These days, everyone is buying hand sanitizer, so much so that in recent months there have been shortages. While it’s definitely a good idea to keep your hands free of harmful germs, what you don’t know about hand sanitizer could be reducing its effectiveness every time you use it, or even causing more harm than good.
DID YOU KNOW: Handwashing with soap works by mechanically removing pathogens and alcohol-based hand sanitizers work by killing or inactivating them.
Your Formula Matters
Did you know that some hand sanitizers work better than others? Some companies sell products that rely on benzalkonium chloride, but current evidence indicates it’s less effective against certain bacteria and viruses than alcohol-based formulas. That’s why the FDA and CDC recommend using products that contain at least 60% ethanol, and why Modere Hand Sanitizer features 80% alcohol that’s derived from corn.
Another reason to choose alcohol-based hand sanitizers is they don’t contribute to antibiotic resistance. That’s right, some chemical methods of fighting germs lead to an increase in antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers help kill germs, including antibiotic-resistant superbugs, by destroying the proteins and protective outer membrane that germs need to survive. This method is preferred because it’s proven not to contribute to antibiotic resistance.
DID YOU KNOW: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill the bad bacteria that make you sick, but your hands also have good bacteria on them that your body needs to stay healthy. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill both the good and bad germs, but the good germs quickly and naturally come back.
Your Brand Matters
It’s also essential to choose a brand that you can trust. With the enormous rise in hand sanitizer use, the FDA is allowing more companies to produce hand sanitizer. While this helped mitigate the supply issues that individuals and health professionals were facing, it’s also caused problems.
Recently, the FDA found that more than 20 hand sanitizer brands sold in North America were contaminated with methanol, which can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested – symptoms include skin irritation, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, reduced level of consciousness, difficulty coordinating muscle movement, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, blindness, difficulty breathing and heart failure. The dramatic increase in hand sanitizer usage significantly increases exposure risks, so it’s important to only buy from a company with a proven safety record that you know you can trust.
Should you dump your hand sanitizer? See if your hand sanitizer is on the FDA’s growing list of recalled products.
PRO TIP: Check the label for a 60% or higher concentration of alcohol and only buy from a brand you trust.
Your Technique Matters
Even if you’ve chosen a safe, effective product, if you use it wrong, it won’t be as effective as it could be. You need to use enough alcohol-based hand sanitizer to cover your hands completely, but getting too much can be messy. Modere Hand Sanitizer uses a spray bottle, so it’s easy to get just the right amount and ensure even coverage. Depending on the size of your hands, just one or two pumps are sufficient to significantly help reduce potentially disease-causing germs.
When using hand sanitizer, the CDC recommends applying it to your hands and rubbing them together, making sure to cover all surfaces. Continue rubbing until your hands feel dry. If you’ve applied the right amount, this should take about 20 seconds.
PRO TIP: the 3 spots that often get missed or receive insufficient sanitizer are:
- Your thumbs
- Your fingertips
- Between your fingers
Your Timing Matters
Not only do you need to remember to rub the sanitizer on your hands for 20 seconds, but the CDC also recommends you apply it at specific times. You should wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before or after the following [number 2, 4 and 6 are frequently missed]:
- Before eating or preparing food
- Before touching your face
- After using the restroom
- After leaving a public place
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After handling your cloth face covering
- After changing a diaper
- After caring for someone sick
- After touching animals or pets
Modere Hand Sanitizer
Modere Hand Sanitizer checks all the boxes – alcohol-based, high alcohol content (80%) and we’re a proven brand that’s built on a foundation of safety. Plus, our alcohol is naturally derived from corn and highly effective.
Use Modere Hand Sanitizer Spray throughout the day for a convenient way to sanitize your hands when soap and water aren’t readily available. The formula quickly reduces disease-causing bacteria, helping you stay healthy. Plus, it’s easy to apply, quick-drying and won’t leave a sticky residue.
Choose clean label confidence. Order your Modere Hand Sanitizer now.
