Switch to Safer: Hand Sanitizer (plus my four faves!)

Well folks, it looks like the days of carrying around hand sanitizer are here to stay! After three plus months in NYC and two more out in NJ I’ve gone through countless bottles and sprays and found four favorites that are clean, safe and effective.

But before we get into my recs, it’s important to note that anti-bacterial spray is a great option in a pinch but should not take the place of hand washing. When possible, you want to wash hands and surfaces with soap and water to remove germs (the CDC agrees). Why? Well, each method works differently. Here’s a quick rundown: soap and water remove germs from surfaces by washing them away while sanitizers and disinfectants kill germs and typically leave them in place or move them around. You can read the science behind this here and here, and get tips and tricks for cleaning with soap and water here.

On top of that, sanitizers and disinfectants can contain toxic ingredients, kill good bacteria and can create resistant superbugs when germs don’t die. Yuck! 

TOXIC INGREDIENTS TO AVOID

While cosmetics and personal care products are only loosely regulated by the FDA (there hasn’t been an update on safety regulations since 1938) hand sanitizers are considered over the counter (OTC) drugs and are therefore somewhat actively regulated. As of THIS WEEK, the FDA released an alert about hand sanitizers claiming to use ethanol or isopropyl alcohol that tested postive for 1-propanol contamination – a toxin that can depress the central nervous system. Others have been found to contain methanol, which can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can cause everything from nausea and vomiting to blurred vision, seizures and permanent nervous system damage. The alert contains a list of brands and products to avoid. You can also find responses to frequently asked questions about hand sanitizer and COVID here.

And while it’s critical to be aware of 1-propanol and methanol, a quick look at the ingredient lists of many popular hand sanitizers reveals a need for consumers to be even more discerning. Many hand sanitizers contain ingredients of questionable safety with known impacts on human health. Before you buy, keep an eye out for the following:

TRICLOSAN

A synthetic pesticide with antibacterial properties that, interestingly, cannot kill cold and flu-like viruses. In 2017 the FDA banned the use of triclosan in anti-bacterial soaps, and in 2019 it banned triclosan and benzethonium chloride from hand sanitizers (or “antiseptic rubs”) but still permits its use in other products (toothpaste, cosmetics) despite there being potential risks. Not cool. Since this is a relatively new regulation, make sure you check your labels! Some more info can be found here.

FRAGRANCE AND PHTHALATES

Ohh fragrance, you are everywhere. I really gotta do a full post on fragrance, but the main bug-a-boo about it is that companies don’t have to disclose what is actual in the umbrella term “fragrance” because they are protected by trade secret laws. As a result, fragrance ingredients are classified as allergens, hormone disruptors and carginogens. Phthalates (known endocrine disruptors, meaning they mimic hormones in our body and literally disrupt everything) are typically included as well, as they help with the staying power of the scent. More on this here and here.

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE AND SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE

These are both surfactants aka they help soaps foam. But unfortunately they come with a host of other issues, mainly due to contamination concerns. Both can be contaminated with ethylele oxide and 1,4-dioxane – known and possible carcinogens. More on that here.

ONE LAST NOTE

It’s also important to note that in the FDA’s 2019 ruling, three active ingredients – benzalkonium chloride, ethyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol – were, and I quote “being deferred from further rulemaking to allow for the ongoing study and submission of additional safety and effectiveness data necessary to make a determination regarding whether these active ingredients are generally recognized as safe and effective for use in OTC consumer antiseptic rub products.” So essentially the FDA is still evaluating the top three ingredients in hand sanitizers to determine whether or not they are GRASE (generally recognized as safe and effective). They can’t say they aren’t safe, but they can’t say they are either. In the meantime, per typical FDA protocol, they have no plans to take anything off of the market until they know more. It seems odd that a product that has been on the market for decades still doesn’t have adequate safety data, but, sadly, this is pretty common with the FDA. Bottom line? Wash your hands with regular (not anti-bacterial) soap if at all possible.

A CLOSER LOOK…

Just for fun, let’s take a look at two commonly used brands of hand sanitizer: Purell and Bath and Body Works. I don’t remember the last time I visited the latter, but I def had one of those colorful triangles hanging from my backpack or bag at some point and I’m guessing you did too! Let’s delve right in.

PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer

Okay this has to be one that most people have used! It’s not that bad, all things considered, but still worth looking into. I don’t actually own this so I had to look it up. Here are the ingredients from drugs.com:

Water (Aqua), Isopropyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Fragrance (Parfum)

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, rates this product as a 3 on the hazard scale (more info here), mainly due to fragrance. There are some limitations to the EWG scaling system, which I’ll go into in another post, but it’s definitely a great place to start when trying to figure whether or not a product is safe. Click here to search your own products!

BATH AND BODY WORKS Hand Sanitizer in Sweet Pea

Fun fact: Bath and Body Works doesn’t actually list their ingredients on their site, an annoying but common habit with big brands. The info is always somewhere though, so here’s the list from drugs.com:

Water (Aqua, Eau), Isopropyl Alcohol, Fragrance (Parfum), Honey Extract (Mel, Extrait de miel), Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Wheat Amino Acids, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Carbomer, Cellulose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Lactose, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ultramarines (CI 77007), Red 33 (CI 17200), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 40 (CI 16035), Blue 1 (CI 42090)

Okay first of all why are there a zillion ingredients, some of which I cannot pronounce? That makes me step back immediately. Second, I bolded the biggest offenders – the EWG rates each of these at 8 or 9 on the hazard scale – you can see all the scores for this product here. Also what the heck are wheat and lactose doing in there? No thanks.

SAFER OPTIONS TO USE INSTEAD

Now, the info above doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be using any disinfectants, just that we should be smart about the ones we do use and aim not to use them on a day to day basis. Look out for the ingredients above and make sure your sanitizer has at least 60% alcohol. And last but not least, one big thing I’ve learned that I found particularly helpful is that if you’re going to disinfect – especially surfaces in your home – you always want to clean with soap and water prior to disinfecting as dirt and grease can inhibit disinfectants from properly doing their job. I use and love Branch Basics (use this link for $10 off!) and Thieves Cleaner by Young Living.

And now, my four safer faves:

GROVE COLLABORATIVE Hydrating Gel Hand Sanitizer

This sweet smelling gel (or spray) is made with 62% alcohol and coconut oil which adds hydration and has anti-bacterial and antifungal properties! The blood orange scent is delightful (and comes from essential oils) plus the formula is fast-absorbing and eliminates 99.9% of germs. It also comes in spray form! BONUS – Grove is a Certified B-Corp and Grove products are made in the USA! This option is definitely the most hydrating – I looove how smooth it is without being sticky and that it’s very cost effective! It’s rated a 2 on the EWG hazard scale (details here) / $7.95 for 7.5oz or $3.95 for 2oz

PHLUR Hydrating Hand Sanitizer

My favorite clean perfume company, Phlur, recently launched a plant-based spray hand sanitizer with 72% alcohol and it is fantastic. Fun fact: The alcohol they use is ethanol derived from corn or sugarcane that is then treated and becomes partly synthetic, much like how spirits are derived from corn, wheat or juniper berries. The other ingredients? Water, Glycerin, Lavender Oil (calming, healing) and Tea Tree Oil (antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory)! Doesn’t get simpler than that! I love the relaxing aroma and that one or two sprays gets the job done (each 2oz bottle delivers roughly 300 sprays!). The lightweight formula leaves hands soft and smooth with no sticky residue, and it’s clean, cruelty free, hypoallergenic and vegan. This is a newer product, and not yet ranked by the EWG. Based on the brand, sourcing and ingredients, I am confident that it is safe. Click here for $5 off at Phlur! / SOLD OUT! Join the waitlist here

THE WELL Clean Hands Hand Sanitizer

This is like, the crème de la crème of hand sanitizers, IMO. The spray is WHO and FDA-approved and 80% alcohol-based. It also features sustainably wild harvested and organic essential oils known for their antimicrobial and mood-supporting properties, with each one coming from a farm or community that has been vetted for its methods of harvesting, land management and extraction process. There are multiple scents – I have the Bergamot & Ylang Ylang – and all are heavenly. I love how lightweight it it is and that it comes in a glass bottle. I will say the bottle is a bit bigger than the others on my list, so while it fits in a fanny pack it’s a bit heavier and better for a desk or purse. This is a newer product, and not yet ranked by the EWG. Based on the brand, sourcing and ingredients, I am confident that it is safe. / $14.00 for 3.4oz

THIEVES Waterless Hand Sanitizer

I’m a Young Living member and am a big fan of Thieves – it’s what I use to clean almost everything in our home! This formula has 65% alcohol, is plant based and contains moisturizing aloe vera and vegetable glycerin. You’ll also find Thieves (cleansing, germ fighting) and peppermint (invigorating) essential oils. What’s not included? Petrochemicals, mineral oil, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, dyes or preservatives. This one is REALLY wet and a little goes a LONG way! I love that the smaller bottles can be refilled with the larger bottle! It’s rated a 3 on the EWG hazard (details here) scale solely due to the essential oil contents. It’s important to note that essential oils, though natural, can be allergenic. This is a limitation of the EWG scaling system, and is def worth noting! / $27.25 for 7.6oz or $5.00 for 1oz

Other clean options? Primally Pure, Dr. Bronners, EO, Everyone and Acure, almost all of which can be found at Whole Foods or on Thrive Market or Grove. Want to check out how your sanitizer ranks? Head on over to the EWG to look it up, or use their hand sanitizer page as a guide!

Bottom line: wash your hands with soap and water. If you can’t, use hand sanitizer. If you’re cleaning surfaces, use both. And if you are going to use hand sanitizer, find a safer one by utilizing the EWG and doing your diligence on what ingredients the company is using, where they come from and how they are sourced. All of these factors play a role in determining safety!