How do you choose the best hand sanitizer for children? There are a lot of elements that go into picking out the right hand sanitizer for children to make sure it is applied safely and effectively. While it can be difficult to find the right hand sanitizer that is the most effective for fighting germs, it is crucial to find the right elements for children's safety. 

Interested in learning about what to look for in a hand sanitizer and how to safely apply it? Keep reading!

Here's what to look for:

Scented or unscented

Scented hand sanitizer is creative and can be enticing for children. Buying a scented hand sanitizer can also cause a child to want to use it. However, a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, and recreational activities don't allow scented products due to allergy concerns, so it may be best to stick to an unscented or lightly scented hand sanitizer in those types of settings.  

Alcohol concentration

The CDC always recommends a hand sanitizer have an alcohol concentration of at least 60%, and that is the same for children. There are no studies about what type of alcohol is best for children, ethanol or isopropyl, so as long as the hand sanitizer alcohol content is at least 60%, it is safe to use. 

Portability

No one wants to be carrying around a huge bottle of hand sanitizer, so it's important to find a small bottle or spray for children to carry in their backpack or keep in their desk. Check out our 100mL bottles and our 40mL pouches, perfect for on the go! 

Packaging

You may want to consider finding fun or bright packaging to entice children to use hand sanitizer, but also consider to not buy sanitizer in packaging that mimics food or beverages to reduce the risk of ingestion. 

Safety

It is extremely important to teach your children about how to use hand sanitizer safely and when to use it. Hand sanitizer should not be used when the hands are dirty or greasy, it is best to teach children about good hand washing techniques. When on the go, hand sanitizer should be used before and after eating, after playing outside, and after touching things like door handles and shared items. 

What age can children start using hand sanitizer?

The FDA discourages the use of hand sanitizer for infants to the age of 2. If using at a young age, children should be taught how to properly use hand sanitizer and be supervised while using. 

What happens if my child licks it or gets it in their eyes?

If a child licks their hands after applying hand sanitizer, it's not the end of the world. While a small lick is harmless, a child could experience alcohol poisoning if a large amount is consumed. Parents should discourage children from licking their hand sanitizer as it tastes awful. If a child gets hand sanitizer in their eyes, it can cause irritation, burning, and sometimes an eye infection. It is best to rinse the eyes with lukewarm water, and watch for any worsening irritation. 

Tips for application

• Adults should be present when applying hand sanitizer for younger children, and if available, should be applying it onto the hands for the child to rub in. 
• Avoid the eyes and let the hand sanitizer dry completely before touching anything.
• Keep hand sanitizer out of reach when it is not needed.