Barrier cream question
Barrier cream question
Hi
I have started to volunteer to repair old bikes with a local cycle charity. The permanent mechanics tend to use vinyl gloves to keep their hands clean, but I a) tend to find they go to holes quickly and b) I am a little unhappy about creating even more plastic waste.
I vaguely remember that barrier creams are useful to stop dirt penetrating too deeply into skin. Has anyone experience of using these (do they work) and can anyone suggest a brand?
I need to do something as the dirt & grease are getting deeply ingrained in my skin.
I have started to volunteer to repair old bikes with a local cycle charity. The permanent mechanics tend to use vinyl gloves to keep their hands clean, but I a) tend to find they go to holes quickly and b) I am a little unhappy about creating even more plastic waste.
I vaguely remember that barrier creams are useful to stop dirt penetrating too deeply into skin. Has anyone experience of using these (do they work) and can anyone suggest a brand?
I need to do something as the dirt & grease are getting deeply ingrained in my skin.
geomannie
Re: Barrier cream question
i remember mechanics using barrier cream, but I haven't seen that for some time.
I'm currently using these gloves, and very happy with them:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121299680674
Jonathan
PS: Congratulations on volunteering.
I'm currently using these gloves, and very happy with them:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121299680674
Jonathan
PS: Congratulations on volunteering.
Re: Barrier cream question
Re: Barrier cream question
Thanks. Worth a lookJdsk wrote: ↑26 May 2021, 9:05pm i remember mechanics using barrier cream, but I haven't seen that for some time.
I'm currently using these gloves, and very happy with them:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121299680674
Jonathan
PS: Congratulations on volunteering.
geomannie
Re: Barrier cream question
I find that nitrile gloves are tougher than vinyl gloves so use them when working on my bikes. You could try petroleum jelly e.g. Vaseline so at least the grime is easier to get off.
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- Joined: 4 Aug 2017, 1:15pm
- Location: Wind Swept Lincolnshire
Re: Barrier cream question
Try this:
https://www.cromwell.co.uk/shop/cleanin ... OL7802020B
Please be aware, that even if volunteering, under the Health and Safety at Work Act you have to be provided with the wherewithal to do your job safely.
K
https://www.cromwell.co.uk/shop/cleanin ... OL7802020B
Please be aware, that even if volunteering, under the Health and Safety at Work Act you have to be provided with the wherewithal to do your job safely.
K
Just remember, when you’re over the hill, you begin to pick up speed.
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Re: Barrier cream question
nitrile gloves from farm supplies black type or dextrogrip gloves from screwfix
Re: Barrier cream question
I use same style of gloves as the ones Jonathan posted for most bike/car & DIY work. I can't stand the rubbery feel and noise of vinyl or nitrile gloves.
Your skin isn't particularly permeable though so even barehanded (and some fiddly stuff is just easier with bare hands) it should be cleanable? What are you using to wash with? Standard toilet soap or liquid hand soap doesn't tend to hack it. Washing up liquid and a scrub will do better but there's always the industrial grade mechanic soaps like swarfega. Not the kind of thing you'd want for regular washing but won't do any harm for occasional end of a day wash.
Your skin isn't particularly permeable though so even barehanded (and some fiddly stuff is just easier with bare hands) it should be cleanable? What are you using to wash with? Standard toilet soap or liquid hand soap doesn't tend to hack it. Washing up liquid and a scrub will do better but there's always the industrial grade mechanic soaps like swarfega. Not the kind of thing you'd want for regular washing but won't do any harm for occasional end of a day wash.
The contents of this post, unless otherwise stated, are opinions of the author and may actually be complete codswallop
Re: Barrier cream question
Barrier cream contains zinc oxide (white particles) which get trapped in the places where dirt would get trapped. So really all you are doing is getting your hands dirty with (clean) white dirt.
Also, do not underestimate the amazing cleaning power of baby wipes.
Also, do not underestimate the amazing cleaning power of baby wipes.
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Re: Barrier cream question
I 'wash' my hands with washing up liquid to coat them and let it dry/soak in so the dirt can't get in and the surface dirt rinses off with when hands are washed in clean water, I've done this several days running on messy jobs and never had any skin problems, but I do get dry scaly skin from washing up daily when staying somewhere without a dishwasher.
Re: Barrier cream question
This reply isn't directly answering the OP's query but it might add something to the discussion.
For most of my life I have suffered from eczema, aka dermatitis, and I still haven't got to the bottom of why it happens. I do know that it is exacerbated by some things, particularly detergents/soaps and some rubbers. I try to avoid triggers and I get "flare-ups" for no discernable reason. I am currently "mid-flare" to the extent that the palms of my hands and my finger pads are cracking and bleeding (but not to the extent of infection).
As luck would have it, I worked as an industrial cleaner in the 90s and was exposed daily to most of my "triggers". I discussed my predicament with my doctor, who was an industrial specialist. He told me in no uncertain terms that it was pointless for me to use barrier cream because barrier cream needs to be washed off and I would not be able to use any cleanser strong enough to wash barrier cream off without that cleanser causing as much damage as the substances that I would be protecting my hands from with barrier cream.
I find that my best tactic is to use pvc gauntlets for the heavy and wet work and nitrile latex-free medical gloves (EN455) for the fiddly work. I also use nitrile gloves (EN388/374) for wet work in the house, such as washing up and bike washing. I also use leather "rigger" gloves for gardening and manual handling tasks.
Several times a day and also after washing my hands, I need to apply moisturiser - I use a fragrance-free, colour-free, propylene glycol-free and lanolin-free moisturiser (the brand is "QV Cream") - luckily I get it on prescription. Unluckily, my need for it isn't limited to my hands but extends to my whole body.
One thing about QV cream is that it isn't bad as a detergent-free and soap-free hand cleanser and it will shift grime an grease off the hands as good as a lot of regular hand cleansers but a lot more kindly (to me at least). It's also pretty good at getting some label glue off jars, crockery etc.
For most of my life I have suffered from eczema, aka dermatitis, and I still haven't got to the bottom of why it happens. I do know that it is exacerbated by some things, particularly detergents/soaps and some rubbers. I try to avoid triggers and I get "flare-ups" for no discernable reason. I am currently "mid-flare" to the extent that the palms of my hands and my finger pads are cracking and bleeding (but not to the extent of infection).
As luck would have it, I worked as an industrial cleaner in the 90s and was exposed daily to most of my "triggers". I discussed my predicament with my doctor, who was an industrial specialist. He told me in no uncertain terms that it was pointless for me to use barrier cream because barrier cream needs to be washed off and I would not be able to use any cleanser strong enough to wash barrier cream off without that cleanser causing as much damage as the substances that I would be protecting my hands from with barrier cream.
I find that my best tactic is to use pvc gauntlets for the heavy and wet work and nitrile latex-free medical gloves (EN455) for the fiddly work. I also use nitrile gloves (EN388/374) for wet work in the house, such as washing up and bike washing. I also use leather "rigger" gloves for gardening and manual handling tasks.
Several times a day and also after washing my hands, I need to apply moisturiser - I use a fragrance-free, colour-free, propylene glycol-free and lanolin-free moisturiser (the brand is "QV Cream") - luckily I get it on prescription. Unluckily, my need for it isn't limited to my hands but extends to my whole body.
One thing about QV cream is that it isn't bad as a detergent-free and soap-free hand cleanser and it will shift grime an grease off the hands as good as a lot of regular hand cleansers but a lot more kindly (to me at least). It's also pretty good at getting some label glue off jars, crockery etc.
Disclaimer: Treat what I say with caution and if possible, wait for someone with more knowledge and experience to contribute.
Re: Barrier cream question
If protection is the issue the thinnest of those rubber back gloves pictured are tolerable except for fiddly thigs, which tend not to need protection. If it's easier hand cleaning you want try something greasy before washing. Baby oil is brilliant for loosening oil but even butter works well.
Re: Barrier cream question
Goop hand cleaner and a nail brush will get the grime off.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
Re: Barrier cream question
I use Rozalex Dri Guard barrier cream for dirty/oily jobs where gloves not appropriate (eg when using rotating machinery in which a glove can get caught) and just generally when handling greasy/oily parts in the workshop where gloves would be annoying.
Once finished the worst of the muck rinses off, and cleaning much easier than without using normal household soap bars.
Once finished the worst of the muck rinses off, and cleaning much easier than without using normal household soap bars.
Re: Barrier cream question
When I ran a bike shop in the 80s we had a rep come in promoting a barrier cream called PR88. The retail packaging was in small tubs and sold for around £3 which seemed like a lot. He gave us a small tub and told us to try it. You put a small amount about the size of a hazelnut on your hands and rubbed it in and let it dry. After that you could get your hands as filthy as you liked and the whole lot would wash off with water with no soap required. It was quite miraculous. The only problem was you had to avoid getting your hands wet as it would wash off of course. We used to sell it and used workshop sized pots for our own use. I've just googled it and it is still available.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raths-Skin-Pro ... 984&sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raths-Skin-Pro ... 984&sr=8-2