The process involved in choosing the correct hand sanitizer can be complicated, especially when considering that there are different types of sanitizers for sale.
Not only can you buy individual bottles, but many wholesale suppliers have bulk hand sanitizer for sale for personal and professional use.
Considerations when using hand sanitizer and washing hands with soap and water
Apart from the Coronavirus, there are germs everywhere we go, and they can make us sick. It would be impossible to eliminate the chances of coming into contact with microorganisms, and therefore hygiene practices are key to minimising the chances of getting sick.
However, different practices work for different situations and while regular soap and warm water can clean your hands of dirt and grime, they cannot protect you from germs on the surface of your skin.
Hand sanitizer, on the other hand, can protect you from germs but it is not effective in removing dirt and grime. Using the two together can effectively clean your hands and add a layer of protection against microorganisms.
Quick Checklist that you can use when you buy hand sanitizer
When you purchase hand sanitizer, you can use the following key points to make sure that you buy the right type of sanitizer.
Types of sanitizers
There are two main types of hand sanitizers namely alcohol-based hand sanitizer and alcohol-free hand sanitizers. Hand sanitizer that contains alcohol has alcohol levels of between 65% up to 95%, which comes in different types of alcohol namely ethanol, propanol, or isopropyl alcohol.
This type of hand sanitizer is useful to counterbalance different microbes and it can be applied as a medical disinfectant, depending on the alcohol percentage.
Alcohol-free hand sanitizer contains different ingredients that make it an antiseptic including benzalkonium chloride. This type of hand sanitizer can destroy certain microorganisms but is not effective against viruses such as coronavirus. Ap
art from the two main types, hand sanitizers have different consistencies and utility values as well. These can be categorised as follows:
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is effective in cleaning and destroying microorganisms such as different types of germs, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and others.
- Alcohol-free sanitizers are good for disinfecting the skin.
- Gel products are effective in disinfecting but take longer to evaporate than liquid forms of sanitizer.
- Hand sanitizer spray is easy to spread, evaporates quickly and does not leave a sticky residue.
- Hand sanitising wipes are convenient to use while on the go.
Skin Type
Not everyone has the same skin type, and while some people can use any kind of sanitizer, others can be allergic to certain ingredients. Before using a new type of sanitizer, test it on a small portion of skin on the inside of your forearm to check for any allergic reactions.
Frequent use of hand sanitizer can lead to sensitivity, dry skin, and rash in some people, and it is important to moisturise your hands in between sanitising sessions.
Ingredients
Because of the high demand for hand sanitizers during the Covid-19 pandemic, the market opened for companies who do not use the right ingredients or use harmful chemicals that are then sold as effective hand sanitizer.
Always read the product label and only use trusted, proven, and approved brands that use the right ingredients that are safe for human use. In addition, ensure that the alcohol concentration is the right level for the application to ensure that it is effective.
