Is Your Hand Sanitizer Really Working?

Washing your hands is an essential practice, particularly these days. But when you don't have access to soap and water, hand sanitizer is a smart back-up. And in this brave new world of COVID-19, it seems like more and more companies have begun to sell hand sanitizer. So how can you tell that they’re making safe and effective products, that actually do the job they're supposed to do?

Hand sanitizer is a disinfectant so it kills germs using its active ingredients, but it doesn't actually physically remove germs from your skin the way soap and water does. (Soap is a detergent, which works by dissolving water and oil, so germs are simply rinsed away.)

The active ingredient in most sanitizers is alcohol, but here's the key: The percentage of alcohol needs to be high enough to kill microorganisms — greater than 60 percent ethanol (ethyl alcohol) or 70 percent isopropyl alcohol.

For non-alcohol sanitizers, look at the Drug Facts panel. Hand sanitizers are regulated as over-the-counter drugs, and so they always must have a "Drug Facts" panel to be legally sold. Look for language like “decreases bacteria on skin” or “sanitizes hands” in the “Uses” field of the Drug Facts panel, “and 99.9% effective,” either on the front label or near the Drug Facts. This shows that the manufacturer is familiar with and following FDA guidelines on sanitizer production.

To use hand sanitizer correctly, apply a dime-sized drop to the palm of one hand, and rub the sanitizer thoroughly over both hands until they feel dry. The CDC recommends that this process, just like hand washing, should take 20 seconds.

If you have sensitive skin, using hand sanitizer too frequently might cause minor skin irritation, so be sure to use it only when necessary.

For the most part, you should try to save your sanitizer for when you’re away from a sink. Experts agree that washing your hands for warm water and soap for 20 seconds is the best way to eliminate microorganisms. Whether you choose soap or hand sanitizer, be sure to choose options that are clean label. We love EO Everyone Hand Sanitizer, EO Hand Sanitizer, EO Hand Soap, and EO Everyone Hand Soap.