As the inventors of PURELL® hand sanitizer, everything we’ve done and continue to do is rooted in science and innovation. Our scientists carefully select ingredients that are perfectly balanced to not only kill germs but also factor in skin health and deliver a great experience.

In addition, we take careful consideration of our environmental impact and have worked to limit ingredients of concern. We are proud to have achieved the world’s first green-certified hand sanitizer formula and currently hold the largest global portfolio of third-party ecolabel-certified hygiene products.*

Third-party verifications include respected certifications from the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Products Program, UL ECOLOGO® Certified products, and USDA BioPreferred® Program. Please check individual hand sanitizer SKUs for specific certifications they may hold.

*First to meet an independent, 3rd party, type-1 Ecolabel environmental standard for hand antiseptics.

High-quality ethyl alcohol is essential to PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizers. The active ingredient for these formulations is 70% ethyl alcohol, which kills 99.99% of germs that may cause illness. We are proud to use our own supply of GOJO NATURELL™ Renewable Ethanol, which allows us to meet or exceed the high requirements that are expected in the manufacture of over-the-counter, FDA-regulated drugs. We have one of the purest forms of plant-based ethanol on the market, free of allergens like gluten and gluten residues,  and having our own supply ensures we have a constant, dependable supply of high-quality ingredients.​

A well-formulated product kills germs on your hands that may cause illness and evaporates quickly, while leaving moisturizers behind to nourish the skin. PURELL® hand sanitizers have been developed for use in high-frequency settings and maintain or improve skin’s condition. As a leave-on product, hand sanitizer shouldn’t remove skin lipids (which strengthen the protective barrier of skin and keeps it soft) even with repeated use. Removing skin lipids can leave skin feeling dry and looking dull. PURELL® hand sanitizers do not remove skin lipids.

PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer contains denaturants, which are unpleasant-tasting ingredients that make the products undesirable to drink. According to the FDA, young children, especially toddlers, may be attracted by the pleasant smell or brightly colored bottles of hand sanitizer⁷. Using denaturants helps ensure hand sanitizer is not accidentally consumed or ingested.

Hand sanitizer should never be ingested, but it can be used safely on hands by everyone, including those who are pregnant and children (although you should always supervise children younger than 6).

In addition to its overall germ-kill, we also recognize the unique sensory experience of hand sanitizer – no one wants a sticky, smelly hand sanitizer. Every aspect of its use is important. How it pumps, how it feels and smells, and how it makes hands feel afterward are all concepts we consider when developing formulas.

To ensure you’re getting the best experience, we’ve carefully combined our inactive ingredients to complement the ethyl alcohol base and ensure you get an optimal, balanced formula that maintains effectiveness.

Research shows that the effectiveness of non-alcohol hand sanitizer varieties can be negatively impacted by the addition of ingredients like fragrances and skin conditioners.^4,5 But alcohol-based formulations, like PURELL® hand sanitizers, are less sensitive to such additions and provide a better experience.