What should I look for in a hand sanitizer?
There are a lot of hand sanitizers on the market with different product branding and packaging. These are the three main things to look for when shopping for a sanitizer.
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Alcohol Content
The alcohol content in hand sanitizers is important. It’s the main active ingredient that neutralizes viruses and bacteria. According to the FDA all approved sanitizers must have an ethyl alcohol content of 60-95% to be effective.
The type of alcohol used is another factor that might affect your choice. According to Clean Link ethanol is more effective over isopropyl alcohol. So, ethanol should be the first ingredient you see on the ingredient list.
At Ethisan all our sanitizers contain 70%-80% ethyl alcohol and are approved for sale by Health Canada.
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Avoid Undisclosed Fragrances
Companies are not required to disclose the fragrances in their hand sanitizers ingredient list. Avoid products that only list “fragrance” or “parfum” as an ingredient, which could be a “cocktail of hundreds of ingredients”.
If you are interested in purchasing a scented sanitizer, read the ingredients to ensure the source of the scent is specified.
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Avoid Artificial Dyes
Examples of artificial dyes on the ingredient list are Blue 1, Red 0, and Yellow 5. These ingredients have been linked to harmful effects including the hastening of dermal absorption in damaged skin, allergic reactions, and hyperactivity when ingested.
Always chose safe ingredients and avoid those that you don’t know. If you want to be even more careful about what you put on your hands, take some time to research the ingredient list.
At Ethisan, we have crafted a formula that includes ethically sourced ingredients. Our sanitizers come in many different packaging options from spray bottles, to gel, and pump and more. Click here to find out more.