Hand Sanitizers

About this category

Hand sanitizers are formulations intended for application on hands as part of hand-hygiene practices, differing in formulation, form and registered claims. They are generally divided by formulation into alcohol-based models containing a defined alcohol percentage per the product's design, and non-alcohol-based models relying on other active ingredients; the formulation type and active-ingredient percentage are defined on the product's label. Models differ in form between liquid, gel, foam and spray, and in size between personal bottles, wall-mounted dispensers and free-standing sanitization stations. Models differ in added skin-care ingredients (such as moisturizers) per the design. Several strict distinctions must be emphasized: a hand sanitizer is a separate category from hand soaps, from surface disinfectants used on environmental surfaces, and from instrument sterilants used on medical instruments; each has its own formulation and intended use defined on the product's label and regulatory registration. Efficacy claims differ between products against specific microorganism types and are defined on the product's label and regulatory registration. Soaps and surface disinfectants are excluded from this category. Industrial buyers select products based on documented formulation, form and site requirements.