Hand sanitizers have existed for a very long and they have taken a disproportionate place in our lives. However, it’s true that some hand sanitizers are better and more effective than others. Also, all hand sanitizers don’t work well on germs and bacteria. Some of these contain harsh chemicals and have serious health consequences for you and your loved ones.
If you are looking for the best hand sanitizer for 2024, you are in the right place. Here we present a selection of the best hand sanitizers that are analyzed by expert medical team. We have put together detailed information with the pros and cons of each model we have reviewed.
Our recommendation is based on research, test, and data aggregated from different sources. For example, consumer association test reports, WTO, field reports, and real customer reviews.
Best Hand Sanitizers in 2024
The best hand sanitizer on the market is undoubtedly PURELL Advanced. It comes in several sizes, ranging from a mini bottle for the handbag (which costs just a few dollars) to a liter container with a pump.
10 Best Hand Sanitizers – At a Glance
- 1. Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer – Best Overall
- 2. Purell Gell Hand Sanitizer – Table Top Pump Bottle
- 3. CleanWell Botanical – Antibacterial Foaming For Home Gym
- 4. Five Star-Star San – High Foaming Sanitizer
- 5. Clorox 02176 Hand Sanitizer – Built with Spray
- 6. Germ-X Hand Sanitizer – With Vitamin E
- 7. Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer – Travel Size
- 8. Purell Travel Sized Hand Sanitizer – Editor’s Choice
- 9. Germ-X Hand Sanitizer, Aloe – Best Value
- 10. Babyganics Alcohol-Free – Easy to Hand Sanitizer
1. Purell 8 fl oz pump bottle Advanced Hand Sanitizer
Purell is a top-quality hand sanitizer brand on the market, ensuring cleanliness without leaving any lingering odor. Having this product on hand provides a sense of security and a pleasant feeling. it is convenient for refilling smaller containers, making it suitable for purses or travel-sized containers of 1-oz capacity.
Purell hand sanitizer is enriched with four nourishing skin-conditioning agents, presenting a skin-friendly formulation that is gentle on the hands. It proves to be milder on the skin compared to plain hand sanitizers. It is clinically proven and effective in maintaining skin health, skin moisture and skin feel.
This advanced hand sanitizer is very smooth and does not dry on your hands! You can remove the cap from several travel bottles and pump the gel into them. However, it takes a little time and patience to work the air out as you fill. This decorative hand sanitizer is also perfect for in-home use in kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, or diaper-changing areas.
It has Aloe in it which is great for kids’ skin. Its gel formulation with emollient products makes it ideal even for those who have very delicate skin. Overall, these are great to carry around the house to keep germs at bay, especially when it’s cold and flu season.
- Great size for unlike other brands
- It doesn’t dry out your hands too terribly
- Perfect for multi-purpose use such as travel, home, gym, office, and more
- Extremely effective against bacteria
- Fine for sensitive skin
- Evaporates quickly
- This product is not gluten-free
2. PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer & Refreshing Gel
PURELL offers a variety of bottle sizes to cater to different needs and budgets. It stands out in germ-killing efficacy, with just one squirt of Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer eliminating as many germs as two squirts of any other national brand. This exceptional effectiveness is a key reason why we recommend multiple options from this brand.
This advanced hand sanitizer works great for viruses and looks pretty good. The bottles are prettier than the usual hand sanitizer bottles. It is convenient when you don’t have a bathroom in your dorm room and want to clean your hands quickly. Because the size is appropriate for sitting on a tabletop in any room.
This 8 fl oz pump bottle model is enhanced with four nourishing skin-conditioning agents. It’s a step up above the usual if you are going to have it sitting somewhere prominent.
However, the advanced design means the bottle is unstable. Instead of a broad bottom, which would make sense, they have “designed” it by cutting along the edges at an angle, destroying the stability of the bottles. If you do not set them down carefully, they will fall over.
- Bottles look pretty nice
- It keeps 99.9 percent germ-free
- Comes with safely packaged
- Perfect size for any room
- Designed for frequent use
- Very pungent alcohol smell
3. CleanWell Botanical Antibacterial Nontoxic Hand Sanitizer
CleanWell sanitizer offers several notable advantages: its longevity is extended due to the foaming pump. And you may know that a foaming disinfectant is the best choice when you have children in your home. No nasty chemicals and your hands feel clean after using it instead of grubby like traditional sanitizer.
CleanWell Botanical hand sanitizer is also good for those with sensitive skin. It smells great. It is Kids-Friendly and made with only plant-based ingredients – no animal products, no harsh ingredients, and no toxic chemicals. The price is cheap compared to buying several individual bottles, and it means less plastic waste.
The active ingredient in CleanWell products is Thymol, a component of thyme oil. Thymol has been clinically proven to kill over 99.9% of common household germs, specifically Influenza A, Rhinovirus, Staphylococcus Aureus, Salmonella Enterica, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. In a few seconds, your hands will be sanitized and fragrant.
- Nontoxic and smells pretty strong
- Kid-safe and great for soft-skin
- Very reasonable price
- Certified cruelty-free
- Fresh clean scent
- It can’t be refilled
- Small capacity
4. Five Star 6022b_ – Star San High Foaming Sanitizer
If you’re looking for an ideal food-safe sanitizer suitable for both home and commercial use, the Five Star is the optimal choice. This single bottle yields approximately 150 gallons of sanitizing fluid, making it perfect for applications such as home brewing, small restaurants, and scenarios where you want to eliminate bacteria without imparting a cleaner smell or taste. It works as a germicide to eliminate 99.9% of the germs.
All products have been formulated to work on every type of brewing equipment while also maintaining the integrity of the surface. If making high-quality beer, wine, cider, or spirits is your priority, the Five Star sanitizer should be your first choice for all of your cleaning and sanitizing needs.
However, this container is specifically designed for use in industries such as food processing and manufacturing so it would be ideal for that. As with sanitizing anything, you must clean the surface with an appropriate cleanser and then sanitize it with Star San.
- Reduces water spotting
- Versatile use
- Safe for use on most brewing equipment surfaces
- Short contact time
- No rinse necessary
- Self-foaming
- Foam is somewhat intimidating
5. Clorox (02176) Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizer
Clorox is a wonderful hand sanitizer for sensitive skin! It is liquid and evaporates quickly and does not have much of an odor. The best thing is that the alcohol content is high enough that it will kill norovirus, the most common cause of gastroenteritis, which most other hand sanitizers (especially the gel type) do not.
It’s not a stream of liquid or a gel. It has a wide fine mist to it and does an outstanding job of coating the hands. This bottle is perfect for having in an office, for keeping in the cup holder of the car, etc. It doesn’t leave that horrible alcohol film. It is an extremely effective product against viruses and bacteria.
There are no perfumes to linger and spoil the smell and taste of food. Although the product says it has some skin moisturizers, they don’t dwell on your hands. It takes a few times to get used to the feel of it when you squirt it into your hands, as everyone is used to the gel type.
Clorox hand disinfectant can be used on any occasion when there is not an immediate availability of soap and water to clean the hands. The product is contained in a 16.9oz bottle and represents.
- Bleach-free formula kills 99.999% of germs in 15 seconds
- Provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity
- It doesn’t dry your hands out too bad
- From Clorox Commercial Solutions
- Very cheap price
- It can be a little harsh on your hands
6. Germ-X Hand Sanitizer with Convenient Pump Bottle
The Germ-X is a perfect six-pack hand sanitizer at a reasonable cost. Each bottle is 30 ounces, and the 6 of them add up to 180 ounces. This is a great product and not sticky.
Germ-x hand sanitizer smells good and leaves hands soft. The formula of 63 percent ethyl alcohol makes it an excellent antiseptic that has a drying effect so that the gel will dry quickly. It is an ecological and biodegradable sanitizer that will ensure a soft touch on your hands.
It has a moisturizing formula that leaves your hands feeling clean and refreshed after using it. Germ-X hand sanitizer kills 99.99% of many common harmful germs and bacteria in as little as 15 seconds. Aloe formula with Vitamin E makes it gentle enough for hands and faces (even the little ones).
It has a convenient pump for easy dispensing. The skin-friendly aloe formula that’s mild on the hands leaving hands feeling soft and fresh. The green aloe vera not only keeps the hands soft but also from cracking. It has an aloe vera scent too, mild smell. Overall, it is an extremely effective product against bacteria.
- Kills germs and bacteria in less than 15 seconds
- Aloe formula with Vitamin E
- Skin-friendly aloe formula
- Convenient 8-ounce size
- Reasonable price
- Ethyl Alcohol is only 62% (antiseptic)
7. Purell Travel Size 125pcs Advanced Hand Sanitizer
In a restaurant, it’s important to acknowledge that the menu you’re holding may have been handled by various individuals, including those who may have coughed or sneezed on it. To address this concern, consider using the Purell single-pack hand sanitizer after perusing the menu, ensuring that your hands are clean before handling your food.
PURELL travel-size advanced hand sanitizer is manufactured with a 3-year expiration. The specific expiration date is visible on the individual packets. It is made of 70% ethyl alcohol. Having these little packets makes it somewhat easier to be more discreet about using hand sanitizer in the company of others.
These single-pack hand sanitizers are perfect for daily consumers and healthcare professionals who administer home healthcare. Also great for people who want on-the-go cleaning and refreshing for Travel, Exercise, and Outdoor Sporting Events and Concerts.
The package comes with 125 pieces. The amount of liquid is enough to cleanse both hands thoroughly. These things are pretty handy, especially if you’re sharing with someone who wants some of your sanitizers. You don’t have to worry about sharing one of those pocket-sized bottles with anyone and making sure you don’t accidentally leave it on the restaurant table as I’ve done so many times before.
- Smell exactly like regular Purell 1 liter bottles
- 125 individual packets in a display box
- You can put it in a pocket to have handy
- One-handed operation
- Great choice for everyone
- Sometimes you forget where you put it (size fact)
8. Germ-X 30oz Pump Bottle 4-Pack Hand Sanitizer
This is the small package of the Germ-X hand sanitizer, each bottle is 30 ounces, and the 4 of them add up to 120 ounces. It is a great antiseptic that has a fast-drying effect so that the gel will dry very quickly. The liquid is not sticky. It smells good and leaves hands soft. It works well on both viruses and Bacteria.
It contains aloe vera that not only keeps the hands soft but also from cracking. Germ-X hand cleaner is cruelty-free, therefore not tested on animals. This is an excellent product if you are in the germ-prevention frame of mind. It is also a great value for the money, especially compared to other more expensive brands.
Like all the Germ X hand sanitizers, this product is formulated to meet FDA standards for humans. Therefore, you should talk to your vet about effective hand cleaners to use before handling tropical birds.
- Moisturizing with Vitamin E
- Fits on any desk, counter or sink
- Perfect for the car door side pocket and the diaper bag
- They don’t dry out your hands
- Each bottle is 30 ounces
- The pump won’t get the last half inch out well
9. Babyganics Alcohol-Free Pump Foaming Hand Sanitizer
Your entire family can confidently embrace the Babyganics hand hygiene line, particularly when caring for your baby’s sensitive skin. The Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizers from Babyganics are thoughtfully crafted with little ones in mind, featuring low levels of cleansing agents that are gentle and suitable for use on delicate baby hands.
This does not make your hands sticky at all. You won’t get the alcohol cooling feeling when using this product and it takes a bit longer to rub in (by a few seconds), but the big plus side is that your hands don’t dry out with multiple uses per day and you aren’t overwhelmed since there is no scent.
The pump is easy to use, but the product is a little watery. A little goes a long way, so little hands might tend to pump too much at once. A small size 8.45oz bottle makes them easily transportable. They are very easy to find in your bag! The pump bottle is small enough to put in your diaper bag without a push handle to avoid a mess.
- Plant-derived ingredients
- It is completely Alcohol-free
- Healthy moisturizing formula
- Non-allergenic – dermatologist tested
- Best quality hand sanitizer ever
- Smell that is hardly noticeable unless you hold your hands to your nose
10. Purell Travel Sized Flip Cap Bottles with Display Bowl
They are the 1 oz mini travel size in a large plastic bowl. For example, the one you see hanging outside of some women’s purses. The expiration date is on the bottle and the case. Like most Purell hand sanitizers, it kills 99.99% of the most common germs that may cause illness and viruses would be included. It is ethyl alcohol, which is an antimicrobial substance.
It is a clinically tested hydroalcoholic product and is gentle on the skin. Resealable tape seals the label in quarter fold onto the back of each bottle and allows the label to be opened wide from the back and refolded and re-taped to the back again.
This Display Bowl hand sanitizer could be a substantial gift for those parents and grandparents (and yourself) who whip these out before eating out at home or camping. You are getting a lot of these little bottles by buying them in this package, but the expiration date is three years from now, so you should be able to use them up in that time even if you are not sharing them with the family.
- Good for ease-of-access
- Handy to keep one everywhere you spend time
- Comes in a nice package
- Very convenient container
- Great choice for smart travelers
- Active Ingredient 62% Ethyl Alcohol
- Only one-ounce size bottles
Bonus Review:
#SheaMoisture Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer for Dry Skin
The SheaMoisture Advanced Original Hand Sanitizer kills more than 99.99% of many common germs and bacteria on our hands. It has a mild, fresh scent. This is a cheap alternative that can just be placed on tables and bathroom counters around the building.
Compared to its competitors and the most widely advertised hand sanitizer on the market, this advanced gel is suitable for those who don’t like too strong smells. The view you are looking at is four – each bottle contains 8 oz and a total of 32oz. This item is also available in different sizes.
It isn’t a substitute for hand washing but if you can’t wash your hands, this is an excellent alternative. The scent is a tad strong but great for sensitive skin. However, this is a home consumer product; anything with a downward-oriented dispensing pump needs a counter or table. Thanks to its light fragrance, it is a truly excellent product at a reasonable cost.
- Perfect cleanser for dry skin
- Dries quickly without leaving a smell
- Leaves hands feeling soft
- Advanced formula
- The smell is really good
- Small size
- Effective only dry skin
Tips for Choosing the Best Hand Sanitizers
If you are considering acquiring a high-quality hand sanitizer, you have to know several points to avoid the risk of skin problems. That is why when selecting the hand disinfectant, consider these features:
Quality of the hand sanitizers
A high-quality hand sanitizer serves the crucial purpose of eliminating bacteria and preventing infections, especially in situations where access to water and soap is limited. It is particularly useful when away from home, such as during meals or when engaging in activities that demand good hygiene practices.
Quality Hand sanitizers have the following characteristics:
- They smell good, or at least they don’t smell too chemical or yucky
- Have a pleasant texture – neither too “oily” nor sticky
- Absorb quickly into the skin
- Don’t make hands dry and can even help moisturize them.
Antiseptic formula
Keep in mind that the hand sanitizer you choose has an alcohol content with a concentration greater than sixty percent. Otherwise, the sanitizer won’t act efficiently to kill the germs. If you prefer to select a hand sanitizer that does not contain alcohol very well or less than 60%, it could be very harmful to health, and cause various problems such as weakness in the muscles or even allergies.
In some hand sanitizers, instead of alcohol, we find other substances such as disinfectant additives or antibacterial chemicals that effectively kill bacteria. However, we do not recommend hand sanitizers that include triclosan or benzalkonium.
Healthy & safety
Hand sanitizers are strong chemical products and therefore you should keep them out of the reach of children because they can suffer intoxication. When children need to clean their hands with sanitizer, they always do it under adult supervision and if possible the best thing is that they do not use these products constantly because young skins are more sensitive to all kinds of exposure.
We recommend that you always select hand sanitizers that are as natural as possible. They don’t need to smell good because normally if they do it is because they will have many more chemicals, so it is always a better option to choose more natural products.
The price
The price varies depending on the product and its composition. A cheaper product is not as effective as one at a higher price. Before buying a hand sanitizer at a cheap price, you must be careful that there are no harmful substances inside, such as synthetic fragrances and additives that are dangerous to health.
Our advice is therefore to buy products that are effective in sanitizing, and disinfecting, and are also safe for your health. You don’t need to worry about the excessive price because it can vary from 2 to 5 dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use hand sanitizer?
The way and time you use hand sanitizer affect its effectiveness. If used on visibly dirty hands, many hand sanitizers will not have a beneficial effect on the germs that settle there. If applied instead on fairly clean hands, you leave it on for thirty seconds, taking care to let it dry, and you will have the maximum antiseptic action.
Hand sanitizer can not only kill bacteria but also some fungi and viruses and is more effective in preventing infections or bacterial diseases if you use it only when it is really needed and in moderation.
Well-recognized hygiene organizations, even the World Health Organization (WTO) recommend using hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
When do the hands need to be disinfected?
- When entering the production rooms or the work area.
- When actively handling food.
- After working with critical food such as meat, poultry, fish and eggs.
- After cleaning work or working with rubbish and dirt
- After using the toilet or, and this is very important, blowing your nose.
- Before putting on work shoes or boots and after taking them off.
- Before putting on disposable gloves and after removing them.
Does the hand sanitizer really work?
We say yes, but its effectiveness depends on what you want to achieve and on its use. As we already mentioned, the places where the sanitizer can come back really useful are those where it is essential to wash your hands and where germs are more prone to nest as hospitals or nursery schools.
Many studies have shown that the presence and use of hand sanitizers in schools would help children protect themselves from the spread of infections and viruses and therefore would be useful to prevent children from becoming sick and absent from school. The same goes for the workplace.
Which elements a good hand sanitizer must have?
A good hand sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol, otherwise, it cannot guarantee the elimination of viruses and bacteria. It must contain emollient products to avoid causing damage to the skin. It must be contained in convenient dispensers so that it can be stored in the bag and always have them at hand. Because alcohol-free hand sanitizer can cause troubling side effects and therefore pose a potential health hazard.
Can hand sanitizer be harmful?
Hand sanitizer can be harmful if ingested or used improperly. It should be used only on the hands and not on other parts of the body. Ingesting hand sanitizer can be dangerous, especially for young children, and can cause alcohol poisoning.
Can hand sanitizer expire?
Yes, hand sanitizer can expire. Check the expiration date on the bottle before using it, and discard any hand sanitizer that has expired. Expired hand sanitizer may be less effective at killing germs and bacteria.
How should hand sanitizer be stored?
Hand sanitizer should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources. It should also be kept out of reach of young children, as ingesting hand sanitizer can be dangerous.
Conclusion
When selecting a hand sanitizer bottle, you should always review its composition to choose the best high-quality products that can help you disinfect your hands to be very efficient and keep yourself hydrated and healthy at all times and in any place. Choose products from reputable brands or those recommended by health organizations.
Are you ready to pick the best hand sanitizer that is suitable for your budget? We hope that this article has managed to address you in the best possible way to choose an effective hand sanitizer.
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can I order some my employees hands are cracking and need something that will sooth their hands. I just bought gloves but wont be here for a while. I’m a pizza parlor trying to keep up with demand and protect my employees as much as possible. We are overwhelmed with orders and that just tells you how much they are cleaning their hands. If you have any suggestions ill be more than happy to take them. I am out of ideas. Been I think everywhere but most are saved for hospitals. I am next going to
the PX to see what I can get there.