The Best Hand Sanitizers Feel Like Skincare and Smell Like Perfume
The category has gotten a serious facelift.
Hannah Baxter
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If you were a fly on the wall during my daily routine as I head into the office, you would see me do the same thing every morning. I come in, put my bag down, hang up my coat, take out my computer, and immediately wash my hands. I have never in my life played about my hand care, and as you can imagine, this means I have a very extensive hand sanitizer collection.
There’s nothing quite like washing your hands with good old-fashioned soap and water; however, when I’m in a pinch, hand sanitizer gets the job done. That’s not just a colloquial statement; it’s expert-backed and scientifically proven. “Hand sanitizers are topically applied products that kill or inactivate germs on contact,” board-certified dermatologist Morayo Adisa, MD, tells me. “However, they are not a substitute for washing when your hands are visibly soiled or after certain exposures.” Yes, I have to brave the subway stations of New York City every single day, but do you know what makes my journey underground that much better? Having a tiny germ-fighting product in my bag that can help me stay clean until I can get to a bathroom and really get to scrubbing.
I like to call myself a clean-hand connoisseur, so believe me when I say I’ve tried nearly every hand sanitizer on the market. The list below is a culmination of the best of the best, from a viral option you’ve likely seen on your FYP to a secret makeup artist staple I’ve decided to stop gatekeeping. If you’re ready to perfect your hand sanitizer game, keep reading to shop my favorite formulas.
The Best Hand Sanitizers
- The Best Hand Sanitizer Overall: Jao Refresher
- The Best Viral Hand Sanitizer: Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer
- The Best Scented Hand Sanitizer: Gemi Hand Sanitizer + Serum
- The Best Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer: Alōh Hand Sanitizer
- The Best Refillable Hand Sanitizer: Paume Moisturizing Antibacterial Hand Gel
This sanitizer has been a staple in makeup artists’ kits for years, and I always recognize it when they use it. Why? Because the most delicious, elegant scent always fills the room after just a few sprays in the hand. If you want a hand sanitizer that extends your fragrance routine, start here.
Size: 2 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol; A blend of essential oils (scent)
What I Love: Phenomenal scent; Beloved by professional makeup artists
What I Don’t: Can be hard to find in person
Review for MC: “I vividly remember the first time I ever smelled this hand sanitizer. I was at a Pat McGrath event, and the makeup artist put this on her hands before doing my face. The entire time, I kept getting this wonderful whiff of scent until I couldn’t take it anymore and had to find the culprit. Imagine my surprise when I was told it was the hand sanitizer. If you love sensorially pleasing beauty products, this sanitizer is non-sticky and is also basically perfume for your hands.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing the Jao Refresher hand sanitizer
You’ve likely come across these hand sanitizers while doing your daily social media scroll, and that’s because they’ve gone viral countless times. From the compact packaging to the mist itself, everything is phenomenal. This line also offers hand sanitizer formulas that are sweetly scented and can be viewed almost as an extension of your fragrance profile.
Size:1 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Alcohol (kills bacteria); Aloe vera (hydration); Radish root ferment filtrate (moisture retention)
What I Love: Compact; Easy to slip into any bag; Highly fragrant
What I Don’t: Some may find the scents a little too strong and artificial smelling
Review for MC: “Touchland hand sanitizers is another one of those beauty products that my husband and I love to fight over. Everything from the sleek, compact packaging to the scent of each formula, and even the atomizer—it all works together wonderfully to give the most elevated, hand-cleaning experience. I love giving and receiving them as gifts because they’re equal parts fun to use and extremely practical.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing the Touchland Power Mist hand sanitizer.
While scent has been a secondary factor in previous hand sanitizer formulas, with this one, it’s front and center. Gemi has mastered the art of fragrant hand care, and the entire Marie Claire beauty team is collectively obsessed with these formulas—our desks always have a bottle within arm's reach.
Size: 1.35 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Centella Asiatica (moisturizing); Vitamin B5 (humectant)
What I Love: Silky serum texture; Elegant fragrance composition
What I Don’t: Atomizer isn’t great for people with longer nails
Review for MC: “I say this with 100 percent accuracy: Every single time a team member has sprayed this hand sanitizer in the office, someone asks who sprayed perfume. These mists are so well formulated, and it’s clear the team put a lot of effort into perfecting the fragrance in the ingredient list. This sanitizer is the epitome of chic and feels like you’re getting two beauty products for the price of one.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing the Gemi hand sanitizer.
If you’re looking for lightweight moisture with a more citrusy scent profile, Alōh's hand sanitizer is a fantastic option. It’s made with 70 percent alcohol, aloe vera, and a host of essential oils, making it perfect for someone who prefers a more moisturizing formula to add to their handcare routine.
Size: 2 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Glycerin (hydration); Aloe vera (moisture)
What I Love: Formula uses a host of essential oils; Gentle, Moisturizing formula
What I Don’t: Some may find the scent to be too citrus-forward
Review for MC: “A citrusy sanitizer that feels gentle on the skin without any stickiness or tack? Immediately yes. Aloh’s Sanitizing Hand Mist is the perfect little gift for loved ones, thanks to its clean, fresh scent and super-moisturizing formula. If you’re someone who washes your hands quite a bit, you may also want to slip this into your bag for when you can’t get to a sink with soap and water.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing the Alōh hand sanitizer mist.
Paume is one of the best hand care lines out there, and when you get a hold of the brand’s hand sanitizer, you’ll fall in love with the line as deeply as I have. Aside from the usual germ-killing qualities of a hand sanitizer, this formula also boasts an incredible emollient effect thanks to ingredients like Hydresia G2 and aloe vera. The best part? You can buy refills to keep using the plastic container the hand sanitizer comes in (or the at-home dispenser you can buy separately).
Size: 3 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Hydresia G2 (emulsifier and moisturizing agent ); Aloe Vera (hydration); Witch Hazel (astringent)
What I Love: Refillable; Subtle, barely-there scent
What I Don’t: The refill kit is a bit on the higher end
Review for MC: “Paume has long been an MC beauty editor favorite and for good reason: This hand sanitizer truly makes your hands feel like you’ve just scrubbed them clean. From the slight cooling sensation that it leaves behind to its ability to be refilled and reused, everything about this product feels functional but still fun to use.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
If you’re a fan of a good shelfie, then you likely know the gem that is Aesop’s hand sanitizer mist. Herbaceous and fresh, this formula sinks in quickly without stripping my hands of moisture. Plus, pulling it out of your bag is like a signal to the entire world that you have good taste.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Saccharide Isomerate (humectant); Aloe Vera (hydration)
What I Love: Unisex scent, which makes it perfect for gifting; Niche beauty brand
What I Don’t: Appears to only be available in Aesop stores
Customer Review: “Amazing product! You only need a little. The scent is earthy, and delivery was a snap!” — Aesop
Listen, I used to work in the healthcare industry, and every day when I walked through those halls, I saw one hand sanitizer brand: Purell. I like to consider this brand the workhorse of the hand sanitizer industry, and if it’s good enough for a place that is literally meant to heal the ill, then it’s good enough for me. (Plus it’s a tried and true classic that feels good, not stripping, on the hands.)
Size: 8 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Ethyl alcohol; Glycerin (moisture); Vitamin E (moisture)
What I Love: Classic formula beloved by the healthcare industry; Easily and readily accessible
What I Don’t: Not very scented
Customer Review: “What can you say. Purell is the gold standard and trusted to work without smelling weird.” — Amazon
With hydrating botanical oils, sugarcane-derived alcohol, zero parabens, synthetic fragrances, or dyes, and the most delectable array of fragrance options, Noshinku should always be on your radar for a chic and luxe-smelling hand sanitizer. It's also the perfect size to fit into a small bag or your pocket, because sanitizing your hands shouldn't mean sacrificing your 'fit. The Vetiver scent is particularly noteworthy, so prepare for strangers to ask you for a spritz.
Size: .67 oz
Key Ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol distilled from organic sugarcane; Aloe (soothing); Rosehip (moisturizing); Argan (moisturizing
What I Love: Chic and slim packaging; Gorgeous scents; Sensitive skin-friendly; Refillable
What I Don’t: Not the biggest size so you run out quickly
Customer Review: “I've been a loyal fan of this hand sanitizer for years, and I definitely have one stashed in every bag I own. All of the scents are so lovely, and the formula never feels like it leaves my skin stripped or dry. I actually look forward to sanitizing my hands with this—it's really that good." — Hannah Baxter, Beauty Director
How Does a Hand Sanitizer Kill Germs?
Before we get into what ingredients to look for in a hand sanitizer, let’s understand how they actually work. “Hand sanitizers break down microbial proteins and disrupt cell membranes, which rapidly inactivate pathogens by weakening their external cell walls, causing leakage of cellular contents and disruption of normal function,” Kseniya Kobets, MD, board-certified dermatologist, tells me. “Alcohol-based formulations are most effective, particularly against bacteria, yeasts, and enveloped viruses (including coronaviruses like COVID-19).”
How to Choose a Hand Sanitizer
- Alcohol Percentage
When choosing a hand sanitizer, pay close attention to the ingredient list. “High-quality hand sanitizers should contain at least 60 percent alcohol, which is the minimum threshold for reliable antimicrobial activity,” Dr. Kobets says. “Ethanol (60–85 percent alcohol) and isopropanol (60–80 percent alcohol) formulas are both effective and generally well tolerated, though ethanol tends to evaporate faster.” While formulas with higher alcohol concentrations are available (those with 95 percent or more are more effective against some non-enveloped viruses), they are also more drying to the skin, which is why people tend to avoid them for everyday use.
- Skincare Ingredients
For moisture, the key is to seek out formulas with ingredients found in your face and body moisturizers. “Evidence-based emollients such as glycerol (also known as glycerine), aloe vera, and allantoin (ingredients that can also be found in your favorite body oils), which help soothe the skin and support the skin barrier, are all great ingredients to keep an eye out for,” Dr. Kobets says. “Studies show that alcohol-based sanitizers with added emollients cause less irritant contact dermatitis than plain soap or chlorhexidine-based products, so they’re a great way to keep germs at bay in between trips to the bathroom.”
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Meet the Experts
Dr. Morayo Adisa is double board-certified as a dermatologist and dermatopathologist. She has a passion for providing highly personalized care for all her patients. Her areas of interest include medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology for all ages and skin types.
Kseniya Kobets, MD, Director, Cosmetic Dermatology and Assistant Professor, Dermatology at Montefiore-Einstein. Dr. Kobets’ clinical focus is on the cosmetic treatment of patients using cutting-edge modalities for rejuvenation, acne, rosacea, acne scarring and hair restoration.
