To protect against the coronavirus, repeated and thorough cleansing is critical. But we at Cosmetics & Toiletries wondered what the long-term implications of all this cleansing and sanitizing are on skin. Howard Maibach, M.D., provided some answers in this vlog entry.
According to Maibach, a renowned dermatologist and professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, the concern is not so much about cleansing as it is about excessive cleansing.
"Sometimes people get carried away. If they use too much soap, they can damage the skin. If they use water that is too hot, they can damage the skin. ... What you’re dealing with here is called cumulative irritation. It’s part of the irritant dermatitis syndrome."
See related: A Review of Anti-irritants, Part I, Barrier Cream Efficacy on Contact Dermatitis
Learn more from Maibach on these effects, the impact of COVID-19 on university research, and a potential new product claim from this entry to our Cosmetics R&D Vlog:
