Even when backpacking, personal hygiene shouldn’t be neglected. A hand sanitizer is useful in situations when water is frequently either unavailable or contaminated. The best approach to eliminate germs without using water is with a hand sanitizer, commonly referred to as a hand rub or a hand antiseptic. It may take the shape of a liquid, foam, or gel.
There are primarily two categories of hand sanitizers on the market; one category has alcohol as an active ingredient and the other category does not. The alcohol-based hand sanitizers range in alcohol content from 60% to 85%. Contrarily, triclosan, an antibacterial agent, or the disinfectant benzalkonium chloride are the active ingredients in alcohol-free hand sanitizers. Along with these active ingredients, the sanitizers also include various scents and skin-softening ingredients like glycerin. Additionally, these come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Benefits of Using Hand Sanitizers
1. Cleanliness
This shouldn’t be a shock to anyone. The fact that hand sanitizer sanitizes is one of its main advantages. It is designed to get rid of germs and handle that business. Hand sanitizers may eliminate 99.9% of the germs on your hands when used properly. Every time you are around food, either creating it or consuming it, animals, trash, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg, the Centre for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) advises washing your hands. When you find yourself in situations like these, hand sanitizer is the best supplement to, or occasionally replacement for cleaning your hands with soap and water.
2. Portability
You cannot carry a sink around with you at all times. Occasionally, you won’t always have access to soap and water when you need to wash your hands. You can put a little bottle of hand sanitizer in your glove box, tote, or even your pocket. It is also perfect if you are just starting a game or have just left a public area like a market.
3. Ideal for Group Settings
Germs spread quickly at work, in the classroom, in any area with heavy foot traffic, and most especially when you are one with nature. Others’ germs can harm you whether you are cooking food or putting out the garbage, particularly when you are in close contact with other people. For group settings, having hand sanitizer available is ideal. Even those who visit the gym can use hand sanitizer before moving on to the next exercise machine. Similarly, teachers, students, and office workers can occasionally get rid of germs for the length of the day without leaving their study hall or work area.
4. Decrease Risk for Illness
Your health depends on you limiting your contact with other people’s germs, especially during flu season. You reduce your risk of getting sick every time you take a break throughout the day. Keeping your hands as clean as you can is vital since even a brief trip to a friend’s house or the store might expose you to germs that could lead to the flu, a cold, or other illnesses.
5. Softer Hands
This could be among the most incredible benefits of hand sanitizer, but it is realistic. The skin’s surface on your hands can be significantly improved by using alcohol-free hand sanitizers. Emollients, which soften your skin and give you smoother, more aesthetically pleasing hands, are found in several hand sanitizers. Your skin’s appearance and feeling of moisturization will undoubtedly change. Avoid using hand sanitizers with alcohol during pandemics like COVID-19 or flu seasons as they can wash away the skin’s natural oils and cause cracking, which creates an entry point for bacteria.
Things to Consider when Buying a Hand Sanitizer
Choosing the best hand sanitizer is very difficult. This is why you must continue reading for we have provided you some advice on what to look for in a hand sanitizer that will work well for you and everyone else.
1. Choose what’s ideal for your skin type
There are many different kinds of sanitizers on the market, and not all of them will work for your skin type. Choose a hand sanitizer that won’t irritate your skin or cause any skin problems. Remember to thoroughly verify the ingredients before buying if you have sensitive skin.
2. Choose safe products
Although the majority of hand sanitizers are made with high-quality ingredients, some may contain harmful components that might harm your skin. Always choose a hand sanitizer that is safe for you and has a pure formulation.
3. Alcohol concentration for alcohol-based sanitizers
First of all, we must realize that while hand sanitizers can significantly lower the amount of microorganisms on our hands, they do not have the ability to completely eradicate all germs. However, numerous studies have revealed that hand sanitizers with alcohol in them are more efficient at getting rid of germs and bacteria. The alcohol content should be one of the top considerations when purchasing a hand sanitizer. Most medical professionals agree that hand sanitizers with an alcohol content of 60% to 95% or higher are more beneficial and effective at keeping your hands clean and germ-free.
4. Expiration date
The hand sanitizers’ expiration date is something else you should be aware of. Your hand sanitizer may gradually lose its ability to kill germs and other microorganisms as the alcohol slowly evaporates over time. As a result, you should carefully study the product label and verify the provided information in order to get the best sanitizer. Keep an eye out for the ingredient combination and make a note of the directions as well.
4. Safe storage way
Hand sanitizers often need to be kept cool and away from heat. Alcohol-based sanitizers should be stored safely because they are flammable. Arson-related incidents are extremely rare, nonetheless. But children must not have access to it. Once you are aware of all of these crucial elements, you will be able to choose the best hand sanitizer with confidence.
Conclusion
Getting sick when on vacation, hiking, backpacking, or camping, is one of the things that can ruin your entire trip. The most effective technique to avoid or eliminate bacteria and germs is to use hand sanitizer. It is now up to you to decide if you want one that contains alcohol, one that doesn’t, or one that is produced entirely of natural ingredients.
