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Hand Sanitizer

Hand Sanitizer vs Soap and Water

There is an age old debate surrounding hand sanitizers and good old fashioned soap and water. A debate that recently has been thrust back into the spotlight! So we have decided to break it down for good and for all. Which is better between using hand sanitizer and washing our hands with soap and water? Which method will really help us stay healthy? The Signitizer presents: Hand Sanitizer vs. Soap and Water.

Pro Hand Sanitizer: It’s Portable!

One of the pros of using hand sanitizer is the portability of it. It’s extremely easy to find travel sized sanitizers at stores, and even easier to bring with you in public. What better, more convenient way is there to keep your hands germ free when you’re on the move? Hand sanitizers will instantly disinfect your hands, and they can effectively neutralize many types of bacteria, microbes, and viruses, including the coronavirus.

Pro Soap and Water: A Gentle and Thorough Clean.

Soap tends to effectively kill germs and viruses in a gentler manner than alcohol based sanitizers. Soap and water is also able to effectively destroy pathogens and parasites that hand sanitizers can’t – such as Giardia and C. difficile. Soap and water is also able to remove dirt; which hand sanitizers tend to rub around on the skin.

Con Hand Sanitizer: It’s Sticky.

While not all, some hand sanitizers leave users feeling residual stickiness on their hands. And for those of us with sensitive skin, hand sanitizer can be irritating, drying, and too harsh. 

Con Soap and Water: Not Always Accessible

While you could always carry a bottle of soap around with you, you may not always be near running water. Soap alone is not enough to kill germs and viruses; it must be lathered using warm water to be effective. An additional con of soap and water is that it takes a bit more time and diligence to work compared to hand sanitizer. You not only need to lather properly, but for the correct amount of time, followed by drying your hands enough to not easily pick up more bacteria.

What’s The Verdict?

Both hand sanitizer and soap and water get the job done when it comes to destroying bacteria and other pathogens. However, you should always opt for soap and warm water when available. It’ll be the best for your skin, microbiome, and overall health long term. But in those moments when soap and water are unavailable, hand sanitizer is an excellent choice.

Need clean hands in a pinch? A Signitizer, filled with moisturizing hand sanitizer, is your solution. Contact us at 416-640-4477 or info@thesignitizer.com for more information.

Categories
Hand Sanitizer

Are Scented Hand Sanitizers Effective?

Hand sanitizer is an essential item, especially in busy commercial spaces, hospitals, daycares and schools, as well as office buildings. And with so many people using hand sanitizer multiple times throughout the day, the global hand sanitizer market is expected to grow to $2.14 billion by 2027! Manufacturers have caught on, and hand sanitizer products are booming. From gels and creams to colors, glitter, and scents – there are numerous brands and options of hand sanitizer available. But all these choices may make it difficult to know what’s effective and what’s less worth your time. In this article, we will take a closer look at a popular scented hand sanitizer – Bath and Body Works.

Bath & Body Works Scented Sanitizer

For more than 20 years, Bath & Body Works has created scents and hundreds of products for body care and home fragrance items. Including, hand sanitizer! Bath & Body Works hand sanitizers are formulated with 62 to 80 percent ethyl alcohol, which is in compliance with FDA requirements. Its website also states that it doesn’t use methanol in any products, assuring that their hand sanitizers are safe to use and meet all FDA requirements.

Pro’s of Bath & Body Works Scented Sanitizers

  • Popular name brand
  • Has 71 percent ethyl alcohol
  • Enriched with essential oils, shea, vitamin E and aloe
  • Kills most common germs
  • Available in many fun year-round and seasonal scents
  • Amazing fragrances

Con’s of Bath & Body Works Scented Sanitizers

  • Far more expensive than other brands
  • Available only in smaller quantities
  • Contains artificial fragrances and colors

So, while the percent of alcohol ensures that these sanitizers can be effective – they may also come with skin irritations or other side effects due to the artificial fragrances and coloring not found in a standard sanitizer.
It is best to completely avoid artificial scents in hand sanitizer products whenever possible. If you so desire, there are natural ways to add scents to hand sanitizer that are not harmful to you or the environment, such as essential oils. Contact us at 416-640-4477 or info@thesignitizer.com for more information.