Alcohol based sanitisers provide effective protection vs bacteria and enveloped viruses, but over time can exacerbate skin issues including dryness and cracks. This is particularly problematic in frequent use situations, where skin can become sore and irritated. Alcohol Free alternatives provide excellent sanitising performance, are compliant with HSE guidance for supply and manufacture, and can help avoid skin issues associated with frequent use. What’s more thanks to the absence of alcohol, such formulations are not flammable making them safer to both manufacture and store.
Alcohol free sanitisation
How does it work?
What are the key benefits of alcohol free sanitisation?
– Excellent Sanitising performance
– Compliant with UK HSE guidance
– Skin friendly, suitable for frequent use
– Non Flammable
– Alcohol-free formula leaves hands refreshed and naturally moisturised without stickiness or residue. Our formulation can continue to stay active on the surface for up to several hours after initial application.
– These products are ideal for use in educational and religious communities.
– Alcohol free hand sanitiser does not dry skin out & is suitable for frequent use. Unlike alcohol gels which can irritate the skin & cause dermatitis with
prolonged use.
– Non-flammable makes it safe to use in industrial area, manufacturing
facilities, Aircrafts and other travels support areas. Safer for school children
compared to alcohol formulations.
– Product can be used as spray, foam, rub or as a gel.
Studies have shown that alcohol-based hand sanitisers actually increase the number of bacteria on the skin the more they are used. Alcohol is a solvent that strips away oils that are important for water retention, and dries out the skin when it evaporates. This drying effect causes chapping of the skin, creating cracks and crevices where germs may become trapped or hidden. Even if an alcohol-based hand sanitiser has emollients, repeated use will still leave the skin dry, irritated, and more susceptible to invasion by germs.
Alcohol is what is called a flash sanitising product and works against germs when exposed (wetting) by alcohol. As soon as Alcohol dries out it will lose its effectiveness and it has no residual germ-killing effect. Once alcohol has evaporated the germ- killing action stops. It is extremely effective for flash/immediate disinfection. Repeated and regular disinfection is required.
Extended use of alcohol sanitizers and extensive washing of the hands has been shown to lead to Irritable Contact Dermatitis (ICD). High % of health care workers suffer from some form of ICD.
What replaces alcohol in alcohol free sanitiser?
The key active in the Aseptic alcohol free hand sanitiser is called Benzalkonium Chloride (BKC). This ingredient has been extensively studied and has been well known for its antimicrobial properties since 1935. It was first approved by the EPA for use in a pharmaceutical product in 1947. Historically its main uses were to prevent microbiological contamination in prescription and over the counter drugs, but today is also widely used in cosmetics, wet wipes, surface sanitisers, lozenges, aqueous nasal and ocular drops etc.
Over the years there have been numerous articles in scientific literature reporting its activity against viruses, bacteria and fungi. There are even studies as far back as 1988 demonstrating its activity against enveloped viruses including the coronavirus type which was again confirmed in a recent study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection.
As you would expect from a product used in pharmaceutical preparations, the safety of BKC has been widely studied ensuring its suitability for use in sanitisers in both domestic and professional settings.
What’s the evidence to support it?
A number of recent articles exploring the benefits of alcohol free sanitisers have been published. These include the following:
1. “Alcohol-free hand sanitizer and other quaternary ammonium disinfectants quickly and effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2”. Journal of Hospital Infection 108 (2021) 42-145.
Conclusion: Quats rapidly inactivate SARS-CoV-2, making them potentially useful for controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread in hospitals and the community.
2. “Evaluation of a benzalkonium chloride hand sanitiser in reducing transient
Staphylococcus aureus bacterial skin contaminant in health care workers”. American Journal of Infection Control 48(2020) 522-526.
Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in transient S aureus on the fingertips of HCWs (Health Care Workers) in the BZK (Benzalkonium Chloride) use as compared with 70% ethanol use week.
3. Independent Lab Testing according to BS EN Methods
- BS EN 1276 / BS EN 13727 – Bacteria
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphyloccocus aureus, Enterococcus hirae
- PASS
- BS EN 14476 – Viruses
- Vaccinia, Coronavirus 229E
- PASS
- BS EN 13624 for Yeast
- Candida Albicans
- PASS
World Health Organisation says protect yourself
Wash hands thoroughly and regularly with soap & water or use hand gel
Keep tissues handy and cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
Stay at least 2 metres apart and avoid anyone with cold or flu like symptoms
