Take care of yourself to take good care of them
Good to know: How to protect yourself with advice from health care authorities
As the NAOS dermatological department, Bioderma is by your side to preserve the health of your skin. We are committed to supporting the Health Authorities by providing you with best-practice advice on how to protect yourself against the COVID-19 virus.
This global health crisis we are all going through incites us to wash our hands as often as possible. Health Authorities recommend we wash our hands frequently and thoroughly with both cleansing gels and hydroalcoholic gel.
"A soap or foaming gel are an effective alternative to hydro alcoholic gels". Dr Dréno, Professor of Dermatology, CHU Nantes
However, over time with frequent hand washing, the skin can lose its natural defence and protection abilities. In fact, repeated hand washing has a damaging impact on the skin’s ecosystem as it removes lipids that naturally preserve the skin and protect it. And if you are using hand sanitiser many times a day, this is even the more the case. Their high alcohol content weakens the hydrolipidic film and, therefore, dehydrates the skin.
Professor Dominique Tennstedt from the U.C.L Dermatology Service at U.C.L asserts that regardless of this skin deterioration, you must “keep washing your hands”. This is why we recommend choosing dermatologically tested, gentle and mild cleansing gels or oils as much as possible.
Hydration is also highly recommended in order to preserve the skin barrier lastingly and better protect yourself.
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Moisturizing your hands morning and evening - or even two to three times a day - with an emollient cream helps to protect and rebuild the lipidic film. For people wearing a mask, it is important to moisturize your face morning and evening
So now, more than ever, we encourage you to adopt barrier-protection habits in order to protect your skin barrier: wash your hands as often as necessary and apply a moisturizer after cleansing. These essential habits will enable you to preserve your skin barrier so it can continue to play its natural defence function lastingly.
Which daily hygiene (cleansing) products should I use?
We know that many of you ask yourselves about the most appropriate products to use. Aurélie Guyoux, head of Research & Development at NAOS, answers the questions you have asked us on our social networks:
Which kind of hygiene or skincare product should I use to protect myself against COVID-19?
We know that viruses are sensitive to cleansing agents. This is why it is so important to wash your hands carefully and regularly, following the different steps recommended by the WHO. All cleansing products seem to be efficient. Bioderma products have an added benefit in that they contain specific cleansing agents which combine high efficiency PLUS they respect and protect the natural skin barrier. Bioderma hygiene and skincare products have been tested under medical supervision and approved for their efficacy and tolerance. You can use them safely.
Should I use specific products with anti-bacterial properties, in particular those containing copper ions and/or zinc ions?
We have no proof of higher efficacy of products with anti-bacterial properties against the COVID-19 virus. Moreover, bacteria and viruses are not similar. Thus, as recommended by health authorities, the most effective way to protect yourself is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly:
Use a single-use towel, avoid touching your nose/eyes/mouth, maintain social distance of 1 metre and cough or sneeze into your elbow crease. Plus, take care to protect your skin’s natural barrier by moisturizing your hands frequently once they are clean.
Should I select products containing SLS and/or alcohol and avoid mild cleansing products?
As the COVID-19 virus has been discovered only recently, there are unfortunately not many scientific studies demonstrating the specific sensitivity of this virus. But, as with many viruses - and in particular coronavirus - it should be sensitive to standard cleansing products. This is why barrier habits are so important for preserving your health. These habits include repeated hygiene (cleansing) and social distancing. To respect the skin natural barrier function, it is also important to select good quality cleansing products and to use emollient (nourishing) creams regularly to moisturize and restructure the skin.
Respecting the recommended safety habits remains the most efficient way to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, protect yourself and the health of others. We are committed to our health mission, and would like to remind you about the World Health Organisation’s recommended behaviour to stay healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
From the evidence so far, the new COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in all areas, including areas with hot and humid weather.
There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather.
Spraying alcohol or chlorine will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying those substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e., eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
No, these vaccines do not provide protection against the new coronavirus. The virus is new and different, and needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine and WHO is supporting their efforts.
Antibiotics are efficient only on bacteria. COVID-19 is a virus, not a bacterium.
To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the COVID-19. Some specific treatments are under investigation and will be tested through clinical trials. The WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range of partners.
Hot drinks can certainly bring you some comfort, as long as the temperature is not too high, to protect your throat. However it will have unfortunately no impact on your protection against COVID-19.
Having a hot bath may help you relax. However, it will not impede the coronavirus disease.
Hand dryers are not effective in killing the COVID-19. UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can lead to skin irritation.
For more information, you can access the WHO’s comprehensive advice: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
Because protecting yourself is taking care of yourself and the ones you love. Bioderma is wholeheartedly with you during this health crisis.
We wish that you stay, positive and healthy.
Care first.