Are you searching for a good alcohol free hand sanitizer? Well, you’ve certainly come to the right place. Here are a few tips recommended by professionals that will help you choose the perfect sanitizer for your particular requirements.
Content: Non-alcoholic antimicrobials have been in use for several years now. The exact content of the sterilizer will vary considerably. However, most of these sanitizers contain a combination of compounds that do have anti-microbial properties. The most common compounds used are quaternary ammonium compounds that do kill or inhibit bacterial growth. However, you may also find natural and organic compounds that offer limited anti-microbial protection. Make sure you find products that contain povidone-iodine or quaternary ammonium compounds to ensure optimum protection. Other popular nonalcoholic sterilizers compounds include triclosan, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, etc. Some organic products could also contain natural sterilizers like tea tree oil or witch hazel.
Protection offered: Alcohol-free compounds also linger on the hands for a longer time as compared to alcoholic sterilizers that evaporate in 10-20 seconds. In some conditions, these sterilizers may offer residual protection for almost 4 hours after application. However, the effectiveness of the product depends entirely on the exact ingredients being used.
Other ingredients: Other ingredients are also present in these products. For example, these sterilizers also contain emollients that moisturize the skin. Additional antiseptics compounds, sporicides, sterile water foaming agents and colorants which may influence the overall protection offered by the product.
Method of use: Alcohol-based products evaporate in 20-30 seconds. The product has to be rubbed into the hands constantly until it disappears, and the hands should be allowed to air-dry. This process ensures optimum protection. Non-alcoholic sanitizers also work in the same way. According to recent studies, both products have proved to be effective against bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses. However, both products are ineffective against encysted parasites and nonenveloped viruses.
Safety concerns: Both products are relatively safe and both the WHO and CDC have recommended regular use of hand sanitizers to ensure optimum hygiene. However, we still do recommend you check the ingredient list before purchase and before use. In case you do not want to use readymade products, the WHO and CDC websites offer detailed instructions on making your own alcohol free hand sanitiser.
We cannot really recommend alcohol-containing sterilizers as compared to an alcohol-free sterilizer. Depending on the ingredients, both products work particularly well if used correctly. We do recommend you rub the product into your hands for a minimum of 20-30 seconds to ensure optimum protection.
