There’s a reason skin care pros encourage you to hydrate post shower post haste: The longer you wait, the more susceptible your skin becomes to irritation, dryness, and transepidermal water loss. By trapping in moisture immediately, it will help keep skin hydrated and supple long term.
Well, the same goes for your hands. According to board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, M.D., any time under two minutes can lock in the moisture—just don’t put it off any longer than that. “If you wait too long, you miss that narrow window of opportunity to really trap and seal those nourishing ingredients in the skin before all the water evaporates off the surface, further compromising your skin,” she told us about caring for your skin microbiome. This is especially true if you’re washing your hands with hot water, which evaporates faster.
Read: Keep a hand cream, well, handy.
