6 Best Hand Sanitisers For Gentlewomen On The Go

They are not on top of our favourite beauty products list. However, it’s becoming quite useful and trendy to carry hand sanitisers with us to keep our palms germ-free, especially during flu season and, of course, our current health crisis. Thanks to their high alcohol content, they leave our hands crisp and fresh whilst killing 99.9% of germs and bacteria. But are they really effective?

In order to work, they have to contain at least 60% of alcohol and you need to use them enough to fully cover the entire hands and fingers. – Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, explains-. I typically recommend about a quarter-size dollop. After applying, rub your hands together for about 20 seconds and let them dry fully.

Hand rubs to squirt, spritz or mist

Hand sanitisers come with different scents and compact sizes to fit in your coat pocket or handbag, so you can use them anywhere. However, if you are looking for sophisticated formulations that can hydrate the hands while keeping them hygienic and heavenly scented, you can swap the supermarket basic gels (that can smell of chemicals and actually strip the skin of moisture) with chicest versions, some of them made by independent perfumers that have responded quickly to the global situation we are in. 

CrunchyTales has rounded up 6 of the best and high in demand rinse-free hand washes to squirt, spritz or mist.

Neal’s Yard Natural Defence Spray

Containing 70% alcohol and delicately fragranced with a purifying blend of essential oils, this natural spray kills 99.9% of bacteria for hygienic hands on the go. With niaouli, lemongrass and witch hazel, the all-natural formulation will leave hands smelling fresh and feeling clean, with no sticky residue. In a convenient 30ml bottle, it’s the perfect size to keep close to hand – wherever you are. Vegan approved 

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitiser, Lavender

Heritage soap brand Dr. Bronner’s always formulates detergents and foaming agents without synthetic preservatives, and its fair trade, organic hand sanitiser is no exception. The lavender-scented spritz contains glycerin for moisture, leaving the skin freshly-scented, supple, soft and–most importantly–free from germs. Great for little ones’ sticky hands and faces, too.

Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash

It looks and smells good. With a 58-62% alcohol content, it cleanses your skin and kills germs (approximately 99.9% of bacteria) without requiring a sink, so it’s perfect for travelling. The packaging is so much chicer than most hand sanitisers and regular use won’t dry your hands, instead, moisturising agents make for soft and re-hydrated skin. It comes in a lightweight plastic bottle and the gel smells of mandarin rind, rosemary leaf and cedarwood atlas making this a real pleasure to use.

Laura Bosetti Tonatto – Igienizzante Mani – Spray Hand Sanitiser

Owner-perfumer of the independent Italian brand ‘Essenzialmente Laura’ created ‘Igienizzante Mani’, a spray hand sanitizer enriched with glycerin and erythritol, natural active ingredients that are moisturizing and humectant. Customers can choose between two of her fragrances, VI (bergamot and vetiver) and Regina di Taif (rose).

Angela Flanders – Essential Hand Sanitiser

Keep your hands clean and germ-free with this antibacterial hand sanitiser spray created by this well known award-winning artisan perfumery in the heart of Columbia Road (London). Formulated with 70% alcohol as well as glycerin to keep the skin soft and a blend of 5 deliciously fragrant antibacterial essential oils (lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, lemongrass and Sicilian lemon), the product is a little flask of joy.

Sarah Ireland – Scented Sanitiser Spray

For Sarah Ireland, perfume is an expression and exploration of times, places and feelings. We all know how many memories simply fade until a scent transports us back and evokes those same emotions again. This sanitiser spray is no exception. Made with the WHO guidelines in mind, it is gentle on hands as it has conditioning and essential oils added such as Mandarin, Grapefruit, Eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot for a fresh, green, sweet-fruity scent.

Can I make my own hand sanitiser?

You can, but it isn’t recommended. Alcohol is the main active ingredient in most hand sanitisers, but this is mixed with moisturisers to soften the harshness on your skin. Too much alcohol on your skin can damage your hands, as well as stripping it of its natural oils. As it can be hard to get the balance between alcohol and moisturisers right, health experts say you’re better off washing your hands with soap.

However, if you still want to have a go, here are all the ingredients you need to make your magic potion: Isopropyl alcohol, known as rubbing alcohol, aloe vera gel, a bowl, a spoon, a funnel, and either a spray bottle or liquid soap container. Pour ⅔ cup of alcohol and ⅓ cup aloe vera, which will make the sanitiser easier to apply, into the bowl and mix well. Once the mixture is blended, you can use the funnel to pour the mixture into containers. If you want to mask the scent of alcohol, you can add 5 to 10 drops of essential oil such as lavender, according to the outlet.​

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