Aug . 27, 2024 16:40 Back to list

Hand Sanitizer with Benzalkonium Chloride

People have become more aware of the importance of hand hygiene, boosting the use of antiseptic hand sanitizers with benzalkonium chloride, alcohol and other germ-fighting ingredients. Find out more about this ingredient in hand sanitizer.

Is Benzalkonium Chloride Hand Sanitizer Good?

Benzalkonium chloride is a broad-spectrum antiseptic that has been used as a disinfectant and as a food-preservation agent. It has antimicrobial qualities, making it effective against some bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Benzalkonium chloride hand-wash soaps, and hand sanitizers, are a good choice in the fight against disease, as they may effectively disinfect your hands and stop the spread of germs. They're also gentle on your skin and won’t dry your hands as some alcohol-based sanitizers do.

Benzalkonium Chloride(Dodecyl Dimethyl Benzyl ammonium Chloride)

What Is Benzalkonium Chloride Hand Sanitizer Used For?

Though alcohol hand sanitizers are still the preferred option for hand sanitization, alcohol-free hand sanitizers with benzalkonium chloride may be a good alternative. Benzalkonium chloride doesn't sting the hands as alcohol does, and it's a popular choice for children’s hand sanitizers, such as the Babyganics alcohol-free foaming hand sanitizer.

Alcohol-based sanitizers contain a large amount of alcohol (the CDC recommends at least 60%), and if ingested, it poses a much greater toxicity risk than benzalkonium chloride. The latter usually constitutes less than 0.2% of a hand sanitizer or hand wash formula. Also, alcohol is flammable, which could be problematic in some situations, and it’s prohibited in some countries and by some religions.

Therefore, alcohol-free hand sanitizers containing benzalkonium chloride typically may be used in the following instances:

Where religion demands that no alcohol may be used
In areas where alcohol is prohibited
When working near open flames
Where there's a high risk of ingestion, such as by young children

Hand sanitizer with benzalkonium chloride may also be used by some as a matter of personal choice.

Does Benzalkonium Chloride Hand Sanitizer Expire?

All hand sanitizers expire eventually, and because the FDA is the regulating body, hand-sanitizing products are required by law to display an expiration date. Expired sanitizer isn’t dangerous to use, but it may become less effective over time. The effectiveness and longevity of your hand sanitizer also depend on where and how you store it. For a longer shelf life, keep your sanitizer in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

Don’t store your hand sanitizer on a windowsill.
Don’t leave your hand sanitizer in a hot car for long periods of time.

And rest assured that if you use your hand sanitizer regularly, it probably won’t last long enough to expire.

What is the mechanism of Benzalkonium Chloride?