6 Best Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizers That Kill Coronavirus

What are the best non-toxic hand sanitizers that kill Coronavirus?

We’ve done the research,* consulted the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and reviewed data from non-profit science-based groups, and used that knowledge to find six of the best non-toxic hand sanitizers you can buy that will get the job done. They are:

6 BEST NON-TOXIC HAND SANITIZERS

(available as sprays or gels and in large sizes to reduce plastic trash)

Hot Shot’s Secret Hand Sanitizer Gel  Buy one large gallon jug then decant into smaller reusable bottles to reduce plastic trash

Forward Science Hand Sanitizer  – A 6-pack of 16oz. bottles to reduce plastic trash is still better than a whole bunch of throwaway 2 or 3 oz bottles.

Pipette Hand Sanitizer  – 32oz jug can still be used to re-fill reusable bottles and reduce plastic trash.

Everyone Hand Sanitizer Spray  – If you need small spray bottles for your purse, briefcase or backpack, these work and are non-toxic.

The Naked Bee Gel – This non-toxic hand sanitizer also contains aloe vera gel and witch hazel. The 8 oz. size might be perfect for your workplace or a car trip.

North Star Organics Advanced Organic Hand Sanitizer Gel – 8 oz. – This product  can be used for babies and children as long as you rub it into their skin until it is completely dry.

What Makes These Hand Sanitizers Better Than Others? Safe Ingredients That Work!

The key ingredient to look for in a hand sanitizer is ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol.

What Ingredients Should You AVOID in Hand Sanitizer? Methanol, and These Others

What if you’re in a store or elsewhere online and see a hand sanitizer that looks appealing or cheap but is not listed above? Before you buy, make sure the sanitizer you’re considering does NOT contain the following ingredients:

METHANOL, also known as Methyl Alcohol or Wood Alcohol:  Methanol is toxic; it is completely different from the ethanol listed above. It is made primarily from natural gas or coal. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned people against using as many as 130 brands of hand sanitizer because they contain methanol.

Methanol is dangerous for several reasons. It is highly flammable. It is extremely toxic to humans if it is ingested or if vapors are inhaled Ingestion of as little as one to four ounces can cause irreversible injury to the nervous system, blindness, or even death. Symptoms of acute methanol exposure may include headache, weakness, drowsiness, nausea, difficult breathing, blurred vision and loss of consciousness.**

In addition to methanol, avoid the following ingredients:

Triclosan (an antibacterial agent that may lead to antibiotic resistance, and is toxic to fish and frogs when it washes into our lakes, rivers and streams)

Synthetic Fragrance (causes allergic reactions like sneezing, headaches, and other flu-like symptoms)

Parabens and Phthalates (linked to hormone disruption)

Most dyes and synthetic colors

You can get more Information on Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizers That Kill Coronavirus from the National Institutes of Health, linked below. ***

Here are more details on the sanitizers we recommend.

Hot Shot’s Secret Hand Sanitizer Gel – Hot Shot’s gel contains four simple and safe ingredients:

80% alcohol, which kills germs and viruses; glycerin (a hand softener); hydrogen peroxide (an additional germ killer); and purified water. Another benefit of this product is that it reduces plastic trash. Buy a one gallon dispenser with a pump, then easily fill up smaller reusable 2oz bottles for backpacks and purses.

Forward Science Hand Sanitizer Spray – Though not quite as low-waste as a one-gallon jug,

Forward Science is sold as a 6-pack of 16oz. spray bottles that still reduce plastic trash. Does not contain dye, triclosan, parabens, or phthalates; made in the USA.

Pipette Hand Sanitizer Gel – Ethyl alcohol, plus moisturizing glycerin and sugarcane-derived squalane, and water. Fragrance-free. Comes in 32oz jug to reduce plastic waste; EWG verified. Buy the large jug and refill smaller reusable containers to limit plastic waste.

Everyone Hand Sanitizer – In addition to meeting the CDC recommendations for hand sanitizing, Everyone Hand Sanitizer also contains vegetable glycerin to keep hands soft, and is available in a variety of plant-based scents (my favorite is lavender).

North Star Organics – This formulation includes aloe, Vitamin E and 65% alcohol; free of dyes, silicones, parabens, SLS, and synthetic fragrances. The 8 oz pump dispenser could be the right size for your workplace, classroom, or reception area or bathroom.

The Naked Bee –  Ingredients include natural honey, aloe vera gel, witch hazel, sea weed extract, green ea extracts and essential oils. No parabens, dyes, phthalates or other nasty ingredients.

In Addition to Avoiding Toxic Ingredients, Beware The Following Misleading Claims and Packaging When Buying Hand Sanitizers

“FDA-approved” – No hand sanitizers have been approved by the FDA. If you see a product being marketed as FDA-Approved, skip it.

“Chemical-Free” – Nothing on Earth is chemical-free. Everything is made up of chemical compounds. Some of those chemicals are safe; others can make us sick. Either way, you and every product you buy consist of chemicals. Don’t let the words “chemical-free” affect your choice.

Products Packaged to Appear as Drinks, Candy, Liquor Bottles, or Cocktails – Hand sanitizer should never be consumed. Keep all sanitizers out of the reach of children.

DON’T DRINK HAND SANITIZER!

You can’t prevent Coronavirus by drinking anything, especially hand sanitizer.

DO USE SOAP AND WATER

Hand sanitizer is very handy to have when you’re not at home. But when you are home, use soap and water primarily. Suds up your hands for 20 seconds then rinse with warm water. Easy peasy.

AND REMEMBER: BUY THE LARGEST DISPENSER OF HAND SANITIZER YOU CAN FIND TO MEET YOUR NEEDS

Empty plastic bottles of hand sanitizer are starting to litter streets and end up in lakes, rivers and streams. You can minimize how much plastic you use and throwaway by buying the largest dispenser of hand sanitizer you can and refill smaller bottles for your purse or your kids’ backpack.

Don’t Miss: Why I Ditched Plastic Water Bottles And You Should, Too! 

Last by not least, here’s a hand graphic from North Star Organics that shows the best way to apply sanitizer so it gets to every part of your hand.

*We base our recommendations on the scientific analyses done by the non-profit research group Environmental Working Group and the green and non-toxic standards set by Made Safe, as well as our own long-standing experience reviewing scientific data on various chemical ingredients.  We also reviewed the:

National Institutes of Health analysis of alcohol-based products being used in hand sanitizers.

Here are the toxic hand sanitizers containing methanol that the FDA wants you to avoid.

** Get more information about methanol from the Methanol Institute.

NOTE: We may earn a teeny tiny commission if you purchase products using our link. It is not enough to sway our opinion, but over time, the commissions help support our effort to continue to bring you the expert help you need to lead the greener life you want. (I knew you’d understand!)