Our hands have received unprecedented media coverage in recent months, being considered both the primary vehicle of infection and the first line of defense in the pandemic. The appeal to use disinfectants and wash hands frequently, launched by the World Health Organization, has modified the habits of billions of people around the world, giving an unexpected boost to the sale of products for hand and body hygiene. The use of alcohol-based sanitizers, however, has significant effects on hand health: for some time now, the main international dermatological associations have been highlighting the fact that increased exposure of our hands to water, soap and sanitizing gels has a negative impact on the equilibrium of our skin cells. These effects may at times be of medical concern, even including severe forms of dermatitis.

To safeguard our hands, the market has responded with new products designed to protect our skin, pairing antibacterial action with active ingredients that defend natural skin moisture. Alongside alcohol-based products, companies in the sector are offering emollient and soothing creams, gels that eliminate germs while also preserving skin moisture, and masks and specific treatments to care for our hands and nails and keep them healthy. Thanks to this wide range of solutions, the hand care sector is expected to keep growing over the coming years. According to a recent study published by Million Insights, by 2025 the sector will be worth $16.9 billion (over €14 billion) globally. More specifically, ResearchAndMarkets.com predicts that the hand cream sector will be worth $665 million in 2027 (in 2019 the sector was worth $336.2 million), with an estimated annual growth of 6.2% over the 2021-2027 period.

The attention to hand care products, therefore, is not a passing trend. The health emergency of these months has highlighted the importance of everyday hygiene, and we will continue to see our hands as a line of defense against future health risks. As an added benefit, thanks to research and innovation in the cosmetics industry, our hands won't just be clean and sanitized. They will be ready to be held, to explore the world and feel the warmth of freshly baked bread and the dew that covers the grass in the morning, to offer a gentle caress or a tender embrace.

Here are some of the new hand and nail care products presented by Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna exhibitors: