Remember several years ago when hand sanitizers first hit the market? They all thought they were an amazing product (the best thing since the proverbial “sliced bread”). People were wowed by the fact that they could kill 99.9% of disease-causing germs on their hands in 15 seconds or less. Truly a miracle!
Poor hand sanitizer is like a thoroughbred racehorse, the favorite in the race, barreling out of the starting gates but ending up drastically fading in the final stretch. How can such a promising product diminish like my new skinny jeans? Well, this is my take on what happened and why I think it’s time for hand sanitizer to take its rightful place in society.
The first hand sanitizer on the market was a gel and it contained alcohol, and it still does. Over time, studies emerged that revealed that alcohol-based hand sanitizers were actually bad for your hands. You see, alcohol causes skin to dry out and crack, leaving cracks where germs get trapped. In fact, studies show that the more you use them, the less effective they become.
Reports also surfaced that we shouldn’t use hand sanitizers because they weaken our resistance and reduce our ability to fight germs. They scared us into thinking that if we depended on hand sanitizers, we would become weak and unable to fight off nasty germs.
I’m sure many of you have heard this line before “we need bacteria…it actually helps us…it makes us stronger”. My response to this: A resounding “fooey”. Let’s be clear… there are numerous types of bacteria and many of them can make us sick.
Of course, let’s not forget the germophobes who also contributed to the bad reputation. When we thought of hand sanitizers, images of eccentric, germ-obsessed people pumping hand sanitizer into their pale hands relentlessly came to mind. It’s not a pretty sight.
Well, it’s about time someone spoke up and came to the rescue of hand sanitizers. It’s time to clear up all popular misconceptions, open our hearts and minds, and restore hand sanitizers to their rightful place in society. Quite a bold stance, are you thinking? Let me present my case.
First of all, almost everything that has been reported about alcohol-based hand sanitizers is true, and I’m not suggesting that we adopt them. what i’m talking about is without alcohol hand sanitizers…quite a different animal.
Here’s the scoop: 80% of germs are spread by hands, and since hand washing isn’t always possible, an alcohol-free hand sanitizer is the perfect solution. Can you imagine having an invisible personal shield that protects you from germs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? I don’t know about you, but I would love to have my own personal bodyguard with me all the time, fighting off evil germs.
Alcohol-free hand sanitizers are gentle, safe for the whole family, non-toxic, non-flammable, and leave no sticky residue on hands. The active ingredient is benzalkonium chloride and it has been widely used for over 40 years by medical professionals. It is approved for its safety and efficacy in many antiseptic applications, including skin treatments. It is also widely used as a preservative in cosmetics and in many over-the-counter products, including nasal sprays for babies. These alcohol-free hand sanitizers kill 99.9% of germs in less than 15 seconds. I’m talking about vicious disease-causing germs like Salmonella, Norwalk Virus, E. coli, SARS, bird flu, and more.
When hand washing is not possible, alcohol-free hand sanitizers are the answer. There are portable mini-sprays that you can carry in your purse, briefcase, backpack, computer bag, pocket, you name it. Or take one with you when you shop, travel, fly, drive or ride the subway. Always have one “on hand” (you must have seen this coming)…keep one on your desk, in bedrooms at home, or in your locker at school. Alcohol-free hand sanitizers are affordable, convenient, and can keep you and your family safe from germs that cause illness.
I’m not suggesting you pump out every minute of your day, but I honestly think it’s time for the highly aligned, non-alcoholic hand sanitizer to take its rightful place in society. Stop injustice and the spread of germs… get alcohol-free hand sanitizer today and stay healthy! You owe it to yourself, your family and your friends.