Good hand hygiene and hand washing has become a habit for us all.
This ultimate guide will tell you everything you need to know about hand hygiene and the difference between hand sanitiser and hand wash so you can keep your hands clean and healthy!
What does Hand Sanitiser do?
When hand washing is not an option, hand sanitizers - typically alcohol-based gels - are used to destroy bacteria and viruses on the hands.
More than ever, we are advised to use them to keep ourselves safe throughout the day by keeping them with us at all times.
Are hand sanitisers more effective than hand washing?
Washing your hands with soap and running water is the only method to safely clean your hands. Hand washing with soap causes the viral cells on our skin to become loose and washes them away completely, unlike sanitising gels which seek to kill the virus or bacteria.
The best chance of getting rid of every last trace is to wash your hands for the whole 20 seconds.
Here at Merindah Botanicals, we love using our very gentle and hydrating hand and body wash because - as the name says - it's hydrating and doesn't strip your skin of its natural oils.
Do hand sanitisers really kill viruses?
Truthfully? Sometimes.
A sanitising gel is crucial when there are no facilities for hand washing, such as while you're out and about.
While there are some viruses that hand sanitizers cannot eradicate, we know that they are efficient against Covid-19.
This is due to the fact that this particular virus is surrounded by a casing that can be penetrated by alcohol (the main ingredient in sanitising gels).
What is the most effective type of hand sanitiser?
The amount of alcohol present is crucial in this case. Most viruses, including the coronavirus, must have an alcohol level of at least 60% in order to be killed.
The quantity you use is important as well; there should be enough gel for it to take 20 seconds to rub it all over your hands and fingers until they are completely dry.
Will sanitiser make my hands dry?
This will depend on how often you use it and the ingredients of the hand sanitiser.
It's crucial to protect hands from further damage if they do get dry or chapped in addition to soothing them.
For a more detailed article on hand care during Covid-19, click here.