Today, in the range of hand disinfectants you will find product types such as liquids, foams, antibacterial soaps and aerosols. Disinfectant gels are an attractive alternative to these products, which help to protect against infection, especially during an epidemic.
What are the ingredients in hand disinfection gels?
The primary function of disinfectant gels is to fight viruses and bacteria present on the skin and other surfaces. This function is made possible by the alcohol content, which is a powerful and versatile disinfectant. The alcohol concentration in individual products varies from 60% to over 70%.
The list of ingredients in disinfectant gels usually includes ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or propan-1-ol. All of them are equally effective in annihilating pathogens by denaturing the viral protein envelope.
To ensure that daily hygiene does not cause dryness and irritation of the skin, hand disinfectant gels are also equipped with protective and soothing substances. These include hyaluronic acid, glycerine, aloe vera extract, allantoin, panthenol or inulin. Moreover, in many preparations you will find aromas, which improve the comfort of use.
How are gels better than other disinfectants?
The most important characteristic of hand disinfection gels is their relatively thick consistency. This facilitates application on the hands and leaves a film on the skin that cannot be easily wiped off. In everyday use, a disinfectant gel can therefore be more effective than other disinfectants.
When using gel disinfectants, it is easier to adhere to the required application time (approx. 20 seconds). The risk of accidentally staining clothes or spilling the disinfectant is significantly lower.
Due to their thicker consistency, disinfectant gels are also better carriers of the protective and soothing substances mentioned above. As a result, they make it easier to care for the correct level of hydration and regeneration of the hands. After application, the skin is smooth and sometimes even smells nice.
How should I use the hand disinfection gel?
Hand disinfection gel allows to get rid of microorganisms without using water. It can be used in virtually any situation that requires hand disinfection.
A small amount of the product should be squeezed out of the packaging with a squeeze or a special pump. The gel is then spread over the skin with both hands. It is very important not to omit the spaces between the fingers. Rubbing should continue for at least 20–30 seconds and afterwards the skin should dry without wiping – instruction for washing and disinfecting hands.
Most disinfectant gels available on the market are suitable for daily, repeated use. People with more sensitive skin should opt for preparations with additional skin care properties. Special care should be taken when touching the face after application – disinfectant gels should never get into the eyes or mouth. As a rule, preparations should also not be used on irritated or injured skin.
Efficacy of disinfectant gels against COVID-19
The official World Health Organization recommendations for protection against the spread of coronavirus include:
- wearing nose and mouth protection,
- getting vaccinated according to the recommended schedule,
- washing hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water.
Alcohol-based disinfectant gels are officially the best alternative to conventional washing. However, there is a fundamental distinction between disinfectants for surfaces and preparations for hands. The latter should ideally contain around 70% alcohol, but should be free of highly irritating substances such as sodium hypochlorite.
According to international experts, higher alcohol concentrations do not guarantee more effective protection and can lead to excessive drying and irritation of the skin. It is also not recommended to combine alcohol-based gels with alcohol-free preparations – the result can do more harm than good.
Of course, disinfectant gels do not protect against airborne droplet viruses. However, observation shows that a large proportion of infections are due to the transmission of the pathogen by hand into the eyes, mouth or nose. In this context, hand disinfection in the form of gels, liquids or foams is one of the most effective forms of limiting the development of an epidemic – not only COVID-19, but also other seasonal infections.
PCC Group’s disinfectant range
The PCC Group Product Portal offers a wide range of disinfectants. Among them there is the ROKO® PROFESSIONAL ANTI-VIRUS+ ALOE VERA Gel for hand disinfection. This product is a unique offer that ensures effective disinfection. Its carefully selected composition of ingredients also leaves a pleasant aloe vera fragrance on the skin, and its efficient performance is ensured by the high content of ethyl alcohol (70%).
We encourage you to familiarise yourself with the full range of disinfectants available on the PCC Group Product Portal.