Need Natural Hand Sanitizer? Here's How to Make It
Just like your daily skincare routine or picking out the accessories for the day, using hand sanitizer is now part of our regular routine—and it’s likely here to stay. It’s tempting, of course, to simply grab one off the shelf. But here’s a quick reality check: we have no idea what chemicals the product contains or how they can potentially impact our bodies.
Since we’re using hand sanitizer so frequently, it’s especially important to be mindful about what we're putting on our bodies. Your skin is the body’s largest organ, and treating it correctly can help shield it from ailments.
Today, we’re going to discuss how you can make your own natural hand sanitizer at home. It’s simple, effective, and we’re giving you the inside scoop about what exactly you’re putting into the formula.
Why hand sanitizer is important
In the midst of a global health crisis, hand sanitizer is more important than ever. When you don’t have access to running water and soap to wash your hands, hand sanitizer is the next best thing. It can ward off unhealthy bacteria that could potentially get you sick while also giving your hands a refreshed feeling.
Due to the pandemic and its aftermath, many of us have been using hand sanitizer at an unprecedented rate (but then again, what isn’t unprecedented these days?). And while there are several benefits of a well-timed squirt of hand sanitizer, there could also be potentially harmful chemicals lurking in the bottles.
Of course, going without hand sanitizer isn’t ideal, but neither is using a harsh product that will tear up your skin. That’s precisely why we sought out an alternative: homemade natural hand sanitizer. The recipe below allows for increased transparency and lets you feel comfortable with what you’re putting on your skin.
The potential dangers of store-bought hand sanitizer
Believe it or not, store-bought hand sanitizer can be hazardous. When the COVID-19 pandemic began to increase in severity in the United States, everyone and their mother made a mad rush to purchase hand sanitizer. As we know, there was a shortage of many everyday household objects because of the pandemic (we’re looking at you, toilet paper). Hand sanitizer was one of them.
Consequently, plenty of manufacturers popped up to help get hand sanitizer back on people’s hands. But some of the widely available hand sanitizers created to ward off the Coronavirus contained high levels of a dangerous chemical. The chemical is a carcinogen, and it’s on par with asbestos for the risk it poses to us.
This disturbing revelation demonstrates the importance of opting for clean products. Unfortunately, with some store-bought goods such as hand sanitizer, there isn’t enough transparency to feel comfortable with what you’re putting on your body. Choosing natural hand sanitizer is a safer bet because you know what’s in the product you’re using.
Ingredients you’ll need
So you’ve decided you want to make your own natural hand sanitizer. That’s a great start! To begin, gather all the ingredients that you will need. Having them on hand (so to speak!) when you start will make the process seamless. We’ll run through two recipes that you can make.
You will need:
- Aloe vera gel
- Germ Destroyer Essential Oil
- Rubbing alcohol (only for one of the recipes)
How to make a gentle natural hand sanitizer
The first recipe is safest for young people as it doesn’t have any rubbing alcohol in it. It only takes a minute to create, and it harnesses the power of essential oils to combat bacteria.
First, take ¼ cup of aloe vera gel and 20 drops of the essential oil. Next, mix these so they’re fully combined. Store the product in a reusable plastic container. Use it as you need, and you’re all set to go.
This formula is ideal because it contains nourishing aloe vera. That means that your hands won’t get dried out, and you can feel confident that it has an herbal base. As we mentioned, it’s also safe for kids since it is devoid of harsh and dangerous chemicals.
Another recipe for homemade hand sanitizer
There’s another formula you can follow if you’re looking for a stronger alternative. This version takes into account the CDC recommendation regarding what percentage of alcohol a hand sanitizer should contain to make it effective.
In addition, this hand sanitizer recipe uses aloe vera to nourish your hands. It also puts essential oils to good use to give the alcohol some backup with fighting off germs. Because this recipe is stronger, it might be more suitable for adults than children.
For the more aggressive recipe, you’re going to need ⅔ cup of rubbing alcohol (it should be 70%). You’ll also need two tablespoons of aloe vera gel and 20 drops of the Germ Destroyer Essential Oil.
To make this hand sanitizer, first, mix all of the ingredients. Once you’re confident that they are properly combined, it’s time to store them in a small reusable bottle.
If you’re uncomfortable using hand sanitizer for any reason or would like a doctor’s advice on the recipe, reach out to a trusted physician.
We also want to note that these homemade hand sanitizers don’t work exactly the same as a store-bought version would—that’s by design. These hand sanitizers don’t feature any of the fillers or other hazardous chemicals store-bought products might.
How does this relate to clean beauty?
If you’re concerned about the contents of your hand sanitizer, you may want to check out your makeup to ensure your beauty products don’t contain questionable chemicals either.
Perhaps you’ve heard of “clean beauty” but still have some questions regarding the intricacies of what that means. We’re here to answer all of those questions! At Kinder Beauty, we’re dedicated to filling your mailbox with goodies that are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and, yes, entirely clean.
When you subscribe to Kinder Beauty, you’ll get a monthly subscription box stocked with at least two full-sized products and $85+ worth of goods sourced from the most ethical, clean companies we can find. Our founders are environmentalists, animal rights advocates, and long-time vegans, so this is of paramount importance to the Kinder Beauty team.
Choose a kinder hand sanitizer
When it comes to products you’re putting on your body, clean is the way to go. The labels of store-bought hand sanitizers are packed with indecipherable words to describe chemicals you’ve never heard of. Luckily, there’s a way to get your fix of hand sanitizer while also protecting your skin.
When you make it yourself, you know what your hand sanitizer contains. But what about your makeup? If you’re unsure how your makeup was made, it’s time to do some serious investigative work. Some products sneak in chemicals that are no good for your skin. That’s why clean beauty is the future. Join Kinder Beauty as we’re kinder to our bodies, the planet, animals, and beyond.
Sources:
Skin Information and Facts | National Geographic
Carcinogen Found in Hand Sanitizers That Plugged Covid Gap | Bloomberg
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