You don’t have to be obsessive-compulsive to worry about germs these days. It’s cold season, it’s flu season, and worse yet, now we have to fear the H1N1 virus (“swine flu”) too. Accordingly, sales of antibacterial soaps and hand gels have risen dramatically in recent months. However, there are some problems with mass-market antibacterial products: the ones with triclosan pose possible health concerns, and the ones with too much alcohol leave your hands dry and cracked, and thus vulnerable to all kinds of irritation and infection.
For these reasons, not to mention the harsh window-cleaner smell of so many drugstore antibacterial products, I’ve long preferred alternatives like EO Hand Sanitizer. Lately, I’m even more pleased with the new Hand Purifier from Intelligent Nutrients. It’s a gel product (rather than a liquid that runs down your wrists and onto the front of your winter coat when you try to apply it on the go), and it feels like a lightweight hand lotion. It disinfects with alcohol (“denatured using certified organic peppermint oil”), but then it soothes with glycerin, aloe, and chamomile.
Most of this Hand Purifier’s ingredients are certified organic, including its fragrance. Vanilla extract and peppermint oil are blended in a scent that reminds me of mint-drop candies, those pastel “kisses” that melt in your mouth. The fragrance lasts for a few minutes, with an aromatherapeutic effect that's calming and reviving at the same time. The ingredients list also includes tea tree oil, which has its own antibacterial properties, but I don’t detect tea tree’s distinctive smell in this product.
This isn’t exactly an inexpensive item, but I’ve been thinking of it as a multi-purpose anti-bacterial product and moisturizer, which helps a bit. I’m always glad to find it in the bottom of my tote bag whenever I need it, and I feel even better afterwards, when my skin isn’t punished for my attempts at good hygiene.
Intelligent Nutrients Hand Purifier sells for $12 for 60 ml at Barneys New York.
Note: top left image is Erik Hans Krause, c. 1938 (Work Projects Administration Poster Collection, Library of Congress).
This sounds nice, Jessica. I was thinking how good it would be if there were little bottles of this to give out as teacher gifts around the holidays. The blend of peppermint and vanilla made me think of candy canes. We use Germ-X foaming hand sanitizer, and it works beautifully. It smells pleasant (sort of a soft and green floral that’s not overpowering), foams so you don’t have to worry about over-applying and doesn’t dry out our hands. And this is with everyday use, or multiple times a day if we’re battling colds. I am known as the resident Monk and always have hand sanitizer about, so it’s always good to find another well made one to try.
I’ve got a “Monk” at my house too—-who washes hands like she’s about to go into transplant surgery, and brandishes hand sanitizer like a light saber in Star Wars! Only a slight exaggeration, I assure you. While her hands are presumably 100% germ free—they also get red and cracked on the backs—-
So Jessica—this sounds like a great product for me to slip into Miss Germ Awareness’ backpack—school is germy; it’s a fact.
Thanks for the great review. 🙂
I love the “Monk” reference! I sometimes think of myself as Lady Macbeth when I really get scrubbing. 😉
Nothing beats hot water and soap, followed by a good hand cream, but sometimes that’s not immediately possible (at school, on the subway, etc.)!
I love the packaging! I think these would make great Teacher and Secretary gifts. I’m anti-Triclosan but have to make sure the kiddos are protected at school and sports -this looks like a great option.
Thanks for the review!
Prettythings, I’ve also avoided triclosan for a while, since it supposedly backfires by encouraging the bacteria to recreate themselves in a new, resistant form… and this happens to be a high quality product that smells wonderful, so why not try it! 🙂
Putting on my professional, non-perfumista, hat, here. I’m an Infection Control nurse for a hospital, and am board certified in the specialty.
Be sure that any alcohol based hand sanitizer you use is at least 60% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol, or it can be ineffective. Also, triclosan used ONLY in hand washing products doesn’t contribute to resistance. It’s when people have gone crazy putting it in every damn thing including toys that it has become a problem.
One last thing, studies have shown that washing hands with hot water vs. warm water is much more irritating to the skin and doesn’t contribute to additional cleanliness. You’re better off using alcohol-based hand sanitizers with emollients unless your hands are visibly dirty than you are repeatedly washing with hot water, soap, and drying with paper towels. It’s actually healthier for your skin.
Stay healthy, everyone.
/perfumista hat back on/
Thank you, Jenrab! It’s always good to have an actual health professional check in. 🙂