Disadvantages of Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizer Products

There are two kinds of alcohols used in skin-care applications:

Ethyl alcohol (Grain Alcohol): – A low-molecular weight alcohol containing two carbon atoms.  This is the same alcohol as consumed in alcoholic beverages.

Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol): – A low-molecular weight alcohol containing three carbon atoms.  These alcohols are toxic to microorganisms by precipitating proteins in the outer surface of these organisms, killing them on contact.

The effective concentration range of these alcohols for killing microorganisms is generally 60-100%.  They must be at least 60% and should be at least 70% for adequate kill however, the higher the concentration, the more likely there will be skin degradation.

Negative Aspects of Alcohols When Used in Skin-Care Products:

• Alcohols are excellent solvents: – Alcohols are often used as industrial cleaning solvents, because of their ability to dissolve oils and remove them from surfaces.  The residual alcohol also evaporates quickly from the cleaned surface.  While this is good for circuit boards and metal surfaces, the same properties are irritating to skin.

The natural oils are removed from the skin, often called “defatting” of the epidermal layer.  Extended use will keep the natural oils from protecting and softening the skin, often resulting in dried or cracked skin.  To avoid this irritation, some skin-care products include “emollients,” to help replace natural skin oils. These emollients are often very different from the natural oils on the skin.

• Alcohols evaporate rapidly: – When the concentration of alcohol drops below 60% in the applied solution, its antibacterial action is impaired.  The FDA states that when the alcohol concentration drops below 60%, it is no longer effective as an antibacterial agent.  Within seconds after applying to the skin, the alcohol evaporates, decreasing its concentration rapidly.  Within a few seconds, the applied product is no longer effective and there is no continued antibacterial action or residual protection.   As such, alcohol solutions offer no persistence.

• Alcohols are flammable: – Alcohols burn rapidly.   High-performance race car engines burn low-molecular-weight alcohols, because of their excellent flammability.  When alcohols vapors are mixed with oxygen gas, the mixture is explosive.  Imagine having alcohol spread across the skin, with evaporating alcohol vapors mixing with the air above the surface of the skin, and having a spark ignite the alcohol.  There are many horror stories of this happening, especially in oxygen-rich environments.

• Alcohols have a peculiar odor: – Due to their high volatility, rapid evaporation fills the air with alcohol molecules that have a distinctive and peculiar odor.  This characteristic of alcohols may be positive or negative to the consumer, however, more often than not, the user finds this offensive.

There is however, a perfect solution to the above concerns:  That solution is GentleCare Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer Foam  -  Fragrance free, dye free formulation contains MicroDerm which offers 99.99% or 4 log reduction, residual protection because the .24% Benzalkonium Formula does not evaporate off the skin like alcohol does.

In addition, there is no de-fatting or stripping of the skin after using.  GentleCare helps to maintain intact skin which is the first line of defense against cross contamination or nosocomial infections.

For more information “Click Here” or email or call us with any questions.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 7:48 pm and is filed under Caregiver Skin Care, Infection Control, Skin Care Topics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.