Does a skin protection cream replace protective gloves?

No. A skin protection cream is an additional measure. If gloves are required by a risk assessment, safety data sheet or workplace procedure, they must still be worn.

How do you determine which products are suitable?

CWS Hygiene looks at the actual work: the substances and conditions employees are exposed to, how often they wash or disinfect their hands, how long gloves are worn and what a typical shift involves. We use this information to recommend the product combination.

What is included in the CWS solution?

The solution brings together products, touch or non-touch dispensers, a tailored Skin Protection Plan, installation and ongoing supply and service. These elements are covered by a clear monthly service fee.

Are the dispensers available in non-touch versions?

Yes. Both touch and non-touch dispensers are available. The choice depends on the working environment and its hygiene requirements.

How do employees know which product to use?

The CWS Skin Protection Plan shows employees which product to use, when to use it and how to apply it.

Do legal requirements differ between countries?

Yes. Occupational health legislation, employer responsibilities and reporting procedures differ by market. The local legal module must therefore be verified and adapted for each country.

Which industries need workplace skin protection?

Workplace skin protection is important wherever employees are exposed to water, cleaning agents, chemicals, oils or other substances that can stress the skin. This includes manufacturing, food production, cleaning, healthcare and logistics. For outdoor workers, protection against UV radiation and sun exposure is also essential, making sunscreen an important part of workplace skin protection.

A complete skin protection solution for the workplace

A complete skin protection system that protects, cleanses and cares for hands that work hard.

Workplace skin protection starts with prevention

A little dryness, or redness between the fingers. The skin on your hands that feels tight at the end of a shift. In many jobs, the hands do most of the work, exposing them all day to water, cleaning agents, oils, disinfectants, the use of gloves, and repeated friction. Over time, this type of exposure damages the skin’s natural barrier.

Once the skin is damaged, it can become dry, sensitive and more vulnerable to irritants. Employees may keep working despite the discomfort, need time off or struggle with tasks that have become painful to perform. Therefore, what starts as a skin problem for one person can affect productivity and put additional pressure on the entire team.

Healthy skin: The skin barrier protects against irritants and keeps moisture in (left image).

Damaged & dry skin: The skin barrier is damaged, moisture escapes and irritants penetrate (right image).

Occupational skin diseases cost the EU more than €5 billion a year, mainly through lost productivity.^S1

Did you know...

CWS Hygiene has focused on washroom and hand hygiene for decades. Workplace skin protection is a natural next step.

Our solution brings protection, cleansing and care together in one system, matched to the work employees actually do.

A complete skin protection system

The starting point is not a standard product package. It is the work itself.

Which substances and conditions are employees exposed to? How often are their hands washed or disinfected? How long do they wear gloves? What happens during a typical shift? For outdoor employees, sun exposure is also part of the picture.

Based on this information, CWS brings four elements together:

products for protection, cleansing and care;
touch or non-touch dispensers;
a Skin Protection Plan for employees;
installation, supply and ongoing service.

Prevention is easier than recovery

Occupational skin problems usually develop gradually. Once the skin barrier has been damaged, recovery can take time.

The risk is even greater when hands are wet for long periods of time, are washed frequently, or are covered by gloves for hours at a time. That is why it is better to protect the skin before problems arise.

A structured routine can help. The CWS Hygiene skin protection solution combines the right products with dedicated dispensers and a clear Skin Protection Plan. Employees can see which product to use, when to use it and how to apply it.

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Skin diseases account for up to 40% of all notified occupational diseases in most European countries.^S2

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One plan, three steps

Even the right products only help if they are used at the right time. A CWS Skin Protection Plan shows employees exactly which product to use, when, and how, put together by CWS Hygiene experts and matched to the tasks and exposures in your operation.

1. Protect

When: Before work / as needed

Product: CWS Protect Dual

How: Apply to dry, clean hands. Rub in and leave to act.

2. Cleanse

When: During work / as needed

Product: CWS Cleansing Intense or CWS Cleansing Sensitive

How: Moisten hands, apply cleanser, rub in, rinse thoroughly.

3. Care

When: After work

Product: CWS Care Dual

How: Apply to dry, clean hands. Rub in and leave to act.

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Protective gloves are important, but they are not a substitute for skin protection. When worn for long periods, gloves trap moisture and put additional strain on the skin, so a routine for protection and care is still important.

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Built for real working environments

The three-step approach remains the same, but the product combination can be adapted to different types of work.

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CWS Protect Dual

A universal protective cream with a dual-action principle, intended for changing or undefined workplace exposures.

Best for:
Changing or undefined exposures

Why it fits:
Provides universal protection when employees encounter different or changing workplace exposures

Step:
Protect

CWS Cleansing Intense

A cleanser for heavy industrial soiling. It contains abrasive particles made from olive kernels.

Best for:
Heavy industrial soiling

Why it fits:
Designed for oils, greases, lubricants and stubborn dirt, with abrasive particles made from olive kernels

Step:
Cleanse

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CWS Cleansing Sensitive

A cleanser for food production and other hygiene-sensitive working environments.

Best for:
Food production and hygiene-sensitive environments

Why it fits:
Suitable where frequent handwashing, constant moisture and high hygiene requirements put pressure on the skin

Step:
Cleanse

CWS Care Dual

A hydrating care cream that supports the recovery of skin stressed by work.

Best for:
Skin stressed by work

Why it fits:
Provides hydrating care and supports the skin’s recovery after workplace exposure

Step:
Care

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SPF 50 Sunscreen dispenser

Complementary sun protection for employees working outdoors.
The wall-mounted dispenser can be added alongside the Protect, Cleanse and Care routine where regular UV exposure is part of the job.

Best for:
Outdoor working environments with UV exposure

Why it fits:
Adds protection against sunlight alongside the Protect, Cleanse and Care routine

Step:
Complementary protection

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Workplace skin protection requirements

Occupational health and safety requirements differ from country to country. The general starting point is to identify the risks employees face and prevent or reduce exposure wherever possible.

Where employees may be exposed to hazardous substances, employers must assess the nature, level and duration of that exposure. Skin contact must be included where it is a relevant route of exposure.

Protective equipment and skin protection products form part of a wider approach. A barrier cream cannot replace measures that remove or reduce the hazard at its source. It also cannot replace suitable protective gloves where gloves are required.

German occupational health and safety regulations require employers to protect employees from workplace health risks, including risks that can cause occupational skin diseases.

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Assess and prevent skin hazards.

Employers must identify workplace risks and take appropriate measures to prevent or reduce exposure.

Protect against hazardous substances.

Where employees work with substances that can damage the skin, appropriate protective measures must be implemented.

Follow a skin protection plan.

TRGS 401 specifically addresses risks from skin contact and supports the use of suitable skin protection and care products as part of a comprehensive skin protection plan.

Provide suitable washing facilities.

Workplaces must provide appropriate washing and cleaning facilities where required.

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Frequently asked questions

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Fully serviced, simply reliable

With the CWS full-service model, workplace skin protection is simple to manage. Dispensers, consumables and ongoing service are included for a fixed monthly fee, making costs predictable. Skin protection also fits into the wider CWS Hygiene offer, alongside washroom hygiene and floor mats. That means one partner looking after the whole picture.

We assess your workplace tasks and skin exposures, including sun exposure for outdoor teams
We recommend the right product combination
We create a tailored Skin Protection Plan
We install the dispensers in the right locations
We deliver supplies on time and review the setup when needed

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Sources

[S1] COST Action TD1206 StanDerm, Development and Implementation of European Standards on Prevention of Occupational Skin Diseases.

[S2] Alfonso et al., Minimum standards on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of occupational and work-related skin diseases in Europe, JEADV, 2017.

[S3] Council Directive 98/24/EC on the protection of the health and safety of workers from risks related to chemical agents at work, Article 4, consolidated version of 8 April 2024.

A complete skin protection solution for the workplace

Workplace skin protection starts with prevention