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Hand sanitizers are a quick and easy way to clean hands and fight off germs. Easily portable and highly effective, hand sanitizers are a must-have item to keep with you at all times. To help you select the sanitizer that’s right for you, our team researched the best hand sanitizers on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.
Top 5 Best Hand Sanitizers
- Best For Offices: PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel
- Best Spray Sanitizer: Everyone Hand Sanitizer Spray
- Largest Pack: Germ-X Hand Sanitizer
- Best Sanitizing Wipes: The Honest Company Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes
- Best Moisturizing Sanitizer: Hempz Triple-Moisture Herbal Hand Sanitizer
Best For Offices
PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel
- $38.42
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Gel formula
- 36 one-ounce bottles
- Free of triclosan, parabens, phthalates, and preservatives
- Display bowl included
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who were happy with this hand sanitizer said that it was easy to use, convenient for traveling, and effective. However, customers who didn’t like this product said that it leaked easily. Some customers also received fewer bottles than advertised.
Best Spray Sanitizer
Everyone Hand Sanitizer Spray
- $23.94
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Spray formula
- Six two-ounce bottles
- Lavender scent
- Available in other sizes, quantities, and scents
- Free of triclosan, parabens, gluten, GMOs, and synthetic fragrances
What Customers Are Saying
Those who left positive reviews of this spray sanitizer said that it had a pleasant smell and didn’t leave their hands feeling dry or sticky. However, some repeat customers said that it smelled differently than it had in previous purchases. Other dissatisfied customers said that it was packaged poorly.
Largest Pack
Germ-X Hand Sanitizer
- $23.88
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Gel formula
- Four 32-ounce bottles
- Available in other sizes and quantities
What Customers Are Saying
Those who were satisfied with this product liked its moisturizing effect, packaging, and portability. However, other customers said that the formula was overly watery and that the bottles came unsealed.
Best Sanitizing Wipes
The Honest Company Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes
- $8.99
- $14.99
- 40% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Wipe formula
- 150 wipes
- Available in scented and unscented options
- Free of fragrances, parabens, and phenoxyethanol
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who left satisfactory reviews of these sanitizing wipes said that they were easy to use, worked well for wiping surfaces, and didn’t irritate sensitive skin. However, those who left negative reviews said that their smell could be overpowering.
Best Moisturizing Sanitizer
Hempz Triple-Moisture Herbal Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer
- $23.33
- $29
- 20% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Gel formula
- One 8.5-ounce bottle
- Available in other sizes
- Grapefruit and peach scent
- Free of parabens and gluten
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked this product’s dual function as a sanitizer and lotion. They also said that it didn’t leave their skin feeling sticky or dry. Those who didn’t like this product said that the gel had an unpleasant smell and that the bottle leaked easily.
Buyer’s Guide
There are many factors to consider when determining which hand sanitizer is best for your needs. Here are some of them.
Form
Hand sanitizers are typically available in gel, wipe, foam, or spray form. All of them are effective, so it’s up to you to determine which type you prefer.
Portability
Hand sanitizers are often needed on the go when you don’t have access to hand soap and water. Your hand sanitizer should have a secure lid and a small size to fit in backpacks, purses, and other bags without leaking.
Safety
To ensure the hand sanitizer you’re using is safe, check to see that it meets health requirements from the CDC. The CDC recommends avoiding hand sanitizers that are less than 60% alcohol, labeled “alcohol-free,” and on the FDA’s do-not-use list.
Scent
Since hand sanitizers are made with alcohol, they typically have a strong smell. Scented hand sanitizers with aloe or essential oils can help mask that alcohol smell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can using hand sanitizer replace washing your hands?
While hand sanitizer can be an effective way to clean your hands when you’re not near a sink, it’s still recommended that you wash your hands frequently with soap and water if that option is available. Overall, washing your hands removes more germs than using hand sanitizer.
How do hand sanitizers work?
Hand sanitizer uses its active ingredient, typically alcohol or benzalkonium chloride, to eliminate disease-causing agents.
Does hand sanitizer expire?
Since it’s regulated by the FDA, hand sanitizer is required to list an expiration date on its bottle. The expiration date is usually two to three years from the date that it’s packaged. However, sanitizer that is past its expiration date won’t typically be dangerous, and it may still have some of its effectiveness.
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We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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