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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

How to Use Hand Sanitizer Correctly

How To Use Hand Sanitizer Correctly
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Guidelines for washing your hands with soap and water can be found all over. You know the drill: scrub for 20 seconds, get under the fingernails, and use a clean towel to pat dry. Washing your hands regularly is a must! Especially if you’ve spent time in public. This is the best way to get rid of all sorts of germs, including the coronavirus that causes CV-19. However, you may not always have access to soap and water. In these cases, hand sanitizer is the most convenient alternative. But for this method to be effective, it must be done correctly. Using hand sanitizer the right way involves the right type, amount, and application method of hand sanitizer. 

Choose the Right Hand Sanitizer

CV-19 has certainly made the more popular brand sanitizers difficult to find. We have also seen an increase in new sanitizer brands popping up! But before putting that bottle in your cart, make sure you read the product label. You should choose an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. The Food and Drug Administration has also advised against hand sanitizers that contain methanol, a substance that can be toxic when rubbed into skin. The FDA has provided a searchable database so you can make sure you are buying a legitimate product.

Use the Right Amount of Hand Sanitizer

Some dispensers do not provide enough hand sanitizer in one squeeze. Or personal sanitizer users may accidentally pour too little substance 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.

Other Considerations

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. Remember, you should 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.