Alcohol vs. Non-Alcohol Hand Sanitizer: Which Hand Sanitizer Should You Choose?
- How Microbes Spread Around Us
- The Role of Hand Hygiene in Preventing Infection
- Differences Between Hand Rubs and Hand Sanitizers
- How Antiseptic Ingredients Work
- Choose the Right Hand Cleansing Product Wisely
How Microbes Spread Around Us
Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can easily spread through various means, including sneezing and coughing. Since microbes are extremely small, measuring less than 5 microns, they can be transmitted through air currents from an infected person to a healthy individual. Airborne infections include chickenpox, influenza, measles, smallpox, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. Hands are one of the main vectors for the spread of microbes because they often come into contact with contaminated objects. Therefore, maintaining hand hygiene is crucial.
The Role of Hand Hygiene in Preventing Infectionn
Various methods can be employed to maintain hand hygiene, including hand washing with soap or antiseptics and hand cleansing. According to WHO, hand washing is defined as “washing hands with plain or antimicrobial soap and water.” Hand washing can reduce diarrheal infections by 23% and upper respiratory infections by 51%. Hand cleansing is defined as “the act of performing hand hygiene to physically or mechanically remove dirt, organic matter, and/or microorganisms.”
Differences Between Hand Rubs and Hand Sanitizers
1. Hand Rubs
Meanwhile, hand rubs are defined as “the treatment of hands with an antiseptic hand rub to reduce transient flora. These preparations are broad-spectrum and fast-acting.” Hand rubs contain alcohol in forms such as liquid, gel, or foam, designed for application on the hands. Formulations of hand rubs may contain more than one type of alcohol, other active ingredients with excipients, and humectants.
2. Hand Sanitizer
While hand rubs are alcohol-based antiseptics, hand sanitizers can be either alcohol-based or non-alcohol-based. Non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers typically contain benzalkonium chloride. Although they serve the same purpose in maintaining hand hygiene, non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers are considered less effective at eliminating pathogenic microbes.
Besides hand rubs and hand sanitizers, other antiseptic agents such as chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorine derivatives, iodine, triclosan, and chloroxylenol are also used for hand cleansing. Humectants are added to formulations to help moisturize the skin. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using a palmful of hand sanitizer and allowing at least 10–15 seconds of contact time for effectiveness. The recommended alcohol concentration is 60%–95%. Hand sanitizers are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), requiring them to have an expiration date.
All hand sanitizers typically have an expiration period of about 2–3 years, indicated by a drop in alcohol concentration to 90% of the labeled percentage. However, using hand sanitizer past its expiration date is not dangerous, although its effectiveness in killing microbes may decrease, particularly if the alcohol content falls below 60%.
How Antiseptic Ingredients Workk
The antiseptic ingredients in hand sanitizers have different mechanisms of action. Alcohol exhibits antibacterial activity by denaturing and coagulating proteins present in bacteria, disrupting cellular metabolism and leading to cell lysis. However, its effectiveness diminishes at higher concentrations because alcohol is a volatile compound.
At high concentrations, alcohol may evaporate before penetrating the bacterial cell wall effectively. Typically, alcohol-based hand sanitizers contain 60%–95% alcohol and are combined with various additives such as fragrances and colorants. Hydrogen peroxide works by producing hydroxyl free radicals that attack membrane lipids, DNA, and other essential cell components. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also contain glycerol, which has an emollient effect on the skin, protecting it from dryness and dermatitis.
Choose the Right Hand Cleansing Product Wisely
Washing hands regularly with soap and water or using hand sanitizer is an effective method to combat pathogenic microbes and infections such as COVID-19. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are more effective at killing microbes compared to non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers and other herbal products. However, selecting and using the appropriate type of hand cleansing product is a crucial consideration, as excessive alcohol content can lead to alcoholism.
The recommended usage limit for alcohol-based hand sanitizer is 30 times per day. Maintaining hand hygiene is important, but ensuring the effectiveness of your hand sanitizer is even more crucial. Every formulation, whether alcohol-based or non-alcoholic, undergoes laboratory testing to ensure its ability to kill microbes without causing irritation or side effects to the skin.
At IML Research, product testing is comprehensive and accurate, including testing for antimicrobial effectiveness, stability, and the safety of active ingredients. With reliable test results, you can scientifically substantiate product claims and increase consumer trust in your brand.
Author: Safira
Editor: Sabilla Reza
References:
Annegowda, H. V., Zuber, M., Darshan, J. C., Ghosh, S., & Paul, P. (2021). Hand Sanitizer: A Comprehensive Narrative Review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 66(1), 109–114. https://doi.org/10.47583/ijpsrr.2021.v66i01.017
