Personal hygiene has never been more important than it is today especially with the COVID-19 pandemic occurring across the world. People from around the globe are now more conscious about staying hygienic, not touching surfaces, and being aware of hand sanitizers. They now know what the different types of face masks do and if they are effective against the virus.
Not all hand sanitizers are created equal
Like other precautionary products, hand sanitizers come in different types and usage. If you use hand sanitizers for daily purposes, the ones will be different from those that you want to avoid getting infected by viruses. But all sanitizers are made to give you a certain level of protection against any harmful organism.
2 major differences
Generally, there are 2 major types of hand sanitizers when you buy them off pharmacies and supermarkets. With the right ingredients, you can even make your own hand sanitizers.
- Alcohol-free – These are sanitizers made mostly with disinfectants and certain types of anti-microbial properties. The former include the likes of BAC or benzalkonium chloride while the latter includes various forms of triclosan.
- Alcohol-based – These sanitizers normally include up to 95% of any type of alcohol like isopropanol or ethanol.
Effects of ingredients in hand sanitizer
It is highly recommended that alcohol-based hand sanitizers be used as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 virus. But using too much alcohol-based hand sanitizers would dry the skin up and that would not be a favorable situation. As such, it would be most suitable to use hand sanitizers that are gentle to the skin. Among them are:
- Aloe Vera – Includes a soothing agent that can be very kind to the skin. When applied, it keeps the skin moist and hence does not dry the skin too much. Aloe Vera has been used to treat people with skin conditions and that is a perfect addition for sanitizers.
- Vitamin E – This vitamin is known to protect the skin from oxidative stress and when is very effective if used in hand sanitizers. Besides protecting your skin from harmful agents, it keeps it strong as well.
- Eucalyptus – This is an agent that is known for cleansing, purifying, and immune-boosting for the skin. That is why it is a common agent in aromatherapy. Many hand sanitizer producers use this and it is safe to be used frequently.