We all are aware of the outbreak of the COVID-19 or Novel coronavirus, declared as a pandemic by the WHO. The crisis of COVID-19 is affected by various countries of the world. It is all over the news, all the time. A lot of information is conveyed regarding prevention from COVID-19. Yet one of the best ways to stay safe is to wash your hands at regular intervals from soap and water. But if soap and water are not accessible, hand sanitizers aids in the elimination of harmful germs.
Hand sanitizer gels and disinfectants are equally essential as masks. Health experts claim that, for long hours, coronavirus remains on various surfaces that are touched regularly with hands. Our hands come in contact with different things throughout the day. If we don't sanitize or wash our hands timely, infectious microbial agents will likely cause harmful diseases when our hands are touched to eyes, nose, or mouth. Hence, It is recommended to clean hands frequently. Since we can't carry soap & water every time and everywhere, instant hand sanitizer gels are considered more convenient.
How to Choose the Ideal hand sanitizer gel?
Two major types of hand sanitizers gel formulations are there: alcohol-based and alcohol-free sanitizers. Alcohol-free hand sanitizers contain benzalkonium chloride instead of alcohol. It can lower the microbial agents but aren't efficacious like alcohol.
Here are some major things to look for while you are choosing an ideal sanitizer for yourself:
Above 60% of Alcohol Concentration
While you are shopping for instant hand sanitizer gel, make sure that you choose an alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel formulation that contains between 60-95% concentration of alcohol, typically isopropyl alcohol, ethanol (ethyl alcohol), or n-propanol. Alcohol is known for its potential to kill most germs.
Moisturizing Agents to combat dryness
Using hand sanitizer frequently can make your hands dry. Choose a sanitizer that also contains aloe, vitamin E, glycerine or glycerol, which act as an emollient to prevent your hands from drying due to action of alcohol.
No artificial scents and chemicals
Look for a sanitizer that devoid of artificial fragrance, and harmful chemicals & allergens like parabens, petroleum ingredients, ammonia, phenoxyethanol, and triethanolamine. If your hand sanitizer is highly scented, most probably it is packed with toxic chemicals.
Apt Packaging
Search for sanitizers available in a bottle with a pump, instead of squeeze bottles. They are quite easy and convenient for everybody to use. Instant hand sanitizer gels are available in different quantity packagings like 50ml, 60ml, 100ml, 250ml, 500ml, and 1L.
Moreover, When you use instant hand sanitizer gel ensure that you use it the correct way. On the back of the bottle, you will find the directions to use. Follow the proper technique. Just apply a coin-sized gel to the palm of your one hand and then rub it gently over both hands until the sanitizer evaporates or dries. This will take around 20 seconds. Do not wipe off the sanitizer before it gets dry. It removes 99.9% of harmful illness-causing germs and quickly evaporates, leaving hand clean and refreshed. On proper usage, hand sanitizer gel offers several benefits over washing hands with soap and water and helps in prevention from COVID-19.