Why are hand sanitizers so popular?
Hand sanitizers are popular because they are a quick, easy, and on the go option to prevent us from getting Covid or other illnesses. This can be a misconception.
Let’s look at what we know most hand sanitizers contain:
- Artificial dyes
- fragrance (phthalates)
- Parabens
- Formaldehyde releasers
- Benzalkonium chloride
These added ingredients are harmful to us even though the alcohol can kill the germs. The less ingredients the better.
The concern for me has been the frequency of use of these hand sanitizers and now (read below) the FDA has increased the numbers of hand sanitizers that are hazardous and should be banned from use.
The US Food and Drug Administration has expanded its warning about the hazardous hand sanitizers. They now have a list of up to 100 hand sanitizers they are encouraging consumers to avoid.
Hand sanitizers containing methanol can be toxic when absorbed through the skin and deadly if ingested.
More recently they are concerned that hand sanitizers are not containing enough levels of alcohol.
Many of these hand sanitizers were manufactured in Mexico. Most of these have been recalled and the FDA has also issued import alerts to halt them from entering the country.
Below are all of the hand sanitizers that the FDA is warning consumers to avoid:
- Blumen Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 70% Alcohol
- Blumen Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear Ethyl Alcohol 70%
- BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear
- BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear
- KLAR AND DANVER Instant Hand Sanitizer
- MODESA Instant Hand Sanitizer Moisturizers and Vitamin E
- BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer Aloe
- BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Lavender
- BLUMEN Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Clear LEAR Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Clear LEAR Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- The Honeykeeper Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer Clear
- BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe
- BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Lavender
- BLUMEN Aloe Advanced Hand Sanitizer, with 70 Alcohol
- BLUMEN Aloe Advanced Hand Sanitizer, with 70 Alcohol
- Blumen Advanced Hand Sanitizer Lavender, with 70% alcohol
- Blumen Advanced Hand Sanitizer Aloe, with 70% alcohol
- Blumen Antibacterial Fresh Citrus Hand Sanitizer
- Blumen Hand Sanitizer Fresh Citrus
- KLAR and DANVER Instant Hand Sanitizer
- Hello Kitty Hand Sanitizer
- Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer (Vitamin E and Aloe)
- Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer (Aloe and Moisturizers)
- Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer Vitamin E and Aloe
- Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe and Moisturizers
- BLUMEN Instant Hand Sanitizer Fragrance Free
- BLUMEN Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe Vera
- Assured Aloe
- bio aaa Advance Hand Sanitizer
- LumiSkin Advance Hand Sanitizer 4 oz
- LumiSkin Advance Hand Sanitizer 16 oz
- QualitaMed Hand Sanitizer
- NEXT Hand Sanitizer
- Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 70% Alcohol extra soft with glycerin and aloe
- NuuxSan Instant Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
- NuuxSan Instant Hand Sanitizer
- Assured Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Aloe and Moisturizers
- Assured Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Vitamin E and Aloe
- Modesa Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizers and Aloe Vera
- Modesa Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizers and Vitamin E
- Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% Alcohol
- Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% Alcohol
- Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% Alcohol
- Earths Amenities Instant Unscented Hand Sanitizer with Aloe Vera Advanced
- Hand Sanitizer Agavespa Skincare
- Vidanos Easy Cleaning Rentals Hand Sanitizer Agavespa Skincare
- All-Clean Hand Sanitizer
- Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer
- Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer
- The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol
- Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- Hand sanitizer Gel Unscented 70% Alcohol
- Medicare Alcohol Antiseptic Topical Solution
- GelBact Hand Sanitizer
- Hand Sanitizer
- TriCleanz
- Sayab Antisepctic Hand Sanitizer 100
- Jaloma Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol 62% with Vitamin E
- Leiper’s Fork Distillery Bulk Disinfectant per 5 gallon and Leiper’s Fork Distillery 16 oz bottle
- Andy’s Best
- Andy’s
- NeoNatural
- Plus Advanced
- Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer
- Optimus Lubricants Instant Hand Sanitizer
- Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer
- Selecto Hand Sanitizer
- Shine and Clean Hand Sanitizer
- Hand Sanitizer Disinfectant Gel 70% Ethyl Alcohol
- Hand Sanitizer Disinfectant Gel 70% Ethyl Alcohol Rinse Free Hand Rub
- Mystic Shield Protection hand sanitizer
- Born Basic. Anti-Bac Hand Sanitizer 70% alcohol
- Born Basic. Anti-Bac Hand Sanitizer 65% Alcohol
- Scent Theory — Keep It Clean — Pure Clean Anti-bacterial Hand Sanitizer
- Cavalry
- ENLIVEN Hand Sanitizing Gel
- Lux Eoi Hand Sanitizing Gel
- Scent Theory — Keep It Clean — Pure Clean Anti-bacterial Hand Sanitizer
- Bersih Hand Sanitizer Gel Fragrance Free
- Bersih Antiseptic Alcohol 70% Topical Solution hand sanitizer
- Purity Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- Hand Sanitizer Gel Alcohol 70%
- TriCleanz Tritanium Labs Hand Sanitizer
- Britz Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol 70%
- Parabola Hand Sanitizer
- Urbane Bath and Body Hand Sanitizer
- Cleaner Hand Sanitizer Rinse Free 70%
- Handzer Hand Sanitizer Rinse Free
- Kleanz Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer Advanced
- Be Safe Hand Sanitizer
- Wave Hand Sanitizer Gel
- DAESI Hand Sanitizer
Although hand sanitizers may be easy they can also cause irritation and dryness for some, especially with overuse, plus they may not remove all the germs. Therefore, the best option is to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
If you cannot wash your hands, the CDC recommends a hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol.
My favorite way to use soap is with my Suds to go https://www.mysuds2go.com/discount/temple10?rfsn=3830116.c72e8e
Promo code: TEMPLE10 gets 10% off
I also love Branch Basics http://branchbasics.refr.cc/anamariat
I know I promote #lowtoxliving but sometimes there are exceptions to the rule. If you are in a high exposure situation, have no access to soap and water, and cannot find a non-toxic sanitizer, then by all means please use what you have available.
But if you do have the choice
Here are the ingredients to look out for:
Fragrance – this is a catch all term that may include over 3000 harmful chemicals like phthalates and PEG which can cause endocrine disruption (thyroid, estrogen, insulin/obesity)
Benzalkonium chloride – rated a 6 by the EWG. This is a preservative and antimicrobial which may lead to skin/respiratory irration and antibiotic resistance
Dermal penetration chemicals such as isopropyl myristate and propylene glycol may increase the absorption of BPA from thermal paper eg receipts. So avoid unnecessary contact with receipts after using hand sanitizers
Pictured below are clean hand sanitizers I suggest and you can find then in My Amazon Store.
References:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/03/health/fda-hand-sanitizers-list-expands-trnd/index.html
Kim M, Weigand MR, Oh S, et al. Widely Used Benzalkonium Chloride Disinfectants Can Promote Antibiotic Resistance. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2018;84(17)
Hormann AM, Vom saal FS, Nagel SC, et al. Holding thermal receipt paper and eating food after using hand sanitizer results in high serum bioactive and urine total levels of bisphenol A (BPA). PLoS ONE. 2014;9(10):e110509
Stay well, Dr. Ana-Maria
