How Hand Sanitizers Work to Keep Us Safe
Hand sanitizer has become a hot commodity in 2020. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, sanitizers have been a highly sought-after amenity to keep the virus at bay. In fact, many companies whose own product manufacturing has taken a hit during the pandemic have now begun to offer their resources to manufacture hand sanitizers. Many laboratories have also begun conducting new studies around hand sanitizer ingredients to meet the current need for effective and safe sanitizers. If you’ve wondered how hand sanitizers work during the pandemic, look no further.
Essential Ingredients in Hand Sanitizer
The main ingredient in hand sanitizer is isopropanol (rubbing) alcohol or ethanol, a component one finds most commonly in alcoholic drinks. One of these ingredients combines with glycerin, water, and a fragrance to create hand sanitizer.
How Hand Sanitizers Work
The alcohol in hand sanitizer works to kill microbial cells. Alcohol destroys pathogens by breaking up proteins, splitting cells into pieces, or disrupting the cell’s membrane. More specifically, the hand sanitizer will tackle a virus by disrupting the virus’s outer coat. For bacteria, it will disrupt a cell’s membrane. In doing so, hand sanitizer works extremely well to eliminate viruses and bacteria from the hands. Sanitizers with approximately 70% alcohol concentration are the best frontline protection, as sanitizers can work more quickly and effectively as the concentration of alcohol increases.
Dangers of Hand Sanitizers
While hand sanitizers work very well for eliminating bacterial and viral cells, there are a few dangers to take note of. Hand sanitizer does not work for all germs and cannot eliminate chemicals or pesticides. For this reason, handwashing is still the best option when available. Consumers should also be wary of hand sanitizer that contains methanol. In the wake of the pandemic, some distributors have begun using methanol in their hand sanitizers, but methanol is toxic and best to avoid. Be sure that the sanitizer you purchase is FDA-approved.
The right hand sanitizer can come in handy to kill germs and unwanted bacteria. By using alcohol, such as isopropanol or ethanol, you’ll kill microbial cells and keep your immune system safe.
