Ahhh, hand sanitizer...
In the previous 2+ years the sale of hand sanitizer has jumped exponentially. In fact according to a Wall Street Journal report in January 2021, the sales of hand sanitizer jumped 600% in 2020 and most likely will continue to preform above the pre-pandemic numbers. COVID-19 is still in our lives and it is probably not done with us yet. In the end according to the experts we may need to treat it like the flu, not causing widespread severe illness and death but we are not at that point yet.
Back to the discussion of hand sanitizer which was a great invention, it was ultimately created to be used when soap and water was not available. In later years we had the creation of products that are anti-microbial which are to kill or slow the spread of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew, all things we don't want. It is important to keep in mind these sanitizers are meant to be used when soap and water are not available, experts still say washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds is still the best way to get rid of these germs. Experts have expressed before the pandemic, overuse of these products can make certain germs grow stronger or the products less effective. Since the start of the pandemic health professionals were and are still saying to wash your hands with soap and warm water if it is available and opt for hand sanitizer if soap and water is not accessible.
The pandemic has definitely caused us to have hand sanitizer more readily available, it's in our purses, cars, gym bags, backpacks, pockets anywhere you can slip a small bottle. Please keep this in mind if your our anywhere you can wash your hands with soap and water do so and save the sanitizer for times water is not available. Hand sanitizer with it's high alcohol content is harder on your hands than regular soap and water and if you are a person with existing dry skin, sensitive skin or eczema it can really reek havoc on your skin. Do keep in mind for hand sanitizer to be effective it needs to be 60% alcohol, most have an expiration date and it should not be stored above 105℉ for example in your car during the summer months.
Now with all that said I certainly am not saying don't use hand sanitizer but I am asking you to consider sticking with the good old stand by of washing your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after eating or touching food, after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose or if you have been in a public place. Consider this as well, if you use less sanitizer it will create less plastic waste, save you money and you hands may not feel quite as dry.
So let's give our skin a break and practice good, healthy, hygiene and we will all be better for it.
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