Hand-sanitiser: All you need to know

It’s the handbag essential of 2020, but what exactly are the effects of using it? We bring you the lowdown on lockdown’s handy hero product

WHAT DOES IT DO?

When at home, or out running errands, we should all be thoroughly washing our hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (sing Happy Birthday twice through as you scrub...). But in case you can’t get to a sink, hand sanitiser is the next best thing. Lloyds Pharmacy Pharmacist Anshu Kaura says, “Hand sanitiser is one of the most convenient ways to slow the spread of coronavirus when soap and water aren’t available.”

It can eliminate up to 99.9% of germs!

HOW MUCH DO WE NEED?

There’s no limit to how much hand sanitiser you can apply in a day, but it’s extra important to use it before preparing or eating food, entering a shop, when using public transport, and after using the washroom. Take off any jewellery you might be wearing on your hands, then apply a pea-sized amount on to the palm of one hand before rubbing together. Ensure you cover the backs of your hands, your wrists, knuckles and in between your fingers. Anshu explains “Experts in microbiology have told us that hand sanitisers should contain 60 to 95 per cent ethanol (more commonly known as alcohol) as they’re more effective at killing bacteria.”

TOP TIPS

The high level of alcohol within sanitisers can be extremely drying, but there are many options containing skin-hydrating ingredients, like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, so you don’t need to settle for cracked and sore hands. Only apply hand cream after your sanitiser has completely absorbed, to avoid any stickiness and prevent it from doing its job properly.