Alcohol-based hand sanitizers have become more and more popular in recent years. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers usually kill 99.9% of germs that you might come into contact with every day, but some researchers are saying that this popularity is based on a misconception of how well they really protect against illness and disease.
Other researchers advise the use of alcohol-free products because there is no scientific evidence showing them to be effective at preventing cold or flu viruses. Alcohol free hand sanitizer manufacturers claim that these products do not dry out your skin like traditional alcohol gels and foams do. Alcohol free hand sanitizer manufactures also claim their product will not stain clothes like alcohol based products may.
Researchers say that either products can be effective as long as you use them properly. Alcohol-based products should be used at least once a day or when you need to kill germs on your hands before eating, working with food, touching someone who is sick and after using the bathroom. Alcohol-free products should be used several times a day for added protection from illness.
Alcohol is generally used as a solvent in hand sanitizers. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer contains up to 62% ethanol or ethyl alcohol. Alcohol-free hand sanitizers contain less than 20% of such ingredient and some don't contain any at all. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are more effective against gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, which cause common skin problems like boils, impetigo and cellulitis (1). Alcohol-based sanitiser kills them by denaturing their proteins and membranes (2). Alcohol containing handwash also works better against the most common type of infectious virus – rhinoviruses – that cause acute respiratory illnesses like colds and the flu (3). Alcohol-based sanitizer also has greater effect against gram negative bacteria, though it does not kill them on contact. Alcohol-free hand sanitizers are not as effective in removing dirt and germs but they feel better on your hands than alcohol-based ones (4). Alcohol-free products are more expensive than the alcohol based one also.
The two types of sanitiser don't contain the same ingredients. Alcohol free hand wash contains 0 to 60% of glycerine while alcohol based handwash contains up to 80%. Alcohol free hand wash doesn't give instant dryness like alcohol containing handwash does because of there is no ethanol or ethyl alcohol in it. Alcohol free Hand Wash doesn't prevent buildup of hand fats and so it needs to be used more regularly than Alcohol-based Hand Wash. Alcohol free Hand Wash also leaves a tacky residue on your fingers which you can feel for up to an hour after application. Alcohol based Hand Sanitizer is fast acting, mild but strong enough to kill bacteria. Alcohol sanitizers are less effective in removing dirt from hands compared to Alcohol free products.
Alcohol-free products contain ethoxylated glycerine or polyethylene glycol along with emollients to give a smooth soft feeling, though alcohol based ones don't contain any such ingredients. Alcohol-based sanitiser is made of solvents like ethanol(also known as ethyl alcohol), isopropanol and propylene glycol. Alcohol-based sanitizers cause a sensation of instant dryness because of alcohol which dries out your hands, Alcohol free Hand Wash tends to leave a tacky residue that you can feel for up to an hour after application. Alcohol free hand wash contains 70% to 90% water while Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer contains 85% ethanol or ethyl alcohol. Alcohol containing product is more effective against rhinoviruses than Alcohol free Hand Wash, but Alcohol free Hand Wash doesn't have any ill effects on skin as far as scientific evidence goes(5). Scientific studies don't show any link between use of Alcohol based Hand Sanitizer and formation of wrinkles though it is used by people with very sensitive skin. Alcohol-Free Hand Wash is made of water, glycerine and essential oils or other ingredients like chamomile or lavender that may be added for better feel on skin(6). Alcohol free Hand Sanitizer is not as fast acting as Alcohol containing Hand Sanitizer but Alcohol free hand sanitisers are considered to be more effective against gram-negative bacteria than Alcohol containing ones. Alcohol Free Hand Wash doesn't contain ethanol or ethyl alcohol so it may be used by people who are sensitive to these chemicals.
