The Dirty Truth About Hand Sanitizer from Mercola
Are you one of those people who keeps sanitizer on hand at all times? If not, you probably know someone who does — that always-prepared type of person who keeps a travel-sized bottle in their desk drawer, purse, car, gym bag — and the list goes on. You may think you’re keeping yourself healthy and beating germs to the punch when you use hand sanitizer but, unfortunately, there’s more to it than meets the eye.
The truth is, many hand sanitizers contain rubbing alcohol as the active bactericidal ingredient, which may dry out your skin. Even worse is an ingredient called triclosan, which has been shown to not only contribute to the development of bacterial resistance, but also to increase the amount of bisphenol-A (BPA) you absorb when handling thermal receipt paper or other BPA-containing products. BPA is an endocrine-disrupting chemical found in countless everyday products and it is associated with several negative health effects, including structural damage to the brain, increased risk of obesity, infertility and altered immune function.
While hand sanitizer may be convenient because it saves you a trip to the bathroom, your best option for maintaining clean hands is to use a mild soap and water. Hand-washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs and avoid illness. As much as you can, avoid using antibacterial soap because it contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. If you really must use hand sanitizer, you’d be better off making your own. Here’s how:
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Ingredients
• 8 ounces organic aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon witch hazel
• 1/2 teaspoon organic tea tree oil
• 1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
• 10 drops organic lavender oil
Directions
Simply mix all the ingredients together until they are well combined, then store in a small container for use when you’re on the go.
