Hand Sanitizer Review: How To Know If The Alcohol Is Of High Quality
Living in this time of COVID-19 pandemic, washing your hands with soap and water frequently has become the new norm, bringing about a positive social change in terms of hand hygiene globally. It’s been proven that scrubbing the hands with soap for a while kills microbes and bacteria, keeping you safe.
However, washing your hands frequently may not be possible all the time. So, the next best thing to do is to use a good quality of alcohol sanitizer. Experts say that a hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol content is very effective in killing germs, including the novel coronavirus. If you’re looking for a hand sanitizer that really does the job, you aren’t alone.
While choosing a good hand sanitizer, look out for something that kills germs effectively and nourishes your hands at the same time. But, with the plethora of hand sanitizers in the market, how can you identify a good product? You can find out more here.
Quality Of Alcohol In Your Hand Sanitizer
One of the first things to check for in a hand sanitizer is it’s alcohol content. Alcohol works well against bacteria, which is why it’s the key active ingredient found in effective hand sanitizers. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are said to reduce the germs to an average of 97.72%.
The quality and content of alcohol in a hand sanitizer is of utmost importance, especially in this time of COVID-19 pandemic since coronavirus is surrounded by a fat layer that can be killed easily by using alcohol. Alcohol simply damages the fat membrane, disabling the virus from infecting anyone.
Ethanol and isopropyl are the two most common forms of alcohol found in hand sanitizers. They change the chemical structure of a bacteria, thus killing it before it can cause any damage. As per WHO recommendations, a good-quality hand sanitizer should have at least 60% alcohol.
Ethyl alcohol is said to cause less dryness to the hands as compared to isopropyl, thus making the former a better choice for hand sanitizers. An easy way to check the quality of alcohol in your hand sanitizer is to simply drop a few drops of sanitizer on a plain surface; the sanitizer with a higher quality of alcohol is absorbed very quickly.
Effectiveness Of A Hand Sanitizer
What really makes a hand sanitizer worth buying is its high quality of alcohol content, blended smoothly with nourishing essential oils.
Premium sanitizers with essential oils take care of all the woes one may have when using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, like a strong smell or skin irritations due to high alcohol content. To be sure you’re buying a good product, always check the label.
Here are things you need to look out for when checking the label of a hand sanitizer:
- Alcohol content: A good hand sanitizer should have 60% to 95% alcohol content. Alcohol should be the active ingredient
- Alcohol substitutes: Some hand sanitizers may suggest that they contain an alcohol substitute, which means that they may not be alcohol-based hand sanitizers and not as effective as the one you’re looking for.
- Expiry date: It is important to check the expiry date of alcohol-based hand sanitizers as alcohol tends to evaporate over time, making the products ineffective.
- Chemical-free: A chemical-free sanitizer is safe and protects the skin from itchiness and dryness.
Other ingredients: Most hand sanitizers use perfumes and gels to attain a certain consistency and smell, which is good for over-the-counter sales, but these ingredients are usually not safe for the skin. On the one hand, products with essential oils or natural ingredients, like aloe gel, are not only safe to use, but can also moisturize the skin.
Sanitizers With Essential Oils
Sanitizers should have at least 60% alcohol content, making them ideal for killing all the viruses and bacteria. But, only when they are infused with premium essential oils to nourish the skin that a good balance is created. These essential oils, with their antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties, complement the alcohol content in the sanitizers, making them more effective in fighting the bad elements.
Also known to possess therapeutic effects, the smell of these essential oils tend to promote relaxation and have a soothing effect on the nerves. Keep a bottle in your office or close to your door at home to ensure that you get to use it regularly.
Using A Hand Sanitizer Correctly
- While using a hand sanitizer, ensure that you squirt a small amount on your palm and spread it evenly on your hands.
- Don’t wipe off the moisture, but let it dry by itself.
- Use it as often as needed. But, remember that it’s not a substitute to washing your hands.
A Few Things To Watch Out For
- Keep it out of reach of children as it can be poisonous if ingested.
- Because of its alcohol content, the hand sanitizer may be highly flammable.
Conclusion
Hand sanitizers have become an essential part of people’s lives, especially in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, choosing a high-quality hand sanitizer is necessary. Because you’re aiming to use it several times a day, you want to ensure that what you’re putting on your hands is effective in killing bacteria and viruses, and smells good as well!