Category: Hand Sanitizer

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Hand Sanitizer

Dry Skin Relief Tips from Using Hand Sanitizer

Dry Skin Relief From Hand Sanitizer

Frequent hand washing and sanitizing is an important method for preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses. However, they can also be extremely drying to your skin, which is not only uncomfortable but can lead to a weakened barrier for bacteria and viruses to penetrate. Germ prevention and skin care can go hand in hand. We’ve put together some tips to relieve the dry skin caused by frequent hand sanitizer use.

Understand What Causes Dry Skin

Washing or sanitizing your hands can also strip the natural and protective oils from your skin. These oils often help retain moisture, which alcohol based sanitizers strip away. 

Avoid Harsh Ingredients

One way to prevent dry skin is to use soaps and sanitizers free from harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances and dyes. These ingredients often lead to skin irritations which can worsen into rashes or flaking skin. Moisturizing soaps with ingredients like glycerin, lanolin, or hyaluronic acid will get rid of the germs while countering the drying effects of the cleaning. “Natural” soaps and hand sanitizers with ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil, aloe vera, shea butter, or jojoba oil have a similar protective effect.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Make applying moisturizer a part of your daily routine. Moisturizers work by replacing surface oils, thus helping your skin retain moisture from within. After every hand washing or sanitizing, apply a thick moisturizer to your slightly dampened hands. Look for ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, glycerin, or lanolin for natural moisturizing effects.

Hand sanitizer still has the same level of effectiveness when it contains ingredients that add moisture back into your skin too. When selecting a hand sanitizer look out for one that contains hydrating ingredients, along with 60% alcohol, so your hands do not become dry and brittle. Choose products that contain pure vegetable glycerin and antifungal essential oils such as tea tree or lavender.

To prevent dry hands, refill your Signitizer with a moisture based sanitizer that boasts gentle ingredients. The mechanisms of the dispenser can work for sanitizer, soap, and lotion. You may also wish to provide an adjacent Signitizer filled with moisturizer to battle the effects of daily sanitizer use. Contact us today at 416-640-4477 or info@thesignitizer.com for more information.

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Hand Sanitizer

How To Properly Apply Hand Sanitizer

Properly Using Hand Sanitizer

It appears things are returning back to normal! With more and more guidelines being lifted, it’s a perfect time for a reminder on how to get the most out of your hand sanitizer. While washing your hands with soap and water is still the best defense against germs, hand sanitizer is a close second. After all, you may not always have access to soap and water. But for hand sanitizer to be effective, it must be applied properly. Using hand sanitizer the right way involves choosing the right formula, using the right amount, and applying it correctly.

Choose The Right Formula

All hand sanitizers are not created equally. The CDC recommends using alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains a minimum of 60% alcohol. Studies have shown sanitizers with an alcohol concentration between 60% and 95% are more effective at destroying germs than ones with an alcohol concentration under 60% or those that are not alcohol-based. 

Use The Appropriate Amount of Sanitizer

Some automatic dispensers do not provide enough hand sanitizer in one squeeze. While individual users may accidentally pour too much sanitizer in their hands. As recommended by the World Health Organization, you should apply a “coin sized” amount of gel to your palm. Similar to soap, you need enough hand sanitizer to cover both sides of your hands and between your fingers.

Apply Hand Sanitizer Correctly

The gel should be thoroughly rubbed onto the back and front of your hands, including the thumbs and between the fingers. This should take around 20 seconds. When you’re done, your hands should be dry and you shouldn’t need to wipe or rinse off the gel. And remember! Hand sanitizer can work in a pinch, but if you notice grease and grime on your fingers, you need to wash your hands.

Other Things To Consider

Make sure you store your hand sanitizer in a cool, dry location. Sanitizer should not be exposed to direct sunlight or heat. You should also pay attention to the expiration date, as the alcohol content drops the closer the expiration date approaches. NEVER ingest hand sanitizer, and keep hand sanitizer out of the reach of children in addition to supervising their use.

Curious about how the Signitizer can help your clients use hand sanitizer correctly? Contact us today at 416-640-4477 or info@thesignitizer.com.

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Hand Sanitizer

Hand Sanitizer vs Soap and Water

Our lives have undoubtedly changed over the last two years. Many of us have not only ramped up our cleaning and hand washing routines, but have even incorporated more portable hand sanitizers into our lives as well. As such, dermatologists have begun to notice an increase in skin sensitivity issues. Including dryness, itchiness, and, in some cases, eczema. While these conditions can often be caused by regular allergies and stress, consistent use of chemical based products on the skin appears to be a common factor.

Are These Issues Related To Hand Sanitizer Use?

For many people, the increase in washing and sanitizing is a drastic change from the hygiene routine from even a few years ago. The sudden change in routine can be disruptive to the skin barrier. While we certainly want to continue being mindful about personal hygiene, we also want to be aware of the impacts this can have on our skin. 

Both alcohol based sanitizers and harsh cleaning products can have an affect on our skin. But not everyone. Some people have a higher tolerance to alkaline and chemical based products, but other people are especially sensitive to the repeated exposure. If you’ve noticed changes in your skin this year, consider the type of hand sanitizer and cleaning products you are using and how often you touch your face after application. It could very well be the reason that your skin is itchy and dry. 

Ingredients Causing Skin Irritation 

Repeated exposure to high alcohol levels can make your skin more susceptible to infection, allergic reactions, dryness, and other skin conditions such as eczema. However, many hand sanitizers include other ingredients to help moisturize the outer layer of skin. . But it is most likely the combination of hand sanitizer in addition to these harsh household cleaners causing the irritation. The ingredients in those products can include lye, sulfuric acid, ammonia, and other harsh chemicals that may dry or damage your skin. 

Solutions for Protecting Your Skin 

While we certainly don’t want to stop washing our hands, using hand sanitizer, or cleaning, there are a few smart solutions that may help protect your skin. Be sure to use warm water – opposed to hot – when washing your hands, and keep a trusted moisturizer nearby for reapplication throughout the day. You can also use a vinegar based hand sanitizer, which is just as effective but less severe than alcohol based sanitizers


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.

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Hand Sanitizer

Hand Sanitizer vs Soap and Water

Hand Sanitizer vs Soap 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.

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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.

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Hand Sanitizer

Can You Color Your Hand Sanitizer for the Holidays

Personalized Hand Sanitizer Christmas 8 fl. oz bottle - Merry and Bright

One of the best parts of Christmas? All the seasonal goodies! Such as flavored lattes, pretty lights, and…hand sanitizer? Generally, you may find colourless hand sanitizers in the market. But these sanitizers can be made or purchased in vibrant colours too! Yes, even for Christmas. Just bear in mind, there are specific guidelines to be followed for adding colourants such as water-soluble colours for sanitizer products.

Choosing the Right Colourant

Hand sanitizers, as the name suggests, are used to sanitize hands. The following things are to be noted while thinking about colours for hand sanitizers:

  • Hand sanitizer manufacturers must ensure that the contents of the sanitizer will not create a serious health issue in case of accidental ingestion.
  • The sanitizer formula should be non-toxic and all the ingredients that are used in the manufacturing process should be compatible with each other.
  • The colour to be included in the hand sanitizer formulation should not cause any allergies for the product users. 

Regulations For Using Colour In Hand Sanitizers

Colourants can be used in handwash or handrubs. In alcohol-based hand sanitizers, the alcohol content is 60% to 80%, so it is crucial for brands to test colourants with the formulation to ensure maximum safety. Regulatory bodies will normally have audits and formalities to check the colour used in hand sanitizer products.

How To Add Colour To Hand Sanitizers

If you are a DIY-er, you have the option of making your own hand sanitizer as stocking stuffers for your friends! To add the colouring, you have several options. One such recipe includes  aloe vera gel, 91% rubbing alcohol plus soy food coloring. Other options may include adding a coloured isopropyl alcohol.


Curious about dispersing your unique colored hand sanitizer? Contact us at 416-640-4477 or info@thesignitizer.com for more information.

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Hand Sanitizer

Is Hand Sanitizer Environmentally Friendly?

Environmentally Friendly Hand Sanitizer

The spike in hand sanitizer sales after the Covid-19 pandemic hit has many of us wondering… Just how environmentally friendly is hand sanitizer? In this article we will explore what makes hand sanitizer environmentally friendly, as well as what doesn’t.

What Makes Hand Sanitizer Green?

The ethanol or ethyl alcohol in hand sanitizer is derived from natural sources, such as corn or sugar cane. The other major ingredient in most hand sanitizers is water. Additionally, few sanitizers contain fragrances or dyes. Since both plant-based ethanol and water are considered renewable, the product can be considered green.

What Makes Hand Sanitizer Bad For The Environment?

Arguably the biggest reason hand sanitizer could be considered bad for the environment would be because of the packaging. Consider the vast number of people who are using individual size hand sanitizers. Now consider how long those bottles last before they are discarded and a new bottle is purchased. Now consider all these bottles, which are derived from plastic, biodegrading over thousands of years and eventually ending up in our oceans as microplastic. 

Is There A Certification For Environmentally Friendly Hand Sanitizer?

EcoLogo developed the standard for certifying hand sanitizers based on a combination of factors, including the use of less intrusive raw materials, a reduction of environmental hazards and an increase of product recyclability.  These include:

  • Cannot use raw materials like Quats and triclosan.
  • Must use biobased content.
  • Must be readily biodegradable.
  • Must be fragrance- and dye-free.
  • Bulk packaging is excluded.
  • Bottle size minimum is 8 fluid ounces.
  • Primary packaging must be recyclable.
  •  No secondary packaging.

Luckily our hand sanitizer kiosks feature a refillable tank! This allows managers to choose a green rated hand sanitizer to fill their kiosks with, and eliminates the need for staff members to carry a personal sized sanitizer.

Go green. Protect your people. Promote your brand. All with the Signitizer. Contact us at 416-640-4477 or info@thesignitizer.com for more information.

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Hand Sanitizer

Making the Most of Hand Sanitizers

Flu season is officially upon us! Which means it’s a perfect time for a reminder on how to get the most out of your hand sanitizer. While washing your hands with soap and water is still the best defense against germs, hand sanitizer is a close second. Christmas shopping and holiday parties will be in full swing, making an on-the-go option more important than ever.

Use The Right Type of Hand Sanitizer

All hand sanitizers are not created equally. The CDC recommends using alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains a minimum of 60% alcohol. Studies have shown sanitizers with an alcohol concentration between 60% and 95% are more effective at destroying germs than ones with an alcohol concentration under 60% or those that are not alcohol-based. 

Rub The Hand Sanitizer Into Your Skin

When you apply hand sanitizer, you should make sure that the product is absorbed into the hands; there shouldn’t be any lingering wetness. It’s important to continue to rub it into your skin until it dries to get the most out of it’s germ destroying properties.

Use Enough Hand Sanitizer

Despite instructions on some hand sanitizers to apply a dime-sized amount, research indicates that is insufficient. A 2016 study demonstrated that in order to sufficiently cover the front and back of both hands, people need to use more than half a teaspoon of hand sanitizer. The World Health Organization also recommends applying a palmful of sanitizer into a cupped hand.

Store The Hand Sanitizer Properly

To maintain the effectiveness of hand sanitizer, it should be stored at a temperature of 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Don’t Use Sanitizer On Dirty Hands

Hand sanitizer can work in a pinch, but if you notice grease and grime on your fingers, you need to wash your hands. The CDC says hand sanitizer may not be as effective if hands are noticeably filthy. In these cases, it’s recommended to wash hands with soap and water.


Our Digital Hand Sanitizer Kiosks are ideal for high-traffic areas such as entry points, lobbies, offices, retail spaces, restaurants, and beyond. Upgrade your business with the Signitizer, featuring a 21.5″ HD screen today. Protect your people. Promote your brand. Contact us at 416-640-4477 or info@thesignitizer.com for more information.

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Hand Sanitizer

Hand Sanitizer: Is It Still Protecting Us From COVID?

Hand Sanitizer Still Effective Against COVID

With the more transmissible Delta variant circulating widely, and coronavirus cases rising rapidly across the country, resisting pandemic fatigue is paramount. Many are even wondering if hand sanitizer is still protecting us from the novel Coronavirus. Renewing our commitments to common-sense public health strategies like hand-washing and hand sanitizer use will be necessary to stem this latest wave.

The Delta variant is a formidable foe, but it is still no match for good old soap and water. That being said, if you’re on the go and can’t get to a sink, hand sanitizer is still an excellent substitute. Sanitizer works by actually killing the bacteria and viruses that wind up on our hands. But as swiftly as sanitizer kills the bad bacteria, it also kills the good. So while sanitizer is still a strong alternative for protecting ourselves against COVID, it should not be overused.

For instance, vapors from the hand sanitizer can irritate those with a hyperreactive airway disease. The high concentration of alcohol also damages the outer layer of skin, causing dry hands that are prone to itching and cracking. This damage allows pathogens from the outside to get in, which increases the risk of other bacterial infections. Too much use can also lead to resistance by the other flora, bacteria or viruses that you regularly run into. That’s why there’s no reason to use hand sanitizer at home or in the bathroom. But if you’re out and about, it’s worthwhile.

While everything in life has risks, there are also numerous benefits of hand sanitizer use. Hand sanitizer is portable, convenient, and when not overused is extremely effective. Using this germ-battling item, especially in large group settings, can support your hygiene and your well being, regardless of where life takes you. 

Our Digital Hand Sanitizer Kiosks are ideal for high-traffic areas such as entry points, lobbies, offices, retail spaces, restaurants, and beyond. Upgrade your business with the Signitizer, featuring a 21.5″ HD screen today. Protect your people. Promote your brand. Contact us at 416-640-4477 or info@thesignitizer.com for more information.

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How to Choose the Best Commercial Hand Sanitizer

Commercial Hand Sanitizer

Choosing the right hand sanitizer can be tricky! Especially with so many new options  on the market today. While washing your hands is still the best way to help prevent the spread of germs, soap and water is not always readily available. Especially in a fast paced, commercial environment. To help you choose the most effective commercial hand sanitizer, we’ve put together this list of tips!                                               

Choose An Alcohol Based Sanitizer

Alcohol based hand sanitizers come in many different shapes and sizes, as well as different ingredients. How can you choose the perfect one? Before shopping, refer to the FDA’s Hand Sanitizer Do Not Use List to learn which alcohol-based sanitizers are not recommended. Your alcohol based sanitizer should have a minimum of 60% alcohol.

Choose Your Preferred Sanitizer Form

From foam solutions to gel based and liquid there is a vast range of sanitizers to choose from. Deciding on the best one for your organization boils down to preference as they all work well to ensure excellent hand hygiene. But you should note, one study revealed foam sanitizer can wipe out more than twice as much bacteria as a traditional hand gel supported by a second study that found hand foam continues to fight germs for up to 3 hours after administration. Whichever solution you choose, be sure you purchase the correct commercial dispenser as well! This is because certain formulations such as foam, require a dispenser that has a special foaming chamber to work effectively.

What To Avoid

Do not choose a sanitizer that contains less than 60% alcohol or is listed as “alcohol-free,” as this sanitizer will not be effective at reducing the spread of germs, especially CV-19. When using your sanitizer, remember to avoid contact with your eyes and keep the product out of reach of young children. You should also avoid cleaning surfaces with sanitizer as it is not designed to do that. And never store the sanitizer in a hot place!

Once you’ve chosen a commercial sanitizer and dispenser, it’s time to put the sanitizer to use in your business! Encouraging proper hand sanitizer use within the workplace is essential to prevent illness. Ensuring you position hand sanitizer in the right, high traffic locations in your business is essential in encouraging use. You may even want to include bold signage to remind people to sanitize their hands – the Signitizer makes bright displays easy! Is your business looking to be at the forefront of Public Health & Safety! Contact us today at 416-640-4477 or info@thesignitizer.com.