All-natural hand sanitizers: Kill the germs, not yourself

April 13, 3:14 PMBoston Wellness ExaminerAmy Kreydin

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Healthier hand sanitizers for waterless disinfecting

When soap and water are not available, or practical, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are very convenient. Here are some of the natural hand sanitizer products available that are plant based and safer for humans, pets and the planet:

• CleanWell Natural Hand Sanitizer - available as a spray or moist wipe, CleanWell uses the active ingredient of the herb Thyme instead of alcohol. Pro - doesn't dry out your hands, Con - you'll smell like mom's spaghetti sauce for a moment until the scent disperses.
• EO Hand Sanitizer - comes in a small spray, a larger pump bottle and as wipes. EO uses organic essential oils and organic alcohol in their sanitizers - great scents but comes out pretty thin in the pump.
• Burt's Bees Aloe & Witch Hazel Hand Sanitizer - a combination of alcohol and witch hazel this comes in a small spray bottle.
• All Terrain Hand Sanz with Aloe and Vitamin E - this stuff goes on thick and a little goopy - which may turn you off at first...but wait until you rub your hands together! By far the most moisturizing hand sanitizer I've ever used. The aloe vera, wood cellulose and Vitamin E contribute to the moisturizing effect while the alcohol gets rid of the germs.
• Method Hand Sanitizer - comes in two varieties: Sweet Water or Green Tea and Aloe. Does contain chemical fragrance and chemical dyes for coloring.

Why natural hand sanitizers?

The health dangers posed by chemical ingredients in most brand name and generic hand sanitizers include reproductive health concerns, toxicity to the body, cancer causing ingredients and irritants. Visit the Environmental Working Group's webpage on hand sanitizers to read more about the harmful ingredients found in products by brands Purrell, Softsoap, Bath and Bodyworks, Avon, Walgreens, CVS, Wet Ones, Kneenex and more.

Sources:

• Photo: Dani Toth