How to be sure your hand sanitiser is protecting you properly

Do you know how to be sure your hand sanitiser is protecting you properly? The experts at Airmedica told us what to look out for

Good hand hygiene remains our most essential protection against COVID-19, but as the pandemic has continued and demand for protective essentials has increased, a number of brands have released hand sanitisers. It’s important to remember that not all hand sanitisers are created equal but there are easy ways to ensure that yours is protecting you properly and meets the correct standards.

Airmedica is the leading brand in personal protective cosmetics, made in Ireland with Irish ingredients. All Airmedica products are vegan and cruelty-free and created by expert teams working in Mayo and Cork who are passionate about finding and using the best Irish ingredients possible, of the greatest quality for your hygiene and your health.

They are focused on protecting and supporting the community, working with local hospices, hospitals and charities like Marymount Hospice, Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Mayo Roscommon Hospice and Cork Penny Dinners to donate hand sanitiser and hand cream to ensure responders and communities are kept safe.

Breffney O’Dowling-Keane, Brand Development Manager at Airmedica shares five key things to look out for in your hand sanitiser to ensure safe and effective protection for you, your family and your community.

Airmedica Total Hand Shield System, €14.99.

Check the alcohol percentage
“To be fully effective, the Center for Disease Control recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol. This should be clearly marked on the bottle,” says Breffney. Airmedica Hand Sanitiser, from €3.65, contains 70% alcohol and a blend of nourishing ingredients to keep your hands safe and soft.

You don’t need very high levels of alcohol
Don’t be convinced that the highest level of alcohol will protect you best. Hand sanitiser containing very high levels of alcohol, or over 80%, is not as effective as it can evaporate too quickly.

Make sure you’re applying correctly
To be effective, hand sanitiser should stay on your hands for at least 20 seconds as you rub it in. “Take off any rings or jewellery and apply a pea-sized amount on to clean, dry hands,” says Breffney. “Rub into and around the entire surface of your hands for 60 seconds, including between your fingers, to get full coverage. Continue rubbing until your skin is fully dry.”

Store safely
“Because of the high alcohol content, it is important to keep your hand sanitiser out of direct sunlight,” explains Breffney. “Store in a cool dry place, out of the reach of children.”

Check for a PCS and EN number
A lot of sanitisers on the market do not contain the stated alcohol percentage. To be sure your hand sanitiser meets the correct standards, check for a PCS and EN number, which should be stated visibly on the bottle. “A PCS number, given out by the Department of Agriculture and the Marine, is confirmation that the product you are using meets the biocidal criteria claimed on the bottle,” says Breffney. “Airmedica’s PCS number is 100302. You should also always check your hand sanitiser has an EN number, which means that the product meets all European quality standards. Our hand sanitiser has been tested under EN1276 and EN1500, the European Standards which evaluate the efficacy of sanitisers in killing bacteria.”

Airmedica Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitiser, €5.50

For more information, visit airmedica.ie.

Photography by Airmedica.

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