Where to buy hand sanitiser online: The brands that still have stock
Throughout the coronavirus outbreak, government guidelines, medical experts and health organisations such as the World Health Organisation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have advised that regularly washing hands for 20 seconds at a time can prevent the spread of germs.
Health experts have stated that the virus is spread through droplets transmitted into the air from coughing and sneezing, which people nearby can take in through their nose, mouth or eyes.
However, if the droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others, it can spread further.
If you are not able to wash your hands with soap and water, then hand sanitiser is the next best thing, as long as it contains at least 60 per cent alcohol, which will kill microorganisms on the skin.
A word of caution though the NHS property services have issued a warning not to leave alcohol-based hand sanitiser in the car as there is a potential fire risk. When it becomes heated, flammable vapours are released and can then ignite into flames so its recommend not to leave hand sanitiser unattended in vehicles.
Because of the advice shared by experts, global supermarket sales of alcoholic hand gels have risen by 255 per cent according to recent data by consumer knowledge experts, Kantar Worldpanel.
For many, this has meant getting hold of it has become increasingly difficult, so to ensure you never run out, we’ve compiled the retailers and brands selling hand sanitisers.
You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
Neom
While you may know Neom for its relaxing home fragrances, the latest launch from the brand is a clean & happy hand sanitiser gel pack of 3 (Neom, £18) which means you'll never run low or can share them with friends and family.
As expected, it's nicely scented with wild mint and mandarin, combined with glycerine and a 65 per cent alcohol content, which will help stop your hands from feeling dry after continuous use.
Plus, with every pack you buy, it will donate a pack to the NHS for healthcare workers tackling the pandemic.
Kinn Living
Mother and daughter duo, Marie Lavabre and Sophie Lavabre-Barrow, have expanded their line-up of eco-friendly cleaning, laundry and skincare products to include a hand sanitiser (Kinn Living, £4.95).
Made with 70 per cent alcohol and scented with tea tree oil that's naturally anti-bacterial, it's a great bottle to keep to hand when you're outside of your home.
The Body Shop
Adding a bit of fun to the hand sanitiser boom is The Body Shop, which has three scented Hand cleanse gels, 60ml (The Body Shop, £2.50) in mango, coconut and satsuma.
It’s great for rinse-free hand washing when you don’t have access to soap and water, is vegan and is made from a 73 per cent alcohol-based formula.
Previse
As demand for hand sanitiser surged, skincare brand Previse pivoted its production line to create its own Instant hand sanitiser, 60ml (Wolf & Badger, £11) with 75 per cent isopropyl alcohol.
The plant-based gel is plant-based, cruelty-free, PETA vegan certified and made free from fragrances which reduces the risk of irritation for sensitive skin.
Holland and Barrett
This I love hand sanitiser, 250ml (Holland and Barrett, £5) is made with 70 per cent alcohol and vitamin E. It's also a big enough size to last a good few weeks, and is a great one to keep at home or on a desk.
You can buy it as a one-time purchase, or subscribe and save to get deliveries ranging from every two weeks to every six months, perfect if you know you'll be buying more of it.
Beauty Kitchen
Sustainable beauty brand Beauty Kitchen has created its own vegan hand sanitiser spray, from 50ml (Beauty Kitchen, from £10) refillable form, so you can fight the germs and reduce your single-use plastic consumption simultaneously.
It has three options to shop from; two 50ml refillable sprays, a 500ml refill bottle and starter pack of one 50ml spray and a 500ml refill bottle.
However if you needed to top up your skincare routine, for all orders over £40, customers will receive a free hand sanitiser.
This Works
While this brand makes brilliant beauty products, since the coronavirus outbreak, it has started making its own Stress check clean hands antibacterial gel, 60ml (This Works, from £4).
Available in 60ml and a 500ml refill size, they’re all infused with hyaluronic acid, neroli, patchouli, lavender, vetivert, chamomile as well as 70 per cent purifying alcohol so they’re effective at killing germs and keeping hands hydrated and soothingly scented.
Since its launch on 23 April, a limited run of 2,000 30ml hand sanitisers has been donated to NHS frontline workers, homeless shelters and food banks too.
Boots
Your local Boots store has plenty of hand sanitisers to shop, some of which are available online and in-store, although not all have over 60 per cent alcohol content, so make sure you check the label before you buy.
While it's own brand bottles are currently out of stock, you can still get your hands on the Lifebuoy hygiene hand gel, 50ml (Boots, £1.50) which has 64 per cent alcohol in it.
It is, however, limiting sales of it to ensure everyone can have access to it, so shop wisely.
Margaret Dabbs London
Expert podiatrist Margaret Dabbs founded her eponymous skincare line with a focus on footcare but has since branched out and made a hydrating hand sanitiser, from 30ml (Cult Beauty, £12).
Designed to eliminate dirt and bacteria without leaving hands feeling uncomfortable, the formula is enriched with emu oil, white water lily and 65 per cent alcohol.
It’s available in two sizes, 200ml and a mini 30ml so you can keep a stash at home and have one of the go stored safely in your handbag.
Pai Skincare
Skincare brand Pai initially launched its hand sanitiser, Action Spirit, 100ml (Pai, £12) to give to neighbouring schools, nurseries and charities in its local community in South Acton.
It’s now available for customers across the UK via its website, and has limited the product to three per person.
It has also launched a buy one, give one scheme, where for every one purchased, Pai will donate one to vulnerable people in the community.
Earl of East
We love this Earl of East rinse-free hand cleanser (Earl of East, £6.50) which contains 70 per cent alcohol, and is made in its London-based studio.
It's blended together with essential oils including peppermint and lavender to keep hands from becoming dry.
We Are Paradoxx
Belfast born haircare brand We Are Paradoxx is best known for its shampoo, conditioner and masks, with 90 per cent of the brand being plastic-free.
It’s new vegan Cleansing anti-bacterial hand spray, 75ml (We Are Paradoxx, £6.50) is no different, with 70 per cent alcohol content, housed in aluminium packaging that’s also 90 per cent plastic-free.
For every one sold, the brand is donating one to frontline carers and one per cent of every purchase goes to 1% For The Planet, an organisation that supports businesses committed to creating a healthy planet.
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