Best Hand Sanitizers in India - Reviews and Comparison 2021

Hand sanitizers are either alcohol-based or alcohol-free. They both have the properties to kill microorganisms and to prevent germs causing illnesses. People can choose any one of them to control the transmission of infectious disease. However, usually, people with sensitive skin prefer alcohol-free options.

Alcohol-based: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers have 60 to 95% of alcohol content in it which consists of ethanol, propanol and isopropanol. It counter-balances the microbes and often used as a medical disinfectant.

Alcohol-free: Alcohol-free performs well in killing the germs. It has a great smell and is softer on your hands. As compared to alcohol-based, it has fewer chemicals. This is the reason that alcohol-based sanitizer is more effective and agencies like WHO and CDC promote the same over alcohol-free.

World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research promote alcohol-based sanitizers as they have higher chances of antibiotic-resistant viruses. If you are sure of buying an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, then make sure it has more than 60% alcohol content. In fact, the CDC clearly mentions that sanitizers with 65 to 90% alcohol merely reduces the growth of germs and not kill them cent per cent.

An alcohol-based hand sanitizer should have only two types of alcohol, i.e. isopropyl and ethyl. Any hand sanitizer, with 1-propanol or 1-propyl and methanol, should not be used. Why so? Let’s read further.

• Methanol

Methanol is toxic alcohol, also known as wood alcohol. It is used as a raw material to fuel a machine manufacturing adhesives and foams. It is clearly not made for human ingestion. Moreover, when absorbed through the skin, it can cause nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Seizure attack, blindness, damage to the nervous system, permanent blindness are some of the worst things that can happen if it enters the body by any means in the long term.
In July of 2020, the FDA found traces of methanol in some of the hand sanitizers, and since then it has been urging buyers to check sanitizers label properly. Even if the methanol is present in the lowest dose then that sanitizer should not be purchased.

• 1-Propanol

1-Propanol or 1-propyl is another type of alcohol not meant for human consumption. It is used as a solvent to make cleaning products. The side effects of swallowing 1-propanol are decreased breathing and heart rate, lack of coordination and reflexes, and in severe cases, death. Therefore, check the ingredients clearly. Or you can check the label for FDA approval symbol or the absence of ingredients such as 1-propanol or methanol. 

• Ethyl

Ethyl, also known as ethanol or alcohol, is one of the only two types of alcohol permitted to use in the making of hand sanitizer. At least 60% of alcohol has to be there for killing the germs and bacteria. If your sanitizer only has ethyl as alcohol, then ensure it is at a level of a minimum of 60%. However, it is also harmful if swallowed multiple mouthfuls. Therefore, keep it out of the children's reach. 

• Isopropyl

Isopropyl, also known as isopropanol or 2-propanol, is the only other alcohol type that is acceptable in a hand sanitizer. Similar to ethyl, if isopropyl is the only alcohol in your sanitizer, it should also be at least 60%. 

The high content of alcohol can lead to skin irritation, dryness and make hands chapped. Unfortunately, in the process of killing germs, alcohol can even strip away skin’s natural oils. Some hand sanitizers, therefore, have moisturizers in them to help counter this. Sanitizers with natural moisturizers such as aloe vera or coconut oil are the best.

Hand sanitizer is monitored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and therefore it has an expiration date and lot number printed at the back or on top of the bottle. The date indicates till the time active ingredients are stable and effective. Usually, a hand sanitizer has 2 to 3 years of shelf life. Sanitizer may be effective past its expiration date as it contains alcohol, the active ingredient. Therefore, your sanitizer may or may not work after the expiration date, but it is best to replace it because it is undoubtedly not as effective as before.

Not all of us has the same type of skin. Therefore, hand sanitizers come in different formula compositions to serve different needs. Whether you have oily or dry skin, hand sanitizer for all types is available. A hand sanitizer made for a particular skin type if used for that skin gives a perfect result. So, not only it will kill the germs but also protect your skin. Wrong hand sanitizer can cause irritation, dryness and make skin rash.

Take the first steps to good health with hygiene! When at home, always use soap and water. However, when you are on the go, a hand sanitizer ensures hygiene. A sanitizer has some chemical in it to kill germs and bacteria; however, in some cases, it can cause side effect to your health. If you are buying a sanitizer from a reputed company, it will be certainly qualitative and safe to use. And yet there is any material you are allergic to; the brand will not hide it from you. Everything that sanitizer is made of will be mentioned in the ingredients.
Phthalates and triclosan have been recognized as noxious ingredients that are present in most hand sanitizers today. So before you pick your next bottle of hand sanitizer, keep your eyes wide open.

We might have listed this point at eight number, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Anything that goes into our body whether, via mouth or skin, it is our prime responsibility to check its ingredients. In fact, the reading label is all the more crucial if you have any allergy or specific skin type. Knowing the ingredients keep you away from some unforeseen risks.

We often don’t take label seriously and simply choose a product based on its look, smell, and appeal. But that’s not the right thing to do. Therefore, checking the ingredients of a hand sanitizer should be your priority and then considering its fragrance or look.

Some new sanitizer manufacturers in the market are using packaging resembling food or beverage products. Such packaging can prove to be dangerous if you have children at home. They might ingest it assuming to be a normal liquid kept in a regular bottle.

The packaging is important to consider due to one more reason. A hand sanitizer is often used while you are on the go. The packaging should be such that you can use it easily while travelling.

Apart from this, it is best if you buy a sanitizer packed in a bottle made from recycled material.

Do you also have two questions in mind when you see this point? One, is a hand sanitizer that expensive? Two, is money more important than our health?

Answering your first question, 100 rupees can be peanuts for some but not everyone. Therefore, yes, hand sanitizer can be expensive for some people.

And the answer to your next question is, no. Health is of supreme importance. However, money matters. The key here is to strike a balance between a quality hand sanitizer and the best price. Most importantly, it is not going to be a one time purchase. And we are sure; if you multiply the number of sanitizer bootle you will use in a year by the price of each bottle, the amount will astonish you.

Whenever cleaning supplies, disinfectant and antiseptic related products come to mind, Dettol is the most preferred brand for it. The company started its journey in 1932, and since then it has instilled a sense of security and trust among the Indian audience. In fact, Dettol is no more a brand for antiseptic but an adjective itself. Dettol is the best hand sanitizer as per customer reviews as well as our research.

The National Integrated Medical Association recommends the Dettol alcohol-based hand sanitizer. And with 72.34% alcohol content, it meets the condition of CDC and WHO as well. It has a classic Dettol fragrance, and it is very much safe for both children and adults to use. Moreover, it is non-sticky, and your hands won't feel greasy or slimy after use.

Our pick is a refill bottle; however, it is available in small bottles as well which you can carry while travelling.

Our next sanitizer is from the flagship brand, Himalaya. Its pure hand sanitizer is making noise, especially for the fragrances it provides. Our review is on orange fragrance; however, the product is also available in green apple, strawberry, litchi, and lemon.

It has 70% alcohol which kills 99.9% of germs. The ingredients also include neem, ginger, nutgrass and a few other herbs, fighting against microbes and bacteria to provide you complete protection. Well, it's Himalaya, how could not it have Ayurvedic properties! Moreover, it is a mild and gentle-on-the-hands product.

On number three, we have another India’s most trusted brand, Dabur. It is no less than the brand occupying our first two spots. We have ranked it third solely because of less number of customer ratings.

Let’s simply check the boxes. 70% alcohol-check. Rinse free-check. Non-sticky-check. Non-irritating fragrance-check. Two years shelf life-check. Protection against germ transfer-check.

What else do you need?

Marico's brand Mediker became famous for anti-lice shampoo, and since then it continued winning the Indian audience's trust. With 70% alcohol, the Mediker hand sanitizer meets the alcohol percentage condition of both the CDC and WHO. The packaging is such that you can easily carry it while travelling.
It cleans your hand without using any soap and water. Furthermore, it is non-sticky and has aloe vera moisturization. It is safe to use for both children and adults. The Mediker hand sanitizer is tough on germs and gentle on hands.

The advanced anti-germ hand sanitizer from BoroPlus is indeed effective and quick in killing germs. It kills 99.99% of germs in no time. Doctors recommend the product, and packaging is such that you can carry it anywhere conveniently. In total, it has 70% alcohol content and 95% ethyl alcohol. Besides, it also has tea tree oil, neem, tulsi, lemon extract and a soothing fragrance. Last but not least, it has both antiseptic and moisturizing properties.

Lifebuoy is a renowned brand in the Indian market, and also, it has great customer ratings. However, yet we have given it position six because it has a little more than 60% alcohol content which approved by CDC but not WHO. As per WHO, a minimum of 70% alcohol content should be there in a hand sanitizer.

Other features are point on in this sanitizer. Despite 60% of alcohol content, it gives instant protection from germs. It is free of harmful chemicals and has glycerine in it, which leaves your skin feeling moisturized.

It is effective in killing 99.99% of bacteria and virus without water. It works in just 10 seconds and protects your hands for long hours.

Infused with tea tree, aloe vera and vitamin E extracts, this Amazon brand's Solimo hand sanitizer is safe and gentle. The gel-based hand sanitizer is an alcohol-based formulation with 75% alcohol. It has all the good properties of a hand sanitizer. In fact, it has the maximum alcohol content amongst all sanitizers on our list. Despite that, it has got the seventh rank as a consumer have a complaint of alcohol content not mentioned on the label.
Its non-sticky formula ensures easy application. The fragrance is excellent, and it kills germ without making your hands dry. Checkout reviews and comparison of best skin whitening creams, best face primer, best soaps, best face concealer stick, best lip gloss, best compact powders in India