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Hand sanitisers have been snatched off the shelves both locally and globally ever since the pandemic, and as time passes, the use of such personal hygiene products is still very much prevalent today since more are aware of the benefits.
On the other hand, this widely used everyday essential comes with its fair share of myths that are often untrue too.
Hence, we will be debunking the five common misconceptions about hand sanitisers in this article so you know how to use them correctly and effectively, and with peace of mind. Read on to find out more.
Myth 1: Only a small amount is needed
Ever asked for an antiseptic hand rub from a friend only to be given a small dollop of it, or do you always use just a tiny amount each time you sanitise your hands?
This is, in fact, an incorrect way of using hand sanitisers because you need a coin-sized amount of gel to sufficiently cover your entire palms, back of your hands and between your fingers.
Using only a small amount will result in the ineffective sanitisation of your hands as it will not be able to provide adequate coverage. Hence, always apply a generous amount to prevent the spread of germs.
Myth 2: Hand sanitiser is more effective than soap and water
Contrary to popular belief, although using a hand sanitiser is a quick and convenient way to kill germs, soap and water is still the most effective way to keep your hands truly germ-free.
This is because soap disrupts the bond between pathogens and your skin, allowing germs to slide off your hands while neutralising any viruses. Thus, it is always recommended to wash your hands thoroughly with soap for at least 20 seconds whenever you can.
That being said, hand sanitisers are still your next best bet when soap and water are not readily available, such as when you are outdoors.
Myth 3: All hand sanitisers are the same
You may not pay too much attention to the nitty-gritty details of the hand sanitiser you choose as they all perform one function, but their ingredients are certainly not all the same. Some may be alcohol-free which do not provide the same amount of protection while others contain alcohol but are not of sufficient concentration to effectively kill germs.
As a rule of thumb, look out for hand sanitisers that contain at least 60% of ethanol and 70% of isopropanol to ensure they work well.
Apart from alcohol content, some hand sanitisers may come with fragrances to make them smell more pleasant or even have vitamin E beads added to them for extra hydration.
Myth 4: Frequent usage will dry out my hands
While this is true to a certain extent since alcohol can strip your skin of its natural lipids that help to keep them smooth, you can always opt for hand sanitisers that come with moisturising properties.
An ingredient to keep in mind is glycerin, an emollient and moisturising agent that has a soothing effect on the skin to prevent dry hands.
Myth 5: It will work even when my hands are dirty
Studies have shown that hand sanitisers work well on hands that come into contact with germs, but not when they are heavily greasy or soiled.
Hands that are visibly greasy or soiled could prevent the hand sanitiser from penetrating and killing the germs. Hence, always make sure your hands are not visibly dirty as alcohol-based sanitisers work best on clean skin, according to Health Hub. If they are, you should use soap and water instead.
With a better understanding of how to use hand sanitisers the right way, it is perhaps time to shop for your next bottle to continue keeping utmost hygiene.
Here at Freshening Industries, we have a wide range of hand sanitisers containing either ethyl or isopropyl alcohol that effectively kill 99.99% of germs, available online in Singapore for you to choose from.
Shop all hand sanitisers here!
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