During the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol-based sanitisers were used to kill germs and protect from the spread of disease. But excessive use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers can also have harmful side effects and risks, especially among healthcare workers and people who use hand sanitiser regularly.
🚨 The Hazards of Alcohol-Based Sanitisers
Alcohol based sanitiser works by killing microbial cells, and is based on 70-90% isopropanol alcohol, which is rubbing alcohol. In a study of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was found that:
- Nearly 1 in 3 people reported cracked skin
- Around 1 in 5 experienced hand redness
- Around 1 in 10 had tingling and numbness
- Almost 1 in 10 used sanitiser more than 10 times daily
Surprisingly, 41.4% surveyed didn’t know the name of sanitiser they were using, but almost 85% knew it contained alcohol, which has been linked to adverse skin changes such as allergies, skin damage, and toxicity.
✋ Skin Health Matters
While alcohol-based hand sanitisers are effective against many pathogens, their side effects include:
- Dryness and irritation
- Cracked, inflamed skin
- Residual fragrances and stickiness that can linger on your hands
- Potential for long-term skin barrier damage, toxicity, and skin conditions including skin irritation, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, discoid eczema, and superficial infections.
🚨 When your skin barrier is compromised, you are more vulnerable to germs. Washing hands with soap is safer than alcohol hand sanitiser to reduce health risks, but where clean water isn’t easily available Vera offers a gentler sanitiser alternative.
Vera Clean: A Gentler Alternative
Where disinfection from germs is necessary, Vera delivers everyday protection that is gentle on your skin and non-drying.
| Feature | Alcohol-Based Sanitisers | Vera Clean |
|---|---|---|
| Kills Germs | ✅ | ✅ |
| Skin Impact | ❌ Can cause dryness & cracking | ✅ Gentle on skin |
| Toxicity Risk | ⚠️ Emits fumes and can cause toxicity and skin damage | ✅ Low-tox with no residual odours or fragrance |
| Use on Surfaces | ⚠️ May damage some surfaces | ✅ Safe on most surfaces |
| Non-Flammable | ❌ | ✅ No risk of flammability |
Cleaning isn’t just about removing germs; it’s about protecting your skin and general wellbeing
If you’re sanitising frequently, whether at work, home, or on-the-go, it is important to know how your sanitisers may be impacting your skin and overall health because cleaning isn’t just about removing germs; it’s about protecting your skin and wellbeing too. Vera’s high safety profile means it is gentle enough for daily use, yet tough enough to help you maintain a cleaner, healthier space with less effort.
Healthy spaces and healthy hygiene starts with what you use and how you clean, so prioritise a healthier, more intentional approach with Vera.
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