Hand hygiene is considered one of the most effective strategies in preventing the transmission of microorganisms and virus infection across the public, healthcare workers, and from people to food, especially since January 2020, when the world was hit by the pandemic related to Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19).
As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), hand hygiene can be achieved by handwashing with plain or antimicrobial soap and water, or by hand rubbing with waterless hand sanitizers.
Hand sanitizers are available in different forms, i.e., liquids, gels, or foams, and they are applied on dry hands and rubbed over the fingers and hand surfaces until completely drying to kill transient bacteria and viruses.
Between the hand sanitizers, Gel-based hand sanitizers are most employed and appreciated, which can reduce the issues of handleability and risk of spillage of liquids and increase the alcohol evaporation rate, improving the antimicrobial effect.
HAND SANITIZER INGREDIENTS
Emollients, Gelling agents, Alcohol, Base colors and fragrance
Emollients– protect skin from alcohol’s drying effects.
Glycerin, a well-known humectant in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, is the most employed emollient in ABHS formulations.
Gelling agent -Gels are obtained by incorporating a viscosity enhancer into the diluted alcohol
The most employed in ABHS formulations are cellulose derivates, such as Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) (e.g., Nutragel, NutraBe) and Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) (e.g., Hygienizing gel, Kaleido Studio), and carpool (e.g., DermoGel, Glenova cosmetics)
Alcohol-Alcohol breaks apart the lipid-based coatings of some bacteria and viruses, destroying them.
80% ethanol and 75% isopropyl alcohol.
Color and fragrance give the sanitizer its appearance and smell.
Washing hands is an important step towards personal hygiene and safeguarding your loved ones, and it should be the same at all times, as dangers like germs and bacteria are ever-present. the most effective action that you can take at any point, is washing your hands.
