What Kind of Lotion Are You Using to Keep Your Hands From Falling Off During The Coronavirus?

The CDC has stated that hand washing is integral to stopping the spread of SARS-CoV-2m, the pathogen which causes the COVID-19 virus. They recommend washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after using the bathroom, being in public places, and after sneezing or blowing your nose. While all this washing is helpful, it also leads to dry skin.

Dry skin is an affliction that pales in comparison to the coronavirus, but skin needs protection too. When it becomes dry and cracked, that can lead to skin infections and leave you more susceptible to contagion, and that's not exactly ideal either.

People aren't just stockpiling soap and DIY hand sanitizer ingredients to keep their skin healthy, they're also adding lotion to their shopping lists. But when it comes to which of the many lotions out there is worth buying in bulk, the answer is pretty subjective.

We asked Twitter users how they are keeping their hands moist (ew) and supple (double ew) and while they could have easily been distracted by our tasteless reference to Silence of the Lambs, they were happy to oblige.

Senior Editor for Culture at Newsweek, Rebecca Stokes (that's me) asked the following:

"So let's talk LOTION! Other than putting it on its skin and putting it in the basket again, what are you slathering your hands with? I'm on that Coconut Skin Trip trip - cheap, smells nice, absorbs quickly, makes me think of the beach. How about you?"

Twitter user @TylerAKing was happy to give not one, but two recommendations to ward off the impending if premature sloughing off of this essential organ:

"Cereve [sic] lotion and gold bond healing hand cream. Works wonders on itchy dry skin.Also like the Aveeno advanced care," they said.

@LeleMeister chimed in with a budget-friendly but still luxurious pick that also doubles as an imaginary vacation:

"Coco Butter and Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter I'm shiny and smooth and I smell like Hawaii," they added.

@hazeleyedhobbit also suggested two excellent options, one that does the job and then some and another that's more of a spa-like experience:

"Neutropenia Norwegian formula. I saw someone recommend it on a thread last week. And I also use Bliss lemon and sage," they said.