Hand sanitizers with alcohol in them help to reduce the number of bacteria that could make you sick that are on your hands. One of the most efficient ways to eliminate germs that could cause disease is to practice excellent hand hygiene, which includes washing hands with water and soap or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hands are not obviously filthy.

Health and hygiene problems are becoming more widespread due to rising public knowledge of the impacts of COVID-19 on the population. Thus, it has increased the need and demand for hand sanitizer. According to the report published by Astute Analytica, the global hand sanitizer market will grow at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2022 to 2030.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol-based hand sanitizer is effective, practical, and safe. It is critical for people to comprehend the facts regarding hand hygiene in a time when it is so important.

The Common Hand Sanitizer Myths

Myth: Hand Sanitizers may make Antibiotic Resistance

The idea that hand sanitizers can lead to antibiotic resistance is a popular misconception. Antibiotics actually work very differently from alcohol-based hand sanitizers since they are consumed. The alcohol kills a wide variety of bacteria very quickly, and it does not remain on the skin for the bacteria to develop resistance to it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the repeated and incorrect use of antibiotics is the main contributor to antibiotic resistance.

Myth: All Germs are Identical

Transient organisms and resident organisms are the two main categories of germs. On the skin, people can find the resident organisms in all layers. The transient organisms are picked up as people touch anything, and they can enter the body and spread to others directly or through other touched objects (cross-contamination), putting both the person at risk of being sick.

Myth: Every Hand Sanitizers are the Exact

Hand sanitizers with and without alcohol are not the same. In actuality, they are pretty dissimilar. The formulation does, in fact, matter. Although the active ingredient is crucial, the formulation as a whole has an impact on antimicrobial effectiveness. The product must also perform well in terms of skincare, or at the very least not harm the skin. It also offers a positive sensory experience and is enjoyable to use.

Myth: Using Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Dry the Hands

Many people think that using hand sanitizers frequently can cause your hands or skin to become dry. In actuality, the formulation is important. For instance, PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer was created so that it may apply frequently without causing skin damage. The truth is that using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and practicing excellent hand hygiene are both effective preventative measures you may take to lessen the spread of germs that cause sickness and the likelihood that people will get sick.

Myth: Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizers have Triclosan

The idea that hand sanitizers contain triclosan is one of the most pervasive myths about them. The fact is that triclosan is not present in alcohol-based products. In the US, the FDA forbids the use of triclosan in cosmetics that are applied topically.

Myth: Use Hand sanitizer only

The CDC advises the general public to use hand sanitizer in the absence of soap and water. Hand sanitizers are faster, more efficient against some bacteria, and gentler on the skin than soap and water, according to the WHO.

Closing Note:

Hand sanitizers are an effective and widely available product that everyone may use to help prevent sickness. It's critical to comprehend not just what hand sanitizers are but also how to utilize them, particularly in light of the fact that COVID-19 is progressing with little evidence of slowing. It's important to do research on hand sanitizers to select one that will help keep the hands clean.

Despite its limits, hand sanitizers are a great addition to the safety measures that authorities and experts have recommended. In order to flatten the curve and guarantee the security of millions, all these measures were developed.