The 10 Best Hand Sanitizers That Are Safe And Effective – 2023

Soap alone is not enough to wash your hands entirely and kill all bacteria. Using hand sanitizer makes the washing more effective (1). With the ever-mutating coronavirus, washing your hands and belongings as frequently as possible is one of the best ways of staying protected. The WHO also recommends using hand sanitizers to keep the COVID virus at bay (2). The CDC, in their guidelines, has suggested that hand sanitizer with 60% or more alcohol concentration is best for protection from the virus (3). Here is our list of the best hand sanitizer that you can use.

What Is Hand Sanitizer?

Hand sanitizer is a liquid or gel formulation that helps decrease the number of infectious microorganisms on the hands. It may or may not contain alcohol. Hand sanitizers are effective in killing or deactivating harmful and contagious microbes that cause diseases.

The WHO, CDC, and FDA recommend using hand sanitizers with 60% or more alcohol content. However, in case you cannot get your hands on a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol, you may also opt for a non-alcoholic hand sanitizer. Here’s a list of sanitizers that you can buy right now.

10 Best Hand Sanitizers To Keep Germs Away 

1. Best Soothing Gel Formula:PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer

4.7

BUY ON AMAZON | $11.14

PURELL is a trusted brand that many hospitals across the US use. This hand sanitizer comes in a small, portable bottle. The jelly wrap carrier makes it easy to carry the bottle by attaching it to your bag or belt. To use, squeeze 3-4 drops of this sanitizer on your palm and rub briskly.

Pros

• Contains 70% ethyl alcohol
• Kills 99.9% germs
• USDA-certified formula
• 93% Biobased content
• Free of triclosan
• Does not create supergerms
• Soothing gel formula
• Evaporates quickly
• Pleasant fragrance

Cons

• May cause skin irritation
• May dry out the skin
• Flammable
• May irritate skin that has cuts

2.Best Cruelty-Free: Mountain Falls Advanced Hand Sanitizer With Vitamin E

4.6

BUY ON AMAZON

Mountain Falls is a cruelty-free and moisturizing hand-sanitizing formula. It comes in a handy bottle with a pump. You get 8 fl oz (236 ml) product per bottle, and it is made in the USA. 

Pros

• 70% ethyl alcohol
• Kills 99.9% germs
• Cruelty-free
• Gluten-free
• Paraben-free
• Leaves your hands feeling soft
• Pleasant fragrance
• Easy pump dispenser

Cons

• Flammable
• May cause skin irritation
• May discolor fabrics
• Not good for wood and plastic
• May irritate skin that has cuts

3. Best Non-Greasy:Clorox Hand Sanitizer

4.6

BUY ON AMAZON | $66.75

This is another trusted and beloved brand of hand sanitizer. It is a liquid formula that is bleach-free. It contains alcohol but does not dry out the skin. This hand sanitizer also comes with a pump. You get 16.9 fl oz (500 ml) product per bottle. 

Pros

• 71% ethyl alcohol
• Kills 99.99% germs
• Bleach-free
• Provides a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity
• FDA-approved
• Leaves your hands feeling soft
• Non-greasy
• Also available in mini spray bottles
• Easy pump dispenser

Cons

• Flammable
• May irritate skin that has cuts

4. Best Quick-Drying:Solimo Hand Sanitizer With Vitamin E And Aloe

4.6

BUY ON AMAZON

Solimo is an Amazon brand. There are four different varieties of this hand sanitizer, and all of them contain soothing aloe vera. The color and feel of the bottle is semi-luxurious. You get 32 fl oz (946 ml) of product per bottle. This video will give you a better insight into the product.  

Pros

• 70% ethyl alcohol
• Kills 99.99% germs
• Contains aloe vera
• Contains vitamin E
• Dries quickly
• Easy pump dispenser
• Great value for money

Cons 

• Strong fragrance
• Flammable
• May cause skin irritation

5. Best Moisturizing:Hempz Moisturizing Herbal Hand Sanitizer

4.6

Image: Hempz

BUY ON AMAZON | $15.95

The Hempz Moisturizing Herbal Hand Sanitizer contains triple moisture serum that nourishes and hydrates the skin. It is enriched with coconut oil, apple extract, avocado, mango seed butter, and vitamin C that have strong medicinal properties and kill about 99% of germs. This hand sanitizer contains 100% pure hemp seed oil that treats itchiness, reduces dryness, and soothes red skin. Watch this video for a thorough understanding of the product.

Pros

• Kills 99% of germs
• Soothes redness and itchiness
• Vegan
• Paraben-free
• Gluten-free
• THC-free

Cons

• Unpleasant fragrance

6. Best For Sensitive Skin:safeHands Hand Sanitizer

4.4

Image: Safehands

BUY ON AMAZON | $17.99

The safeHands Hand Sanitizer helps protect your skin from pet germs, bacterial infection, and environmental contact. It is infused with benzalkonium chloride, a doctor-approved antiseptic that effectively kills 99.99% of germs without any dryness. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of this product.

Pros

• Alcohol-free
• Gentle formula
• Kills 99.99% of germs
• Safe for sensitive skin
• Fragrance-free
• Non-toxic
• Non-flammable
• Dye-free

Cons

None

7. Best Non-Drying:Pura D’or Hand Sanitizer Gel

4.1

BUY ON AMAZON | $28.99

The Pura D’or Hand Sanitizer Gel has a 70% alcohol-based formula. It also contains organic aloe vera gel and vitamin E to keep your hands soft and prevent dryness. The essential oils of tea tree, peppermint, and lemongrass deep cleanse your hands, offer therapeutic protection, and impart a soothing fragrance.

Pros

• Convenient pump dispenser
• Non-drying
• Pleasant fragrance
• Non-toxic
• Cruelty-free

Cons

• Sticky consistency

8. Best Mild Fragrance:Purell Hand Sanitizer

4.9

BUY ON AMAZON | $49.95

The Purell Hand Sanitizer contains 62% alcohol that effectively kills 99.99% of bacteria and germs. It contains aloe and various conditioners that keep your skin hydrated. The pale green color, along with the subtle floral fragrance, distinguishes it from other sanitizers.

Pros

• Kills 99.99% of germs
• Hydrates the skin
• Mild floral fragrance

Cons

None

9. Best Travel-Friendly:Babyganics Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer

4.6

Image: Babyganics

BUY ON AMAZON | $19.69

Babyganics is an alcohol-free foaming hand sanitizer. It does not dry out the skin. This hand sanitizer comes in a cute green and white bottle with a pump. The design of the bottle is travel-friendly. You get 8.45 fl oz (250 ml) of the product per bottle.

Pros

• Alcohol-free
• Kid-friendly
• Paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free
• Kills 99.99% germs
• Does not contain artificial dyes or fragrances
• Foaming and moisturizing formula
• Non-allergenic
• Suitable for people with sensitive and dry skin
• Easy pump dispenser

Cons

• Does not contain certified organic ingredients as claimed by the company
• May cause skin irritation

10. Best Fragrance-Free:Suave Hand Sanitizer Spray

4.7

BUY ON AMAZON | $27.76

This alcohol-based Suave Hand Sanitizer Spray is specially formulated to kill germs and bacteria effectively. It reduces bacteria on the hands, and you can use this in place of soap and water. Do not rinse the hands after using this gel formula spray. The sanitizer is available in 2, 8, 10, and 12 ounces.

Pros

• No artificial fragrance
• Easy to use
• Kills 99.9% germs

Cons

• May dry your skin

These are the 10 best hand sanitizers to buy in 2023. If these are not available now, you may also consider buying the following hand sanitizers.

Other Suggested Hand Sanitizers

1. WBM LLC 1 Natural Hand Sanitizer Kit
   Buy Now!
2. Antibacterial Travel Hand Sanitizer Gel with Aloe Vera by L’Autre PEAU
   Buy Now!
3. Clorox Hand Sanitizer Spray
   Buy Now!
4. Instant Hand Sanitizer Gel
   Buy Now!

The CDC has provided specific instructions on how to use a hand sanitizer for maximum germ removal (4). Scroll down for the step-by-step guide.

How To Use Hand Sanitizer To Reduce Germs?

Step 1: Use soap and water to wash your hands thoroughly.

Do it every time you touch any surface, cough, sneeze, before and after cooking, after touching someone who is sick, before and after treating a cut, after throwing away garbage, before touching a newborn baby, after changing diapers, and after cleaning animal waste.

Step 2: Apply some hand sanitizer, rub your hands quickly, and let it dry.

Do it if you have visited someone at the hospital, if soap and water are not available (if your hands are visibly dirty, you need to use soap and water), after touching any surface, and after using the washroom.

Apart from this two-step hand sanitizing process, the CDC has issued special instructions to follow during the COVID-19 pandemic (5). Take a look.

Hand Hygiene And Other Preventive Measures

• Take utmost care to not touch your eyes, face, nose, or mouth after touching a surface.
• Wash your hands with soap and water and use a hand sanitizer.
• Use an EPA-registered cleaner to clean the most touched surfaces like doorknobs, tables, handles, tap faucets, sinks, and light switches.
• Avoid placing your mobile phones on surfaces that are not disinfected.
• Wear gloves and a face mask while cleaning surfaces.
• Maintain distance from any person showing possible symptoms.
• Use a separate bathroom from that of a person showing flu symptoms.
• If there is no separate bathroom, wash and disinfect the bathroom each time after the person with flu symptoms uses it.
• Disinfect all surfaces at home using bleach. Dilute the bleach before using it.
• Wash dirty clothes, curtains, and carpets with warm water. Avoid shaking dirty clothes.
• Avoid going to crowded places like gyms, pubs, movie theaters, malls, etc.
• Avoid close contact with any person showing flu symptoms.
• Get yourself checked immediately if you experience the symptoms of COVID-19.

Before we come to a close, here’s a list of precautions to take before using hand sanitizers. Check them out below. 

Precautions While Using Hand Sanitizer

• Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers in cooler temperatures.
• Do not use drying hand sanitizers if you have dry or sensitive skin.
• Keep hand sanitizers out of children’s reach.
• Do not touch your eyes right after using hand sanitizer.
• Use hand sanitizers only for external application.
• If your skin gets inflamed, seek medical help immediately.
• If you drink hand sanitizer accidentally, rush to the nearest hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better – soap or hand sanitizer?

To remove dirt and germs from our hands, soap and water work better than hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizers are for a quick de-germing when your hands are more or less clean.

How long does it take for hand sanitizer to kill germs?

Hand sanitizer kills 99.9% of germs in just a few seconds.

How many times can I use alcohol-based hand rubs?

You can use alcohol-based hand rubs many times throughout the day. However, do note that they are not an alternative to hand washing.

How long do the effects of hand sanitizer last once applied?

Hand sanitizer last for 1-2 minutes once applied. And then germs start accumulating on your hands again.

Is it OK to apply sanitizer on the face?

No, it is not safe to use hand sanitizer on the face because the ingredients in the sanitizer can be harsh for the gentle facial skin.

Can you touch your eyes after using hand sanitizer?

No, you should not touch your eyes immediately after using hand sanitizer because the alcohol in the sanitizer may cause a burning sensation in your eyes.

Recommended Articles

• Hand Sanitizer Wipes
• UV Light Sanitizers To Keep Phones And Rooms Clean
• Hand Creams For Sensitive Skin That Really Work

Was this article helpful?

The following two tabs change content below.

• Author

Aditi NaskarAssociate Editor

 

Aditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate editor with 4 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products. She has previously worked as a scriptwriter for an educational technology company and as...more