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“What’s in a bottle of sanitizer?”, “Why is it there?” and “Does it even matter?”
Have you ever wondered what all those ingredients are on the label of a hand sanitizer bottle? It’s easy to see that the main “active” ingredient (the ingredient that kills germs) in alcohol-based hand sanitizers is alcohol (like ethanol or ethyl alcohol). And, since it’s the main ingredient, it is the majority of what is in the bottle. (Effective hand sanitizers have an alcohol content between 60% and 95%.)
Of course, alcohol is there to kill bacteria on hands, but have you ever wondered what the “inactive” ingredients are and what they are doing? Does it even matter what else is in the formulation beyond alcohol? Considering that inactive ingredients make up as much as 40% of what’s actually in the product – it’s helpful to know a bit more about these ingredients as you consider the difference between formulas.
After alcohol, the second most abundant ingredient in alcohol-based hand sanitizers is water. The simplest of formulations (aka the “WHO formula” often shared in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic1) contain only four ingredients: ethanol, water, glycerin (aka glycerol), and hydrogen peroxide (which acts as a preservative). While this formula kills germs, it isn’t pleasant to use – it doesn’t smell or feel great on skin. On the other hand, in the more complex products available for purchase, you may find ten ingredients or even more! Some of the common inactive ingredients you may see on the label include:
- Moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and aloe vera that help moisturize and soothe skin.
- Emollients like Vitamin E and different oils that help smooth and soften the skin. They can give the hands a silky feel and help reduce any roughness.
- Fragrances that make the hand sanitizer more appealing to use, like essential oils, help to mask any unpleasant odors and ensure hands are left with a pleasant scent.
- Thickening agents like carbomer that help to create a gel-like texture, since ethanol and water are both watery (or thin) liquids. It can help the hand sanitizer stay in place on the hands for longer – to make sure germs are killed – and can make the product easier to apply.
- pH adjusters like triethanolamine are used to maintain the correct pH level of the product. The pH scale measures how much acid is present in something. Citrus fruits like lemons are “acidic” (meaning they have low pH), while things like water are pH “neutral.” Some things, like bleach, have low acidity and are called “basic” (meaning they have high pH). Products that are too high or too low in pH can sting, burn, or damage skin. Additionally, if a sanitizer’s pH is not optimal, it may not be as effective in killing germs.
- Denaturants like isopropyl alcohol that are unpleasant-tasting ingredients that make the products undesirable to drink to help make sure hand sanitizer is not accidentally consumed or ingested.
The Goldilocks of Formulating a Sanitizer
All these ingredients are important – so it’s tempting to think that “the more, the merrier,” but formulating an effective and aesthetically pleasing hand sanitizer is not that simple. It’s more like a “Goldilocks” type of situation: if you see a label with too few ingredients – you may have a runny product that doesn’t stay on hands long enough to kill germs and may not have enough moisturizers to keep hands healthy. One that reads as having too many ingredients (especially if they are not chosen well) may leave you with a sticky or tacky residue on hands after the alcohol in the formulation evaporates.
Harmonizing ingredients
In reality, it’s less about “How many ingredients are on the label?” and more about “Are the ones there working in harmony?” There is a SCIENCE to making a great hand sanitizer that is not only safe for users and effective against germs but also provides a great user experience. If you are thinking, “Is it really THAT important?” let’s explore what happens if you pick a sanitizer that doesn’t get the formulation right.
Hand sanitizer formulation gone wrong:
1. Drying of skin: Hand sanitizers that don’t have the right balance between levels of alcohol and moisturizers/emollients can be drying to the skin, leading to cracking or irritation. This is particularly problematic with frequent use, in winter months, or when users have conditions like eczema or other types of dermatitis.
2. Sticky or greasy feeling: Hand sanitizers that contain moisturizing agents or thickeners can leave a sticky or greasy feeling on the hands if the product is not formulated properly. This can be unpleasant and make it difficult to quickly get “back to task” after use – like using electronic devices, handling objects, or putting on gloves.
3. Unpleasant scent: Some hand sanitizers have a strong or unpleasant scent, which can be off-putting to some people and discourage product use. If a sanitizer isn’t used – it can’t effectively kill germs.
4. Ineffectiveness: Some hand sanitizers may not be effective at killing germs and bacteria, either because they contain too little alcohol or because they are not used properly due to poor overall product aesthetics.
5. Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to or irritated by certain hand sanitizer ingredients. Indeed, fragrances are one of the most common allergens in personal care products.
For all of these reasons, formulation counts, so it’s important to know what to look for on a label so you can choose a hand sanitizer developed by scientists who know how to make all of the ingredients in the bottle work in harmony.
One easy-to-spot indicator on a label? The PURELL® brand logo. PURELL® Hand Sanitizer was invented in 1988 by GOJO scientists, and 35 years later, it remains America’s #1 Hand Sanitizer for a reason.*