These 9 Hand Sanitizers are Harmful to Your Health

These hand sanitizers contain harmful ingredients according to the FDA

Since the pandemic started back in March, you may have noticed a ton of new hand sanitizer brands appear at your local grocery or drugstore. While it’s true that hand sanitizer is in high demand right now, not all hand sanitizers are created equal. Some are actually made with ingredients that are harmful to your health. That’s why it’s so important to read labels and check the FDA website frequently for product recalls.

In fact, the FDA recently issued a warning about nine different hand sanitizer products manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico. These products may contain wood alcohol, otherwise known as methanol, methyl alcohol, and carbinol. Compared to ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, methanol is not very effective at killing bacteria and viruses. Not only that, but methanol is toxic and can be absorbed through your skin, stomach, and lungs. Symptoms of methanol poisoning include nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, weakness, headaches, seizures, coma, permanent damage to your nervous system, and even death.

Which hand sanitizer products should you avoid?

The nine products made by Eskbiochem that you should avoid because they contain toxic methanol are:

All-Clean Hand Sanitizer
Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol
Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer
The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (lot number 74589-005-03)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (lot number 74589-003-01)
Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer

If you have one of these products in your home, stop using them immediately and dispose of them in the appropriate hazardous waste containers.

Which hand sanitizers should you use?

While the best and most recommended way to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria is to wash your hands, in situations where you might not be near a faucet, hand sanitizers are the next best thing. Experts recommend using hand sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent ethanol alcohol or 70 percent isopropanol alcohol. But if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition like eczema, opt for an alcohol-free version.

Some of the best all-natural hand sanitizers to use according to beauty editors are:

Honest Hand Sanitizer Spray. This plant-based sanitizer effectively kills 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria. It’s also formulated with glycerin and aloe to moisturize skin.
Dr. Bronner’s Lavendar Hand Sanitizer. This all-natural hand sanitizer contains 62 percent ethyl alcohol, organic lavender oil, and organic glycerin, plus it smells divine.
Baby Bum Hand Sanitizer. This sanitizer is 62 percent alcohol and is formulated with coconut oil, cucumber, and banana extract for a light summery scent.
Everyone Hand Sanitizer Spray. This hand sanitizer is 99.9 percent effective against the most common germs and uses alcohol derived from non-GMO sugar cane.
Primally Pure Hand Sanitizer. This hand sanitizer protects against all types of germs. It contains 63 percent grape seed alcohol to kill viruses, including coronavirus, and other harmful bacteria. It’s also made with organic essential oils to soothe irritation.

Remember to use a quarter-size dollop of hand sanitizer. Rub your hands together for about 20 seconds and let them dry thoroughly. After applying, make sure to use a moisturizer to restore hydration, since hand sanitizer can be drying.

References

“FDA: Don’t Use These 9 Hand Sanitizers Due to Toxic Ingredients,” Forbes, June 22, 2020.
“The 38 Best Hand Sanitizers to Clean Hands in a Pinch,” Allure, June 29, 2020.