Much anxiety, fear, and uncertainty has been brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, but we truly can say we’ve learned important lessons about personal hygiene, most notably the role sanitizing your space and washing your hands have in killing viruses and bacteria and keeping you healthy. Although you may not be able to wash your hands at any given time outside of your home, having a personal hand sanitizer can help.
Sanitizers are a great addition to your home — but a lot of them are compact in size, so you can carry them wherever you go away from home. You can carry them in your pocket, your bag, and even leave a bottle in your car.
Just keep in mind that according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your hand sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol to effectively kill these enemies to your health, including COVID-19. But that doesn’t mean you have to stick to the mundane hand sanitizers found at your drug store. Some of our favorite skincare brands have opted in and produced sanitizers that not only help keep your hands clean but also smell good and keep your skin from drying out. Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite everyday hand sanitizers to always have on hand.
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Grown Alchemist Hydra-Hand Sanitizer
Grown Alchemist’s Hydra-Hand is the top shelf of hand sanitizers. Everything about it feels luxurious: the bottle design, the fine mist, the way our hands feel silky smooth thanks to its Tri-Hyaluronan Complex and antioxidant formula. Try it for yourself, buy it as a gift. If you’re looking for an everyday luxury, this is the one.
By Humankind Hand Sanitizer
By Humankind’s hand-sanitizing set comes with three travel-size aluminum bottles (each with its own unscented, eucalyptus, or grapefruit aromas) with the idea of reducing single-use plastic waste in mind. At first, the eucalyptus gel took a second longer than most to dry, but once it did, our hands felt insanely hydrated. We simply don’t understand how a sanitizer can be this stylish, carbon neutral, completely recyclable, and smell this good.
Touchland Power Mist
Touchland launched years before the pandemic with the intention of disrupting the hand sanitizer industry and seems to have done just that. The brand’s signature sleek mists with their fast-drying and hydrating formula are constantly on back order and for good reason. While the Power Mists come in a range of uplifting colors and scents, we can recommend classics like mint and aloe vera that are lightly fused with citrus oils. Both scents are thoughtfully refined in a way that only a company exclusively dedicated to sanitizer innovation could make possible. In addition to the 5% of profit dedicated to hygiene solutions in developing countries, the brand recently launched Touchland for Teachers, donating sanitizer dispensers in an effort to reduce waste while giving back to educators in need.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Touch Hand Sanitizer Spray
If we’ve learned anything this year, it’s the importance of finding small moments of joy. Sol de Janeiro has found a way to pack a powerful 80% alcohol punch while leaving you with a light whiff of its signature sunny scent. Trust us: Close your eyes and for a moment you’ll feel like you’ve been swept away on a mini-vacation.
Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Organic Hand Sanitizer
Dr. Bronner is one of our no-nonsense selections. The brand’s organic sanitizer checks all of the ethical boxes: 62% certified fair trade ethyl alcohol and organic ingredients are no small feat. The stimulating scent is responsibly sourced from farmers in Pavitramenthe, India, while the glass bottles are refillable and recyclable.
Farmacy Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer Gel
With all of the novel packaging on the market, Farmacy’s easy-to-carry, pocket-sized sanitizing gel feels familiar. But don’t be mistaken: Your hands will be left feeling notably refreshed and restored thanks to grapefruit and aloe. Farmacy is a sanitizer option that feels good and you can feel good about purchasing: 100% of the profits from each sale will go to local food banks and organizations working to end hunger and food waste.
Lather Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizing Aloe
Given that Lather started as a brand on a mission to eliminate synthetic fragrances, it is no surprise that its hand sanitizer made of all-natural, uplifting citrus essential oils smells otherworldly. Their larger 10-ounce bottle is ideal to leave by the door, on your desk or anywhere that you need to reach for a quick clean and aromatherapy refresh.
Maude Clean No. 0 Hydrating Hand and Vibe Sanitizing Spray
Sexual wellness brand Maude has teamed up with YIELD for an intimate sanitizing spray that you’ll actually want to put on display. We love the stylish sustainable glass packaging and that it’s discreetly multipurpose. Sensitive skin types rejoice: This is the fragrance-free sanitizer for you.
G Clean Foaming Hand Sanitizer
G Clean’s foaming formula boasts germ-killing benzalkonium chloride with moisturizing coconut and tea tree oils, making it a favorite for health care professionals. “It disinfects without drying,” says Dana Wentlejewski, MS, OT, from FOX Rehabilitation who conducts essential geriatric house calls. “Keeping your hands clean is one of the most critical steps you can take to protect your community and yourself. When soap and water aren’t an immediate option, a foaming sanitizer like this one helps keep essential care clinicians and their patients safe.”
Maapilim Hand Sanitizer
We love the fact that this comes in an aesthetically pleasing and convenient camel-capped tube that will look right at home on your bathroom shelf. Honestly, get this for the sophisticated bergamot, jasmine, and cedarwood scent alone.
Mrs. Meyer’s Basil Clean Day Hand Sanitizer
Pantry staple Mrs. Meyer’s makes a reliable spray you shouldn’t think twice about adding to your cart while doing your round of errands. Opt for the travel-friendly glass bottle and the delightfully clean basil scent.
Megababe Squeaky Clean Hand Sanitizer
Megababe’s vegan sanitizer is a great option for sensitive skin. The brand’s soothing signature scent is derived from mandarin orange peel and cedarwood, sweet almond, marula, and bergamot oils.
Everyone Hand Sanitizer Gel Lavender
Health-store staple EO Essential Oils prides itself on responsibly-sourced ingredients. Its hand-sanitizing gel is a calming blend of 62% alcohol from non-GMO sugar cane and organic lavender oil.
Public Goods Hand Sanitizer
Simple, minimalist-designed Public Goods’ sanitizer is just that: Simply works and looks good.
Bathing Culture Hand Sanitizer
The Bathing Culture Hand sanitizer contains 72% organic alcohol that meets CDC requirements and complete with a light redwood scent. Best of all, this sanitizer is refillable to reduce packaging waste.
Every Man Jack Citrus Hand Sanitizer
Unlike your classic hand sanitizer that dries out your hands, the Every Man Jack hand sanitizer contains coconut oil to help moisturize and uplift with a refreshing lemon scent.
Ballsy Plague Slayer Hand Sanitizer
The Plague Slayer Hand Sanitizer from Ballsy says it all. This formula is FDA approved and features soothing aloe to counter any any drying effects from the alcohol.
Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash
Have you ever heard of a rinse-free hand wash? Well here you are! This hand sanitizer contains a non-drying alcohol-based formula to cleanse hands effectively when fresh water is unavailable. Best of all, this product is pocket-sized so you can carry it virtually anywhere.
Noshinku Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer
The Noshinku Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer is an all-natural hand sanitizer blended with 70% alcohol that is derived from sugar cane. To top it off your senses will be delighted with the aromas of eucalyptus, lavender and bergamot.
The Honest Company Hand Sanitizer Spray
If you want to avoid rubbing in your hand sanitizer, you can always opt for a sanitizing spray. The Honest’s Company hand sanitizing spray is quick-drying and won’t leave your skin feeling sticky.
Baby Bum Hand Sanitizer
If you’re on the hunt for a plant-based sanitizer, you might want to try Baby Bum Hand Sanitizer. This no-rinse antibacterial spray is made with naturally derived alcohol, minor coconut oil and aloe extract. And if you’re a father, you can be assured that this pediatrician tested antibacterial spray is safe for the needs of a baby’s skin.
Hand Sanitizer Wipes by Williams
Not everyone likes to disinfect their hands with gel or a spray solution. Some people prefer the feeling of wiping with wet wipes. Self-proclaimed as “America’s Original Soap company” Williams was established in 1840 and we are more than sure your health will be in good hands with these hand sanitizer wipes.
Read More: Best Face and Body Wipes
Everyone Hand Sanitizer Spray
Always have a spare bottle of hand sanitizer at your disposal with this pack of six 2-ounce bottles. This hand sanitizer is made with sugar cane-derived alcohol and complete without the addition of fake fragrances, dyes, or artificial colors.
Mountain Mint Hand Sanitizer
If you want your hands to not only be germ free AND smell like peppermint and spearmint, try the Mountain Mint Hand Sanitizer from Dr. Squatch. This FDA-registered formula is tough on germs but gentle on skin with moisturizers like glycerin, which attracts moisture from the air to keep your hands from drying out.
The Honest Company Hand Sanitizer Spray
This is the only hand sanitizer on this list that is enriched with 100% pure natural hemp seed oil which helps to negate any drying effects from the alcohol.
