): Stratum corneum lipids: the effect of ageing and the seasons. Arch Dermatol Res 288(12): 765–770. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02505294

Products in this guide

Solid Hand Cream - Beeswax Solid Hand Cream - Beeswax €9,90 View Solid Vegan Hand Cream - Bergamot Solid Vegan Hand Cream - Bergamot €9,90 View Hand Care Set – For Rough, Cracked Hands (2× Solid Hand Cream) Hand Care Set – For Rough, Cracked Hands (2× Solid Hand Cream) €16,90 View Solid Hand Cream Refill - Beeswax Solid Hand Cream Refill - Beeswax €7,90 View Aloe Vera Serum 99.6% Aloe Vera Serum 99.6% €24,90 View Beeswax Salve Larch & Mandarin in a Glass Jar Beeswax Salve Larch & Mandarin in a Glass Jar €12,90 View

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