But once the clay is put aside, I often find that those hands have had a hard time. They are dry, and rough. How does that actually happen?
- Those that work with clay, know it, clay is wet. And so your hands are wet for quite some time, working with clay.
- Wedging, opening, pulling, throwing, working … the hands of a ceramicist deliver hard work. Time after time after time.
- The tiny particles in clay are very persistent. They stick to your skin, constantly drying it out.
- Clay particles have the same abrasive effect as a scrub, times twenty. They actually create tiny abrasions in your skin.
So, logically, your skin dries out and becomes damaged. But what can you do about it?
What can you do in advance?
You know your skin has to put up with a lot during claying. So before you start your next piece of work, take a moment to give your hands an extra layer of protection. Use a strong hand cream, and allow the product to soak in sufficiently.
You can also add a little oil to the water you are throwing with. Just a few drops of olive oil or baby oil is enough to leave a protective layer of oil every time you put your hands in the water.
Finally, you can choose to warm up your throwing water. Not that it will dry out your skin any less, but warm water feels a lot softer and more pleasant on your hands. And every little bit helps.
What can you do during?
If you really want to protect your hands, you can get into the clay with gloves on. Many ceramicists are not fans of this solution, fearing that you will lose touch with the clay this way. Yet there are also advocates, who quickly get used to the additional barrier. And especially for clay enthusiastis with skin problems such as eczema, it can be a great solution.
There are also products on the market that try to mimic the effect of a glove. They create a kind of buffer layer on the skin.
The simplest solution is to wash your hands thoroughly regularly while you work. As much as possible, avoid letting clay dry on your skin.
What can you do afterwards?
Have you finished your piece? If so, wash your hands thoroughly, preferably with an antibacterial soap. This way you avoid the scrapes in your skin from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and even fungus. An interesting option is African black soap. Such a soap is not only antibacterial, it also fights the growth of fungi and also has a soothing and moisturizing effect.
Once your hands are clean, you can choose to rub them with vinegar. Let it soak for a while, then rinse off. The idea is that the acidic vinegar counterbalances the alkaline clay, helping to restore your skin’s pH balance.
The final step is obvious: a moisturizer. Take the time to find one that works well for your skin, as it is different for everyone. Why not experiment with onion cream, shea butter, or just the classic blue jar of Nivea?
Do your hands still crave more hydration? Then you can go to sleep with a pair of moisturizing gloves on. This allows the moisturizer to soak into your skin optimally.
Do you have your own tips for taking care of your hands? Do you have a favorite hand cream? Let’s hear from you!
