Best Hand Sanitizers

This article also originally appears on biomedj.org

Hand hygiene is one of the core measures to curb the transmission of infectious agents. You can transfer bacteria and viruses from your hands to your eyes, nose, and mouth. Also to another person’s hands or to objects such as handrails and other surfaces.

What’s The Science Behind Using Hand Sanitizers?

Sanitizers target viruses, bacteria, and pathogens that may be on your hands. While soap physically dismantles these pathogens, alcohol alters their chemical properties making them less stable and more permeable. Alcohol refers to chemicals such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.

Alcohol also penetrates deep into a pathogen’s interior, destroying its protein structures. Hand sanitizers containing alcohol are considered more effective. The CDC recommends use of sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol content.

What are Some of The Benefits of Using a Hand Sanitizer? 1. Cleanliness

One of the primary benefits of using a hand sanitizer is that it’s effective in disinfecting or sterilizing. These are products that are formulated to kill germs, and they achieve just that. When used properly, hand sanitizers can effectively eliminate all germs that may be on your hands. Experts recommend that you sanitize your hands frequently to control the spread of infectious agents to yourself and others.

2. Portability

It’s impossible to carry soap and water wherever you go. You will find yourself in situations where you’ll need to clean your hands, but soap and water will not always be accessible. But you can always slip a bottle of sanitizer in your glove compartment, purse, or even pocket for those situations where you’ll need to clean or sterilize your hands and can’t access soap and water. This is perfect when you’re in public spaces such as supermarkets, grocery stores, and parks.

3. Perfect for Group Settings

In a classroom, office, event, or any other space with lots of traffic, infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria can spread really fast. This is why having a hand sanitizer is ideal in group settings. Hands naturally carry a lot of germs, but you can get rid of them periodically by using a hand sanitizer.

4. Reduced Risk of Disease

With the current coronavirus pandemic, minimizing your exposure to the virus and other pathogens is crucial for your health. When you take a few minutes throughout the day to sanitize, you significantly reduce your chance of contracting diseases. A single trip to your local store can expose you to loads of pathogens, therefore keeping your hands as sanitary as possible cannot be overemphasized.

5. Better for Your Hands

Washing your hands with soap and water for extended periods strips them of oils leaving them dry. Hand sanitizers contain emollients that soften your skin, leaving you with soft and smooth hands. With time they can improve the texture of the skin on your hands.

Some of The Best Sanitizers You Can Buy Online Include 1. Rocky Mountain Soap Co.

This sanitizer will appeal to your senses while cleansing with its refreshing lemongrass scent. Thanks to its 60-80 percent Ethyl Alcohol content, this cleansing gel is formulated as an antiseptic for your skin, killing harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Whether you are using it on the go or post handwashing it promises to give you maximum protection. The mushroom-derived Chitosan extracts act as a moisturizing agent keeping your hands smooth and moisturized.

2. Green Beaver

This is 100% natural antiseptic spray hand sanitizer. Most hand sanitizers contain harsh agents that irritate the skin. But Green Beaver is formulated with ethanol, a plant-based alcohol that is not toxic yet quite effective. It’s also enriched with vegetable glycerin, which is a highly effective natural moisturizer that soothes and softens skin.

Most disinfectant gels have an unpleasant alcohol scent, but this delicate formula is infused with the scent of organic lavender, orange, and mint. It’s also a practical alternative due to its contactless application making it easy to disinfect steering wheels, door handles, grocery carts, and generally any surface. It’s also safe for children.

3. KWIKY Foaming Hand Sanitizer

Kwiky foaming hand sanitizer is a topical antiseptic hand cleanser with a citrus scent. It’s said to be effective in removing impurities and destroying germs by providing antiseptic cleansing. Maxill recommends that you use it throughout the day as part of your cleansing routine. It comes in a 550 ml pump bottle, 2L refill bottle, and 1L dispenser insert.

4. Nudestix

Nudestix, the beauty brand, has launched its very own hand sanitizer. The company says the sanitizer is formulated with 62 percent ethanol to effectively kill germs and bacteria on your hands. It only consists of good-for-skin ingredients that are vegan powered designed to hydrate hands and prevent them from drying out. It comes in a 500ml family-size bottle, a refillable 100ml bottle, and in clip packs of 5.

5. Bleu Lavande

This brand is billed as 99.99 percent natural. It comes in the form of a spray and claims to offer effective protection from bacteria and other infectious agents. It’s formulated with certified lavender essential oil and enriched with vitamin E, aloe leaf extract, and other plant extracts. This antibacterial gel doesn’t contain sulfates, parabens, petroleum derivatives, artificial fragrances, and dyes. It’s formulated to create a refreshing sensation and leaves your hands soft and hydrated thanks to plant-based glycerin and vitamin E. It’s also a certified cruelty-free product.

6. Dillons

The Dillon brand is best known for its spirits. But since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, they have diversified into the production of hand sanitizers.

Crafted in the Niagara region in Ontario, Dillion has stepped forward to help the community by converting their Ontario grown grapes and grains into hand sanitizer. This sanitizer is formulated with ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, and vegetable glycerin. It is made by some of the finest spirit craftsmen and packaged in a Dillion classic spirit bottle. For ease of use, it can be transferred into a spritz bottle.

7. Etiket

Beauty boutique Etiket and one of Montreal’s most popular brands known for products like SkinCeuticals and Tata Harper is today producing its own 80 percent alcohol hand sanitizer. It comes in a mess-free spray bottle that is perfect for on-the-go sanitizing of doorknobs, shopping carts, and phones. Its special formulation consists of hemp seed oil and moisturizing aloe that leave skin soft and moisturized.

8. Nala

To alleviate the global shortage of hand sanitizer Canadian clean beauty brand, Nala has introduced the Nala-Free From Hand Sanitizer. This unique formulation consists of a soothing blend of eucalyptus, tea tree, and Manuka oils with undertones of lemongrass and lavender that are calming yet uplifting.

This product is free from artificial colors and fragrances, parabens, triclosan, and is also cruelty-free. It consists of 63 percent IsoPropyl alcohol that kills harmful pathogens and is also non-sticky and 100 percent vegan.

9. RWS Hand Sanitizer Spray

This is a multi-purpose sanitizer manufactured with the Electrical Chemical Activation (ECA) technology. This spray sanitizer is effective in eliminating dangerous pathogens on surfaces and in water supplies. Restructured Water Solutions (RWS) claims that it’s effective against viruses, bacteria, protozoa, cysts, algae, and spores.

What to Look for When Buying a Hand a Sanitizer

 

There are various factors that you should consider when buying a hand sanitizer. For instance, is it an alcohol-based or an all-natural hand sanitizer? Do you prefer a foam or a gel? What kind of fragrance appeals to you?

Foam or Gel?

Both foam and gel hand sanitizers are effective in killing bacteria, viruses, and other infectious agents. However, gels are easy to apply, while foams may have a sticky feel and may not easily get absorbed. A foam hand sanitizer will stay on your hands for longer and may, therefore, be more suitable when the risk of infection is high. Foams are packaged in pump containers and are more suitable for stationary applications. Gels are more convenient to use on the go since they come in packets and squeeze pouches.

Containers and Dispensers

Whether you are at home, in the office or on the go you may prefer different kinds of packaging.

• Pumps. These are ideal for fixed locations such as homes and offices.
• Sprays. These offer ultimate convenience and portability and are perfect when you are on the move.
• Squeeze Pouches. They have become quite popular and are a creative option for sanitizing on the go.
• Refills. These are quite economical and great when you want to purchase large quantities.
• Packets. Are mainly used for promotional products and mostly come as single-use packets. These would be ideal if you want to try a new brand of sanitizer.

Special Features

• Carabiners. These are quite handy and ideal for students and people who love the outdoors.
• Moisture beads. These not only leave your hands moisturized buy also give some character to the product.
• Scents. Many of the hand sanitizers in the market are scented, and it’s up to you to choose your preferred scent.
• Dual products. These are two in one products and may offer loads of convenience. For instance, there are hand sanitizer lip balm duos.

A hand sanitizer is a convenient and simple alternative that can protect you from disease-causing pathogens.