Katrina Rosales
During the pandemic, social media posts claimed that perfumes and colognes could be used as hand sanitisers. This is because alcohol is often a key ingredient in hand gels and wipes and has been used as a steriliser for thousands of years. However, this is misinformation. While perfumes may contain alcohol, they are not effective disinfectants or antimicrobials. Hand sanitisers should contain 60-70% alcohol and be mostly made up of water or aloe vera gel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness as a disinfectant | Not effective |
| Effectiveness as an antimicrobial | Not effective |
| Alcohol concentration | Varies, but likely higher than 60-70% |
| Alternative uses | Can be used to add fragrance to hand sanitizers |
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What You'll Learn
Misinformation about using perfume as a sanitizer
There has been a lot of misinformation circulating on social media regarding the use of perfume as a hand sanitizer. While it is true that alcohol has been used as a sterilizer since ancient times, and that some perfumes contain alcohol, it is not true that perfumes are effective disinfectants or antimicrobials.
Firstly, the concentration of alcohol in hand sanitizer is crucial to its effectiveness, with the final concentration needing to be between 60-70% alcohol. Perfumes do not contain this level of alcohol, and even if they did, the addition of other ingredients such as oils or lotions would render the mixture ineffective.
Secondly, while some fragrances may have antiviral properties due to their alcohol content, they are not effective substitutes for hand sanitizer. At best, they may be marginally better than nothing, but a simple rinse of the hands with plain water is likely to be just as effective as spraying them with perfume.
The misinformation circulating during the pandemic claimed that certain perfumes could boost immunity, which is not only false but also potentially dangerous. It is important to remember that hand sanitizers are meant to be used only as a temporary measure when soap and water are not available, and even then, they are much less effective than proper handwashing with soap and water.
The only link between perfume and hand sanitizer is the addition of fragrance to hand sanitizers to make them more appealing to consumers. This is a matter of fragrance design and has nothing to do with the effectiveness of the product as a disinfectant. In summary, perfume should not be used as a substitute for hand sanitizer, and proper hand hygiene practices should always be followed to ensure effective disinfection.
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The history of hand sanitizers
While perfumes can be used as hand sanitisers, it is not their intended purpose. Furthermore, perfumes are costly substitutes for hand sanitisers and may not offer the same level of protection against diseases.
The use of alcohol as an antiseptic dates back to at least 1363, with evidence supporting its use emerging in the late 1800s. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers became commonly used in Europe by the 1980s and were included on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
Hand sanitizers were first introduced in 1966 in medical settings such as hospitals and healthcare facilities. One version of the story attributes the invention to Lupe Hernandez, a nursing student in Bakersfield, California, who combined alcohol and gel for use by doctors when they did not have access to soap and warm water before treating patients. However, a Smithsonian Institution historian, Joyce Bedi, could not find any trace of Hernandez or any evidence of a patent for hand sanitizer under that name from the 1960s.
Another account traces the origins of modern hand sanitizer to Goldie and Jerry Lippman, a married couple who developed a waterless hand cleaner in 1946 for rubber plant workers to replace the use of harsh chemicals like kerosene and benzene. In 1965, the German company Hartmann introduced Sterillium, claiming it to be "the world's first marketable alcohol-based hand disinfectant" with 75% alcohol and glycerin.
Hand sanitizers gained popularity in the early 1990s and became widely recognized as an effective way to control the spread of germs, especially during outbreaks such as the H1N1 swine flu. The COVID-19 pandemic further emphasized the importance of hand hygiene, leading to a surge in demand for hand sanitizers globally, including in countries like India.
Today, hand sanitizers are widely available in various forms, including liquids, gels, sprays, and wipes, with alcohol concentrations typically ranging from 60% to 95%. While hand washing with soap and water is generally preferred, hand sanitizers offer a convenient alternative when soap and water are unavailable, making them a staple in healthcare settings and everyday life.
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Effectiveness of perfume as a disinfectant
Using perfume as a hand sanitiser is a claim that has been made on social media. However, it is considered misinformation. While perfumes may contain alcohol, a key ingredient in hand sanitisers, they are not effective disinfectants or antimicrobials.
The alcohol content in hand sanitiser should be between 60-70%. Mixtures of alcohol and oil or alcohol and lotion are not effective. Even properly made commercial hand sanitisers at the correct ratio are much less effective than regular hand-washing with soap and water.
Some perfumes may have a high alcohol content, such as Turkish cologne, which has 80-degree alcohol and may be effective. However, generally, perfumes are not designed to be used as hand sanitisers, and their effectiveness as disinfectants has not been established.
During the pandemic, some false claims were made about specific perfumes boosting immunity, which is outrageous and shameful. It is important to rely on trusted sources of information, such as public health authorities, for guidance on effective disinfectants and sanitising practices.
While fragrance companies have historically faced challenges in modernising their practices, the recent link between the perfume industry and the pharmaceutical sector has led to the development of fragranced hand sanitisers and disinfecting wipes. These products are designed to effectively sanitise while also providing a pleasant sensory experience.
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The role of alcohol in sanitization
Alcohol is a key ingredient in hand sanitizers and plays a critical role in sanitization. It is an effective disinfectant that helps kill germs, bacteria, and viruses. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are particularly useful in crowded areas like public spaces, schools, and offices, where they reduce the spread of these pathogens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that hand sanitizer products contain between 60% to 70% alcohol to effectively combat the coronavirus.
Alcohol-based sanitizers have a low boiling point, and when rubbed between the palms, the alcohol evaporates, taking away germ particles. This evaporation also ensures that the sanitizer leaves no sticky residue and keeps the hands soft and moist. Alcohol-based sanitizers are also useful for sanitizing surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, vehicles, and other high-touch areas, thus preventing cross-contamination of infections.
While perfumes and colognes may contain alcohol, they are not effective as disinfectants or antimicrobials. They do not contain sufficient concentrations of alcohol to be effective sanitizers. In fact, mixtures of alcohol with oil or lotion are not suitable as sanitizers. Therefore, perfumes should not be used as a substitute for proper hand sanitizers or washing hands with soap and water, which remains the most effective method for hand hygiene.
Overall, alcohol plays a vital role in sanitization, and alcohol-based sanitizers are an essential tool in maintaining health and hygiene, especially in public spaces. However, it is important to use products specifically designed for sanitization, as the role of alcohol is highly dependent on its concentration and the product's overall formulation.
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Fragrance design for hand sanitizers
While perfume and cologne are not effective disinfectants or antimicrobials and should not be used as hand sanitisers, the inclusion of fragrances in the formulation of hand sanitisers is becoming increasingly popular. According to market researchers at Adobe Analytics, the demand for hand sanitisers increased by 1400% from December 2019 to January 2020, coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The addition of fragrance to hand sanitisers is an important consideration for consumers, as the scent can impact their willingness to use the product. Citrus and floral scents are commonly used in hand sanitisers to neutralise the smell of alcohol. For example, the Dove Nourishing Hand Sanitizer comes in a Lavender & Chamomile scent, while The Honest Company's hand sanitiser wipes are grapefruit- or lavender-scented.
Some popular fragrances for hand sanitisers include:
- Oriental fragrances with initiating aspects of bergamot, orange, lemon, and melon, followed by middle notes of rose, honeysuckle, and white tea leaf, and a final base note of woody musk.
- Fresh and clean fragrances with opening notes of lime, orange, and citron, followed by heart notes of orange blossom, neroli, and geranium, and a base note of white musk.
- Opulent floral fragrances with nuances of orange blossom, jasmine, gardenia, tuberose, frangipani, lilac, rose, lily-of-the-valley, and plumeria.
These fragrances not only serve to mask the smell of alcohol but also provide a pleasant sensory experience for the user, transporting them to sweet-smelling places and offering an escape from the challenges of the real world.
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Frequently asked questions
No, perfumes and colognes are not effective disinfectants or antimicrobials and should not be used as a replacement for hand sanitizer.
Hand sanitizer needs to contain water (either as liquid water or aloe vera gel) and alcohol with a final concentration of 60-70%. Mixtures of alcohol and oil or alcohol and lotion are not effective.
Alcohol has been used as a sterilizer since ancient times, with the word "alcohol" derived from "al kohl", a term for the metallic element Egyptians used to treat eye infections. Hand sanitizers as we know them today were invented in 1966 by a nursing student named Lupe Hernandez from Bakersfield, California.
Yes, some hand sanitizers have fragrances added to them to give them a more pleasing scent.
If you don't have access to hand sanitizer, you can wash your hands with soap and water or rinse them with plain water.
