Since the beginning of the pandemic we’ve all become accustomed to spritzing ourselves with hand sanitiser after our weekly shop, grabbing a takeaway coffee, or getting on a bus.
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As a rule, the NHS, Public Health England as well as the World Health Organisation all agree that for a hand sanitiser to be effective, it needs to contain at least 60% alcohol.
We also need to make it clear that you should wash your hands before applying sanitiser wherever possible, to make sure all germs and bacteria are removed.
The major upside is that they protect us from coronavirus. The downside is that they can cause havoc to your skin’s natural balance.
Pre-pandemic there were only a small number of brands that sold hand sanitisers. Now almost every health and beauty company has their own twist on them.
This makes choosing the perfect option a little trickier. There are different scents, different formulas, and different consistencies to choose from, not to mention a range of packaging options.
Then there’s also the question of how well a sanitising product actually offers the best protection.
With this in mind, we’ve picked what we consider to be the best hand sanititsers that clean and protect your hands. With something for all budgets.
We’ve also found a sanitiser without alcohol, yet which still achieves a medical grade, for those of us with sensitive skin or skin conditions. Click here to jump straight to this option.
FURTHER READING: Best hand cream 2021: Protect dry hands from getting red and sore with our top hand creams
Why we love it: This anti-bacterial hand sanitiser forms part of the relatively new Lemon range from The Body Shop. It smells super fresh and absorbs easily, without any slimy residue. We have a bottle of this hand sanitiser, as well as the range’s lemony hand wash, sitting on the window sill behind our kitchen sink.
Its larger size and the pump dispenser are great for on-the-go sanitising, such as when we’ve been handling raw meat or when we’ve finished putting the shopping away. There are a number of other skincare staples in The Body Shop Lemon range – a face wash, body wash, hand cream, and more – and they’re great for all genders. Contains alcohol
FURTHER READING: Best hand cream 2021
Buy now from The Body Shop
£2.40 | Buy from Amazon
Why we love it: While this sanitiser does have a fairly strong scent, it’s a hospital-grade spray that is quick and easy to apply. It dries almost instantly and isn’t overly expensive. In fact, at £2.40 for 100ml, it’s a total bargain.
It’s an extremely cost-effective option as all it takes is one or two sprays to coat each hand. Its pump applicator means it’s simple to apply, and its small bottle makes it ideal for use on the go.
Buy now from Amazon
£10 | Buy from Feelunique
Why we love it: We first discovered Grown Alchemist via the brand’s face exfoliator, which we got in one of last year’s beauty advent calendars. It’s a great, botanically-led brand that produces smart products. This hand sanitiser is no exception. It gets its name from the fact that it’s hydrating while also protecting you from bacteria.
It’s made with 70% Ethyl Alcohol taken from Cane Sugars, with the addition of hyaluronic acid and antioxidants. This kills up to 99.99% of germs, while keeping your hands hydrated and protected from the signs of ageing.
Buy now from Feelunique
£5.99 | Buy from Serenity Hygiene
Why we love it: This alcohol-free sanitiser is designed with skin in mind; its lack of alcohol means it doesn’t dry skin out or cause irritation.
Yet, despite being alcohol-free, this foaming hand sanitiser is a medical-grade product and does meet NHS guidelines. Just one pump is all it takes to generously coat each hand, leaving skin feeling fresh and clean. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free.
Thanks to reduced packaging it’s perfect for popping in your pocket or stowing in a backpack when you’re on the go.
Buy now from Serenity Hygiene
£6.00 | Buy from L’Occitane
Why we love it: There are so many things we love about this L’Occitane Lavender Hand Sanitiser. From its light and floral scent to its handy travel-sized bottle and non-sticky formula, it’s almost too beautiful to be a hand sanitiser.
The subtle lavender scent makes the sanitiser wonderfully fresh, despite the high alcohol concentration of the gel. Not only does it smell good, but it also looks good thanks to the chic bottle design, making it a great choice for the house-proud among us.
Buy now from L’Occitane
£6.50 | Buy from Amazon
Why we love it: This delicately fragranced hand sanitiser is natural and certified organic.
Packed with a purifying blend of natural ingredients, including niaouli, lemongrass, and witch hazel, the formula is designed to leave hands feeling and smelling clean. All with just a single spritz.
With a base of 70% alcohol, the formula is light, weightless, and sticky-residue-free. It’s also vegan-approved.
Buy now from Amazon
£5.99 | Buy from Amazon
Why we love it: Boasting an uplifting and refreshing combination of pink grapefruit, orange, and the wonderfully aromatic naiouli flower, this hand sanitiser is light and almost floral.
This energising scent coupled with its sanitising power, and with the fact it leaves your hands feeling moisturised, you can’t go wrong.
Made from natural essential oils combined with over 70% alcohol, and packaged in a reusable glass spray bottle, as a hand sanitiser it’s a dream.
Buy now from Amazon
Beth Mahoney is a freelance journalist & digital marketing specialist. You can find her making handmade beauty products, baking brownies, and blogging in her spare time
