Why Choose Plant-Based Hand Sanitizer for Your Family?

We've all become more aware of the importance of hand hygiene, but have you considered the impact of your hand sanitizer choices on your family's health? Plant-based hand sanitizers are gaining popularity as a gentle yet effective alternative to traditional alcohol-based products. These natural formulations offer a solution for those seeking to protect their loved ones without exposing them to harsh chemicals.

In this article, we'll explore the world of plant-based sanitizers and their benefits for your family. We'll compare them to chemical sanitizers, delve into the top plant extracts used in these products, and provide tips to help you make the switch. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of why plant-based hand sanitizers are worth considering for your household's hand hygiene routine.

Understanding Plant-Based Hand Sanitizers

What Are They?

Plant-based hand sanitizers are a natural alternative to traditional alcohol-based products. We use ethyl alcohol, a naturally-derived ingredient sourced from crops like wheat, grain, sorghum, barley, potatoes, sugar cane, and corn grown in the USA 1. These sanitizers often include plant extracts enriched with flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenolic compounds, which carry antiseptic, disinfectant, and antimicrobial properties 2.

How Do They Work?

Plant-based sanitizers work by combining the germ-killing power of alcohol with the natural antimicrobial properties of plant extracts. The key to making an effective, germ-busting hand sanitizer is to stick to a 2:1 proportion of alcohol to aloe vera 3. This combination ensures that the sanitizer is potent enough to kill 99.99% of most common germs that may cause illness 4.

Key Ingredients

1. Ethyl alcohol: The primary active ingredient, typically at a concentration of 60-70% 1.
2. Plant extracts: Ingredients like neem, aloe vera, and citrus extracts provide additional antimicrobial properties and skin benefits 5.
3. Moisturizers: Natural humectants like glycerin help combat the drying effects of alcohol 1.
4. Essential oils: These provide fragrance and additional antimicrobial properties 2.

We've found that plant-based sanitizers offer several advantages over traditional formulations. They're often gentler on the skin, thanks to the inclusion of natural moisturizers and plant extracts. For example, our natural sanitizer contains 64% alcohol, making it highly effective without being unnecessarily drying 1. It also includes glycerin, a natural plant-derived humectant that can absorb more than its own weight in water, helping to keep skin hydrated 1.

By choosing plant-based sanitizers, we're not only protecting ourselves from germs but also opting for a more eco-friendly and skin-friendly solution. These products are free from harsh chemicals like triclosan, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, making them a great choice for those with sensitive skin or environmental concerns 4.

Comparing Plant-Based vs. Alcohol-Based Sanitizers

Effectiveness Against Germs

When we compare plant-based and alcohol-based hand sanitizers, we find that both have their strengths. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS) are most effective against a wide range of microorganisms at a concentration of 60–90% 6. They work by denaturing proteins and inhibiting mRNA and protein synthesis in bacteria 6. We've seen that ABHS are effective against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria 6.

However, plant-based sanitizers are catching up. Some essential oil-based hand sanitizers, particularly those containing tea tree oil, have shown comparable effectiveness to commercial alcohol-based sanitizers 7. Clove oil, at a concentration of 2.5%, has demonstrated the ability to inhibit bacterial and yeast microorganisms 7.

Skin Effects

We've noticed that frequent use of alcohol-based sanitizers can lead to skin dryness and irritation. This is particularly true for healthcare workers and individuals with atopic dermatitis 8. In fact, studies have shown that both hand sanitizers and soap increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL), with soap having an even greater effect 8.

Plant-based sanitizers often include natural moisturizers like aloe vera gel, which can help counteract the drying effects. Aloe vera contains glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols, and vitamins, making it an attractive component in non-alcoholic hand sanitizers 9.

Environmental Impact

We're becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of our hygiene practices. A study has shown that the production and use of hand sanitizing gels contribute around 2% to our usual carbon footprint 10. Interestingly, sanitizing gels have a four times lower climate change impact than liquid soap handwashing 10.

When it comes to human health impacts, using isopropanol-based sanitizing gels would cause a per-person loss of 16 hours in disability-adjusted life years, compared to 114 hours for liquid soap handwashing 10. This suggests that sanitizing gels, particularly plant-based ones, could be a more environmentally friendly option.

Top Plant Extracts Used in Natural Hand Sanitizers

We've discovered that several plant extracts offer powerful antimicrobial properties, making them excellent choices for natural hand sanitizers. Let's explore some of the most effective ones:

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has caught our attention as an ideal natural hand sanitizer ingredient. Its antibacterial effects make it comparable to commercial alcohol-based sanitizers 11. We've found that a 10% tea tree oil disinfectant can significantly reduce bacterial density, rivaling traditional sanitizers like alcohol and benzalkonium chloride 12. What's more, tea tree oil not only disinfects but also helps manage underarm odor, making it a versatile addition to our hygiene routine 11.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a powerhouse when it comes to natural hand sanitizers. We've learned that it has potent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties 13. What impresses us most is its effectiveness - after just 3 minutes of use, aloe vera can reduce microbial load by more than 99%, and achieve 100% reduction after 7 minutes 13. It's not just about germ-killing though. Aloe vera is packed with antioxidants, collagen-boosting properties, and natural exfoliating abilities, making it great for our skin health 14.

Eucalyptus

We've found eucalyptus to be another valuable addition to plant-based hand sanitizers. Eucalyptus oil brings a fresh, cooling, and earthy scent to sanitizer formulations 15. It's often combined with other essential oils like rosemary to enhance the antimicrobial properties of the sanitizer 16. We appreciate how eucalyptus contributes to creating a pleasant sensory experience while also helping to keep our hands clean and protected.

Making the Switch: Tips for Your Family

Choosing the Right Product

When we're looking to switch to plant-based hand sanitizers, it's crucial to choose products with at least 60% alcohol content to ensure effectiveness against a wide range of microorganisms 17. We've found that ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol are the most effective ingredients for killing germs, including SARS-CoV-2 17. For our family's sensitive skin, we opt for sanitizers with natural moisturizers like aloe vera gel, which helps counteract the drying effects of alcohol 9.

Proper Usage Techniques

To get the most out of our plant-based hand sanitizers, we follow these steps:

1. Apply the sanitizer to the palm of one hand.
2. Rub our hands together thoroughly, covering all surfaces and fingers.
3. Continue rubbing for at least 20 seconds or until our hands are dry 3.

It's important to note that it can take up to 60 seconds for hand sanitizer to kill most germs 3. We've learned that if our hands look visibly dirty or slimy, it's better to wash with soap and water instead of using sanitizer 3.

Complementing with Hand Washing

While we love our plant-based hand sanitizers, we understand that they're not a complete replacement for handwashing. Soap and water are still the best for removing certain germs that hand sanitizers can't tackle, especially after diaper changes or bathroom breaks 17. We've made it a habit to use soap and water whenever possible, reserving hand sanitizers for those on-the-go moments when we don't have access to a sink.

By following these tips, we've successfully integrated plant-based hand sanitizers into our family's hygiene routine, keeping our hands clean and our skin happy.

Conclusion

Plant-based hand sanitizers offer a powerful combination of effectiveness and gentleness, making them an excellent choice for families. These natural formulations provide strong protection against germs while being kinder to our skin and the environment. The inclusion of plant extracts like tea tree oil, aloe vera, and eucalyptus not only enhances their antimicrobial properties but also brings additional skin benefits.

As we prioritize our family's health and well-being, switching to plant-based sanitizers like the SoPure Hand Gel Sanitizer is a smart move. These products are particularly beneficial for children and those with sensitive skin, offering a non-toxic yet effective way to keep hands clean. By choosing plant-based options, we're not just protecting ourselves from germs, but also making a positive impact on our overall health and the world around us.

FAQs

What exactly is a plant-based hand sanitizer?
Plant-based hand sanitizers primarily use ethyl alcohol derived from natural sources such as wheat, grain, sorghum, barley, potatoes, sugar cane, and corn, unlike isopropyl alcohol, which is petroleum-derived.

What are the effects of using hand sanitizer on plants?
Applying hand sanitizer directly to plants can be detrimental. Studies involving various plant species have shown that disinfectants like hand sanitizer and bleach significantly reduce their lifespan and overall health.

Can you list three advantages of washing hands with soap and water compared to using hand sanitizers?
Firstly, hand washing can remove harmful chemicals, including pesticides and heavy metals like lead, which sanitizers can't. Moreover, soap and water are more effective against certain germs such as norovirus, Cryptosporidium, and Clostridioides difficile, which sanitizers may not fully eliminate.

Why does the CDC recommend alcohol-based hand sanitizers except in specific cases?
The CDC advises the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers generally because they are highly effective at killing various bacteria and viruses. However, they recommend against it when there is contamination with fecal matter, in which case hand washing with soap and water is preferred.

References

[1] - https://uk.drsquatch.com/blogs/all-blog-posts/natural-hand-sanitizer-ingredients
[2] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8032473/
[3] - https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-make-hand-sanitizer
[4] - https://www.gojo.com/product/9623-04-EC
[5] - https://crimsonpublishers.com/sbb/fulltext/SBB.000605.php
[6] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9367797/
[7] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8296100/
[8] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8363178/
[9] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7657077/
[10] - https://phys.org/news/2022-02-environmental-impact-hand-sanitizing-covid-pandemic.html
[11] - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tea-tree-oil
[12] - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijcp.14206
[13] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6993295/
[14] - https://pame.care/blogs/news/6-reasons-to-use-hand-sanitizer-with-aloe-vera?srsltid=AfmBOor0P5HGcs8XbJZOJHi6ssW-rS7elXVa6MOWV8IrFdIsqoYf46re
[15] - https://noshinku.com/products/eucalyptus-pocket-sanitizer-refill-pouch
[16] - https://www.drbrite.com/products/gallon-eucalyptus-hand-sanitizer?srsltid=AfmBOoqLYPthRx6PS-U6RALUJv3ybO6h-t0WyXTBTV0rwgC80_Z86NQJ
[17] - https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-hand-sanitizers.html