Hand sanitizers are usually abundant, but these days because of COVID-19 it may be difficult to locate. in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone is understandably consumed by the process of hand sanitizing, and many people are finding it nearly impossible to buy sanitizer online or in stores, leaving many to make their own DIY hand sanitizers that are just as effective.
Before this hand sanitizing frenzy, I was always cautious about overusing hand sanitizer to begin with, Christian Gonzalez, ND, a naturopathic doctor, warns that hand sanitizers can “enhance dermal penetration of BPA.” Otherwise known as bisphenol-A, a chemical that interferes with the endocrine system, leading in some cases to negative effects on the brain and prostate gland. Gonzalez also advises consumers to avoid hand sanitizers that include triclosan, which may actually weaken your immune system and disrupt your hormone regulation. That rule shouldn’t be too difficult to follow, as the Food & Drug Administration ruled in 2016 that soaps and hand sanitizers containing triclosan could no longer be marketed to consumers. (Products like cosmetics and toothpaste still utilize triclosan, so read your labels carefully.)
I am not saying hand sanitizer is a direct cause of these issues, but continuous exposure to these ingredients transdermally entering our bloodstream is something I am willing to minimize any chance I get.
This shouldn’t mean that we have to stop our habit of being clean, take control of your health and make your own super simple DIY hand sanitizer with essential oils. Essential oils are a staple in my house for all my alternative cleaning solutions because they have been proven to be anti-bacterial and antimicrobial. Here’s a recipe I have been using from Dr. Eric Sileniski and I believe it’s a great alternative because it leaves my hands very soft, clean and I don’t find myself using it too much. I even use it as a body spray at the gym. My favorite essential oils with strong antimicrobial activity are organic tea tree oil and organic eucalyptus oil.
DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe
What You Need
- 5 Drops of Organic Essential Oil ( your choice) – My suggestion is to get this set 8 USFA Organic Essential Oils from Cliganic – you can switch up the scents!
- Purified Water
- Witch Hazel ( acts an emulsifier so all the oils can evenly distribute)
- Glass Bowl
- Mini Spray Bottle
- Optional – Vitamin E Oil or aloe gel
Put 5 drops of essential oil through a container with a pouring spoutto get into your glass jar. Next, add a few drops of vitamin e oil or aloe gel and then add a few drops of witch hazel. Give the bottle a little shake and then put the water through the funnel until it reaches capacity!
Sanitize your spray bottles and pour in your hand sanitizer. Spray some of your leftover alcohol into your bottles and let them sit until the alcohol has evaporated. Pour in your sanitizer.
Label your containers. You don’t want any accidents where you or anybody else ingests your newly made hand sanitizer. Take the time to label your bottles. Continue living.
Update: Because of the demand for sanitizer, during COVID-19, this recipe does not claim to kill viruses like commercial sanitizers, You have the option to replace the witch hazel with 70%of 91% isopropyl alcohol to kill viruses.