Alcohol-based, gel hand sanitizers are considered the most effective.
Hand sanitizers, or hand antiseptics, are popular methods used to "clean" hands when soap and water are not available. Hand sanitizers come in various forms such as gels, foams and sprays. Each brand of hand sanitizer uses different ingredients; however, some ingredients are more effective than others.
Antimicrobial or Antiseptic Agents
Antimicrobial (germ killers) or antiseptic (disinfectants that kill germs) agents are the active ingredients in hand sanitizers. Ethanol alcohol, isopropanol and benzalkonium chloride are antiseptics. Triclosan is an antimicrobial.
Fragrance and Dyes
Many hand sanitizers contain artificial fragrances and food dyes that compliment each other. Fruit-scented hand sanitizers are popular and contain fragrances that mimic fruit, such as peach, and are dyed to resemble the fruit color.
Water and Thickening Agents
Water helps prevent hand sanitizer from being solid, and it is a solvent for water-soluble ingredients such as food dyes. Thickening agents like propylene glycol and hydroxymethylcellulose are used to thicken hand sanitizers to form a gel-like consistency.
Moisturizers and Preservatives
Moisturizers such as glycerin, vitamin E and aloe prevent active ingredients such as ethanol alcohol from drying out the skin. Preservatives, like benzophenone, added to hand sanitizers extend their shelf life by preventing the degradation of ingredients and slowing bacterial growth.
Recommendations
The CDC recommends the use of alcohol-based, gel hand sanitizers (those containing ethanol alcohol or isopropanol) with a concentration of 60 percent to 95 percent alcohol. These hand sanitizers were found to be the most effective in killing bacteria and germs.
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