Using a hand sanitizer is a hygienic way to disinfect when you don’t have access to soap and water. You won’t always have to use a sink and even if a sink is just around the corner. Washing the hands with soap and water after every exposure to a dirty surface may become tiring venture. Instead, it’s worth trying alcohol-based hand sanitizers as they are portable, simple, and easy to use.

Many studies reveal that using alcohol-based hand sanitizers in a water-constrained environment can be just as effective as handwashing with soap. In addition, with a large percentage of people improperly washing their hands, using hand sanitizers is a very smart choice. To ensure you get the best results of using hand sanitizers, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends using a formula with at least 60% to 95% alcohol concentration. The reason is that alcohol acts as a “denaturing agent” that kills or inactivates viruses and germs like norovirus ,  Cryptosporidium , and  Clostridium difficile.

So, what kind of hand sanitizer should you use? 

 Alcohol-based sanitizers with 60% alcohol or higher are best at killing many types of germs. If your sanitizer contains any less than that, it may reduce germs’ growth but not totally eradicate them. When choosing the hand sanitizer to use, look for one of these 3 active ingredients on the label: ethyl alcohol, benzalkonium chloride, or isopropyl alcohol. So, make sure you look at the expiration date and make sure it has the right ingredients and recommended alcohol percentage. Steer clear of hand sanitizers containing other potentially dangerous types of alcohol.

Here are the best hand sanitizers (based on CDC requirements) you can find on shelves and online in 2021;

Purrel Advanced Hand sanitizer

The purrel hand sanitizer is America’s #1 hand sanitizer brand. It’s tested and trusted by people and health workers as it kills 99.9% of bacterias or germs that may cause illness. It is available in a simple formula made with plant-based alcohol. The purrel Advanced sanitizer contains 70% ethanol. In addition, it’s  paraben , aluminum, and dye-free. This sanitizer comes with gel holders so you can easily attach them to your belt loop or bag handle. They’re also available in large sizes in case you want to keep one around the house.

ClimbOn hand sanitizer spray

This climbOn spray sanitizer is an organic hand spray formulated with 100% plants according to the brand. It contains 70 percent ethyl alcohol and includes aloe vera and MCT oil, which has plenty of fatty acids to keep your skin hydrated. Additionally, it has a refreshing scent with hints of clove, coconut, and lemon. Furthermore, it also allows for longer-lasting usage than a gel sanitizer. Besides that, it also has enormous versatility to clean surfaces and devices in addition to the skin.

Germ X Original hand sanitizer

Germ-x Original hand sanitizer is a special and effective sanitizer that kills 99.99% of harmful bacteria and other germs in as little as 15 seconds. The Germ-X option also contains 62 percent of the active ingredient: ethyl alcohol (an antiseptic) to kill germs while moisturizing your hands with vitamin E. 

Megababe Squeaky Clean Hand Sanitizer 

Squeaky Clean Hand Sanitizer is FDA-approved to kill 99.9% of germs, and it also meets the CDC’s recommended 60% alcohol. Unlike most hand sanitizers, Megababe’s plant-based option smells like calming bergamot and citrus peel rather than alcohol. Every spout delivers a 60% alcohol concentration to kill fungus, germs, and microbes without leaving your skin with a sticky residue. 

Peter Thomas Roth Hand Sanitizer

This sanitizer is another collection from the Celebrity-adored skincare brand: Peter Thomas Roth. A bottle contains the highest alcohol concentration on this list, 80%, along with a hydrating boost of glycerin. It comes in a convenient pocket-size spray bottle. It’s ideal for use when soap and water are not available.

Olika Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Spray

OLIKA Hydrating Hand Sanitizer is a refillable misting hand sanitizer with a hydrating & clean formula that is effective against 99.9% of germs. It contains 65% ethyl alcohol, and that surely exceeds the CDC standards(60%) for germ killing. In addition, it’s made with simple ingredients that are free from  phthalates ,  sulfates , and artificial fragrances.