Hand sanitizers are products that can reduce the number of potentially disease-causing germs on your hands when soap and water are not available. Most hand sanitizers come in a spray or gel form and contain a few core ingredients that make up the product. The active ingredients in hand sanitizers can break apart the cell membranes of many bacteria and viruses, thus destroying them. The most common active ingredients in hand sanitizers are ethanol (ethyl alcohol), isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol or 2-propanol), or benzalkonium chloride. Ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are deemed safer options for active ingredients. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC recommend sanitizers containing alcohol at concentrations of at least 60 percent. Benzalkonium chloride-based hand sanitizers meet the FDA’s requirements for a hand sanitizer, but the CDC does not currently recommend these hand sanitizers to help reduce COVID-19 causing germs.
Inactive ingredients in hand sanitizers include emollients (e.g., glycerin) that help moisturize skin, polyacrylate (e.g., sodium polyacrylate) that helps to thicken and stabilize the ingredients, color, fragrance that helps improve the scent, and water that is a carrier ingredient for the other active and inactive ingredients.
It is important to avoid hand sanitizers that contain toxic chemicals such as methanol, artificial dyes, phthalates, DEHP, and synthetic musks. Methanol is harmful to human health and should not be used. Artificial colors and dyes are commonly derived from petroleum and can be added to hand sanitizers. MADE SAFE® Certified products are recommended for choosing a better hand sanitizer.
In summary, hand sanitizers are products that can reduce the number of potentially disease-causing germs on your hands when soap and water are not available. The most common active ingredients in hand sanitizers are ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, or benzalkonium chloride. Ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are deemed safer options for active ingredients. Inactive ingredients in hand sanitizers include emollients, polyacrylate, color, fragrance, and water. It is important to avoid hand sanitizers that contain toxic chemicals such as methanol, artificial dyes, phthalates, DEHP, and synthetic musks. MADE SAFE® Certified products are recommended for choosing a better hand sanitizer.
