What Is Hand Sanitizer?
Hand sanitizer is a liquid or gel formulation that helps decrease the number of infectious microorganisms on the hands. It may or may not contain alcohol. Hand sanitizers are effective in killing or deactivating harmful and contagious microbes that cause diseases. The WHO, CDC, and FDA recommend using hand sanitizers with 60% or more alcohol content. However, in case you cannot get your hands on a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol, you may also opt for a non-alcoholic hand sanitizer. Here’s a list of sanitizers that you can buy right now.
10 Best Hand Sanitizers To Keep Germs Away
1. Best Soothing Gel Formula:PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer
PURELL is a trusted brand that many hospitals across the US use. This hand sanitizer comes in a small, portable bottle. The jelly wrap carrier makes it easy to carry the bottle by attaching it to your bag or belt. To use, squeeze 3-4 drops of this sanitizer on your palm and rub briskly. Pros
Contains 70% ethyl alcohol Kills 99.9% germs USDA-certified formula 93% Biobased content Free of triclosan Does not create supergerms Soothing gel formula Evaporates quickly Pleasant fragrance
Cons
May cause skin irritation May dry out the skin Flammable May irritate skin that has cuts
2.Best Cruelty-Free: Mountain Falls Advanced Hand Sanitizer With Vitamin E
Mountain Falls is a cruelty-free and moisturizing hand-sanitizing formula. It comes in a handy bottle with a pump. You get 8 fl oz (236 ml) product per bottle, and it is made in the USA. Pros
70% ethyl alcohol Kills 99.9% germs Cruelty-free Gluten-free Paraben-free Leaves your hands feeling soft Pleasant fragrance Easy pump dispenser
Cons
Flammable May cause skin irritation May discolor fabrics Not good for wood and plastic May irritate skin that has cuts
3. Best Non-Greasy:Clorox Hand Sanitizer
This is another trusted and beloved brand of hand sanitizer. It is a liquid formula that is bleach-free. It contains alcohol but does not dry out the skin. This hand sanitizer also comes with a pump. You get 16.9 fl oz (500 ml) product per bottle. Pros
71% ethyl alcohol Kills 99.99% germs Bleach-free Provides a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity FDA-approved Leaves your hands feeling soft Non-greasy Also available in mini spray bottles Easy pump dispenser
Cons
Flammable May irritate skin that has cuts
4. Best Quick-Drying:Solimo Hand Sanitizer With Vitamin E And Aloe
Pros
70% ethyl alcohol Kills 99.99% germs Contains aloe vera Contains vitamin E Dries quickly Easy pump dispenser Great value for money
Cons
Strong fragrance Flammable May cause skin irritation
5. Best Moisturizing:Hempz Moisturizing Herbal Hand Sanitizer
The Hempz Moisturizing Herbal Hand Sanitizer contains triple moisture serum that nourishes and hydrates the skin. It is enriched with coconut oil, apple extract, avocado, mango seed butter, and vitamin C that have strong medicinal properties and kill about 99% of germs. This hand sanitizer contains 100% pure hemp seed oil that treats itchiness, reduces dryness, and soothes red skin. Watch this video for a thorough understanding of the product. Pros
Kills 99% of germs Soothes redness and itchiness Vegan Paraben-free Gluten-free THC-free
Cons
Unpleasant fragrance
6. Best For Sensitive Skin:safeHands Hand Sanitizer
The safeHands Hand Sanitizer helps protect your skin from pet germs, bacterial infection, and environmental contact. It is infused with benzalkonium chloride, a doctor-approved antiseptic that effectively kills 99.99% of germs without any dryness. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of this product. Pros
Alcohol-free Gentle formula Kills 99.99% of germs Safe for sensitive skin Fragrance-free Non-toxic Non-flammable Dye-free
Cons None
7. Best Non-Drying:Pura D’or Hand Sanitizer Gel
The Pura D’or Hand Sanitizer Gel has a 70% alcohol-based formula. It also contains organic aloe vera gel and vitamin E to keep your hands soft and prevent dryness. The essential oils of tea tree, peppermint, and lemongrass deep cleanse your hands, offer therapeutic protection, and impart a soothing fragrance. Pros
Convenient pump dispenser Non-drying Pleasant fragrance Non-toxic Cruelty-free
Cons
Sticky consistency
8. Best Mild Fragrance:Purell Hand Sanitizer
The Purell Hand Sanitizer contains 62% alcohol that effectively kills 99.99% of bacteria and germs. It contains aloe and various conditioners that keep your skin hydrated. The pale green color, along with the subtle floral fragrance, distinguishes it from other sanitizers. Pros
Kills 99.99% of germs Hydrates the skin Mild floral fragrance
Cons None
9. Best Travel-Friendly:Babyganics Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer
Babyganics is an alcohol-free foaming hand sanitizer. It does not dry out the skin. This hand sanitizer comes in a cute green and white bottle with a pump. The design of the bottle is travel-friendly. You get 8.45 fl oz (250 ml) of the product per bottle. Pros
Alcohol-free Kid-friendly Paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free Kills 99.99% germs Does not contain artificial dyes or fragrances Foaming and moisturizing formula Non-allergenic Suitable for people with sensitive and dry skin Easy pump dispenser
Cons
Does not contain certified organic ingredients as claimed by the company May cause skin irritation
10. Best Fragrance-Free:Suave Hand Sanitizer Spray
This alcohol-based Suave Hand Sanitizer Spray is specially formulated to kill germs and bacteria effectively. It reduces bacteria on the hands, and you can use this in place of soap and water. Do not rinse the hands after using this gel formula spray. The sanitizer is available in 2, 8, 10, and 12 ounces. Pros
No artificial fragrance Easy to use Kills 99.9% germs
Cons
May dry your skin
These are the 10 best hand sanitizers to buy in 2022. If these are not available now, you may also consider buying the following hand sanitizers.
Other Suggested Hand Sanitizers
The CDC has provided specific instructions on how to use a hand sanitizer for maximum germ removal (4). Scroll down for the step-by-step guide.
How To Use Hand Sanitizer To Reduce Germs?
Step 1: Use soap and water to wash your hands thoroughly. Do it every time you touch any surface, cough, sneeze, before and after cooking, after touching someone who is sick, before and after treating a cut, after throwing away garbage, before touching a newborn baby, after changing diapers, and after cleaning animal waste. Step 2: Apply some hand sanitizer, rub your hands quickly, and let it dry. Do it if you have visited someone at the hospital, if soap and water are not available (if your hands are visibly dirty, you need to use soap and water), after touching any surface, and after using the washroom. Apart from this two-step hand sanitizing process, the CDC has issued special instructions to follow during the COVID-19 pandemic (5). Take a look.
Hand Hygiene And Other Preventive Measures
Take utmost care to not touch your eyes, face, nose, or mouth after touching a surface. Wash your hands with soap and water and use a hand sanitizer. Use an EPA-registered cleaner to clean the most touched surfaces like doorknobs, tables, handles, tap faucets, sinks, and light switches. Avoid placing your mobile phones on surfaces that are not disinfected. Wear gloves and a face mask while cleaning surfaces. Maintain distance from any person showing possible symptoms. Use a separate bathroom from that of a person showing flu symptoms. If there is no separate bathroom, wash and disinfect the bathroom each time after the person with flu symptoms uses it. Disinfect all surfaces at home using bleach. Dilute the bleach before using it. Wash dirty clothes, curtains, and carpets with warm water. Avoid shaking dirty clothes. Avoid going to crowded places like gyms, pubs, movie theaters, malls, etc. Avoid close contact with any person showing flu symptoms. Get yourself checked immediately if you experience the symptoms of COVID-19.
Before we come to a close, here’s a list of precautions to take before using hand sanitizers. Check them out below.
Precautions While Using Hand Sanitizer
Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers in cooler temperatures. Do not use drying hand sanitizers if you have dry or sensitive skin. Keep hand sanitizers out of children’s reach. Do not touch your eyes right after using hand sanitizer. Use hand sanitizers only for external application. If your skin gets inflamed, seek medical help immediately. If you drink hand sanitizer accidentally, rush to the nearest hospital.
Which is better – soap or hand sanitizer? To remove dirt and germs from our hands, soap and water work better than hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizers are for a quick de-germing when your hands are more or less clean. How long does it take for hand sanitizer to kill germs? Hand sanitizer kills 99.9% of germs in just a few seconds. How many times can I use alcohol-based hand rubs? You can use alcohol-based hand rubs many times throughout the day. However, do note that they are not an alternative to hand washing. How long do the effects of hand sanitizer last once applied? Hand sanitizer last for 1-2 minutes once applied. And then germs start accumulating on your hands again. Is it OK to apply sanitizer on the face? No, it is not safe to use hand sanitizer on the face because the ingredients in the sanitizer can be harsh for the gentle facial skin. Can you touch your eyes after using hand sanitizer? No, you should not touch your eyes immediately after using hand sanitizer because the alcohol in the sanitizer may cause a burning sensation in your eyes.
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