Hand Sanitizers are part of our modern lifestyle and used everywhere from washbasins to holiday trips. Even though we Indians love to use Hand wash liquids, the use of sanitizing liquid is more hygiene and unavoidable. The advantage of Hand Sanitizer over Handwash is that they are powerful, faster acting and broad spectrum against microorganisms and can be used water-less.

According to: WHO
“hand sanitizer works great and is very effective at killing bacteria, fungi and viruses.

According to: FDA
“Consumers can continue to use hand sanitizer products with confidence as this regulatory process moves forward. We will work to ensure that these products remain available to help people stay clean and healthy in homes, day care centers, restaurants, and offices across the Nation.

According to: CDC
“Practicing hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent infections. We should continue to use healthcare antiseptic products currently recommended.

A controlled study of 200 workers at FedEx in 2004 showed that placing hand sanitizer dispensers in an office resulted in a 21% reduction in absenteeism. Controlled studies showed an even greater reduction in absenteeism (51%) in elementary schools and college dormitories (43%). Its broad spectrum antimicrobial efficacy ensures that the most common microorganisms are eliminated.

Types of Sanitizers:
Alcohol based (Isopropyl/Ethanol)
Ammonia based (Benzethonium/Benzalkonium Chloride)
Silver/Iodine based
Chlorine based (Chlorhexidine/Cetrimonium)
Triclosan based
Essential Oil based (Cinnamon, Clove, Thymol)
To guide our viewers to buy the best or suitable Hand sanitizer of India, We at THN Media bought all the available Hand sanitizers in Indian Market and tested their effectiveness. First we have excluded all ‘Triclosan’ based sanitizers from our test list, because they can not even kill E.coli or common cold viruses and also known to cause Cancer and Antibacterial Resistance.

After a long-term usage and in-house Microscopic analysis, we have listed the Top 10 Sanitizers of India based on their effectiveness, ease of use, cost factor and long-lasting protection power. Here is our Top 10 List:

No: 1 – Zapcare Sanitize Hand Wash

This Sanitizer is an alcohol free, fragrance-free, water-based and Non-flammable hand sanitizer.

This is the only hand sanitizer available in India which is effective for more than 6 hours after the application. It has 0.2% Benzalkonium Chloride which is a Broad-spectrum antimicrobial that kills Swine Flu – H1N1 (Subtype of Influenza A Virus), MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ), Metallo-Beta-Lactamase-1 (NDM-1), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E-Coli, K.Pneumonia & Gram negative bacteria in 30 seconds and protects the hand for 6 hours.

Read about the Antimicrobial efficacy of a Benzethonium chloride here

Ingredients: Benzalkonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera Extract, Glycerin, Propyl Paraben Sodium, Demineralized Water

How it smells: It smells like deodorant
How it feels: White surf like Foam
Substantivity: 6.5 hours
Zone of Inhibition: 10/10

Price: Rs.55 for 60ml

No: 2 – Klenza Alcohol Free hand sanitizer
klenza sanitizer
The Klenza Hand Sanitizer, is a unique patent pending pure silver based technology which uses Ionized Silver as the main ingredient. Klenza is a green product that doesn’t use any harmful ingredients like alcohol, triclosan or paraben. Klenza is safe on all skin types and is exceptionally gentle even on the hands of kids (3+ years). As it has SLS and costlier than zapcare we ranked it No:2.

Klenza is tested as per ASTM E 2755 which proves that it offers 3 hours of protection from germs and as per ASTM E 2315-03,it kills 99.999% of germs instantly without alcohol.

Read about the Antimicrobial efficacy of Ionized Silver here

Ingredients: Aqua, Silver, Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Fragrance

How it smells: It smells like body soap
How it feels: White surf like Foam
Substantivity: 3.25 hours
Zone of Inhibition: 10/10

Price: Rs.90 for 50ml

No: 3 – Winova Baby Smooth – Alcohol Free Sanitizer
winova sanitizer
This is another alcohol free Benzalkonium Chloride sanitizer which is even safe for babies. Also European Standard Test Certified (EN1500, EN14476, EN13697).

It has 0.1% Benzalkonium Chloride which is Broad-spectrum antimicrobial that kills bacteria, fungi and viruses in 30 seconds and protects the hand for 3 hours. Its free from preservatives and additives.

Ingredients: Benzalkonium Chloride, Purified Water

How it smells: It smells like soap
How it feels: White surf like Foam
Substantivity: 2.61 hours
Zone of Inhibition: 9/10

Price: Rs.85 for 50ml

No: 4 – Keisha Hand Sanitizer
hand_sanitizer keisha

Keisha is the most powerful sanitizer which is an 70% Alcohol based sanitizer with added Chlorhexidine di gluconate which kill all harmful germs than any other sanitizer. Chlorhexidine is active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, facultative anaerobes, aerobes, and yeasts. An Alcohol percentage of 60-80% destroys the cell wall/membrane of bacteria by denaturing their proteins and dissolving their lipids (effective against most bacteria, fungi and some viruses; ineffective against bacterial spores). If you use 100% Alcohol instead, the bacteria get ‘sealed’ and they will survive…

Read about the Antimicrobial efficacy of 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate and 70% Isopropyl alcohol here

How it smells: It smells like Spirit
How it feels: Watery
Substantivity: 8 minutes
Zone of Inhibition: 10/10

Price: Rs.50 for 50ml

Note: 3M Avagard CHG handrub uses the same formula, but cost you 10 times more…

No: 5 – Himalaya PureHands Hand Sanitizer
Himalaya’s PureHands is an effective, herbal, 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which kills 99.9% of germs, prevents infection, and ensures total hand hygiene.
purehands
PureHands contains extracts of herbs like Coriander, which have potent antimicrobial properties and Lime, which is a natural bactericidal. In addition, the active ingredients of Neem, which are antibacterial, fungicidal and antiviral, safely keep viruses, bacteria and fungi at bay. It protects the skin from oxidative damage and also prevents itching. Even though its a mixture of herbal ingredients we didn’t like its strong spirit smell and cannot recommended it to women.

Ingredients: Hrivera (Coleus vettiveroides), Coriander, Lime, Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides), Neem extracts, Alcohol 60%.

How it smells: It smells like Gin
How it feels: Watery Gel
Substantivity: 35 minutes
Zone of Inhibition: 9/10

Price: Rs.55 for 50ml

No: 6 – Lifebuoy Total Hand Sanitizer
lifebouy

This is a 62.25% mixed-alcohol based sanitizer formulated with an instant anti bacterial formula that eliminates all bacteria in 10 seconds, leaving your hands healthy and germ free. Just rub onto your hands and this non sticky hand sanitizer can eliminate up to 99.99 percent germs in 10 seconds. Possibly this is one of the fastest acting sanitizer. It has been clinically proven that it kills the H1N1 virus without water in 10 seconds.

Ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol 95% v/v IP 55% w/w, Isopropyl Alcohol Ip 10% w/w, Vitamin E

How it smells: It smells like Spirit
How it feels: Gel
Substantivity: 1 minute
Zone of Inhibition: 9/10

Price: Rs.60 for 55ml

Note: There are three more variants in Lifebouy sanitizers (Care-Blue, Activefresh-Aqua, Nature-Green). Dont buy these, buy the original RED One.

No: 7 – Dr. Batra Hand Sanitizer
dr-batra sanitizer
Dr. Batra’s non alcoholic spray hand sanitizer contains Tulsi extract which possesses anti – bacteria properties & anti-fungal features thus helps in eradicating micro-organisms present on the skin also contains glycerin which’s a skin protector & also it has added Benzalkonium Chloride and Chlorhexidine di gluconate for extra protection. Even though it has all the powerful ingredients it fails to perform well in our test due to the poor concentrations of active ingredients.

Ingredients: Indian Basil-tulsi, Castor Oil, Benzalkonium Chloride, Chlorhexidine gluconate, Citric Acid.

Price: Rs.105 for 100ml

No: 8 – Godrej Protekt Hand Sanitizer
godrej-protekt
Godrej Protekt Not Just Another Hand Sanitizer is a 0.125% Benzalkonium Chloride based sanitizer and the company claims that it protect the hands for 8 hours. But in our tests it works only for 2 hours. We didnt also like the watery white spray and the smell of this product (you will get the same solution if you mix dettol disinfectant in water).

Ingredients: Benzalkonium Chloride

How it smells: It smells like Floor Cleaner
How it feels: Soap Water
Substantivity: Zone of Inhibition: 9/10

Price: Rs.50 for 30ml

No: 9 – Dettol Instant Hand Sanitizer
Dettol-Hand-Sanitizer
It has mild fragrance but too thick in its consistency. We prefer the Lifebouy over dettol for this reason.

Ingredients: Denatured Alcohol- 72.34% w/w, PEG/PPG-17/6 copolymer, Propylene glycol, Acrylate /C10-30 alkyl acrylate, crosspolymer, Tetrahydroxpropylethylenediamine.

How it smells: It smells like Vodka
How it feels: Thick Gel
Substantivity: Zone of Inhibition: 8/10

Price: Rs.60 for 50ml

No: 10 – ZUCI Junior Instant Hand Sanitizer
zuci-junior-instant-hand-sanitizer
Its 60% alcohol based product and comes in different fruit flavors and one of the best smelling sanitizer, specially the green apple flavor. But too much watery, dries fast and contains granules which we didn’t like and hence the last position.

Ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol 95% v/v IP 63.15% w/w, Isopropyl Alcohol Ip 3.2%, Vitamin E

How it smells: It smells like wine
How it feels: Watery Gel
Substantivity: Zone of Inhibition: 7/10

Price: Rs.50 for 30ml

So which Hand sanitizer should you use?

For Newborn: till three years, do not apply any sanitizer or handwash, let the baby develops some immunity.
For Kids 10 yrs old : Zapcare Sanitizer (apply after breakfast and lunch)
For Housewives: Lifebuoy Sanitizer
For Engineers: Keisha Hand Sanitizer/Cleanser
For Doctors & Nurses: Klenza Alcohol Free hand Sanitizer
All others: Use Himalaya Pure Hands

Why Sanitizers only kill 99.99% germs and not 100%?
You may wondered to watch all TV advertisements of soap/sanitizers claiming to kill only 99.99% and not 100%. This is because of the ability to Resist by the microorganisms. The resistance is present when actually the organisms are avoiding contact with the sanitizing chemical because a biofilm is present. Bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., Campylobacter spp. and several others can produce biofilms. This is why no one claims to kill 100% germs.

Do we really bought and tested all these Sanitizers?
Yes, of course. Here is the proof:
Indian-Sanitizers

Where to buy these hand sanitizers?
All are available in Amazon India and Flipkart. Please do a google search.

So When should you use a hand sanitizer?

Before and after attending to a sick person.
Before touching a new born baby or infant.
After visiting a hospital or nursing home.
During travel or after using public transports including airports.
After using computer keyboard and mouse.
After using the washroom or public toilet.
After driving a car or bike.
After fitness & indoor sports.
After handling currency notes or ATM.
After shopping in any mall or departmental stores.
After doing household work like cleaning, dusting, handling garbage, etc.

And When should you use a hand wash?

Before Preparing food.
Before touching or eating food.
Before handling cheap plastic bottles (Non BPA Free).
After sneezing.
After using a toilet.
After playing with animals.

Always use a Non Triclosan based Hand wash or better use normal soap/liquid soap. You can apply Hand sanitizers after washing the hand.