
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a shortage of hand sanitizers, prompting some perfume and cosmetics manufacturers to join the fight against the virus. While perfumes are not cleaning agents, they can be used as substitutes for hand sanitizers when no other options are available. Most perfumes contain at least 80% alcohol, which can be used to disinfect hands when soap and water are not accessible. Some perfume houses, such as 4160 Tuesdays, Exaltatum, January Scent Project, Kamila Aubre, and Sarah Baker, have even started producing disinfectant solutions or hand sanitizers. Additionally, a company called Adhespack has developed a line of fragrance labels and cards embedded with a nanotechnology varnish that has been proven effective against bacteria and viruses, including coronaviruses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Perfumes as a disinfectant | Perfumes are not a recognised disinfectant against coronavirus. However, they can be used as a substitute for hand sanitisers when no other option is available as they contain at least 80% alcohol. |
| Perfumes in the beauty industry | Adhespack has developed a line of fragrance labels and cards with a nanotechnology varnish that is effective against bacteria and viruses, including coronavirus. |
| Perfumes and the human body | Perfumes can chemically alter the air we breathe, weakening a phenomenon called the human oxidation field. |
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What You'll Learn
- Perfumes are not cleaning materials but can be used as a substitute for hand sanitizers
- Perfumes can be used to keep hands clean and fragrant
- Perfumes can be sprayed on the palm and fingers and rubbed for a few seconds
- Perfumes can weaken a 'human oxidation field' made by your skin
- Perfumes have at least 80% alcohol content

Perfumes are not cleaning materials but can be used as a substitute for hand sanitizers
While perfumes are not cleaning materials, they can be used as a substitute for hand sanitizers in times of need. When outside, it is important to have an alcoholic solution to rub our hands with frequently. Most perfumes have at least 80% alcohol content, which can be used as a disinfectant.
Perfumes can be sprayed on the palm and fingers and rubbed for a few seconds. However, it is important to note that the best way to keep our hands clean is still to wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Surfactants, which are the most important part of soap, shower gel, and shampoo, can kill the virus.
During the pandemic, hand sanitizers often ran out of stock, and some perfume houses stepped up to help fight the virus. Firmenich, for example, started producing disinfectant solutions, and other independent perfume brands such as 4160 Tuesdays (UK), Exaltatum (UK), January Scent Project (USA), Kamila Aubre (Belgium), and Sarah Baker (UK) also produced hand sanitizers on a small scale.
In addition to these efforts, a perfume sampling company, Adhespack, developed a line of fragrance labels and cards embedded with a nanotechnology varnish proven effective against bacteria and viruses, including the alphacoronavirus Sars-CoV-2, which is in the same family as the virus that causes COVID-19. These tests provide evidence that viruses and bacteria cannot attach to or multiply on the sample surfaces, preventing cross-contamination.
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Perfumes can be used to keep hands clean and fragrant
While perfumes are not an appropriate solution to prevent the spread of COVID-19, they can be used as a substitute for hand sanitizers when you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water. Most perfumes contain at least 80% alcohol, which can be used to rub and clean your hands when sprayed on the palm and fingers.
Perfumes can thus be used to keep your hands clean and fragrant when you are outdoors and do not have access to soap and water. The high alcohol content in perfumes makes them a good substitute for hand sanitizers, which can be expensive and hard to find at times.
However, it is important to note that perfumes are not cleaning materials and should only be used as a last resort when other options are unavailable. When using perfumes as a hand cleaning solution, ensure that you spray it on your palms and fingers and rub it in for a few seconds.
Additionally, some people have reported using hand sanitizers as a substitute for perfume due to their pleasant smell and freshness. Hand sanitizers can be applied to the neck, palm, or wrist to add a pleasant fragrance.
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Perfumes can be sprayed on the palm and fingers and rubbed for a few seconds
While perfumes are not cleaning materials, they can be used as a substitute for hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available. Most perfumes have at least 80% alcohol content, which is an effective agent against the coronavirus. Therefore, perfumes can be sprayed on the palm and fingers and rubbed for a few seconds.
However, it is important to note that perfumes are not a suitable long-term solution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The best way to maintain hand hygiene is to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is because surfactants, which are present in soap, shower gel, and shampoo, can kill the virus.
When access to soap and water is limited, especially when one needs to go outdoors, it is crucial to carry an alcoholic solution for hand sanitization. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective and convenient as they do not require water. They also contain emollients that help maintain skin health by preventing dryness and cracking.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, some independent perfume brands have stepped up to produce hand sanitizers on a small scale, ensuring that people have access to these essential products. These perfume houses include 4160 Tuesdays (UK), Exaltatum (UK), January Scent Project (USA), Kamila Aubre (Belgium), and Sarah Baker (UK).
Additionally, a perfume sampling company, Adhespack, has developed a line of fragrance labels and cards with a nanotechnology varnish proven effective against bacteria and viruses, including the coronavirus. This varnish prevents viruses and bacteria from attaching or multiplying on surfaces, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
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Perfumes can weaken a 'human oxidation field' made by your skin
While perfumes are not an appropriate solution to prevent coronavirus, they can be used as a substitute for hand sanitizers in the absence of the latter. Most perfumes contain at least 80% alcohol content.
Perfumes Can Weaken a Human Oxidation Field
The human oxidation field is formed by reactions between ozone and oxidation precursors in skin lipids. When oils in our skin are exposed to ozone, they can create highly reactive molecules called hydroxyl radicals, which can break down other gases in the air around us, creating a haze of radicals—the human oxidation field.
A study published in Science Advances found that personal care products like perfumes and lotions can chemically alter the air we breathe, weakening the human oxidation field. In a simulation, two of three people in a chamber had perfume applied to the backs of their hands. Within 90 seconds, two plumes of air in the chamber showed increased rates of chemical reactions with hydroxyl radicals, indicating the participants' human oxidation fields interacting with perfume compounds.
The researchers are still unsure of the exact implications of fewer hydroxyl radicals. If the radicals react with other molecules to form toxic substances, wearing perfumes could be harmful. However, if the radicals are breaking down dangerous gases, then wearing perfumes could be beneficial.
Manabu Shiraiwa, a chemist at the University of California, Irvine, and an author of the study, stated that they "expected that the personal care products would weaken the human oxidation field, but the extent of the impact was surprisingly huge."
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Perfumes have at least 80% alcohol content
While spraying perfumes is not a solution to stop or prevent coronavirus, they can be used as a substitute for hand sanitizers when you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water. Most perfumes contain at least 60% ethyl alcohol, which can reach up to 95% in some categories. In particular, perfume extracts, also known as perfumes, contain a concentration of essence that varies from 20% to 40%, with alcohol accounting for between 60% and 80% of the total mixture.
The high alcohol content in perfumes makes them a viable alternative to hand sanitizers, which are often expensive and difficult to find in stock. By spraying perfume on the palms, fingers, and rubbing it in for a few seconds, you can ensure some level of protection when no other options are available.
It is important to note that perfumes are not cleaning materials, and their primary purpose is not to disinfect or sanitize. However, in times of need, their alcoholic content can be utilized as a substitute for hand sanitizers.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that not all alcohols are suitable for use in perfumes. For example, methanol is extremely toxic and should never be used in perfumes. Instead, cosmetic-grade Trade Specific Denatured Alcohol (TSDA) or SD-40b, a specific grade denatured with tert-butyl alcohol, is recommended for perfume creation. These denatured alcohols are made unfit for human consumption by adding specific chemicals, ensuring they are safe for external use.
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Frequently asked questions
While perfumes are not cleaning materials, they can be used as a substitute for hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available. This is because most perfumes have at least 80% alcohol content.
Spray the perfume on your palms and fingers and rub it in for a few seconds.
Some independent perfume brands are producing hand sanitizers on a small scale and selling or giving them away. These include 4160 Tuesdays (UK), Exaltatum (UK), January Scent Project (USA), Kamila Aubre (Belgium), and Sarah Baker (UK).
Yes, Adhespack is the first sampling company in the world to offer sampling solutions with additional protection against viruses and bacteria, including the alphacoronavirus Sars-CoV-2, which is in the same family as the virus that causes Covid-19.











































