Remember several years back when hand sanitizers first came onto the market? Everyone thought they were such an amazing product (the best thing since the proverbial "sliced bread"). People were captivated by the fact that they could kill 99.9% of disease-causing germs on their hands in 15 seconds or less. Truly a miracle!
The poor hand sanitizer is like a thoroughbred race horse, the favourite in the race, that charges out of the starting gates but ends up fading drastically in the final stretch. How can such a promising product taper off like my new skinny jeans? Well, here's my take on what happened and why I think it's time for the hand sanitizer to take its rightful place in society.
The first hand sanitizer on the market was a gel and it contained alcohol, and still does, for that matter. Over time, studies came out revealing that alcohol-based hand sanitizers were actually bad for your hands. You see, the alcohol causes the skin to become dry and cracked, thereby leaving crevices where germs become trapped. In fact, studies show that the more frequently you use them, the less effective they become.
Reports also came out stating that we shouldn't use hand sanitizers because they weaken our resistance and reduce our ability to fight off germs. They scared us into thinking that if we depended on hand sanitizers, we would become weak and unable to fight off nasty germs.
I'm sure many of you have heard this line before "we need bacteria ... it actually helps us ... it makes us stronger". My response to this: A resounding "phooey". Let's be clear ... there are numerous types of bacteria out there and many of them can make us ill.
Of course, let's not forget the germaphobics who also contributed to the bad rap. When we thought about hand sanitizers, images of eccentric germ-obsessed individuals relentlessly pumping hand sanitizer into their pale hands came to mind. Not a pretty sight.
Well, it's time for someone to speak up and come to the rescue of hand sanitizers. It's time to clear up all the popular misconceptions, open up our hearts and minds and restore hand sanitizers to their rightful place in society. Quite a bold stance, you're thinking? Allow me to present my case.
First of all, almost everything that has been reported about alcohol-based hand sanitizers is true, and I'm not suggesting we embrace them. What I'm talking about are alcohol-free hand sanitizers... quite a different animal.
Here's the scoop: 80% of germs are transmitted by hands and since hand washing isn't always possible, an alcohol-free hand sanitizer is the perfect solution. Imagine having a personal invisible shield protecting you from germs 24/7? I don't know about you, but I'd love to have my own personal bodyguard with me all the time, fighting off evil germs.
Alcohol-free hand sanitizers are gentle, safe for the whole family, non-toxic, non-flammable and they don't leave a sticky residue on your hands. The active ingredient is Benzalkonium Chloride and it has been widely used for over 40 years by medical professionals. It's approved for safety and effectiveness in many antiseptic applications, including skin treatments. It's also used extensively as a preservative in cosmetics and many over-the-counter products, including infant nasal sprays. These alcohol-free hand sanitizers kill 99.9% of germs in less than 15 seconds. I'm talking about the vicious germs that cause diseases such as Salmonella, Norwalk Virus, E. coli, SARS, Avian Flu, and more.
When hand washing isn't possible, alcohol-free hand sanitizers are the answer. There are portable mini-sprays that you can carry in your purse, briefcase, backpack, computer bag, pocket, you name it. Or, take one with you when you shop, travel, fly, drive or ride the subway. Always have one "on hand" (you must have seen that one coming) ... keep one at your desk, in the rooms of your home or in your locker at school. Alcohol-free hand sanitizers are affordable, convenient and can keep you and your family safe from disease-causing germs.
I'm not suggesting you pump every minute of your day, but I honesty believe it's time for the much-aligned hand sanitizer, the alcohol-free one that is, to take its rightful place in society. Stop the injustice and the spread of germs... get yourself an alcohol-free hand sanitizer today and stay healthy! You owe it to yourself, your family and your friends.