Key Ingredients for Alcohol Hand Sanitizer Gel

Key Ingredients for Alcohol Hand Sanitizer Gel

I understand that alcohol hand sanitizer gel is hard to find these days. For making your own alcohol hand sanitizer gel, there are key ingredients you will need:

• Alcohol: This is the most important ingredient for killing germs. Generally, it is recommended to use Ethyl Alcohol or Isopropyl Alcohol at a final concentration of approximately 60-80% for effective germ killing.
  • Relevant Products: Ethyl Alcohol (99.9% , 200 Proof, Research/Perfumer Grade), Ethyl Alcohol (96% , Perfumer Grade, Low-Odor)
• Thickener: This helps change the texture from liquid to gel, making it easier to use. A commonly used substance is the Carbomer group.
  • Relevant Products: Carbomer 940 (EasyDisperse™, France), Carbomer U21 (Self-Wetting, Wide pH Range, e.q. Carbopol Ultrez 21), Carbomer U10 (EasyDisperse, Short-flow, e.q. Carbopol Ultrez 10), Carbomer 980 (Benzene-free, Toxic-free), Carbomer Ultrez 30 (Electrolyte Tolerance)
  • Note: Carbomer requires a neutralizer (alkali) such as Triethanolamine, Sodium Hydroxide, or AMP to form a gel.
• Humectant: Alcohol can dry out the skin. Adding a humectant like Glycerin helps reduce skin dryness.
  • Relevant Products: Glycerin (USP/Food Grade)
• Water: Used to adjust the alcohol concentration to the appropriate range and to dissolve Carbomer.

Limitation: I cannot provide exact formulations or percentages for each ingredient, as this requires experimentation and adjustment to achieve the desired texture and safe alcohol concentration.