Keeping our hands clean can help prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses. Unfortunately, right now it can be difficult to get hold of a good, reliable hand sanitiser. That's why in this article we compare hand sanitising gels, wet wipes, sprays and foams to find the best options available to buy online in the UK.
To give you a wide selection to choose from, we've ranked 10 of our favourite antibacterial hand sanitisers to buy on Amazon and eBay. So whether you're looking for a bag-friendly 500ml bottle, an alcohol-free alternative or a money-saving bulk buy, read on for our tips and advice!
Quick List - Top Hand Sanitisers
EcoHydra
A Reliable Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitising Foam Approved by the NHS
SwetWipes
Extra Large Antibacterial Hand and Body Wipes to Keep You Smelling Fresh
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Table of Contents
With the currently limited selection of hand sanitisers available to buy both online and in shops, it's important that you know the one you buy is safe to use and powerful enough to kill harmful bacteria. In this guide we're here to help you find a reliable hand sanitiser online!
You've probably heard of gel hand sanitisers, but did you know there are other types that you can buy? Before buying, consider which type best suits your needs.
Gels are the most commonly used type of hand sanitiser. They're affordable, easy to find and available in small bag-friendly packaging between 50 ml to 250 ml.
The texture should be thick and viscous enough to be evenly spread over your hands. If the consistency is too watery it won't coat your palms properly and will take longer to absorb into your skin.
Some people find that foam hand sanitisers are easier to apply than gel. Foams have a less runny texture and won't drip, providing a mess-free application.
However, these types tend to be more expensive than gels. But be aware, a higher price point doesn't necessarily mean that they are more effective.
Spray hand sanitisers are quick and convenient. A great option for when you're on the go, you can get them in pocket-sized 15 ml packaging. Though you may want to opt for a larger 500 ml bottle if you want your hand sanitiser to last a bit longer.
Unfortunately, the application is less accurate. You might find that a lot of the spray misses your skin, which isn't ideal for achieving a full and even coverage.
Hand sanitising wet wipes are the easiest to use and can get right into the creases to wipe away nasty germs that other types can sometimes fail to reach. They come in slim packaging that's perfect to fit inside your handbag or briefcase and are generally suitable for kids.
The downside? Each individual wipe will need to be disposed of after use. Not only can this get pretty expensive, but most wet wipes are non-biodegradable making them less environmentally friendly than other types.
There are lots of ingredients that can be used in hand sanitiser, some more skin-friendly than others. Here are some important ingredients to look for when deciding which one works best for you.
Alcohol is one of the most common ingredients in hand sanitiser as it's a powerful substance that's great at killing off unwanted germs. Most effective hand sanitisers contain between 60-95% alcohol, most commonly either isopropyl alcohol or ethanol.
That said, alcohol is known for drying out your skin, which can leave hands feeling coarse or cracked if used frequently. If you have sensitive skin or are buying for young children, we'd recommend looking for an alcohol-free hand sanitiser instead.
Some alcohol alternatives to look for are benzethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride and ammonium chloride. These ingredients have strong antibacterial powers, are non-toxic and are gentle on hands.
Fragrances are used to make hand sanitiser products smell nice. However, scented ingredients such as perfumes and essential oils may not be suitable for everyone.
Fragrances can cause skin sensitivity and allergic reactions in some users. Highly perfumed hand sanitisers may even be problematic for those who suffer from asthma. To avoid any unwanted reactions, seek out fragrance-free options instead.
If you prefer to avoid products that contain preservatives, we've also included some paraben-free hand sanitisers on our list that you're sure to love.
Hand sanitisers can be harsh on the skin. Luckily there are some products available that contain soothing ingredients to help balance them out. Emollient ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, jojoba oil, glycerin, and vitamin E moisturise the skin, leaving it feeling soft and hydrated after use.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | EcoHydra Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser Foam | ![]() | A Reliable Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitising Foam Approved by the NHS | |
2 | Vital Baby Aquaint Sanitising Water | ![]() | A Family-Friendly Water-Based Hand Sanitiser Spray | |
3 | SwetWipes Extra Large Antibacterial Hand Wipes | ![]() | Extra Large Antibacterial Hand and Body Wipes to Keep You Smelling Fresh | |
4 | SurSol Instant Hand Sanitiser | ![]() | A Gentle Hand Sanitising Spray That's Soft on Skin | |
5 | RAWGANIC On-the-Go Hand Wipes | ![]() | 100% Biodegradable Hand Sanitising Wipes | |
6 | Clearell Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser | ![]() | Best Bulk Buy Option for Sensitive Skin | |
7 | Cath Kidston Beauty Moisturising Hand Sanitiser | ![]() | A Pocket Hand Sanitiser That Looks and Smells Sweet | |
8 | Sanitirex Alcohol Hand Sanitiser | ![]() | A Pocket-Sized Sanitiser Gel for When You're on the Go | |
9 | Cuticura Original Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel|Pack of 6 | ![]() | A Dermatologically Tested and Lightly Scented Hand Sanitiser Gel | |
10 | Nilco Antibacterial Hand Sanitising Gel|Pack of 6 | ![]() | Best Value Pack of Hand Sanitiser Gel |
EcoHydra's hand sanitising foam is a trusted alcohol-free option that's used to protect staff and patients within the NHS. For a convenient, mess-free application, it dries within seconds and remains active for up to 4 hours!
Enriched with soothing aloe vera and suitable for use even on delicate skin, we recommended this product as our top pick for parents. The container is bag-sized and child-friendly, encouraging the whole family to regularly clean their hands.
If you're looking for a hand sanitiser that's safe for little ones, Aquaint Sanitising Water is suitable for newborns and up. This water-based sanitiser consists of only two ingredients, water and natural hypochlorous acid that's produced in the human body to fight germs.
It's a highly effective cleanser for both children and grown-ups, capable of killing 99% of germs in seconds. We love that it comes in a big 500 ml bottle, perfect for regular family use.
SwetWipes strong anti-bacterial wipes are a must-have for wiping down after exercise. Not only are they cleansing for your skin, but they also neutralise odour causing bacteria to keep you smelling fresh.
The lightly coconut scented wipes are biodegradable, PH balanced and alcohol-free. Not to mention, the extra-large size and thick material make them suitable for the body as well as hands.
Made with moisturising ingredients, SurSol's Instant Hand Sanitiser is the most gentle option on our list. This hand sanitiser spray is free of harsh chemicals and enriched with aloe vera, jojoba oil and vitamin E to be softer on sensitive skin.
The 250 ml spray bottle is a decent size to keep with you in the car for sanitising your hands after supermarket trips. Since it's alcohol-free, you could even use it to clean your steering wheel!
RAWGANIC's On-the-Go hand sanitising wet wipes provide a more environmentally-friendly way to clean your skin. Made from sustainable organic cotton, these cleansing wipes are 100% biodegradable.
Great for handbags, the packaging is small and compact so you can take them anywhere. Each wipe is soaked in aloe vera and cucumber to soothe and refresh the skin while fighting any bacteria at the same time!
If you have your own bottles or dispensers that you'd like to refill yourself, this whopping 5-litre bottle can help to cut down on both packaging and costs.
Both alcohol-free and fragrance-free, it's a fantastic bulk buy option if you have allergies, asthma or sensitive skin. Best of all, the formula lasts up to 6 hours per application, to help keep hands clean between washing.
A super cute option from British home designer Cath Kidston, this slim-line hand sanitiser spray will slot right in your pocket for fresh hands on the go. Blended with vitamin E and glycerin, the formula will leave hands feeling soft and hydrated after each use.
If fragranced products aren't a concern, this hand sanitiser smells like breakfast tea and zesty orange, with hints of amber, jasmine, and forest woods.
At only 50 ml, this hand sanitiser gel from Sanitirex is the ideal size to take with you on days out. Capable of killing up to 99.9% of germs, you'll only need to use a small amount per application to get the full effect.
Those with sensitive skin may want to give this one a miss as the powerful formulation contains 70% alcohol which can be drying to the skin. If you want a bigger size, choose the 500ml bottle on eBay which will last longer.
Cuticura's lightly-scented antibacterial formula leaves your hands feeling clean and smelling fresh. Dermatologically tested and approved, this hand sanitiser gel is capable of removing bacteria from your hands quickly and efficiently.
It's important to note that this product, though advertised as containing 66% alcohol, only has 57.6% alcohol stated on the bottle, which isn't enough to fight viruses. For effective protection against viruses, you'll want to pick one that's 60% or above.
If you're looking to stock up, Nilco's Antibacterial Hand Sanitising Gel comes as a bundle of 6 generous 500ml bottles. Quick-drying and easy to use, it's designed to kill 99.9% of the bacteria that builds up on your hands throughout the day.
Disappointingly, there is a lack of ingredient information available for this product, so it's unclear how skin-friendly the formula is. That said, with a quantity totalling 3000 ml, it's certainly great value for money!
Regularly cleaning our hands is important to help stop the spread of harmful germs, bacteria and pathogens. But all that hand washing can leave our skin feeling a bit dry. Check out some of these moisturising products to keep you hands feeling soft and hydrated!
With the ability to kill up to 99% of harmful germs and bacteria on your skin, hand sanitisers are a great way to help protect yourself from flus and viruses. After reading our guide, hopefully you have chosen the perfect product to keep your hands fresh and clean!
Author: Annie Speight
No. 1: EcoHydra |Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser Foam
No. 2: Vital Baby |Aquaint Sanitising Water
No. 3: SwetWipes|Extra Large Antibacterial Hand Wipes
No. 4: SurSol |Instant Hand Sanitiser
No. 5: RAWGANIC|On-the-Go Hand Wipes
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