IMPACT OF DIFFERENT SKIN DISINFECTANTS ON THE SKIN HYDRATION LEVEL

I: Hand-hygiene and skin disinfection has become one of the main measures to slow down the spread of the
COVID-19. However, alcohol-based skin disinfectants may weaken the skin barrier function inducing skin dryness,
promoting eczema and therefore decrease the compliance. Skin damage due to intensive hand hygiene measures during
the COVID‐19 pandemic has been reported (Erdem et al., 2020). The objective of this study is to evaluate impact of
different skin disinfectant formulations in the form of sprays and gels on the skin hydration level.
Materials and methods: Volunteers (N = 16) applied 4 different skin disinfectants on certain areas of the forearm 5
times over the 24 hours period: spray A (with glycerine), spray B (without glycerine), gel A (with hyaluronic acid), gel
B (without hyaluronic acid). Upper arm was untreated and used as a site for the control measurements. Instrumental
assessment to evaluate skin hydration level was performed using Corneometer®
on the forearm and upper arm area
before, 1 hour and 24 hours after the first application. Between-group differences were assessed by independent T-test.
P value < 0,05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Statistically significant increase in skin hydration level 24 hours after first application was observed in the area
with spray A application (12,36 %, SD = 18,08) compared to the area with spray B application (-3,14 %, SD = 22,24),
p = 0,039. Statistically significant increase in skin hydration level 1 hour after first application was observed in the area
with spray A (22,91%, SD = 31,65) application compared to the control area (3,79%, SD = 16,41), p = 0,043.
Conclusions: Spray A (with glycerine) application improves skin hydration level immediately after 1 hour compared to
the untreated area and after 24 hours compared to the spray B (without glycerine) therefore use of it could enhance
compliance with skin disinfection and reduce skin damage.